NO to AI *** Are you an Author if you haven't published a Book? *** Gail'S Writing Rule #4

Hello Writers, Almost Writers, and Thinking-about-writing-your-stories Writers

AI in Creative Writing - NOT

There was an interesting discussion on the Canada Writes Facebook page about the use of Artificial Intelligence in writing. It was interesting to see both sides, but I can’t imagine wanting my stories infiltrated by AI-suggested wording. They would no longer be my stories. I am a writer, not a borrower of words, sentences, etc., from anyone or anything else.

Another aspect of the discussion was the sources of AI-suggested wording. Where does it come from? Was it lifted (stolen) from writing posted on the internet? Unethical? I would be interested in your thoughts.

(An aside…this brings me to another question? If you read my blog, would you like to respond? How can I make it more interactive? I need to think about this. Any suggestions?)

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Are you a writer if you haven’t published a book?

Someone, again on Canada Writes,  posted that one of their pet peeves is a person who has not published a book, calling themselves a writer or author. Of course, pet peeves are personal and are to be taken as that, but it can be hard when you haven’t published a book to put out there that you are an author. I write a 1000 to 1200-word story every other week, under the banner “Writing on the Senior Side”,  which is published every other week, in my local, very small town paper. I have published a few stories in a new, again, small start-up literary magazine, and in an anthology and microfiction online. But even if I hadn’t published anything, I am still a writer and an author.  Interestingly, others don’t think this way, but it is my truth, and that is all I need. To this end, this morning I ordered my author business cards…just because I thought it would be fun to have some, and because I am an author.

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I am working my way through Gail’s Rules for Writing to see what still makes at this point in my writing life.

So, number four on my list is

Never be satisfied with a first draft. Leave a decent space of time between writing and editing. Edit and edit some more.

I did a LOL when I read this. Did I think I needed this rule? Oh yes, I love writing stories, and when they were done, I used to think: ”Great, I’m done,  or “Well, maybe a small edit someday. After all, I edit as I’m writing.” Or better yet, “I’ll hire a professional editor when I’m finished”. So, yes, I needed this rule…then…but not now. I ned to be the one to edit my stories. Feedback from other writers is great, but the decisions are mine. Every time I edit, the story gets better. I still would rather write new stories than edit, but I know it is an important part of my craft.

My “rules” keep me on my path and remind me of my pitfalls. Oh my, have I changed! I am still editing my family stories for my book, and I hope to publish by Christmas. And yes, when it is all done, I will work with a professional editor for one last edit. My editing work with author and Instructor, David Layton, on my final project for the Certificate in Writing from U of T has been the most valuable experience in developing my craft, and all that I have learned is now part of my editing skills. Onward I go.