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A year and a half ago, when Chat GPT first became popular, I wrote on LinkedIn that I would research it. To understand it, and how it could help writers. How my clients might use it. Because I don't want to go the way many did when bound books, printing machines, typewriters, computers, ebooks, KDP, etc. were invented and decry the technology, then bury my head in the sand.
In the last 18 months, I've learned many things about Chat GPT, but the most relevant, and the reason you clicked on this article, is this: it sucks at coming up with romance plots.
Want a story with no soul? With two-dimensional characters that are less memorable than your last drink of water, less interesting than watching only sofa store adverts for 5 hours? Get Chat GPT to write a romance plot for you.
That the technology stinks at coming up with romance plots is easy to understand. Chat GPT isn't actually intelligent; it's basically predicting what words most likely go with what you've prompted. And because it doesn't understand what readers want—memorable characters with interesting quirks, cool twists on classic tropes, fascinating kinks, weird monster peens, diverse characters—it just gives you what it thinks is logical, based on all the information it's been legally (and illegally) fed.
And what is logical is super boring.
Case in point. I asked Chat GPT for a plot using tropes that some of my clients love: billionaire CEO single dad who falls for his younger nanny. They live in a big city. Here's what Chat GPT gave me:
Title: A Heart's Secret
Plot Summary:
In the fast-paced, glittering world of New York City, A Heart's Secret follows the unexpected romance between Alexander Caldwell, a 40-year-old self-made billionaire, and Emma Bennett, a 25-year-old nanny who takes a job caring for his 8-year-old daughter, Sophie.
Alexander, a driven, workaholic tech mogul, has built his empire from the ground up, but his personal life is a mess. He’s still reeling from a painful divorce and struggles with guilt over his strained relationship with Sophie. His demanding career has left him emotionally distant, and he has little time or energy for anything beyond his company. When Sophie’s previous nanny suddenly quits, Alexander hires Emma, a kind-hearted and intelligent woman who is trying to get back on her feet after a difficult breakup and find her place in the city.
Emma, who grew up in a modest, small-town family, has always dreamed of moving to New York City. She’s a natural with children, and her easy-going nature quickly wins over Sophie. As she navigates the challenges of her new job, Emma’s warm and empathetic presence begins to thaw Alexander's icy exterior. At first, their interactions are strictly professional, but soon they begin to develop a deep friendship. They bond over late-night talks, shared meals, and quiet moments with Sophie. Emma helps Alexander reconnect with his daughter in ways he never thought possible, showing him that there’s more to life than business success.
Despite their undeniable chemistry, Alexander and Emma are from two very different worlds. He’s a powerful, wealthy entrepreneur who has always been in control, while she’s an aspiring woman learning to find her own path in life. Emma, hesitant to risk her job or her heart, is wary of starting anything with her employer, while Alexander is torn between his growing feelings for her and his fear of complicating his already chaotic life.
When Sophie gets sick and Emma goes above and beyond to care for her, Alexander realizes how deeply he’s come to rely on and care for Emma—not just as a nanny, but as the woman who makes his life feel complete. But with the pressure of his high-profile career and a misunderstanding that threatens to tear them apart, Alexander must decide whether to take a chance on love and vulnerability or let his fears stand in the way of his happiness.
As they navigate their personal and professional boundaries, both Emma and Alexander must confront their pasts and learn to trust in a love that defies the odds. Ultimately, they discover that the heart’s truest desires are not found in power or wealth, but in connection and the courage to open up to those we least expect.
There's nothing in that plot summary that really stands out. No unique emotional wounds or goals. No interesting sub-plots to liven up the story. No other city explored that might make the story stand out amid the many, many great ones set in the Big Apple. And the hero has the same name as the hero in Firefighter Daddy by Jessi Jade and Beautiful Monster by Sara Cate.
Yes, you could write a passable romance novel using this plot. But would it be one readers remember and rave about? Recommend to each other? Hold up as exemplary models of the age gap trope and the conflict, both internal and external, that it can create? Be interesting for you, the romance author, to write?
Almost definitely not.
You'd be better off cherry-picking a few character, relationship, and setting tropes from this list and just brainstorming. Researching what types of stories readers want but aren't seeing. Thinking about the stories that most resonate with you as a writer. And writing from there.
It's not just a more authentic place to start a romance novel. It's also a lot more fun, and isn't that why most people write romance in the first place?
And, in case I haven't convinced you yet, let's look at a pretty upsetting plot Chat GPT gave me when I asked for a story about a bisexual heroine living with chronic pain who falls in love with her younger personal trainer. This is exactly the type of romance that I love to plot, so I was interested to see what it came up with. I asked for the plot to include the fish out of water and firefighter tropes. TW: Ableism, subtle biphobia.
