Writer, We Need Your Story

by Rochelle Melander

This week the news broke that a freelance writer working for King Features used AI to write a list of top reads for the summer. Chicago Sun Times published it without checking. And guess what: AI hallucinated multiple books.

Yup. Only five of the fifteen are real titles. The fakes include Boiling Point by Rebecca Makkai and Tidewater Dreams by Isabel Allende.

The freelance writer responsible for this gaffe freely admitted his mistake and gave a plausible reason. With freelance rates dropping, partly because of AI, using AI to write his pieces helps him to make a living wage. (Ironic, right?)

But that’s not the only reason people use AI. Some use it because they doubt that their expertise, experience, and skill will be enough to create something valuable.

Recently a novelist used AI to mimic a bestselling novelist. Only problem? She left the AI prompt in her published work. She’s not alone. Other writers have used AI to generate novels quickly and punch up their prose, leaving traces of their prompts in their books. (Source)

What is lost when a writer outsources their most important task—writing—to a computer?

When you use AI to generate ideas or to write your article or book, you are robbing the world of something valuable: YOU. Your experience, your education, your unique take, and your words. We are losing your voice. And your story.

When you brainstorm ideas on paper or work out a difficult concept by writing about it, you are using your unique brilliance.

And today we need your unique brilliance more than ever. Children, unable to focus, are falling behind in reading and math. Your stories can help them move forward. The earth is in crisis: every ecosystem has been hurt by climate change and pollution. Your stories can alert people and ignite change.

This week, as you journal or write, lean into you. What makes you unique? What do you care about? How can you ignite change in the world?

Writer, we need your ideas, your voice, and your writing. We need your story. It can change the world.

NOTE: If you’re confused by how you can ethically use AI, I’ve written about it here: https://writenowcoach.com/how-to-use-ai-to-support-your-writing/

Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project–she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/