How Writers Are Wisely Embracing AI Technology

By Doris Booth
CEO, Authorlink.com

Have you been wondering how artificial intelligence might fit into your writing process? It’s a question many writers are asking! As AI technology rapidly evolves, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and perhaps a little uncertainty about how to use it and protect your unique voice as an author.

It’s clear that AI isn’t going anywhere. Your fellow writers and competitors will likely be exploring its potential. So, how can you find the right balance – using AI tools to enhance your writing while still staying true to your creative self?

Think of it this way: whether you’re crafting a novel, an essay outline, a translation, or even sales and marketing materials, your human perspective is more valuable than ever. While technology is amazing, it doesn’t always work best in isolation. AI often needs a human partner. The best results often come from combining AI’s capabilities with the insights of experienced human editors.

Some writers might be tempted to let AI do all the work. But many companies, including Authorlink®, are having great success by blending AI’s strengths with human creativity. We are integrating AI in new ways, such as in products like the new Killer Queries  and Killer Critiques(coming in April 2025).

And it is good timing, too.

The U.S. Copyright Office is clear: works without any human creative input can’t be copyrighted. In other words, works generated solely by machines can’t be attributed to an individual.

On the business side of things, Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) now asks authors to disclose if their content (new or updated) uses AI-generated text, images, or translations. However, they don’t require disclosure for “AI-assisted” works. If you wrote the content yourself and used AI tools to polish, refine, or improve it, you’re good to go!

So, what’s the best way to think about AI? As a helpful assistant, not a replacement for your writing process. AI can be a fantastic partner for brainstorming, editing, and refining ideas. However, it’s generally not recommended to have it generate an entire book or article on its own.

Your unique voice is the heart of your creativity. Without that personal touch, AI-generated content can sometimes feel a bit flat or impersonal.

Remember the old saying, “garbage in, garbage out”? It still applies! AI models can sometimes reflect biases from their training data. They might produce content that feels a little generic, or even generate inaccurate information (sometimes called “hallucinations”).

Getting the best results from AI often involves knowing how to “talk” to it effectively. This means crafting clear prompts and understanding which AI platform is best suited for your specific task.

For example, simply saying, “Hey, AI, is my story good?” probably won’t give you the detailed feedback you’re looking for. But if you ask, “How can I make the opening paragraph more engaging and create a stronger hook?” you’re much more likely to get helpful suggestions.

Even experienced computer programmers might not have the same instincts as a seasoned editor, who knows exactly how to phrase questions and what to look for in a piece of writing. A good editor can work with AI to thoroughly assess a story’s strengths and weaknesses – things like the hook, theme, plot, pacing, character development, and dialogue.

At Authorlink®, we use AI for manuscript analysis and improvement. But we don’t stop there! A human editor carefully reviews the AI’s output, working with the author to create a truly compelling story. Sometimes, the AI might make a mistake – for instance, comparing your thriller to a Danielle Steel romance novel! A human editor can quickly spot these discrepancies and suggest more relevant comparisons.

These editors – let’s call them “AI-savvy editors” – also know which AI platform is best for your needs: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude.ai, Sudowrite, or many others.

Here’s a little secret: most AI writing tools are built on something called large language models (LLMs). These models are trained on enormous amounts of text and code, enabling them to generate text, translate languages, write creatively, and answer your questions. But different LLMs have different strengths. ChatGPT is great for conversations, while Claude.ai excels at handling longer pieces of writing. Sudowrite is specifically designed for creative writing, with features to help you brainstorm characters and plots. Choosing the right tool depends on your project and writing style.

When used effectively, AI can save everyone time in the publishing process. Some writers are finding success by using services that combine AI analysis with human editorial input.  Authorlink® might use AI to analyze a client’s story: Is there enough conflict? Are the characters’ motivations believable? Am I showing rather than telling too much? How does my writing compare to others in my genre?

But AI is just the starting point. Human editorial input is essential to preserving your unique voice. Whether you work with an AI editorial specialist or go it alone, here are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind, inspired by the Author’s Guild:

  • Think of AI as your assistant: Use it for brainstorming, editing, and refining, but not as the primary creator. Your unique perspective is what makes your writing special!
  • Rewrite AI-generated text: If you use AI to generate text, always rewrite it in your own voice. If you’re claiming authorship, the work should truly be yours.
  • Be transparent: If a significant portion of your manuscript (text, characters, or plot) is AI-generated, disclose this to your publisher and readers. It’s generally not necessary to disclose AI use for basic brainstorming or copyediting.
  • Respect other writers: Don’t use AI to copy or mimic the unique styles of other authors in a way that could harm their work.
  • Fact-check everything: AI can sometimes generate inaccurate information, so always double-check any facts it provides. Be aware of potential biases in AI output, too.
  • Support fellow creators: Remember that voice actors, translators, illustrators, and other creative professionals also need to protect their livelihoods from the potential misuse of AI.

The Author’s Guild also offers a handy checklist for using AI wisely:

  • Check for obvious errors
  • Analyze word choice
  • Look for points where the reader might lose interest
  • Check for faulty conclusions or weak logic
  • Examine the AI’s judgment
  • Consider ethical questions
  • Involve a human expert for that essential human touch!

As our relationship with technology continues to evolve, it’s important to remember that AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a replacement for human creativity and judgment. Evaluating AI-generated content thoughtfully and responsibly is key. And, as the Author’s Guild wisely suggests, partnering with human editors – those with real-life experience and insight – is often the best way to get the most out of these exciting new technologies.

Note: This article was created by a human. We used AI to make minor suggestions or improvements. 

About Doris Booth

Doris Booth is the founder and CEO of Authorlink.com, an award-winning website recognized for its excellence in the publishing industry. Authorlink is pioneering the use of AI in services like Killer Query Letters and Killer Critiques. Doris also leads a literary agency, representing a select group of bestselling authors. Her projects have been featured in Netflix documentaries, and she has facilitated book deals with major publishers. While no longer accepting new agency clients, Doris remains dedicated to providing valuable services for writers through  Authorlink®.