Artificial Intelligence is a big topic in the world of writing.  It is known as AI or course, or if you are a Trump cabinet member A-one.

It can write whatever you want.  A poem, an article, or even a complete book. It is here to stay and there are ways to use it.  I use it.  If I want to write a query letter or a YouTube description with good SEO, I begin with AI.  I use it as a check on grammatical errors as well. I used the wordpress AI to suggest changes to this piece and change the title.

AI is not great writing. But it is good enough for people to use it to make a buck.

How do writers combat it? By being authentic. 

At a workshop I facilitated with two other poets, we discussed AI and using things that you love (Music, movies, art, and architecture) to influence you. By using your passions, you share your unique outlook on the world.

We did an activity where attendees exchanged a random noun and a random emotion. Then they wrote a metaphor like “My sadness is a rocking chair.”  It worked.  For a second activity, the attendees chose a color or an object. They then made a list of words that sounded related to it. Finally, they wrote a poem using those words.  Some quick, great poems were generated from that as well.

How to be a successful writer in a word of AI?

Use your passions.

Show the world through your eyes. Its different. Take the time to investigate how the object affects you emotionally.  Be specific.  The more personal you get, the more it connects with other people.

Use the sounds of the words. Pay attention to the rhythms of your writing. Of your own voice. Apply the different techniques of your type of writing. Challenge your creativity to use them well.  Don’t use them to much so that you draw the reader away from your story to you.

Bend those rules.  AI knows the rules. But it does not know how to be random.  To decide, in this haiku, I have one too many syllables, but I am going to keep it that way. In writing, I began three sentences with the same word, but I am going to keep it.  I did that a lot in Shattered by the way.  The editor said change this, I did, and he was right.

Perhaps the best way to combat it is to connect with people. Instead of promoting online, have online conversations, but get out and meet people. Give talks, go to open mics, sell you books places, follow readers around in books stores…..

Well, this is just food for thought. Not actual advice.