We’ve all heard an awful lot about generative AI over the past several months. ChatGPT can write walls of comprehensive text with a simple prompt. MidJourney can create photorealistic images just going off a few words. Surely this will change the nature of creativity! Artists and writers, head for the hills!
And AI probably does have some interesting applications, but can it, for example, truly write an entire novel? Or at least, a novel worth reading? Say there’s a book that readers have long been awaiting but which has been beset by delays for over a decade now. Could ChatGPT help complete it?
I wanted to probe those questions, so I asked ChatGPT to write a few chapters from George R.R. Martin’s as-yet-unreleased book The Winds of Winter, the sixth novel in his Song of Ice and Fire saga. We’ve been waiting to read it for ages. But with the help of robots, maybe the waiting is over?
I asked it to write the first chapter from The Winds of Winter and then to write four more, each one picking up where the first one left off. How did it do? Take a look:
Chapter 1: The Frozen Winds
The howling winds pierced through the desolate landscape, carrying whispers of a winter long awaited. In the heart of Winterfell, its halls echoing with faded glory, Jon Snow stood at the battlements, his eyes fixed upon the vast expanse of snow-covered fields beyond. The weight of his decisions bore heavily upon him, as did the heavy cloak of leadership that he had reluctantly donned.
A darkness loomed, not just in the realm of men, but within his own soul. The scars of battles fought and lives lost etched upon his face, a constant reminder of the sacrifices made for the greater good. The Night’s Watch, once a beacon of hope, had been fractured, its unity shattered like the icy lands beyond the Wall.
But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, a glimmer of hope remained. The flames of R’hllor flickered in the heart of Melisandre, the red priestess who had traveled far to offer her guidance. Jon was torn between the Old Gods and the Lord of Light, his loyalties tested as he sought a way to bring peace to a realm teetering on the edge of annihilation.
Inside the Great Hall, the remnants of the Northern houses gathered, their banners tattered but their spirits unyielding. Jon, clad in black armor adorned with the direwolf sigil, stepped forward, his voice steady yet burdened with the weight of responsibility.
“Brothers and sisters of the North,” he began, his words echoing across the hall. “We face an enemy unlike any we have known before. The Night King and his army of the dead march upon us, seeking to extinguish all light and life. But we will not yield. We will not falter.”
As he spoke, the faces of those gathered showed a mixture of fear, determination, and hope. They had come to Winterfell seeking refuge, seeking a leader who could rally them against the encroaching darkness. And Jon, despite his own doubts and inner conflicts, had become that leader.
Outside the castle walls, the sound of distant howls cut through the frigid air. Jon’s eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the distant figure of a lone rider emerging from the snowy wilderness. Ser Davos Seaworth, his trusted advisor, approached with urgency etched upon his weathered face.
“Jon, there is news,” Davos said, his voice filled with a mix of urgency and trepidation. “A raven has arrived from the Citadel. It speaks of ancient prophecies, of forgotten magic awakening. The world as we know it is on the precipice of a cataclysmic event.”
Jon’s heart quickened, for he had long known that the battle against the Night King was but one piece of a larger puzzle. The fate of the Seven Kingdoms hung in the balance, and he was at the center of it all. The game of thrones was far from over, and the winds of winter would bring with them a storm that would reshape the realm forever.
As Jon prepared to face the challenges ahead, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was truly ready for the trials that awaited him. The weight of the crown upon his brow seemed heavier than ever, but with every step he took, he vowed to stay true to his purpose, to protect the living, and to forge a future where light could prevail over darkness.
The Winterfell winds whispered their secrets, carrying the echoes of battles yet to be fought. And as Jon Snow stood resolute, the fate of Westeros hung in the balance, waiting to be revealed in the chilling embrace of the Winds of Winter.
—
Okay, first things first: why did ChatGPT give the chapter a title? All of the chapters in the Song of Ice and Fire books are just the name of whatever viewpoint character we’re spending time with for that span, but now we’re getting a title like “The Frozen Winds.” I thought that was odd, and it kept doing that for every chapter.
