- What should you look for in an AI story generator?
- AI story generators compared
- The best AI story generators for writers
- 1. Sudowrite
- 2. NovelAI
- 3. ChatGPT
- 4. Claude
- 5. Gemini
- 6. Novelcrafter
- 7. Squibler
- 8. AI Dungeon
- How to choose the right AI story generator
- Frequently asked questions
- Where to check the details
The best AI story generator depends on what you're writing. Sudowrite suits novelists who want fiction-specific tools, NovelAI suits storytellers who want a creative writing partner, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini suit people who want a flexible all-round assistant, Novelcrafter and Squibler suit writers planning a whole book, and AI Dungeon suits interactive, choose-your-own stories.
Stories sell. Business owners use them in brand stories, case studies, children's books, courses, social posts and the novel that's been sitting in a drawer for years. AI story generators help you get past the blank page by suggesting plots, characters, scenes and the next paragraph when you're stuck.
The tools below are well known and widely used. Some are built for fiction, others are general AI assistants that happen to be very good at stories. I've focused on what each one is known for, so shortlist two and give them the same idea, such as an opening scene, and see which one sounds more like you.
What should you look for in an AI story generator?
- Fiction features. Tools built for stories help with characters, plot outlines, scenes and descriptions.
- Memory of your story. Look for ways to store characters, places and plot points, so the AI stays consistent.
- Your voice. The best tools adapt to your style rather than making everything sound the same.
- Control. You should be able to steer the story, rewrite sections and keep what you like.
- Content settings. Check the content rules, especially if you write darker or adult fiction.
- Rights and privacy. Read how the tool treats your writing and what you're allowed to do with the output.
AI story generators compared
| Tool | Best for | Stand-out feature |
|---|---|---|
| Sudowrite | Novelists | Story Engine for fiction |
| NovelAI | Creative storytelling | AI trained for storytelling |
| ChatGPT | All-round story help | Flexible brainstorming and drafting |
| Claude | Natural-sounding prose | Long, thoughtful writing |
| Gemini | Google users | AI assistant inside Google |
| Novelcrafter | Planning a whole book | Codex for characters and worlds |
| Squibler | Writing books and scripts | AI help from outline to draft |
| AI Dungeon | Interactive stories | Choose-your-own adventures |
Plans and features change often, so check each vendor's current plans before you commit.
The best AI story generators for writers
1. Sudowrite
Sudowrite is an AI writing tool built for fiction. It can brainstorm ideas, describe scenes using the senses, continue your draft and, through its Story Engine, help plan and write a novel chapter by chapter.
Who it suits: novelists and short story writers who want tools designed around fiction.
What stands out: how well it understands storytelling, from character arcs to sensory description.
Watch out for: it's built for fiction, so it's not the tool for business writing.
2. NovelAI
NovelAI is an AI storytelling tool that writes alongside you. It includes a lorebook to remember characters and settings, and it also offers AI image generation for illustrating your stories.
Who it suits: hobby writers and storytellers who want a creative partner with plenty of freedom.
What stands out: the focus on storytelling and the control it gives you over style and memory.
Watch out for: it takes some time to learn its settings and get the best from it.
3. ChatGPT
ChatGPT from OpenAI is the best-known AI assistant. Ask it for plot ideas, character profiles, an opening scene or a children's story and it will draft something in seconds.
Who it suits: people who want one assistant for stories and everything else in their business.
What stands out: flexibility. You can brainstorm, outline, draft and edit in the same conversation.
Watch out for: its writing can sound generic unless you give it detailed direction and examples of your style.
4. Claude
Claude from Anthropic is an AI assistant known for its natural writing style and for handling long documents, so you can share a full chapter or outline and ask for feedback or the next scene.
Who it suits: writers who want help with long drafts and thoughtful feedback on their work.
What stands out: the quality of the prose and its ability to work with a lot of your story at once.
Watch out for: like any general assistant, it doesn't have dedicated fiction tools such as a story bible.
5. Gemini
Gemini is Google's AI assistant. It can brainstorm plots, draft scenes and characters, and it works with Google Docs if you already write there.
Who it suits: writers who already live in Google Docs and Google Workspace.
What stands out: convenience for Google users, with help available where you already write.
Watch out for: it's a general assistant, so serious novelists may want a dedicated fiction tool alongside it.
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6. Novelcrafter
Novelcrafter is a novel-writing platform with a codex for characters, places and lore, plus outlining tools. You can connect it to the AI model you prefer to help draft and revise.
Who it suits: writers who plan carefully and want their notes and draft in one organised place.
What stands out: the codex, which keeps the AI consistent with the details of your story.
Watch out for: connecting your own AI model takes a little set-up.
7. Squibler
Squibler is a writing app for books and scripts with AI tools that help generate outlines, scenes and drafts, alongside a structured editor for organising chapters.
Who it suits: first-time authors who want guidance from idea to finished draft.
What stands out: the structure. It breaks a big project into manageable chapters and scenes.
Watch out for: AI drafts still need heavy editing to sound like you.
8. AI Dungeon
AI Dungeon from Latitude is an interactive storytelling game. You type what your character does and the AI responds, building the story with you as you go.
Who it suits: people who enjoy playful, interactive fiction and want to explore ideas.
What stands out: the freedom. The story can go anywhere you take it.
Watch out for: it's built for play, so it's not designed for finishing a polished manuscript.
How to choose the right AI story generator
Start with your project. For a novel, look at Sudowrite, Novelcrafter or Squibler, which are built around chapters, characters and plot. For brand stories, case studies or social content, a general assistant such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini will usually do more for you. For fun and exploration, NovelAI and AI Dungeon are the creative playgrounds.
Then keep yourself in charge. AI is brilliant at ideas and first drafts, but the details that make a story memorable, such as your experiences, your humour and the odd specific moment, come from you. Use the tool to get unstuck, then rewrite in your own voice.
If you're thinking about a book, read how your content skills can help you write a book. My post on what creative writing taught me about content is full of practical lessons, and this guide to storytelling in business shows how stories win customers.
Building a tool in this space? Here's how tools get considered for my roundups.
For the rest of the series, see the Instagram Help: 81 Guides to Followers, Hashtags, Money, Accounts and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI story generator?
Sudowrite suits novelists, NovelAI suits creative storytelling, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini suit all-round help, and Novelcrafter suits writers who plan a whole book.
Can AI write a whole book?
AI can draft a lot of text, but a good book still needs your ideas, structure and editing. Most writers use AI to brainstorm and draft, then rewrite.
Is there a free AI story generator?
Yes. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and AI Dungeon all have a free version, while dedicated fiction tools usually offer a trial or limited free use.
Who owns a story written with AI?
It depends on the tool's terms and the law where you live, so read each tool's terms and add plenty of your own writing to any work you publish.
