It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.
To visit the IWSG website, click here.
To become a member of the IWSG, click here.
Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are Kristina Kelly,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are Kristina Kelly,
I hope you have a chance to visit today's hosts and thank them for co-hosting.
I'm sure they would appreciate a visit and an encouraging comment.
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Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.
Or, the question can inspire members
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.
Remember the question is optional.
This month's featured question is:
Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses,
or do you refuse to go that route?
How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?
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Aloha Everyone!
I hope that February has been good to you and that you enjoyed love and friendship.
We are flying home to Colorado on Friday after a wonderful time in Hawai'i.
I'm not ready to leave this beautiful island; I never am!
Baby Makapu'u Beach
Looking Toward Makai Research Pier
Waimānalo, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States
March 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Regarding this month's AI questions, I'm very clear about where I stand.
I have not "played" with AI to help me write anything.
I've been "tempted," but I know that using AI to help me write
would result in something that was not my creation.
AI is a science that makes machines to think like humans,
but machines do not have souls or emotions or feelings,
so they can't create like humans.
They can imitate someone's writing, but they can't experience
the author's experiences and how they color his or her creativity.
AI machines lack nuance.
Therefore, as I see it, machines cannot write creatively.
Only I can create my writing.
Polemonium or Jacob's ladders
Baby Makapu'u Beach
Waimānalo, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States
March 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
For example, AI could scan a document or manuscript
for errors in typing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Or, AI could be used in writing bibliographies
or supplementary notes that don't belong in the main text,
especially to ensure that the format is consistent and follows conventions.
These are not creative activities and are not creative writing.
Some people might label me a luddite for my position on AI,
but my guiding principle is that I create my own writing, whatever the genre.
Terry with Our Friends Kathy and Bruce
Baby Makapu'u Beach
Waimānalo, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States
March 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Sadly, I can foresee AI being used to pump out mass-market,
plot-driven "novels" in many genres purely to make money.
I hope there will always be a place for good authors to publish their creative writing.
We Were Enjoying a Day on the Windward Side of O'hau ~ LOL!
Makapu'u Lookout
Waimānalo, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States
March 3, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Have a creative and fulfilling February!
Enjoy IWSG Day! And a big thank you to the co-hosts!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Fundy Blue
https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
My next post will be on Friday, March 15th. 🤞
That is a beautiful beach sight. You have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roentare! You have a good week too!
DeleteAwe ! that photo of yours on windy day turned out so artistic and fantastic dear Louise :)))
ReplyDeletei loved your smile and hair spoiled by wind ,such a spontaneous and joyous click :)
it can be hard to leave such cozy island indeed
but i hope the weather in Colorado might have changed slightly now so you can enjoy your stay in homely environment :)
your first para speaks my heart as well and i fee same way exactly ,i never opened that AI thing on my laptop except once when my younger son suggested it and i checked what he was talking about .
i am like you in faith that if i want to speak my heart ,it must be me only :)
the march blooms are gorgeous !
sending you lots of love and best wishes my precious friend !!!
Thanks, dear Baili! I'm glad that you enjoyed the photo of me. The windward side of O'ahu is beautiful, but we rarely get there because we don't have a car here. Our friends Kathy and Bruce were kind and generous to take us. I knew Kathy when I was in Grade 8 . She now lives in Honolulu, and we have reconnected which has been a lot of fun. AI could never catch the beauty of your writing, and especially the fresh and vividness of your poetry, Baili! There are many other writers out there who speak from their heart, like you and I. I love the blue flower Jacob's ladders. There's lots of it in Nova Scotia as well. Have a great weekend! Blessings and love to you! And big hugs!
DeleteI'm glad you had such a good trip. I think Al is a tool that can help with tasks other than writing a story. I don't mind using it to get me started and to save time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! I am constantly amazed at all you accomplish. my friend! AI has many ways it can assist people already. I have really seen it in health care, for example. Have lots of fun visiting around the IWSG today. Wishing you a relaxing and refreshing weekend!
DeleteI agree with your take on AI. No soul, no creativity.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your last few days in Hawaii!
Thanks, Alex! Enjoy visiting around today. I hope that you and your wife have a great weekend together!
DeleteSometimes AI is a little TOO creative in its writing. I'm aware of court cases in both the USA and Canada where AI was used to write the legal argument, and it fabricated caselaw to cite in support. So courts are starting to issue guidelines about the use of AI.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debra! On the one hand your comment is funny, and on the other it's serious. But it's not surprising to hear this. I hope institutions like the courts do issues guidelines for AI use. AI has great promise to help humanity, but it also has great perils. Hopefully people will manage it effectively. I wonder what happens to human brains when they count on AI to do the hard work of creating? Have a great weekend, and hugs to you!
DeleteYou just create your own stories!
ReplyDeleteIt does look beautiful there.
Hi, Diane! I'm sure AI could make me faster ~ lol! We've spent a lot of time on O'ahu and some of the other islands, I'm guessing a year of our lives, and I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of what there is to see and learn. I hope you get to visit this special place. Enjoy your day visiting around!
