To AI or not to AI? That is the question I, like other writers, are facing. When my work-in-progress is finished, I want to be able to honestly say that artificial intelligence was not used to create the story. That is a question some publishers are asking with submissions.
So what's a writer to do?
It's tempting to allow the latest AI version to partially or completely do the work. But if you do, the finished product isn't really yours, is it? I think not. Others may argue that although AI will never be able to compete with the creativity and emotionalism needed in a good story, it can come pretty darn close.
Personally, I'm against using AI to create a story, but I can see value in using AI to analyze the final product, as long as you take what is written with a grain of salt. Recently, while involved with a collaboration of writers creating a cozy mystery novel, one of the writers plugged the final manuscript into AI for an analysis. What came back was an amazing look at story arc, character development with percentages of time each character appeared in the story, plot development, chapter strengths and weak spots, etc. In short, I'd never seen a critique so thorough yet specific. It gave enough information to allow us to make some changes and beef up parts we felt needed it. It helped us look at the manuscript from a different lense.
AI can also be helpful to research clothing or setting or products for a period piece. For example, What kinds of things might you find in a 1950's grocery store? Or what would a gravel pit look like? Or what kind of equipment would a blacksmith use? Or what kinds of jobs and equipment are needed to build a skyscraper? Anything you might need to make your characters, your setting, your story more authentic.
I think it's safe to say artificial intelligence can be used by you in the same way you'd use any other resource.
Condensing a complete manuscript into a synopsis is another way AI might be of help. It's always a challenge to write a synopsis, especially if only one paragraph is requested. AI could give you ideas for a long and a short one.
Any good submission letter includes or should include recent work comparable to your submission. AI might be able to help with that, too.
It goes without saying that any help received should be put in your own words.
How do you feel about AI? Are you using it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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