Why Write in the Age of AI-Generated Books?

The writing world is not what it once was. 

That’s a dramatic first line for a blog post, isn’t it? It’s also very true. Generative artificial intelligence has changed the landscape of both the traditional and independent publishing worlds. Scandal after scandal has rocked writing competitions, #BookTok, and the bookish world at large. On top of all the other complicated realities modern writers have to navigate—building a brand, shrinking attention spans, trope and microtrope trends, and more—we are now adding in the fear that any of us could be #exposed or #calledout for using AI even if we’ve never touched it.

I’ve read many writers’ laments on the state of things. I’ve also seen a few writers claim that this technology has made the prospect of writing a novel feel pointless. Why bother, if readers actually like AI’s voice, and entire books—seemingly complete with covers and proofreading done—can be generated with a thirty-word prompt? 

I beg of you, resist. Resist the urge to give in to those dark thoughts. There is no need to abandon your dream of seeing your words in print, just like there was no need to abandon it when your aunt said your writing was amateurish, or when you struggled to get an agent, or when your second draft’s internal logic fell to pieces in front of your eyes.

Why? Well…

Because you have something to say (and someone out there needs to hear it).

Of course. You would not have started a story in the first place if you didn’t. Living a life gives you lessons to share and warnings to give, and as writers, we have a unique ability to alchemize this hard-won wisdom into engaging stories that stick with people.

Do you remember when you were a kid, and a trusted grown-up would give you advice that sounded ridiculous until years later, when you heard it from someone else, and it suddenly made all the sense in the world? All it took was a different messenger to make the words ring true. You are—or, rather, your book will be—that messenger for someone. I can’t prove it with numbers, but I’m going to tell you that it’s a mathematical certainty anyway. My dad has a Master’s degree in mathematics, so y’know, you can trust me on this. Probably.

Are you going to let some AI model prevent you from saying what you know others need to hear? I sure as hell hope not. I’m a big, big fan of not shutting up.

Because writing brings you joy.

It’s also painful and arduous, sure, but there is nothing like immersing yourself in the characters, setting, and story you invented. Connecting disparate dots, stepping back, and discovering the constellation evokes a childlike wonder and amazement.

You know because you’ve experienced it already. Even if you’ve never finished a draft, you’ve had a brilliant idea strike you right before you go to sleep, or a beautiful turn of phrase flow from your fingers when you least expected it. You can’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about!

Life has lots of moments that are completely devoid of fun. Why would you ever rob yourself of a source of fun and joy? I’ll be damned if I let a computer have my fun.

Because things will change again.

The writing world is not what it once was, and this is not what it always will be.

For starters, a lot of people are saying the AI bubble might pop, and when that happens, many AI companies could very well fold. There are many, many vocal consumers and creators who push back every day. More might join them if AI consumes too much of its own output and gets sloppier. Who knows? This backlash might be so strong that entire models vanish from the publicly-accessible web.

But that is all speculation. That’s all anyone who’s telling you what tomorrow will look like can do: speculate. Our future is not written in stone, but you can write yours in ink if you don’t give up no matter the circumstances our world throws at you.

Interested in making your story the best it can be? Book me for a story coaching session!

Borrow my belief in your ability to finish your book, and let’s get to work.

PS. Not sure if you’re ready for coaching? Book the free 15-minute fix, and let’s talk about it! Or sign up for my newsletter below to stay in touch!