But maybe I’m expecting too much of the program, because obviously it didn’t really pay much attention to what happened at the end of the fifth book in Martin’s series, A Dance With Dragons. That book ended with the Night’s Watch killing Jon Snow, and yet here he is in Winterfell rallying people to fight against the Night King and thrilling at the mention of “ancient prophecies” and
“forgotten magic awakening.”
The chapter kind of seems like a retelling of a scene from the season 6 finale of Game of Thrones, which is also titled “The Winds of Winter.” I thought maybe the robot was getting confused, so I went back and asked ChatGPT to write a different sample chapter, this time specifying that it pick up where Martin left off in A Dance With Dragons. And again, the sample chapter began with Jon Snow alive and well, so it didn’t make much difference.
And of course, the chapter is much more vague and general than what Martin usually writes. In a standard chapter of A Song of Ice and Fire, we’ll usually follow one character as they have conversations, make plans, fight battles, and so on. But this is a very birds-eye-view kind of thing.
So a weird start! Let’s see what the robot has in store for us next:
Chapter 2: Shadows of the Past
Deep within the haunted forests of the North, a figure moved with a grace born of both shadow and steel. Arya Stark, once a young girl chasing dreams of vengeance, had transformed into a deadly assassin under the tutelage of the Faceless Men. But her heart remained tethered to her family, and the call of Winterfell had grown too strong to resist.
Guided by a newfound sense of purpose, Arya returned to the halls that had once echoed with her laughter, now filled with the ghosts of her past. As she traversed the familiar corridors, memories of her childhood danced before her eyes, intermingling with the present, as if the walls themselves whispered tales of joy and sorrow.
But Winterfell was a changed place. The war had taken its toll, and the scars ran deeper than the castle’s ancient stones. Arya could sense the lingering pain, the remnants of lives lost and dreams shattered. Yet she also felt a flicker of hope, like a dormant flame yearning to be reignited.
In the godswood, she found solace amidst the towering heart tree. Its ancient face seemed to observe her, its silent presence both comforting and unsettling. Arya closed her eyes, allowing herself to become one with the woods, to feel the spirits of her ancestors whispering through the rustling leaves.
When she opened her eyes, Arya’s gaze fell upon her direwolf, Nymeria, standing in the shadows. The connection between them was unbreakable, a bond forged in the harsh wilderness. Nymeria’s eyes gleamed with a mix of loyalty and wildness, a reflection of the path Arya herself had tread.
“We are survivors, Nymeria,” Arya murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “And we will not let our enemies tear us apart.”
A rustle behind her made Arya spin on her heels, her hand instinctively reaching for Needle. Standing before her was Bran Stark, his eyes milky white, a mark of the powers he had gained beyond the Wall.
“Arya,” Bran said, his voice distant yet filled with ancient wisdom. “I have seen visions of the darkness that approaches. The Night King seeks to erase our world, to extinguish the light. But we have a chance to change our fate.”
Arya’s heart quickened, and a glimmer of determination ignited in her eyes. The siblings, bound by blood and shared struggles, were now poised to face a common enemy. They knew that the battle ahead was not just for Winterfell, but for the survival of all they held dear.
As Arya and Bran stood in the godswood, they knew that the time for reunions was over, replaced by the urgency of action. Winter had come, and with it, the need to awaken the dormant powers within themselves and rally the remaining forces of the North.
In the darkened corners of the castle, whispers of treachery and secrets echoed. Enemies lurked, both known and unknown, threatening to tear apart the fragile alliances that had been forged. Arya sensed that in the coming days, she would be forced to confront not just the physical threats, but the shadows that had haunted her own soul.
With her heart filled with equal parts determination and uncertainty, Arya Stark vowed to bring justice to those who had wronged her family. The winds of winter blew through the ancient halls of Winterfell, carrying with them a sense of foreboding and anticipation. And in the midst of darkness, Arya would emerge as a beacon of relentless strength, ready to face the battles to come.
The journey toward the ultimate fate of the Seven Kingdoms had only just begun, and the second chapter of The Winds of Winter whispered promises
—
Okay, first up: it just ends like that. I didn’t tell it to cut things off. The chapter just kind of ended with the word “promises”; no further words or a punctuation mark.
