Narrative in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

An Innovative Method for Teaching Creative Writing

Abstract
This article explores an innovative method for teaching creative writing, blending traditional character-driven storytelling with the capabilities offered by artificial intelligence and role-playing game structures. The method takes advantage of students’ familiarity with role-playing games, using AI as a tool to support character development and plot evolution, in an approach rooted in the principles of Constructivism and Play-Based Learning.

Introduction
How many of us have seen our students freeze in front of a blank sheet of paper? When asked to write a story, many students, who can come up with amazing tales in their daily lives, seem paralyzed. The question is: how can we break this barrier? Perhaps we have approached this challenge from the wrong perspective.

The Role-Playing Game Bridge
This led to the creation of what I call the “Spontaneous Character Creation Method” (SCCM), an approach that turns the dreaded blank sheet into a familiar space, inspired by role-playing games. We are not transforming a literature class into a game, but speaking the language of our students, as Play-Based Learning suggests.

The Return to Spontaneous Play
This method taps into children’s natural inclination for storytelling, the same one that leads them to create complex stories while playing with action figures or dolls. It is no longer a “task,” but a game—a form of learning that rekindles the enthusiasm of old, as Piaget’s Constructivism suggests.

Synergy with Artificial Intelligence
In the context of this approach, artificial intelligence plays a crucial role. The method uses three AI models in sequence, each with a specific function. The process begins with Lunaris 8B, which generates characters, acting as a “creative die” that provides the initial foundation for students to build upon. These prompts are then developed using ChatGPT to explore the characters’ backgrounds and potential plot developments, and finally, Claude 3.5 Sonnet helps weave these elements into coherent narratives, acting as a writing assistant.

The Magic of Shared Growth
The real pedagogical value lies in the fact that, while students believe they are simply creating stories, they are actually developing sophisticated narrative skills and, more importantly, emotional intelligence and socio-relational competencies. As they collaborate to resolve conflicts and achieve common goals, they naturally explore themes such as cooperation, prejudice, personal growth, and conflict resolution.

A Familiar Environment
The method leverages familiar scenarios such as magical portals and enchanted forests to ease the cognitive load of world-building. Students can focus on character and plot development without getting lost in the details of constructing the narrative universe, as suggested by Learning by Doing practices.

Results and Observations
The most surprising outcome was seeing how students began to dedicate themselves to writing outside of school hours. What started as a classroom exercise turned into a personal passion, with students continuing their stories in their free time—a pedagogical success beyond our initial expectations.

Concerns and Responses
Some colleagues have raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in teaching creative writing. However, AI does not replace students’ creativity; it offers support that sparks new ideas and approaches. Students always retain full control over the development of their stories.

Others fear that the playful approach might undermine the value of literature, but we have observed how this method acts as a bridge, not as an endpoint. Students gradually transition to more sophisticated writing, as suggested by Vygotsky’s theory of the Zone of Proximal Development.

Conclusion
The Spontaneous Character Creation Method (SCCM) shows that by speaking the language of students, we can guide them toward more mature and reflective writing. Although it may seem unorthodox, the results are clear: passionate students, increasingly refined stories, and a new approach that not only stimulates creativity but also develops crucial life skills.

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Note from the Author: No dice were harmed during the development of this teaching method.