Ai for Deeper Storytelling

How to leverage Ai ethically and creatively

May 28, 2025

If you’re new to The Rebel MFA Way, welcome! This is an essay in my ongoing “Writing Fiction to Heal in Real Time” series where I deep-dive into my writing fiction to heal method as field work and a case study. To begin, I will be working through my story, The Archive, which you can find more information on here.

[NOTE: Your email provider may truncate this essay, be sure to click on “keep reading” to read the entire piece.]

Note: The results of the poll were tied! So I’m starting off with Ai and will move into talking about the Archive Universe after that.

Everyone's afraid Ai will kill creativity. But I have a different perspective to offer you.

What if it could help us heal through creativity? What if artificial intelligence could be the writing partner we never knew we needed — especially when exploring our most vulnerable stories?

I've spent the last few years exploring this intersection, using Ai as a creative partner in my fiction-writing process. Not as a replacement for human creativity, and not to “write for me,” but as a tool for accessing deeper emotional truths and expanding the possibilities of how we tell our stories.

Here's what I've discovered:

Ai can be a collaborative partner that can help us explore the edges of our stories in new ways. When I'm working through difficult emotional material in my fiction, Ai helps me:

Generate multiple perspectives on a scene
Explore character motivations I might be avoiding
Create emotional distance when needed
Push past creative blocks rooted in trauma
Find and see beyond what is literally on the page

There are really no limits to the creative ways you can use Ai to help you access new and deeper layers of your story.

Specific Techniques

I've developed several techniques for using Ai in the healing writing process:

The Trauma-Sideways Method: Using Ai to ask unconventional questions to get to a deeper truth
The Subtext Detector Tool: Using Ai to reveal what subtext might be hiding in your story and how you might further explore it
The Mirror Method: Using Ai to reflect back emotional themes in your writing
The Distance Tool: Using Ai to help build out metaphors to process difficult material
The Expansion Technique: Using Ai to explore multiple perspectives on a scene

The “Trauma-Sideways” Method

One of the most surprising discoveries I’ve made has been how Ai can help create safer spaces for exploring difficult material by generating and asking unconventional questions to get at the deeper truth.

For example, after I fed Lex1 a few entries of The Archive and asked it to generate “Trauma-Sideways” prompts for me to explore, this is what it gave me:

Write about a place that was once safe but isn't anymore, from the perspective of an object left behind
Describe a moment of change through the eyes of an animal who doesn't understand what's happening
Write about healing using only plant metaphors
Tell the story of a loss through the description of everyday objects
Explore a difficult decision through the lens of weather patterns

These prompts allowed me to approach the trauma sideways, using metaphor and distance to process some difficult experiences while maintaining emotional safety.

I would have never known to try writing about Ari’s feelings through the description of an everyday object if not for Lex’s suggestion. Ultimately, this became the basis for writing one of my favorite scenes.

Here’s how you might ask Ai to help you with your own Trauma-Sideways exploration:

Prompt #1

I'm working on a story that deals with [brief context]. Can you help me generate 5 writing prompts that:

- Use metaphor and indirect approaches
- Create emotional distance through unconventional perspectives
- Allow exploration of difficult themes through symbolic elements
- Focus on sensory details rather than direct emotional processing
- Incorporate non-human viewpoints or inanimate objects

Prompt #2

I'd like to explore a challenging emotional experience through metaphor. Please suggest 5 creative writing prompts that:

- Approach the theme obliquely rather than head-on
- Use nature, weather, or objects as storytelling vehicles
- Create safe emotional distance while maintaining meaning
- Transform personal experience into universal imagery
- Allow for processing through symbolic representation

Prompt #3

Help me generate writing prompts that let me examine [theme/experience] from unexpected angles. The prompts should:

- Shift perspective away from direct human experience
- Use everyday objects or natural elements as metaphors
- Create emotional breathing room through creative distance
- Transform personal narrative into symbolic exploration
- Offer fresh ways to approach difficult material

Subtext Detector

Did you know that Ai can help in writing fiction to heal narratives by revealing the layers of meaning beneath our words? When we write from a place of trauma or deep emotion, we often encode meaning in ways we don't consciously recognize.

There are often several different layers of subtext in our work that we’re not always aware of like:

Character-Level Subtext

What characters say vs what they mean
Physical actions that reveal deeper emotional states
Things left deliberately unsAid
Power dynamics in relationships

For example, in The Archive, Ari's relationship with Demi has rich subtext - the surface interactions mask deeper tensions around trust, connection, and survival instincts.