So we’re at Winterfell again, and once again ChatGPT doesn’t seem to really be starting where A Dance With Dragons ended. I again wonder if it can’t distinguish between what’s happened in Martin’s books and what happened on the HBO show.
Honestly, I’m also not sure if it remembers what it wrote for the first chapter. Is Arya wandering around Winterfell at the same time as Jon Snow is giving his speech? Or is this at another time?
What’s Nymeria doing here? And I’m sorry, “Standing before her was Bran Stark…” Standing before her? Bran picked up some new tricks.
Two chapters in and I have serious doubts about whether robots can effectively mimic George R.R. Martin. But maybe the third time is the charm…
Chapter 3: A Dance of Shadows
In the heart of King’s Landing, a city teeming with intrigue and deceit, Cersei Lannister sat upon the Iron Throne, her grip on power tenuous and her paranoia ever-growing. The wildfire of vengeance burned within her, consuming all reason as she plotted to secure her reign.
But whispers of dissent swirled through the Red Keep, and Cersei could not ignore the murmurs that reached her ears. The Tyrells, once her allies, now posed a threat to her rule. Margaery Tyrell, the young queen, possessed a cunning that matched her own, and Cersei knew she must strike before her enemies gained the upper hand.
In the dimly lit chambers of her quarters, Cersei met with Qyburn, her trusted confidant, and the master of whispers who had once been cast aside by the Citadel. His whispered reports revealed a web of conspiracies, secrets, and shifting loyalties.
“Margaery must be dealt with,” Cersei hissed, her emerald eyes aflame with malice. “I will not allow her to usurp my place upon the throne.”
Qyburn bowed his head, his voice tinged with an unsettling calmness. “Fear not, Your Grace. I have agents working to uncover the queen’s weaknesses. We shall strike at the opportune moment.”
As the darkness outside her window deepened, Cersei found herself haunted by the ghosts of her past. The prophecy of the valonqar echoed in her mind—the foretelling that a younger and more beautiful queen would take all she held dear. But Cersei was determined to shape her own destiny, to defy the words of the witch who had cursed her so long ago.
Deep within the bowels of the Red Keep, a masked figure moved silently through hidden passageways, their purpose unknown. This figure, known only as the Shadow Dancer, was an enigma, a player in the dangerous game of shadows that permeated the capital. Whispers suggested that their allegiance shifted like the wind, serving the highest bidder.
The Shadow Dancer’s presence unsettled Cersei, for she knew that even in the heart of her stronghold, secrets eluded her grasp. The thought of an unseen enemy lurking within her own walls gnawed at her sanity, further fueling her desperate quest to maintain control.
Outside the Red Keep, the streets of King’s Landing pulsed with life and desperation. The smallfolk, burdened by the cruelty of the ruling elite, whispered of rebellion and the need for justice. Their suffering was a symphony of discontent, ready to explode into chaos at the slightest provocation.
In the heart of this maelstrom, Jaime Lannister rode through the city on his white steed, his golden armor gleaming in the fading light. Sworn to defend his sister and lover, Jaime wrestled with conflicting loyalties. His love for Cersei was a constant torment, entwined with a sense of duty to protect the realm from her destructive impulses.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over King’s Landing, Cersei Lannister, the Queen Regent, made her way to the Great Hall. Clad in regal crimson, she stood before the assembled courtiers, her voice laced with venom and authority.
“Let it be known,” she proclaimed, her words echoing through the hall, “that I, Cersei of House Lannister, will not be undone by those who seek to undermine my rule. I will fight until my last breath to protect what is rightfully mine.”
Her declaration was met with a mixture of awe and fear, for her resolve was a force to be reckoned with. But beneath
—
Again the chapter cuts off suddenly, but this time I was intrigued. What’s happening beneath? Who is this Shadow Dancer? Where did that come from?
This is probably a good time to note that generative AI programs like ChatGPT can predict the next word in a sentence, but they can’t really think ahead. That may be why these chapters are ending so suddenly and why there isn’t much mind paid to context. Now I’m even more confused as to where in the Song of Ice and Fire timeline the chapter is starting. Cersei is on the Iron Throne — something that happened in the show but isn’t guaranteed in the books — but Margaery Tyrell remains alive?
