Dipping My Toes In AI

I’ve recently written a couple of blog posts about AI, or artificial intelligence, especially as it relates to writers. I gave no opinions, just the facts as I found them, and concluded, it is up to the individual to decide if they wish to use AI for their writing.

One of our sons has recently used AI to help him with one of his YouTube channels. After seeing what he’s done and reading some recent blog posts by people whose names you would recognize, I decided to give it a try on a very limited basis.

I went to ChatGPT, took my current WIP (it’s actually finished and awaiting my editor) put in the premise of the novel, some characters, and major ideas of the story, and asked it to generate plot points.  https://chat.openai.com/

It was amazing.

The ideas they put forth followed the plot lines of my story, and I’d put in only a paragraph or two of the main ideas. Not a lot of info.

AI BOOKS – LEGAL OR MORAL?

We all know that many books are being written by using AI. I suppose you’d put forth your characters, and your basic plot, and then tell it to write the book. I didn’t do this but having used it for the purpose of generating plot points, I’m confident this is how that is done. Do any of you know for sure?

I’m not an advocate of writing this way. For one thing, it takes the personal touch that only a human can give to the words and emotions behind the writing. Especially the emotions. Those bots don’t have feelings, but only the programmed knowledge and the files of books at hand to help them.

My next thought is—where did they get those ideas? From what I understand, digital books were scanned into the databases of the companies that produce AI-generated information. Am I wrong here? If I am, please jump in and educate me and our friends. The words the AI-generated were previously written and copyrighted by someone else. Again, if I’m wrong, please correct my thinking.

Dipping My Toes in AI @DDuPreeWilliams #writing #ArtificialIntelligence Share on X

OTHER WRITING AIDS

I asked a friend what she thought of this. She said as long as I’m not using it to actually write the book, she sees it as just a very useful tool like any other we writers use such as ProWritingAid or even Grammarly. No, I’m doing the hard work of writing each and every word from my own Biblical worldview, my own knowledge, and the creative gift God has seen fit to bestow upon me.   https://prowritingaid.com/

Is using AI to write an entire work going against any moral or legal standards? Honestly, we’re in such new territory with all of this, I think the jury may still be out on that one. It feels a little off to me, but that’s just me. Like, I don’t like using the Enneagram. I don’t think it falls within the realm of anything I should be using, but I have many friends within the Christian writing world who love it. It’s a matter of personal choice.

THE FUTURE OF WRITING

I can tell you rumor has it that we are going to have to include in our proposals the percentage of AI help we had in our writing. It doesn’t sound threatening, but logical to me. This would include things like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and ProWritingAid. Do you know of others?    https://www.grammarly.com/

Jane Friedman’s blog mentioned a new-to-me AI platform in her post this week. If you don’t follow Jane yet, you may want to add her to your list of websites to follow. Her information is valuable and keeps us informed about the latest and greatest of all manner of writing-related things. BTW, she will be at Steve Laube’s Write to Publish conference this next year. https://janefriedman.com/

All of this is going to come down to an individual’s own set of standards and what the industry allows. I’m sure we will have a much clearer idea of how we may or may not use AI in the future.

In the meantime, go try it out as there is no harm in testing the waters. The results surprised me greatly, and it was rather fun.

Blessings, y’all!

Again, a new group for me. Cannot believe I found something with words that went with this blog post! Like they say – are you committed to living for Christ? Or are you just dipping in those toes. It’s all in or nothing, y’all!! The difference is the difference between eternal life and death!!