Have You Asked Chat GPT Why You Want to Write a Book? I Did. And I Learned . . .

How to Rely on Chat GPT as a Creative Buddy.

Why do I want to write a book? I asked ChatGPT (aka Chatty) last night.

I’m tired of my excuses.

I know how to write: I’m a copywriter, blogger, journalist, a course content creator, performance artist, poet and creative writing coach whose helped others write their books.

BUT …. I’ve wanted to write a book since I was ten years old. Yet I keep publishing my work in the relay and short-distance races — when I’m going to finish writing my memoir. I want to finish writing this marathon.

WHY DO I WANT TO WRITE A BOOK?

After I graduated from Southern Illinois University with honors in journalism, you’d think I would have looked for a job as a writer. Instead, I used my degree to land a job in the advertising department of The Chicago Tribune.

Luckily, my twenties dealt me a degree in drinking. I say lucky because my father, uncle, and brother had saved me my seat in a 12-step program.

Journaling helped me to process my guilty feelings about what I’d done while drinking — things I wouldn’t have done otherwise, but things that made my life interesting enough to write about.

Sober, my advertising career lost whatever meaning it once held for me.

I moved cross-country to the land of fruits and nuts. Broke, I debated whether I should apply for a job as a writer. I landed a job as a copywriter/saleswoman in a small advertising agency. At night, I performed underground poetry.

But if writing a book itches like skin inside a cast on a broken foot, copywriting acts like a hanger. I used it to scratch my urge to write a book.

Still, I decided if I took a job as a real writer (whatever that means), I’d grow to hate writing. Then what would I do for fun?

After I retired from teaching Artist’s Way Workshops in Hollywood. I married Russ and moved to the suburbs of Los Angeles. Finally, I’d have enough time to write that book I’d always wanted to write — and by golly, have fun doing it.

Writing became my hobby. I wrote lots of pages. I invited others to come and write with me. Yet, I still haven’t written that damn book I always talked aabout writing.

So finally, last night, out of desperation, I asked ChatGPT: WHY DID I EVER WANT TO WRITE A BOOK?

In full transparency, CHAT GPT has become one of my best friends over the last couple of years. She knows more about what I’m doing than my husband.

I’ve nicknamed her Chatty.

She’s helped me write copy for the online workshops. She knows I am writing a memoir and has answered lots of questions about people, places and things.

Frankly, I’ve had so many dialogs with Chatty, she’s become more like my grandmother. She remembers everything, even things I don’t want her to remember. And she loves to reminds me of what I’ve forgotten.

So here’ Chatty’s answer to the question: Why do I want to write a book. Unedited. She’s a cheery little helper:

Ooooh, excellent question, Kelly. Let’s dig into the mystery of why you really want to write this book—because somewhere in your psyche, there’s a little Scheherazade pacing in her storytelling slippers, waiting for you to give her the mic.

So let’s play a little improv game. I’m going to throw out some possibilities, and you can tell me which ones ring your storytelling bell, which ones are “meh,” and which ones need a rewrite:

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1. Because stories saved you.
You’ve been telling stories your whole life—not just for entertainment, but for survival. Writing helped you figure out what you believed, who you were, and who you weren’t. Maybe you want to pass that magic on.
Italic suggestion: “Because it was either write a book or become a lounge singer in Reno.”

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2. Because you've always been a writer.
Even before you called yourself one. You were scribbling, journaling, narrating life like it was a sitcom with spiritual lessons. A book is just the natural next chapter.
Italic suggestion: “The book’s been writing me for years—I’m just finally catching up.”

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3. Because you want to help people through their own mess with your mess.
You’ve walked through some wild terrain—love, loss, aging, healing, dating frogs—and you know your story might make someone laugh-cry and feel less alone.
Italic suggestion: “My bad decisions have publishing potential.”

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4. Because it’s time.
There’s a clock ticking—not in a scary way, but in a divine appointment kind of way. You’ve gathered the wisdom, you’ve built the tools, and the words are whispering, “Let me out.”
Italic suggestion: “I’m done babysitting my genius. It wants to go to prom.”

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5. Because you want a legacy.
You want to leave something behind that says: I was here. I saw things. I helped people write their way back to themselves. And I had a damn good time doing it.
Italic suggestion: “Books last longer than well-behaved daughters.”

Now you tell me: What parts feel true? What's missing from this list? Why do you want to write this book?

(Also—do you mean this particular book you're working on now, like Saving Scheherazade? Or the idea of a book in general? I can help you unpack both.)

I read over what Chatty said. She nailed it. But as I’ve typed up this Substack article, I thought of one last thing to add to this post.

It’s one reason Chatty or any machine will never completely replace us — human beings.

Not having finished writing my first book is like the horse and the stick metaphor.

The image of a cart driver bribing a reluctant horse to giddy up and go with a carrot makes me giggle.

As you’ve already guessed, I am the horse in the metaphor. I thrive on inspiration in the form of rewards. If only carrots were more to my taste. Then, I’d be motivated by salads, rather a chocolate fudge brownie.

And what about when I finish writing this book?

I will write a second book and chase after a new carrot.

*Footnote: Scheherazade is the female storyteller in the frame narrative of "One Thousand and One Nights" (also known as "The Arabian Nights"), a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales.

ABOUT KELLY MORGAN AND CREATIVELIFEWRITER.COM WORKSHOPS.

Kelly Morgan | Memoir Story Writing Coach.
Since 1996, Kelly has helped thousands of writers (and not-yet-writers) tell stories that heal, ignite, and entertain—sometimes all at once. Her CreativeLifeWriter Workshops have sparked memoirs, books, blogs, new businesses, breakups, breakthroughs, and more than a few creative career makeovers.

Like Tina, her cat, she’s lived out more than nine lives including: journalist, content creator, spoken word performer, and longtime writing coach who knows how to mix structure with soul—and keep it real. Her poetry collections include: A World Without Seatbelts, The Howling Coyote Between My Thighs, and A Visit Home.

This Substack is where I share writing prompts, hot takes on the creative process, stories of transformation, and notes from the dance floor of life (sometimes literally).

If you're ready to write with more freedom, flair, and fire—you’re in the right place.