Also, ChatGPT reference the valonqar prophecy, which isn’t mentioned by name on the show, although the substance is basically there. The robot is all over the map here.
Still, I was kind of intrigued by this one. Really, where did the stuff about the Shadow Dancer come from? Spooky.
Chapter 4: Shadows of the East
Across the Narrow Sea, in the ancient city of Braavos, Arya Stark walked the streets cloaked in the identity of No One. The House of Black and White, the sanctum of the Faceless Men, had become her refuge and training ground, honing her skills in the art of death.
Within the halls of the House, Jaqen H’ghar, the enigmatic Faceless Man who had guided her, observed her progress with a mix of pride and caution. He knew that Arya’s destiny stretched beyond the walls of Braavos, her path interwoven with the chaos engulfing Westeros.
In the depths of the House, Arya confronted a new challenge—a test of her resolve and her ability to become a true instrument of the Many-Faced God. She was tasked with assassinating a corrupt merchant, a man who had brought suffering upon the innocent.
Under the veil of darkness, Arya moved with the grace of a cat, blending seamlessly into the shadows. Her senses sharpened, her every step purposeful and precise. The merchant’s fate rested in her hands, and she would deliver judgment with a swift, silent blade.
But as Arya approached her target, her hand paused, the weight of her actions pressing upon her. She glimpsed a reflection of herself in a nearby canal, her eyes haunted by the faces she had worn, the lives she had taken. The lines between justice and revenge blurred, testing the very essence of her being.
She withdrew, slipping back into the night, her mission incomplete. Arya knew that she could not forsake her own identity, her own desires and motivations. The path of the Faceless Men was treacherous, and she yearned to reclaim her true self, to embrace the Stark blood that coursed through her veins.
In the city of Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen struggled to maintain control over the volatile land she had liberated. The Great Masters, embittered by their loss of power, staged acts of rebellion and resistance. The Mother of Dragons, once a symbol of hope, now found herself entangled in a web of political intrigue.
From atop her perch in the Great Pyramid, Daenerys surveyed her conquered city. Her loyal advisors, Missandei and Grey Worm, stood at her side, their unwavering support a testament to her leadership. But a growing restlessness brewed within her, a desire to reclaim her birthright and stake her claim on the Iron Throne.
The arrival of a mysterious envoy from Westeros sent ripples through Daenerys’ court. Varys, the Spider, presented himself as a messenger from the Seven Kingdoms, promising alliances and secrets that could tip the scales in her favor. But Daenerys, ever mindful of betrayal, questioned his motives.
In the depths of her chambers, Daenerys was visited by a vision—a glimpse of a frozen wasteland and the relentless march of the dead. The threat of the Night King reached even her shores, and she understood that her destiny was intricately tied to the fate of Westeros.
With her dragons soaring above, their screeches echoing through the night, Daenerys made a fateful decision. She would set sail for Westeros, leaving behind the chaos of Slaver’s Bay, in pursuit of the Iron Throne and the destiny that awaited her.
As the winds of winter howled across continents, the players in the great game moved closer to their respective destinies. Shadows danced upon the stage, their intentions hidden, their actions shrouded in darkness. The fate of Westeros hung in the balance, the paths of kings, queens, and assassins converging in a tale yet to be told.
—
“Shadows of the Past,” “A Dance of Shadows,” “Shadows of the East.” ChatGPT sure likes shadows, doesn’t it?
At this point, I’m pretty convinced that the robot isn’t keeping track of what it’s already written. Arya was in Winterfell in the second chapter and now she’s back in Braavos, still working for the Faceless Men. I did like the bit where she sees her reflection in a canal and decides to return to her original identity, though. ChatGPT seems to know that it needs to serve up emotional twists and turns; it just doesn’t fill out the details.
In another big break from the usual Song of Ice and Fire formula, we visit two characters in this chapter: Arya and Daenerys, who’s deciding to leave Meereen. That never happens in Martin’s books. Again, it seems like ChatGPT can’t really do context that well.
