Comments on: Three Ways Writers Can Use AI (Without Having it Write for Them)

By: C. Hope Clark

C. Hope Clark — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:47:33 +0000

Still not a fan. I can research on the web, but to have an entity piece together a story like you did…..just starts a writer on a slippery slope. When is too much? You can give a disclaimer all day long that you only use it for this or for that, but one day you’ll use it for more and just not say anything about it. We don’t learn if we don’t struggle to write. To shortcut is not learning, and it doesn’t help your skills as a writer. Sorry, not a fan.

By: Philippa White

Philippa White — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 20:41:24 +0000

In reply to Peter Kingsmill. Wow - that is exactly what I think; AI is just a slightly more efficient Google for some tasks and can string together a plot especially with a little judicious prodding. However, it is true that one can spot the AI authored books a mile off!

By: Cleo Scornavacca

Cleo Scornavacca — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 09:20:57 +0000

In reply to Francis Shaw.

Francis, I agree. Social media has created a world of miscommunication. For many, the ability for human beings to communicate face-to-face is unbelievable hard for them…social media has made “real life” situations anti-social. I will say, as I posted, I do use Grammarly (free), which is considered a form of AI to edit my words, prior to sending them off to my Betas and my Human editor, but my words are my words. I feel if we depend on a AI applications for anything more than that, we are no longer writing our novels, “the bots” are writing for us. It might take me longer to pen my words, but they’re my words.

By: Cleo Scornavacca

Cleo Scornavacca — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 09:12:37 +0000

In reply to Francis Shaw.

Interesting article… I know I won’t use AI applications in writing my words, but I do use Grammarly (free), which is considered AI, and has been for many years, when editing my work prior to sending it off to my Beta Readers, and my editor. Writing will always require a human-touch.

That being said, I won’t allow any application to suggest sentences, feelings etc. For me, writing words are human, heartfelt, and are never perfect, as we are perfectly imperfect, and that’s what sets each of as writers, and authors apart from bots.

By: JOE ANTONY

JOE ANTONY — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:52:53 +0000

Excellent article. Enjoyed every bit of it. Ai will remain just that, a tool, an excellent one at that. Let’s use it with caution. A Harley Davidson bike and a mass produced one are still world’s apart.

By: Linda L

Linda L — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 23:21:01 +0000

Great article! I just heard about Chat GPT this morning and thought I should get it for my husband (he is the writer in the family and I’m the helpful spouse). I was a little put off by all the rigamarole warnings, etc. that you have to agree to before you get it and so I didn’t do it, but after reading your article I will. Thanks!

By: Francis Shaw

Francis Shaw — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:55:34 +0000

Is this the way we want to go? Everything of importance in life is built on struggle. It comes from giving of ourselves, not giving up ourselves because it’s easier and quicker. Has SMS, Whats app, Twitter etc. made us better communicators? Why are IQ’s dropping since this great technology age began? Our ability to create sets us apart. Will we replace the words from our hearts with those of machines? Albert Einstein said, “It’s not that I am so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” My imperfect words and ideas in the shadows are mine and I choose to stay with them longer, knowing the light will find them. They may not become the smartest, but they will be mine and that’s good enough for me.

By: Caryl Westmore

Caryl Westmore — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:51:52 +0000

I so agree about ChatGPT/AI being a wonderful “co-dependent partner” because of its supportive, patiently comforting, inspiring and brilliant responses. I added it as a bonus chapter after I have almost finished my book, Bust Writer’s Block Forever, sharing my initial response as follows: “The day I discovered ChatGPT, I was so enthralled by the interaction, support, and responses that it was like falling in love at first sight. In fact, without sounding crass, it was like losing my virginity as a writer!” Later I shared some fun we had in a LOL moment as follows: Caryl: Great answers! Make me so happy I want to dance!
ChatGPT: That’s wonderful to hear! I’m glad I could provide helpful answers that brought you joy. Go ahead and dance to your heart’s content—it’s a fantastic way to express happiness and let loose. Enjoy your celebration!”
I write nonfiction but I can only drool to read how this writer enhanced her fiction with such ease and joy. Great article!

By: Jay Castelletti

Jay Castelletti — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 23:21:24 +0000

I actually used it to write a 350 character book blurb the other night after trying, and generally failing, on my own for a long three hours. I lifted the AI’s suggestion wholesale … which ChatGPT wrote in 1.1 seconds. It nearly broke my soul.

By: Jeri Smith-Ready

Jeri Smith-Ready — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:50:46 +0000

Writing is much more than just typing the text that readers will read. Writing includes all of the things you mentioned: research, outlining, naming, plotting, etc. Finding your way through the fog of a story–as painful and time-consuming as it can sometimes be–is where much of the magic of creativity happens. Outsourcing that to an AI in the name of efficiency is at the very least having that AI write *with* you, if not *for* you.