Thematic Subtext

The deeper meaning behind surface events
Universal human experiences encoded in specific situations
Symbolic elements and metaphors
Cultural/social commentary

The collapse of civilization in The Archive works as subtext for personal trauma and loss of control but also commentary on society at large.

Emotional Subtext

Unexpressed feelings
Internal conflicts
Psychological defense mechanisms
Trauma responses

In The Archive, Ari’s sarcasm, cynicism and avoidance are all part of how she copes with her situation. The subtext beneath some of her biting remarks are actually unexpressed feelings or trauma responses.

Ai can help uncover and develop subtext in several ways:

Pattern Recognition

Identifying recurring symbols, metaphors, or themes
Tracking emotional undercurrents across scenes
Mapping relationship dynamics
Highlighting unconscious character patterns

Questioning Techniques

Probing character motivations beyond surface actions
Exploring unstated implications
Examining power dynamics
Investigating emotional subtext

Subtext Analysis

Examining gaps between dialogue and meaning
Analyzing symbolic elements
Exploring psychological layers
Identifying unstated themes

To help you begin exploring these layers of meaning in your own writing, here are some carefully crafted prompts you can use with Ai:

Basic Character Subtext Prompts:

Based on the scene/passage I've shared, please analyze:

- What might this character be deeply afraid of, beyond what's explicitly stated?
- What unconscious desires or needs might be driving their actions?
- What past experiences or trauma could be shaping their current reactions?
- What deeper meaning might this [specific symbol/action] represent in the context of their emotional journey?

More Detailed Version:

I'd like to explore the subtext in this scene. Please analyze:

- The character's stated feelings vs. potential deeper fears
- Any contradictions between their words and actions
- Patterns that might suggest underlying trauma responses
- Symbolic meanings in their choices or behaviors
- Unstated desires that could be driving the scene

Scene-Specific Version:

For the scene I've shared, please help me uncover:

- What emotions might be beneath the surface that the character isn't expressing?
- What past experiences could explain their reaction to [specific event]?
- How might their current behavior be protecting them from something they fear?
- What unfulfilled needs might be driving their choices?
- What symbolic meaning could we read into [specific detail/action]?

The Mirror Method

The Mirror Method came from a realization that Ai could serve as an objective observer of our writing patterns. When processing trauma through fiction, we often can't see our own emotional undercurrents. By feeding segments of our writing to Ai and asking it to identify recurring themes, emotions, and patterns, we get insights into our unconscious storytelling.

For example, when I fed early drafts of The Archive to Ai, it highlighted my repeated use of isolation imagery — something I hadn't consciously noticed but that perfectly reflected my emotional state during writing. This awareness helped me lean into that theme intentionally, transforming it from an unconscious pattern into a powerful literary device.

Here's how to implement this technique step by step:

Gather Your Materials

Collect several segments of your writing (at least 3-4 scenes or chapters)
Choose sections written at different times or in different emotional states
Include both recent work and older material if possible

Create Clear Ai Prompts

“Analyze these passages for recurring emotional themes”
“What patterns do you notice in how characters react to stress, trauma, heavy emotions?”
“Identify repeated imagery or metaphors across these scenes”
“What emotions seem to be underlying these different passages?”

Compare and Document

Create a document to track Ai's observations
Look for patterns the Ai identifies across multiple analyses
Note which observations surprise you or feel particularly resonant

Reflection and Integration

Journal about the patterns Ai identified
Consider how these unconscious themes relate to your healing journey
Decide which patterns to intentionally develop or transform

For example, when I used this method with The Archive, I discovered repeated themes of grief, isolation, control (or lack of), humor as deflection, and mistrust.

Once aware of these patterns, I chose to either minimize them if they felt unhelpful, or intentionally develop them into stronger metaphors for the story's themes like that of loss and isolation.

