Distinguishing Tales from AI-Generated Garble
In the ever-evolving world of literature, the start of a new year presents an opportunity to refine our craft and establish a writing routine to hit our goals. As we delve into the art of storytelling, it's crucial to remember that our unique perspectives and human understanding are our greatest assets.
A well-crafted story is one that resonates with readers, featuring deeply human and relatable characters. If an AI could write our story, it would suggest that we haven't created characters and narratives that are uniquely ours. A story authentic to the human experience includes context and situations that have no "one true answer" and involve nuance beyond an AI's understanding.
The importance of uniqueness in our work is further highlighted by the current publishing landscape. The overwhelming number of books on Amazon, fueled by get-rich-quick schemes and the use of AI to generate stories, has made it challenging for authors to stand out. To differentiate our work, we should make unique story choices and use context to deepen meaning.
Take, for example, Jami Gold, the Resident Writing Coach, who won the 2015 National Readers' Choice Award in Paranormal Romance for her novel "Ironclad Devotion." The author, Elizabeth Ann West, crafted a story that earned her recognition among readers, reflecting in her reviews and helping her stand out from the crowd.
Jami Gold's site has also been named one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers by Writer's Digest. She has developed resources for writers, including worksheets, workshops, and blog posts about the craft, business, and life of writing.
When feeling like a hack, reading works of other authors can provide inspiration and improve writing skills. AI, on the other hand, can't reveal new insights into the human experience that are authentically relatable to readers. It can't create writing that explores situations and emotions in unpredictable, unique, or unobvious ways.
Generative AI gives the most predictable answer or story beat, generating stereotypes and obvious plot points. It can't make unobvious or unpredictable connections, only connecting ideas that it's seen before. Leveraging humanity can help writers outshine AI-generated books. Leaning into our human understanding is crucial to differentiate our work from that of AI.
In conclusion, as we embark on a new year, let's remember the power of our unique perspectives and human understanding in storytelling. By crafting unique, nuanced, and relatable stories, we can stand out in a sea of AI-generated books and earn a reputation among our readers.
