Ironically, I used AI to help me condense this podcast (below), only to prove how it can never actually replace a genuine author who has mastered the art of storytelling. Even when the text is sourced directly from my own words, the condensed writing feels stilted and lifeless. Much of it was actually incomprehensible, in fact, requiring me to go back and edit quite a bit of it, just so it made sense, and yet it still sounds stilted. I can only imagine how badly a novel written by AI must be (I’ve never bothered to read one, and I never will). So if you prefer 100% genuine human expression, please skip to the podcast below.
Today, I’m feeling anxious, and I believe many of us are experiencing similar feelings. If you’re on social media, you’re likely bombarded with negative news daily, from the Hantavirus to Donald Trump’s war in Iran to AI’s potential to destroy humanity.
As a writer, I find the rise of AI especially concerning. Traditionally, being an author has been anxiety-inducing, but new challenges like social media have made it so much worse. Since 2005, I’ve had to deal with online criticism and trolls. It’s incredible to think how much effort these folks put into hating you, more work than some of my most devoted fans put in.
This is why I have a love-hate relationship with social media. On one hand, I need it to get myself out there. The old-fashioned way of printing and mailing out manuscripts, something I dreamed of doing since the early 80’s, is no longer a thing. Nowadays, I am forced to fill out a form on a publisher’s website and attach my manuscript as a Word document.
But now we have to deal with AI-written garbage. People fear it will replace writers or that those who want to write will use it without ever developing the skill. They’ll use ChatGPT to crap out a novel in minutes, while the rest of us spend decades learning the craft.
Anything lacking in effort, skill, or human creativity lacks value. When you read a book written by a flesh-and-blood human being, you can at least be certain the words on the page are expressing a genuine emotional experience. Actual writers pour their lives into their work, which is something AI can never do. AI lacks experiences, feelings, and beliefs because it’s not a living thing.
AI can only benefit authors by enabling them to produce more work more quickly. Some writers consider it a tool for filling in scenes or descriptions when they’re stuck. But there are already too many books on the shelf for any lover of fiction to read in a lifetime. Publishers are already dealing with a tsunami of writers wanting to get their names out there. When I go to a bookstore, I feel overwhelmed by the options. While AI may benefit wannabe authors who are either unwilling or unable to learn the craft, it in no way benefits booksellers, publishers, or readers, and goes on to hurt the few of us who’ve actually taken the trouble to master the art of storytelling.
But why would anyone even want to use AI? Unless people prioritize speed and convenience over personal fulfillment and creative pursuits. The joy of creating something comes from the process, not the result.
Newer generations will probably see AI as just another convenience, like the phone or the radio, but when they have to choose between books made by AI and books written by humans, I have no doubt they’ll prefer the human-made ones. We still have a bias towards handmade things. Handmade clothes are more valuable, even if you can’t tell the difference. Handmade pottery is more valuable than machine-made pottery. In every example, people prefer handmade things. I think the same will apply to books.
Real storytellers have nothing to fear from AI. However, I am concerned about people accusing others of using AI when they’re not. Additionally, I worry that people might become less willing to learn to write when AI can do it instantly.
Grammarly now uses AI to suggest changes to my writing, but these suggestions are often lifeless and don’t improve the writing quality in any way. While AI may have potential, I believe there’s an upper limit to its writing capabilities, and I don’t see it ever surpassing the expertise of renowned authors like Stephen King.
The Art of Storytelling 
Leave a comment