Okay, on to the final chapter. I asked that ChatGPT end this one on a cliffhanger:
Chapter 5: The Rains of Casterly Rock
In the depths of Casterly Rock, Tyrion Lannister, the wily dwarf with a sharp wit, paced the candlelit chamber that had become his sanctuary. The weight of his family’s legacy hung heavy upon his shoulders, and he yearned to forge his own path in the treacherous world of Westeros.
But Tyrion knew that his ambitions could not be achieved without allies, without unraveling the intricate tapestry of power that bound the Seven Kingdoms. He reached out to the depths of his network, summoning a meeting with those who shared a common cause.
Within the dimly lit room, Varys emerged from the shadows, his eyes glinting with a mixture of secrets and purpose. By his side stood a figure draped in a cloak of midnight black, the face hidden beneath a hood.
“The time has come for us to act,” Tyrion declared, his voice filled with determination. “The Lannister grip on the realm is slipping, and we must seize this moment to reshape the future.”
The cloaked figure stepped forward, revealing themselves to be none other than the exiled princess, Daenerys Targaryen. Her violet eyes burned with a fierce resolve, her silver hair shimmering in the candlelight. She had arrived, guided by whispers of Tyrion’s cunning and his desire for redemption.
“I have sailed across the Narrow Sea to claim what is rightfully mine,” Daenerys proclaimed, her voice carrying the weight of destiny. “Together, we shall rid the realm of the tyrants that have plagued it for far too long.”
In that chamber, a pact was forged—a union of minds and ambitions. Tyrion, the master of strategy, offered his wit and knowledge of the realm. Varys, the master of whispers, contributed his vast network and information-gathering abilities. And Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons, brought her powerful army and unwavering determination.
As their plans took shape, a sense of both excitement and trepidation settled upon Tyrion. The echoes of battles to come reverberated in his mind, each decision carrying the weight of life and death. The game had intensified, and the stakes had never been higher.
Outside the walls of Casterly Rock, however, a storm brewed. A legion of ships bearing the sigil of House Greyjoy sailed towards the rocky shores, driven by a desire for revenge and conquest. Euron Greyjoy, the enigmatic and dangerous pirate king, sought to cement his place among the rulers of Westeros.
As the chapter came to a close, the silhouette of Euron Greyjoy, a twisted grin upon his lips, loomed on the horizon. The clash of iron and the clash of wills promised an imminent collision, threatening to upend the fragile alliances that had been forged.
In the dimly lit chamber, Tyrion, Daenerys, and Varys exchanged a knowing glance. The winds of winter whispered through the cracks in the walls, carrying with them the foreshadowing of a great battle—a battle that would shape the fate of the Seven Kingdoms.
And so, the fate of Westeros hung in the balance, as the shadows of power and ambition clashed amidst the storm. With the chapter ending on a cliffhanger, the readers were left to wonder whose dominion would prevail and who would emerge triumphant in the game of thrones.
—
I can’t figure this thing out. Maybe ChatGPT is paying attention to what it wrote before? In Chapter 4, Varys showed up in Meereen and Daenerys decided that she would sail to Westeros. And here in Chapter 5, Varys presents Daenerys to Tyrion in Casterly Rock. Sure, it happened really quickly, and I have no idea why they’re all in Casterly Rock, but that’s continuity, right? Or maybe a dramatic coincidence? It’s hard to say.
I haven’t said much about the actual prose, which I think is readable but doesn’t really recall Martin in any meaningful way. It’s hard to imagine him writing lines like, “Varys emerged from the shadows, his eyes glinting with a mixture of secrets and purpose.”
It seems like ChatGPT is good at suggesting a story, but not equipped to write one itself. And the longer it goes on, the more patterns start to emerge. Just to see what would happen, I asked for a sixth chapter, and it was very similar to this one, expect this time people were meeting in King’s Landing and Jaqen H’ghar was the one dramatically revealing himself from under a cloak.
I was entertained by this, but I don’t think Martin is in danger of losing his gig anytime soon, which means that we’re still waiting to read the real Winds of Winter.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels