Writing Update
Before I get into the heated discussion of AI and its use in the writing space, I would like to provide you with some updates on my writing / content releases.
First, as most of you know, The Cruelty of Magic released on December 1st, 2023 - couldn’t have been happier with the results. For two weeks we sat at the top 500-700 spot of epic and adventure fantasy, and I have to be honest, I barely marketed. Thank you to everyone who came out and showed support.
Second, for those of you who prefer audiobooks (like myself), the audiobook for The Cruelty of Magic will release this month! The narrator, Aaron Smith, is an ABSOLUTELY glorious narrator and he blew the audition for Grunffi (a main POV character close to my heart) out of the water! Keep an eye out for this announcement!
Next, per popular demand, I was asked to write something . . . spicy.
The Cruelty of Love is a short story just shy of 15,000 words and serves as a prequel to The Cruelty of Magic which follows Haffi, son of Grunffi, before the fall of the dwarven capitol. It is . . . quite spicy, though still written clearly in my voice which leans more to archaic and attempts of poetic prose. (Here’s hoping it lands.)
Additionally, I have been asked to submit a story for a horror anthology. As I’m sure most of you would have guessed, this horror short story will be within the universe of Cruelty, and the working title . . . The Cruelty of Madness. You can expect Lovecraftian creature horror with an all female cast—a mother and daughter caught in the eyes of an old evil. This story will technically take place in the middle of book two, however, it will function as a standalone with no previous entries being necessary.
Lastly, the first draft of book two, The Cruelty of Gods is complete. Now, this takes me to the next part of our update.
Publishing Update
First, I was approached by an agent.
This agent was then, and remains now, closed to queries. I was thrilled. Now, they told me it would be quite a long time before they got back to me, and that’s ok because it was nice to be seen.
Then, a publisher asked me to query them. They sent me a contract and offered higher royalties than they normally do.
Then, another publisher responded to a query and told me they’d have a reader report out within three weeks.
What’s my point? My point is . . . I don’t know what my future of publishing looks like. Does interest mean I’ll automatically take it? No, absoulutely not. Am I considering it? Undoubtedly and without question.
Current interest in my series is centered around acquiring and relaunching The Cruelty of Magic, which I am not opposed to. I’d happily do another release, get some really great edits done, and move forward with a fresh slate.
I’d also happily continue to publish independently.
Still, I wanted everyone to know where my head (and writing) is currently at. I am genuinely thrilled interest in my writing is growing, and I’m so thankful for all of you who are helping me becoming a full-time author come closer to being a reality.
Now, while my future of publishing is currently open for discussion, I’d like to open another discussion as well.
Is Artifical Intelligence Good for Writing?
Yes, at least, that is my opinion; but let’s digress a little.
Much, if not all of the concern for many regarding the use of AI when it comes to writing boils down to two points: the theft of intellectual property, and people using AI to “cheat” in order to write a book—typing prompts into an AI to write a novel and then editing the produced manuscript to make it “your own”.
Both of the above points are valid concerns I agree with. Authors should not be providing prompts to recieve a manuscript in which they edit. One, because it’s lazy, and two, because most of the information held by AI is just fed information, meaning text provided to or accessible by the AI. Thus, all outputs are clearly based on the work of others.
So, how is AI good for writing?
Have you ever had a conversation with a well-read friend about your novel, or about what you were trying to write, and based on their experiences and perspective, you were able to improve your own writing?
That’s AI. It’s a well-read friend you can have a conversation with.
“What’s a great way to establish themes early on in a novel that isn’t typically used?” I prompt the AI.
And I will recieve a (usually) well articulated answer that is worth reviewing.
Example from ChatGPT:
“Establishing themes in a novel in a unique and engaging way can make your story stand out. Here are some unconventional approaches you might consider:
Symbolism through Objects or Colors: Introduce recurring objects or colors that symbolize the themes you want to convey. For example, if your theme is about the passage of time, use a unique timepiece or a color that represents nostalgia or change.
Unconventional Narrators: Experiment with an unconventional narrator, such as an inanimate object, an animal, or a collective consciousness. This unique perspective can subtly highlight and reinforce the themes of your story.
Nonlinear Timeline: Instead of a linear narrative, play with the timeline of events. Begin with a scene from the middle or end of the story that encapsulates the main themes, and then explore how the characters arrived at that point.
Epistolary Elements: Use letters, diary entries, or other written communication between characters to reveal underlying themes. This adds intimacy and a personal touch to the storytelling, allowing readers to glimpse into characters' thoughts and emotions.
Multimedia Integration: Incorporate multimedia elements such as illustrations, photographs, or even QR codes that lead to supplementary content online. This can provide additional layers to your themes and engage readers in a different way.
Wordplay and Linguistic Devices: Experiment with wordplay, puns, or linguistic devices to subtly weave in your themes. Clever language choices can enhance the narrative and create a deeper connection between the story and its underlying messages.
Parallel Storylines: Introduce parallel storylines that seem unrelated at first but gradually converge to reveal a common theme. This approach can add complexity to the narrative and keep readers intrigued as they discover the connections.
Environmental Descriptions: Use vivid and unconventional descriptions of the environment to mirror the themes of your story. The setting itself can serve as a metaphor for the characters' experiences and contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Character Quirks and Habits: Develop unique quirks or habits for your characters that subtly reflect the themes. These can be recurrent behaviors or preferences that become symbolic of the deeper ideas you want to explore.
Dialogue Patterns: Craft distinct dialogue patterns for different characters that echo the underlying themes. Pay attention to the rhythm, tone, or specific phrases used by characters to convey deeper meanings without explicitly stating them.
Remember to balance creativity with clarity, ensuring that your thematic elements enhance the overall reading experience rather than becoming a distraction.”
As authors, or writers who write for ourselves, we have a responsibility to absorb as much of the world we can in order to most accurately represent the world in which we live. AI can retain more information than we can, and it can spit it back on demand. So don’t provide prompts asking the AI to write for you, but rather have a conversation with it.
In Conclusion
Don’t lean on AI to create for you, but engage with any thought provoking mechanisms you can get your hands on, always.
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In Conclusion
Don’t lean on AI to create for you, but engage with any thought provoking mechanisms you can get your hands on, always.
That sums it up perfectly. Nice write.