I hadn’t been much interested in AI. I know it’s here, I know it’s going to change everything. Focused on my projects, I haven’t wanted to go down the rabbit hole of learning and assessing AI as a tool for work and writing.
But when LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman mentioned ‘research assistant’ on a podcast, I rushed right over to the computer and got my ‘assistant’ to work.
In a book proposal, you have to make a claim, evidenced by stats, that there is a large market for your book. I am terrible at researching this kind of thing. I had done several Google searches. But when I used AI to research, I got much more specific results. Granted, the information doesn’t go past 2021, but I can live with that. I also have to fact-check the AI results, but still, it’s helpful.
I have used ChatGBT to help me with my writing projects:
Comparative titles:
- Searching for any I missed
- Getting summaries to see if I missed anything in what I already wrote
Alternative titles for my book
It was fun to see some words I wasn’t using that could be considered more mainstream. For instance, I don’t necessarily use ‘creative potential,’ but I liked it when it popped up in an alternative title. It speaks to what I want for us all – that we live up to our potential as people and creators.
I’ve pointed clients to how to use AI for their book proposals, and one even got a new title for her book using it.
I played with ‘book launch ideas’ to help brainstorm new ideas for my marketing section in the proposal. I pretty much knew all of them already, which was more validating than informative..
Not sure how to use it for my novel-writing, but one day, I had an idea. I strive to write in a certain style. I hope to write in a lyrical way, a way that emphasizes saying something in a beautiful, original way. I say striving because I feel far from achieving that.
I copied a paragraph of my novel into AI and asked it to describe the style of writing. This is what I got back:
The writing style of this fiction is descriptive and uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene and the emotions of the characters. The author also uses internal dialogue to give insight into the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings. The language is informal and uses slang, creating a sense of intimacy and authenticity. The author also employs metaphors and clichés to add depth to the character’s observations and to convey the physical sensations of the experience. The overall tone is sensual and romantic, with an emphasis on the physical pleasure and emotional connection between the characters.
That made me feel like I was getting closer to the kind of writing I want. Not totally there yet. And clichés? OY! Not so great. It sent me into the paragraph to hunt down what could be cliché and eliminate it.
I feel ethical about how I have used AI. I’m not getting it to write my paragraphs for me. Having a better research tool is super helpful, especially in the promotion/launch phase of a book.
Have you used AI for your writing? Share how by leaving a comment below!
I loved this post, Cynthia. And also find AI a helpful assistant…often to help dust off the cobwebs and think differently about how to approach something. Thanks!
So glad, Clydette!
While I do have concern about AI in regards to ARTWORK, and creating artwork on already existing works, I’m very intrigued with the idea to use AI as an ASSISTANT!! I particularly liked learning how you were able to use AI to determine what your writing style is by using a sample of your writing 😊 While I know the word ‘cliche’ is not something any writer wants to see used about their writing, I’d say it can’t be all bad when it’s bumped against the word METAPHORS, which I enjoy reading and seeing used in many ways and mediums…I guess that might be a word I’d like to strive for in my own writing, so now I have a goal to work toward! 😉 Loved this post/newsletter Cynthia!
Glad this sparked some new perspectives for you, Monica! I think that is one of the best uses of AI possible.