Summary of "9 Mistakes That Make Stories Feel AI Generated (Writing Advice)"

Summary of “9 Mistakes That Make Stories Feel AI Generated (Writing Advice)”

In this video, Brandon McNolte, author of Story Made Simple, discusses nine common storytelling mistakes that make human-written stories feel artificial or “AI generated.” He explains each mistake with examples and provides practical fixes to help writers create more authentic, emotionally engaging stories with a distinct human touch.

Main Ideas and Lessons

Stupid Plot Objectives Characters pursue goals that don’t align with their motivations or lack logical sense. Example: Jurassic World Rebirth’s nonsensical quest for dinosaur blood to cure cancer without emotional stakes. Fix: Create plot objectives deeply connected to characters’ motivations; ensure goals are logical, meaningful, and can sustain story progression.
Cliché After Cliché Overuse of tropes without fresh execution makes stories feel robotic. Tropes are expected but must be reinvented or given a unique twist. Fix: Put a new spin on familiar tropes, either conceptually or in how they unfold (e.g., dragons whose fire breathing has consequences).
Safe, Predictable Plot Lines Predictable stories lack surprises and originality. AI stories often follow straightforward, expected paths. Fix: Take risks by allowing characters to make mistakes that alter the plot; intertwine subplots with main plots to create complexity and unpredictability.
Polite Consequences Stories that avoid real consequences feel unrealistic and sanitized. AI-generated stories tend to be “helpful” and avoid upsetting events. Fix: Include realistic setbacks, injuries, betrayals, or losses to add truth and emotional weight.
Dialogue That Sounds Unrealistically Polite Characters speak too politely and clearly, lacking natural messiness. Example: Overly polite and perfect dialogue in a soap opera scene. Fix: Write dialogue with interruptions, overlapping speech, and emotional restraint; show emotions beneath the surface rather than stating them outright.
Excessive Explanations Over-explaining or hammering details can feel robotic and tedious. AI often dumps too much information to ensure clarity. Fix: Trust the audience’s intelligence; include only necessary details and leave some mystery to engage readers.
Labeling Emotions Simply stating emotions (e.g., “he was sad”) is lazy and removes emotional immersion. Fix: Show emotions through characters’ internal sensations, thoughts, and behaviors to let the audience experience feelings alongside them.
Lack of Idiosyncrasies Characters without unique quirks or habits feel generic and unmemorable. Idiosyncrasies make characters feel human and distinct. Fix: Give characters odd habits, unique reactions, unusual hobbies, or distinctive speech patterns.
Lack of Voice and Humor Stories without a distinct authorial voice or personality feel flat and dull. Many writers suppress their personality due to formal training or insecurity. Fix: Let your personality shine in your writing; be authentic and have fun with your voice from the start.

Methodology: How to Avoid AI-Feeling Stories

Ensure plot objectives are logical, character-driven, and emotionally meaningful.
Use tropes thoughtfully by reinventing or adding unique twists.
Introduce risks and mistakes that alter the story’s direction.
Allow real, sometimes harsh consequences to occur.
Write dialogue that reflects real human speech patterns, including interruptions and emotional restraint.
Avoid over-explaining; trust your audience’s ability to infer.
Show emotions through actions and internal experience rather than labeling.
Add character quirks and unique traits to enhance individuality.
Infuse your writing with your personal voice and humor to energize the story.

Speaker / Source

Brandon McNolte – Author of Story Made Simple and presenter of the video.

This video is a practical guide for writers aiming to create stories that feel genuinely human, emotionally resonant, and original rather than artificial or formulaic.