What in the word “artificial” suggests “creative?” Creative writing, to me, is the last bastion hold-out against the soulless advance of AI. I guess that says everything about my feelings on this month’s subject . . .
March 6th question: Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?
Okay, I’ll admit AI is a handy tool to do drudge work – kind of like the egg sorter in the hen house. But that doesn’t mean I want to invite it into the kitchen to make my omelets and souffles! In my opinion we have too many artificial things encroaching upon us already. Yes, I’ve used editing tools to go over my manuscripts – but only on a basic level for spelling – not for any higher context. When I’ve used AI programs to go over my manuscripts, yes, they caught errors buuuuut they also flagged all the textures in my writing that make it unique to my voice. AI can do surface editing, but it can’t effectively handle the emotional nuances that make our project uniquely ours. It can’t pick out the important aspects that distinguish our “voice.” You might argue that it can be “trained” to find those discerning bits of individuality buuuuut that means you’d have to spend as much time “training” the program as doing the work yourself.
“Creative” implies original, unique to the creator. AI, being soulless, at least in our current universe, doesn’t have that ability of discernment. Sure, you can feed it all the facts it needs to do that synopsis but in that same time allotment, you can apply your own “voice” to making those cut and dry facts uniquely yours. Spell check, yes. Original work, heck no! Check out my October 4, 2023 IWSG post on the subject.
I want to be known as the writer-creator-imaginer of my work, not as a data programmer who fed information into a soulless machine. (My apologies to HAL in Arthur C. Clarke’s universe! But . . . remember how that worked out for them! Shall we play a game? Not with my fiction!)
Fiction is based upon the author’s voice, not the technical aspects of grammar and sentence structure. That applies to synopses, too, with our unique ability to insert the qualities that make our work stand out as opposed to blending in. Take THAT, AI!
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Happy Writing!!!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the March 6th posting of the IWSG will be are Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
I wouldn't use Al to write creatively either. But I think it's a helpful tool to get going on writing a blurb or synopsis. And I use it at work now to write all my articles. I heavily edit them but it does save some time.
ReplyDeleteYep. As a tool, not as a replacement.
DeleteExactly. No soul, no emotion. It can't imitate our voice.
ReplyDeleteRight!
DeleteAI is kind of like those self-playing pianos. Can it make music? Sure. But did it create music? Did it infuse the performance with human emotion? Nope. Maybe it will be able to get convincing in the future, but I really want it to make us breakfast while we do the creating.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Exactly. As a tool, not a replacement for humanity.
DeleteHopefully, not in my lifetime!
ReplyDeleteAI is merely a tool. I agree. Creativity lives with the human. You are correct, Nancy. AI cannot create "emotional nuances." It cannot feel or think. It can merely copy and look for key words. All best to you!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, too many are happy with that lifeless copy.
DeleteTechnical aspects is what a teacher looks for, not a reader. They want the heart and soul of a well written story by a real person.
ReplyDeleteAnd last time I looked, AI has no soul.
DeleteI so agree, Nancy! I hope you've been enjoying IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite place to visit and exchange ideas.
DeleteThe sad thing is each time we reject their work they learn. We don't have to be programmers. We can just be ourselves and they learn what they need to know.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Just plain creepy!
DeleteExactly on point! No heart in AI. Loved your answer to the question.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It was 'heart' felt!
Delete