While not exactly Shakespearean prose, the paragraph below is certainly acceptable as a piece of creative writing from ChatGPT. It was generated using one prompt that was refined twice, and three different responses were then combined to create the best possible paragraph. Overall, the entire process took less than five minutes.

The Prompt

Write a short, cinematic piece of creative writing set on Earth during the final moments before the asteroid impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Focus on vivid sensory detail, describe the landscape, the dinosaurs, and the sky at sunset. Build a sense of awe and quiet tension as a glowing celestial object grows larger in the sky. Do not explain the science or aftermath, end the piece just before impact. Use lyrical, atmospheric language and emphasize stillness as the world pauses in anticipation.

Don’t Look Up

The sky was painted with streaks of red and orange as the sun began its descent beyond the horizon. Thunderous footsteps of colossal beasts shook the earth as mighty herbivores lumbered across the plains. Roars of ferocious carnivores, hunting down their next meal, echoed throughout the mountains. The wild and untamed ancient ecosystem was alive with activity and teeming with life; a vibrant tapestry carpeted in the day’s fading sunlight.

But as the long summer day began its journey to night, the attention of all creatures, great and small, was drawn to the sky. All fixated on the magnificent glowing ball of light, shimmering with an otherworldly radiance, growing larger and more brilliant with each passing minute. The thunderous footsteps and the mighty roars ceased and, for a moment, the world stood still. Eyes of all shapes and sizes mesmerized by the beauty of the celestial object hurtling toward them.