To help you begin exploring what is being mirrored in your writing, here are some carefully crafted prompts you can use with Ai:

Basic Mirror Method Prompt:

Please analyze these passages from my writing. Focus on:

1. Recurring emotional themes and patterns
2. Common character reactions to stress or conflict
3. Repeated imagery or metaphors
4. Underlying emotional currents
5. Any unconscious patterns you notice in my writing style

After analyzing, could you:

- List the main patterns you've identified
- Provide specific examples from the text
- Suggest how these patterns might connect to deeper themes

Detailed Version:

I'd like to understand the unconscious patterns in my writing. For the passages I'll share, please:

IDENTIFY:
- Emotional themes that appear multiple times
- Recurring character defense mechanisms or coping strategies
- Common metaphors or symbolic elements
- Writing patterns I might not be conscious of

ANALYZE:
- How these patterns might work together
- What they might reveal about the deeper story
- Any potential blind spots in my perspective
- Opportunities to develop these patterns intentionally

Please be specific and reference examples from the text.

Scene-Specific Version:

For these specific scenes, please help me uncover:

1. EMOTIONAL PATTERNS:
- What feelings keep emerging?
- How do characters typically respond to stress?
- What emotional themes connect these scenes?

2. IMAGERY & METAPHORS:
- What images or symbols repeat?
- Are there consistent metaphorical patterns?
- How might these connect to deeper themes?

3. WRITING STYLE:
- What unconscious patterns appear in my prose?
- How do I tend to approach emotional moments?
- What might these patterns reveal about my perspective?

Please provide concrete examples from the text for each observation.

The Distance Tool

The Distance Tool emerged from recognizing that direct confrontation with traumatic material can sometimes be overwhelming. By creating intentional metaphorical distance through AI-generated frameworks, writers can safely explore difficult emotions and experiences.

Here's how the tool works in practice:

First, choose a symbolic system that resonates with your story and emotional landscape. This could be tarot cards, Greek mythology, weather patterns, or even a mapping of emotions onto different types of trees.
Use AI to help expand the metaphorical possibilities. Feed it your chosen system and ask for unexpected connections and interpretations.
Begin writing about difficult experiences through this symbolic lens. If direct trauma feels too raw, write about a storm instead. If grief is overwhelming, write about a hibernating bear.
Gradually weave connections between your metaphors and the actual experiences, allowing the distance to shrink naturally as you become more comfortable with the material.

The power of this technique lies in its ability to create emotional safety while still allowing for deep exploration.

In The Archive, I used this tool to develop Ari's relationship with tarot cards. Rather than directly addressing her grief over Finn's death, I had AI help generate a symbolic language using the tarot. Each card became a safe container for exploring different aspects of her loss - the Tower for the collapse of her world, the Hermit for her isolation, the Death card for transformation rather than literal death.

I’ve also been using this technique to help me with the world of dangerous plants as Ari begins to learn more from Demi. There are a lot of different ways to use these plants as metaphors and it makes it more interesting (and fun) to find various ways to work this into the narrative.

Basic Distance Tool Prompt:

I'd like to explore [difficult emotion/experience] through metaphor. Please help me:

1. Generate 3-5 potential symbolic systems (like weather patterns, mythology, natural cycles) that could represent this experience

2. For each system, suggest specific metaphorical connections that could help explore different aspects of the experience

3. Provide writing prompts that use these metaphors to create emotional distance while maintaining meaning

Detailed Framework Version:

I'm working with [chosen symbolic system] (e.g., weather patterns, tarot cards, tree types) to explore [emotional experience/theme]. Please help me:

1. MAP THE SYSTEM:
- What aspects of [symbolic system] naturally align with different emotional states?
- What unexpected connections might we draw?
- How might different elements represent various aspects of the experience?

2. CREATE METAPHORICAL BRIDGES:
- Suggest specific parallels between [symbolic system] and emotional experiences
- Identify subtle connections that might not be immediately obvious
- Show how different elements could represent various stages of processing

3. GENERATE WRITING PROMPTS:
- Offer 3-5 specific prompts using this symbolic framework
- Include sensory details that help ground the metaphors
- Suggest ways to gradually decrease the metaphorical distance as comfort grows

Example-Specific Version:

Using [weather patterns] as a metaphorical framework for exploring [grief], please:

1. Suggest specific weather phenomena that might represent:
- Different stages of grief
- Various emotional states
- Healing processes
- Defense mechanisms

2. Create writing prompts that:
- Use weather as metaphor
- Include sensory details
- Allow safe emotional distance
- Create space for processing

3. Offer ways to:
- Develop these metaphors further
- Gradually connect them back to direct experience
- Weave between literal and metaphorical expression

The Expansion Technique:

The Expansion Technique developed from noticing how trauma often feels “stuck” in a single perspective — we get trapped in one version of the story. By systematically expanding a scene through AI-assisted exploration, writers can break free from that fixed viewpoint and discover new angles for processing their experience.