Here's what I got: Title: Breaking Through the Pain
Plot Summary:
In the quiet, picturesque town of Willow Creek, Samantha "Sam" Hayes is a woman used to keeping her struggles hidden. At 32, Sam has spent the last few years adjusting to life with chronic pain from a long-term injury, a condition that limits her ability to live the way she once did. Although she’s learned to manage her illness, it has made her feel isolated—especially in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Sam has returned to Willow Creek after a failed career in the city, seeking peace and a fresh start. But her past isn't easily left behind, and the constant ache of her body is a reminder that some battles can’t be fought with sheer willpower alone.
Enter Luke Tanner, a 25-year-old personal trainer who’s new to town. After growing up in a larger city, Luke is fresh out of college and hoping to establish himself in Willow Creek. The quiet, close-knit community feels like a different world from the urban bustle he’s used to, but he’s determined to make it work. When Sam hires Luke as her personal trainer, hoping to regain some strength and independence, the two begin an unexpected journey together. Luke’s youthful enthusiasm and optimism are a stark contrast to Sam’s cautious, withdrawn demeanor, but their initial awkwardness gradually gives way to mutual respect—and undeniable chemistry.
As their sessions progress, Sam’s vulnerability begins to surface. Her chronic pain often forces her to take breaks or slow down, frustrating her in a way she’s not used to, especially in front of someone so much younger than her. She’s also wary of opening up to Luke, unsure if someone like him—fit, healthy, and always on the go—could understand the limits her body places on her. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself increasingly drawn to Sam—not just for her strength in facing her pain, but for the woman beneath the surface. His attraction grows, but he’s cautious, knowing she’s not just dealing with a physical injury, but emotional scars as well.
As the story unfolds, Sam grapples with the fear that her condition will always keep her from living a full, meaningful life. She’s also battling guilt over the attraction she feels for Luke, convinced that he deserves someone younger, healthier, and more "normal." But Luke is undeterred by her self-doubt. His patience and dedication to her progress begin to melt away her walls, and she starts to open up about her past—both the reasons for her chronic pain and the struggles she’s faced with her sexuality. Sam has always felt like an outsider, never fully fitting into any mold, and it’s only with Luke that she begins to embrace her bisexuality and what it means for her future.
However, their budding relationship faces an unexpected complication when Luke’s own family history as firefighters in a neighboring town brings tension to the forefront. Luke has always felt the weight of his family’s expectations, but his relationship with Sam, someone who doesn’t need saving, forces him to confront what he really wants out of life. Meanwhile, a fire at a local barn brings Luke into a more dangerous situation than he’s ever faced before, and Sam, determined not to let fear control her, finds herself confronting her own limitations and fears.
In a twist of fate, Sam's growing confidence and Luke’s love help her find a way to manage her pain in a way she never thought possible, proving that even when life feels like it’s holding her back, she still has the strength to keep moving forward. Luke, too, learns that love isn’t about being the perfect partner but about showing up for each other, no matter the challenges. Together, they face their own fears and doubts, learning that the heart’s capacity for love isn’t bound by age, body, or expectations—but by the courage to be real.
Holy inspiration porn, Batman!
When I typed the prompt in, I already had a low-angst plot idea in my head—a heroine seeking a personal trainer because she wants to try weight lifting, but needs adaptive moves and wants some help getting started. And the trainer she hires turns out to be hot AF, and at each of their training sessions, they bond over the bisexual bingo card squares they tick off (plant parents, not being able to drive, blasting "Sweater Weather" by the Neighborhood all throughout college), their compulsive vinyl collecting habits, and why they're convinced their town library is haunted. Then something scary happens with Luke's side gig as a volunteer firefighter, and it brings him and the heroine closer and makes her realize she wants to see him seriously. They confess their feelings, then have an epic sex marathon, and then bam, HEA. Still a little stereotypical, but with some zhuzh.
But the nonsense that Chat GPT cooked up? Not only did it measure up, but oof, the ableism and biphobia. Sentences like She’s also battling guilt over the attraction she feels for Luke, convinced that he deserves someone younger, healthier, and more 'normal.' and Sam has always felt like an outsider, never fully fitting into any mold, and it’s only with Luke that she begins to embrace her bisexuality and what it means for her future prove that this LLM not only generates pretty boring plots, it's also ill-equipped to tell the stories that romance needs. The ones that represent its readership and their diverse bodies and identities. The ones readers really want, but still aren't getting enough of. Those stories require a human touch, something an LLM fundamentally doesn't have.
Now, could you use these plots as a jumping off point, and tweak them? Yes. But you'll have to do so much tweaking that you might as well write the plot from scratch. At least that way, you know your characters and town names will be unique (Willow Creek has shown up in 2 AI-generated plots that have come across desk in the last month alone, and there are at least 3 other romance novels with heroes named Luke Tanner) and that your story won't violate anyone's copyright, because remember: Chat GPT is trained both on information freely available, and on copyrighted material whose authors probably didn't consent to their works being used to train an LLM.
Thank you for going on this fascinating and infuriating journey with me. Later this week, it's back to happier topics, i.e., holiday romance writing prompts, and this week, we're focusing on Hanukkah. I can't wait!
Until next post, happy reading and writing!