AI in Writing: Creative Catalyst or Credibility Crasher?

I have a subject that’s been itching at the corners of my mind lately. It’s as nagging as that plot twist you can’t quite untangle: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating story ideas. The same tech that’s changing everything from healthcare to how we binge-watch TV is also inching its way into our writing lairs.

As a thriller novelist who’s spent years battling deadlines and the ever-terrifying blank page, I must admit that the idea of an AI-powered muse intrigues me. Yet, it’s a slippery slope, my friends, and one that begs the question: Could it be undermining our creative credibility?

The Alluring Upsides

An Avalanche of Ideas

AI doesn’t procrastinate, it doesn’t have bad days, and it certainly doesn’t need to be wined and dined to spill out ideas. Within seconds, it can spew a smorgasbord of plot twists, character quirks, and setting descriptions that might take a human hours, days, or weeks to think of.

Breaking Through the Wall

Let’s face it, writer’s block is as real as the coffee stains on our manuscripts. An AI can act like a literary sledgehammer, shattering that wall and allowing your ideas to flow again. It’s an emergency toolkit for those dire moments when you need some oomph.

Quick Research

Need to know the average rainfall in Paris in May for that romantic scene where your characters kiss under a shared umbrella? AI can give you that answer faster than you can say “rewrite.”

The Unsettling Downsides

The “Ghostwriter” Dilemma

This one keeps me up at night. If I used AI to brainstorm ideas, how much of the end product is authentically mine? As writers, our currency isn’t just words—it’s originality and voice. Anything that blurs those boundaries should give us pause.

Filter Bubble Fears

AI is trained on existing content, which means it’s limited to what it’s been taught. If you’re writing a groundbreaking narrative, you may find your AI assistant guiding you back toward the well-trodden path of mainstream tropes.

Creative Stagnation

AI can be a crutch, stymieing our ability to think deeply and abstractly—the very skills that make us writers in the first place.

My Approach: No AI in the Creative Cauldron

Just to be clear: I’ve never used AI to generate my story ideas. I’m a bit of a purist, cherishing the eureka moments that come from staring out a window or scribbling on a notepad during a midnight bout of insomnia. My writing process, with its imperfections and occasional inefficiencies, feels sacred to me. An AI tool hasn’t yet earned a spot in my toolbox.

So, the next time you hear the siren call of AI promising an easier route to the next bestseller list, just remember this: the human element, that unique signature that we bring to the page, is irreplaceable. AI can be a tool, maybe even a helpful one, but it should never be the master sculptor of your narrative masterpiece.

According to Harvard Business Review, AI is changing the creative landscape.