For example, when writing about the library's collapse in The Archive, I was initially fixated on Ari's immediate emotional response - the panic, the loss, the overwhelming sense of failure. Using the Expansion Technique with AI helped me consider the scene from different perspectives:

Physical details: The sound of cracking support beams, the taste of dust, the weight of books sliding off shelves
Emotional echoes: How the collapse triggered memories of other losses
Alternative perspectives: How the same event looked to survivors outside, to the books themselves, to the building
Thematic connections: How the physical collapse mirrored broader themes of institutional failure and reconstruction

Through this systematic expansion, what started as a traumatic flashpoint became a rich, multi-layered exploration of loss and resilience. The technique transformed a potentially overwhelming scene into manageable pieces that could be processed separately and then rewoven into a stronger whole.

Here are some expansion technique prompts that you can use to go deeper into a scene or chapter that feels “stuck.”

Core Prompt Template:

I'm working on a scene where [brief context]. Help me expand beyond the immediate perspective by exploring:

1. Physical/Sensory Layer
- What sounds might be present but not yet described?
- What textures, smells, or tastes might be in this moment?
- What physical sensations might the character be experiencing?

2. Emotional Echo Layer
- What past experiences might this trigger?
- What emotional memories could surface?
- How might this connect to other moments of similar feeling?

3. Alternative Viewpoints Layer
- How might this scene look from [another character's] perspective?
- What would inanimate objects in the scene "witness"?
- How might this moment impact others we haven't considered?

4. Thematic Resonance Layer
- What larger themes does this moment connect to?
- What universal human experiences are reflected here?
- How does this moment echo broader patterns in the story?

Please provide specific suggestions for each layer that I can weave into the scene.

Quick-Start Prompts:

Physical Expansion:

Help me expand the sensory details in this scene. Beyond what I've written, suggest:
- 3 sounds that might be present
- 3 physical sensations the character might feel
- 3 background details that could add texture
- 3 environmental elements that might affect the mood

Emotional Echo:

This scene deals with [emotion/experience]. Please help me explore:
- Similar emotional moments from the character's past
- Physical manifestations of this emotional state
- Unconscious reactions or coping mechanisms
- How this might trigger or connect to other memories

Alternative Perspectives:

For this scene about [brief description], please show me how it might look from:
- A distant observer's perspective
- The perspective of [specific object] in the scene
- Someone who arrives immediately after
- Someone who experiences the ripple effects later

Thematic Expansion:

Help me connect this scene to broader themes by exploring:
- Universal human experiences it might reflect
- Symbolic meanings in the physical details
- Patterns it might echo from earlier in the story
- Larger societal or philosophical questions it raises

Advanced Integration Prompt:

I've explored different layers of this scene about [brief context]. Help me weave together:

1. The physical details: [list key sensory elements]
2. The emotional echoes: [list emotional connections]
3. The alternative perspectives: [list other viewpoints]
4. The thematic elements: [list broader themes]

Suggest 3 ways these layers might interact and strengthen each other in the scene.

Creating Your Own AI Writing Companion

For writers interested in exploring these approaches here's how to begin:

Start with Clear Intentions
- Define what aspects of your story you want to explore
- Set boundaries for AI involvement
- Establish your comfort level with sharing personal material
Choose Your Tools
- Select AI platforms that respect privacy and encourage ethical usage
- Consider using multiple AI tools for different purposes
- Create a secure workspace for sensitive writing
Develop Your Process
- Begin with small, contained experiments
- Document what works and what doesn't
- Build a toolkit of prompts and techniques

Looking Forward

As AI technology evolves, its potential as a partner in healing writing continues to expand. The key is approaching it not as a replacement for human creativity or emotional work, but as a tool that can help us access and process our stories in new ways.

Through my experiments in the AI writing studio, I've found that technology, when used thoughtfully, can create new pathways to healing through fiction. It's not about letting AI write our stories - it's about using it to unlock new perspectives on the stories we need to tell.

The future of writing to heal might just lie in this delicate dance between human emotion and artificial intelligence, each enhancing the other's capabilities in service of deeper storytelling and healing.

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