According to a recent report, 65% of UK writers said that they believed that the increased use of AI would reduce their income from writing. At the same time, an Authors’ Guild survey saw almost half admit to using some form of artificial intelligence to assist their work. This dichotomy highlights the complex debate around AI tools for writers. How can authors reap the benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls?
Just the other day, in an online author’s chatroom, someone raised the subject of ‘artificial intelligence’. Most everyone pulled the kind of face reserved for the discovery of a dead pigeon in their grocery delivery.
Know your facts
AI tools build their ‘knowledge’ through a process called machine learning. Algorithms identify patterns and make predictions or decisions. Crucially, they don’t memorise books. They learn from how they’re written – much like any good writer learns by reading. AI tools generalise from patterns observed during ‘training’.
When asked to generate text, tools create unique and new compositions based on learned patterns. They don’t reproduce whole sections from the training data.
Key benefits
By inputting a basic premise or theme into an AI tool like CHATGPT, authors receive a variety of plot suggestions, character arcs, or conflict scenarios.
It’s imperative to understand these tools are designed to assist, not replace. They lack the deep emotional resonance and nuanced understanding of the human experience that drives a compelling narrative.
An article on the US Book Trade website Publisher’s Weekly website discussed the impact of AI, particularly in editorial workflows. Stephen S. Power mentioned AI’s tendency to generate “mediocre language” and noted fears it may hinder editorial skill development. Barbara Ruehling acknowledged AI’s help in repetitive tasks but admitted its inadequacy in text production.
Maintain creative control
Let’s be clear – AI is not going to channel your inner Shakespeare. Its role should be that of a digital muse, offering sparks of inspiration or a rough framework to refine and inject with creative essence.
Tools already exist to identify writing tics we didn’t know existed, pick out cliches, overused phrases and narrative inconsistencies.
These act as springboards, not ghostwriters. Before integrating any machine-generated prose, every author must still do the hard work of polishing, perfecting and, above all, instilling their distinctive voice.
Shape best practices
As authors, we should approach emerging technologies mindfully, ensuring originality and oversight in how we integrate them into our work.
AI shouldn’t become some dirty little secret. By openly developing best practices as a community, we get to guide AI’s development as a digital muse rather than a replacement.
The future offers exciting possibilities, but our judgment and moral compass must lead the way.
Resources for authors new to leveraging AI
AI for Authors: How ChatGPT and Other Tools Can Transform Your Writing & Book Marketing – This resource explores how AI can assist in market research, story development, and the actual writing process.
AI for Authors: Practical and Ethical Guidelines – Offers practical and ethical guidelines on how authors can utilise AI, developed by the Alliance of Independent Authors.
