Writing Tip of the Week
Writing Tip of the Week
AI
Bugs Bunny often says, “Ain’t I a stinkah.” To steal a phrase and two capital letters from my role model, in terms of creative writing AI is a stinkah.
The author is a live human being. I do not include content generated by AI (Artificial Intelligence) software of any kind.
This sentence appears at the end of my weekly blog posts and in the front matter of my novels and non-fiction work with my name on the cover. It’s there because I want to distinguish my work from the work produced by AI generated (so-called) creative writing.? “AI creative writing” is neither writing, nor is it creative. It’s an order for a delivery in the same sense of ordering a pizza delivery. “I need thin crust, peperoni and olives, and extra cheese.” Punch in “I need a western involving a cowboy, a school teacher, a villain and a horse and in the style of Elmore Leonard.”? I object to AI creative because it is not creative, it’s not writing and it’s taking credit for using someone else’s words and style.
AI has been recommended as a research tool for creative writers. If you need a description of a Wild West saloon in the 1880s, just type in a request for such a scene. The argument goes that once you have the AI description you have your research in hand and you can then do your own writing. To me that’s a cop out. I suspect writers will think, “Why, heck, Bubbah, that’s a pretty good piece o’ work. I’ll just use that.” This will be especially true for wannabe writers who want to see their names on a cover, but don’t want to do the work. Additionally, this so-called research can become a crutch for real writers and can, I predict, contribute to ultimate failure.
My experience with AI generated work in non-fiction reinforces my position. I have a number of ghostwriting clients who believe that AI is the be-all and end-all of writing their life story, personal struggle, or how-to book. I have had clients dictate their story to AI in the same way they would tell it to a writer. AI spits it back out in “the King’s English” and voila! There’s your book.
Except.
Except AI generation generates a lot of errors. “Santa Clause” becomes “Santa Clarita.”? The date of June 15 becomes “June Cleaver.” A reference to Pearl Harbor becomes “Perky Arbor.” I am not exaggerating. This means someone must go through the work to correct the errors before the words and phrases and sentences can be turned over to a writer. Why, you ask, should the work be turned over to a writer? I am glad you asked. Because the AI generated words and phrases and sentences are dreck. Reading AI generated work is like swimming in molasses. I’ve had clients present their AI documents with, “It’s really dry and I need you to really punch it up.” So, the AI generated book still requires a writer to fix the errors and rewrite the writing and then “punch up” something that wouldn’t need punching up if punched in by a legitimate writer in the first place.
In terms of writing, especially creative writing, AI actually gets in the way. My recommendation?? AI is a “stinkah.” Shove it out of your way and get back to what you do best – creative writing.
Quote of the Week: “People everywhere enjoy believing things that they know are not true. It spares them the ordeal of thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for what they know.” Brooks Atkinson
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Recommended Reading: The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester.
Plan Ahead: Desert Foothills Book Festival – October 19, 2024
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The author is a live human being. I do not include content generated by AI (Artificial Intelligence) software of any kind.
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