LA Fires and the Ludicrous Conspiracy Theories + Will AI Replace Fiction Writers?
[Un]reasonably outraged by the LA Fires Conspiracy Theories | Will AI Replace Fiction Writers? | Wisdom Drops Wednesday and more!
I bypassed January.
Well, I knew it existed, I just didn’t do much writing in the swirl of school holidays (also, my god, the FOOD bill when having all the kids home is extraordinary)!
I have been reflecting on many of life’s phases and thought I’d replace my Wins and Woes Wednesday segment on Instagram with WISDOM DROPS WEDNESDAY!
Thinking of myself as “wise” feels a little ick (although I have been around for almost half a century) so I’m only professing to drops of wisdom, not a full-blown fountain. And of course, I’d love you to add your drops too, so we can all benefit from the collective wisdom of this lovely community.
Here’s my first drop about school holidays, in case you didn’t catch it on Instagram.
Do you have any drops of wisdom to add?
If you’re keen to know my thoughts on a particular subject, I’d love to hear from you.
INSIDER NEWS
Like most people, I’m still pretty wary of AI. Sure, I see its potential. It can be a huge help for anyone who feels unsure about their writing, whether it’s drafting an email, formalising a letter, or even just getting the ball rolling on a project. But can it create unique stories?
[UN]REASONABLY OUTRAGED
Each month I’ll bring you what upset me, infuriated me, or just put me in a bad mood.
Conspiracy theories abound. Some are amusing, others downright dangerous. What are they and how does your consumption of them affect your news feed?
RECOMMENDATIONS
Kate Solly is one of the bubbliest, most vibrant people I’ve met, and her energy truly shines through in her writing. Having the privilege of knowing her in person, I can see how her gorgeous quirky traits have clearly shaped the main character—Flick—of this novel.
Cosy crime isn’t usually my go-to genre (I’m a bit too dark for that, 👀) and I am the last person you will find crafting anything other than a story, but summer was the perfect excuse to dive into Kate’s new release. If you’re looking for something heartwarming and clever, The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up is for you!
Over and out.
KOx
When I was recruiting for a new comms coordinator I cannot tell you how many of them clearly used ChatGPT to write, or at least inspire, their cover letters. At least 5 of them had the exact same paragraph included. It was mind numbing to read but also appalling to think that literal communications professionals (albeit grads) are unable to at the very least edit the copy to make it their own 🤯🤯
I think kids will be taught to use AI as a research tool like any other, but it will remain too obvious when they’ve used it word for word.
Sadly I’m sure books will end up on shelves written by AI, just like all those celebrity authors who use ghost writers… but there is only so much we can consume before it all becomes same same.
I don't reckon AI will fully replace fiction writers, but I've no doubt that we will soon start seeing novels written by AI appearing, first, online, and later in bookshops. It will start with genre fiction like category romance and cosy crime and progress from there. Reputable publishers will have to declare it, but less discerning readers won't care. I've been starting to experiment with it over the summer for brainstorming (I think of it like running ideas past another writer), with mixed results. Like you, I've discovered the clearer you are with your instructions, the more useful the response. In your example about converting from past to present tense, if you had directed it to ignore dialogue, you might have saved yourself some editing time. (Here's a tip when using AI to proofread your newsletter – tell it to apply Australian publishing conventions and grammatical rules.) By the way, I love the newsletter. Like most people probably, I read and enjoy, then move on to the next thing. I need to be better at interacting, or at least 'liking' it so you don't get the impression that you're just talking to a blank wall. Catch you soon!