When it comes to AI, I am seeing a lot of strong, negative opinions and fears about its impact on creative writing. Like everything else, there are good and not so good things about AI. I believe most if, not all writers who get their work out into the world will eventually face the question about whether and how they used AI. A question usually posed with suspicion and a smear of judgment. So, I thought I'd get ahead of the game and share how I personally have found a place for AI at my writing desk.
To me, AI is the entire internet condensed into a single voice, making it infinitely easier to get information. You can even customize that voice - business like, bestie, therapist or devil's advocate and so on. I use my AI 'companion' as a secretary. Simply put, everything I use the internet for with my writing - research, thesaurus, comp titles, grammar rules, etc., I assign these tasks to my 'secretary'. The amount of time I save by doing this astounding. I am currently working on a historical gothic horror and there is MUCH research to be done. It would have taken me countless hours pre-AI. But now I can get quick summaries in under five minutes and get back to writing. By the way, I write in an "AI free" environment, a software specifically writing without intrusion - Scriviner 3.
The feature I am finding the most helpful is one that takes some practice. When it comes to my creative process, I believe all the best ideas for my work are in my own head. I don't go looking to AI for plot fixes, or prompts. Instead, I have AI prompt me! By asking my secretary to prepare a list of questions regarding an obstacle I might be struggling with, I am able to tap deeper into my creative side when poked and prodded by good questions that get me digging around in back closets and under beds, so to speak. (Given that I am a horror writer it makes sense that I would hide my ideas in places like this :)). It's kind of like being with a good therapist, one who doesn't tell you what to do, but points you toward your own solutions. For a lonely endeavor like writing, this a true blessing. Having the internet ask me questions is paradigm shift that gets my muse singing. I'll give you an example. When I was trying to come up with ideas for my latest horror project, I wanted to create a story that would scare ME. Instead of naval gazing about it alone, I prompted my secretary with: from my previous searches, what do you think scares me? Then, ask me questions that will help me clarify what really scares me.
The responses and questions were fascinating!. And I got my project off to a running start.
One last important thing. A lot of writers are scared of their writing being stolen, mimicked, hijacked, etc. While I understand the fears, its important to know how AI can help a writer as well. The way AI searches for information is qualitatively different than a standard search engine. A new writer trying to get his/her work to emerge on the scene has little hope of popping up on a google search. However, if that same writer regularly puts out juicy, voice-filled tidbits of writing that draw AI attention, on say their webpage, blog, social media, etc, that writer has a much greater chance of becoming visible and accessible on the web.
AI changing the face of how we work and It's understandably frightening to know that many jobs could disappear because of it. I think the best way to stay ahead big changes is to change with them. Learn to use AI to increase your productivityin whatever your field of work, it will make you a more valuable worker than AI alone. Master it, don't run from it. Hmmm sounds like a theme from a story I wrote...