DeleteSorry you have to come home from being in such a beautiful place. I always felt sad to leave Hawaii when I used to go there. However, it is also nice to be home. As for AI. I think we are all in trouble with it. However, it is here to stay and I can only see it getting worse. I do enjoy playing with AI and what I describe to make a picture. I do not use it as "MY" art. For me it is a fun release. I know some people that are using AI to write resume's and work papers. It's a strange new world we live in. I would rather draw, paint, create my monsters with my own hands and mind.
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday, Nicole! I enjoy seeing what you create with AI art for fun. You always make it very clear that it's not yours and it's for your entertainment. I love your monsters, even as they creep me out! Have a lovely weekend and hugs to you!
DeleteYou feel exactly as I do about AI. I just LOVE the photo of you on the beach with the windy hair (and your new profile pic, too!). Happy week!
ReplyDeleteHappy week to you too, Jeanie! And hugs!
DeleteHere I was, thinking the weather here wasn't too bad! And look where you've been this week!
ReplyDeleteAI absolutely can be useful in more technical writing. And I'm also absolutely sure it's already being used to churn out pulpy disposable novels. Will they catch on? Time will tell.
Nice to see you, C.D.! I hope the pulpy, disposable novels won't work. No machine could match your originality and voice! Enjoy IWSG Day!
DeleteLovely vacation photos! I feel warm just looking at them. :)
ReplyDeleteIn reading the responses to this month's question, it seems we're all mostly in agreement on this topic. Keep creativity human.
Thanks, Jean! Yes, keep creativity human!
DeleteI was so distracted by your pictures. It looks so lovely. And I'm with you on AI. No machine writing for me.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan! I'm home and have the basics covered, so I can catch up with replying to comments. I know the photos had no relationship to the text, but I just can't do a post without photos ~ lol. Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world! Enjoy the weekend!
DeleteThat looks like a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteYou make a good distinction between creative and non-creative. Very good point.
We had the best time, Loni! I hope that you are having a great March!
DeleteYes! "Only I can create my writing." Totally.
ReplyDeleteLove your wind-swept photo with hair blowing in your face. So authentic and happy.
Thanks, Olga! I was definitely happy, visiting some special spots with a friend from junior high along with her husband and Terry. We had a blast. All the best to you!
DeleteThere are always those looking for a shortcut, but I'll stick to taking the long way around.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Samantha! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteWhat you wrote about using it for non-creative tasks makes a lot of sense to me. I've used it for honing research ideas and that helped me limit my rabbit hole diving. hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
hehehe! I spend way too much time in rabbit holes, Anna! I hope you are enjoying March!
DeleteI wouldn't leave that island, either. Too lovely. And you're no Luddite.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. Sadly Terry dragged me onto the plane, but I know we'll be back there again next winter. Take care!
DeleteLovely photos!!! We've never been to Hawaii, but it looks like a dream. I'll be a Luddite right along with you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jemi! I hope you get a chance to visit Hawaii some day!
DeleteOh, your Hawaii photos bring back wonderful memories of my two visits to Oahu. Hawaii really is all that they say--the snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, hiking up Diamond Head, devouring Pan-Asian cuisine, taking in the breathtaking ocean vistas...*sigh*. I would love to explore more of the islands one day.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my photos brought back happy memories for you, Jennifer! The other islands are amazing too! Have a nice weekend!
DeleteAI is already being used pump out mass-market, plot-driven "novels" in many genres purely to make money. And I think that's why Amazon has banned AI written novels. Apparently the quality was terrible. But AI is getting better and more "intelligent" with imitating creativity every day. I believe it will soon become so ingrained in our society that it will be used by everyone like smart phones today. At the same time, I also believe there will always be room for human creativity no matter what happens.
ReplyDeleteI've been learning about AI and mass-market "novels." I'm glad that Amazon has banned AI written novels, which I just learned this IWSG Day. Like you, I believe in the value of human creativity and its survival. Have a lovely weekend, Lynda!
DeleteHi, Everyone! I finally achieved my goal of visiting every IWSG member today, but I can't reply to all my comments until I return home to Colorado! I'll keep working through them, because I love comments. So bear with me as I catch up!
ReplyDeleteYou aren’t a Luddite for that position. I totally agree. And wow, visiting everyone! Impressive!
DeleteHi, Rebecca! I've been a long time member, and this was the first time I managed to do it! I hope you are having lots of fun!
DeleteWouldn't want to leave either. Warmth beats rain and snow and crappy weather here.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I won't use it to write either, as it isn't you at all. I can see the technical stuff though. And yeah, they already do it now, hiring a bunch to write 50 books a month for money. Now they'll just get robots to do it and put out 5000 books a month. Chance of any new author being seen is getting lower and lower.
Well the snow and crappy weather has caught up with me, Pat. We've had 17 inches or 43 centimeters of snow over the past 30 hours! Back to reality! Hopefully nobody will buy those robot books. Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteYou're absolutely write. AI can't write like humans. We created AI so yeah, we're better off creating stories. I have once read that what beautifies art is the creative thinking of a human. AI worries me for some reason. I hope good people would always be there to appreciate the human creation. And Hawaii is a place that I have on mind to visit in the future! I hope you have comment moderation on 😉
ReplyDeleteHi, Señorida Anastasia! I know just what you mean about comment moderation and I do have it on ~ lol! I love what you said about art and the creative thinking of a human. I'm sorry I'm just responding now. We're back from Hawaii and I've covered the basics of groceries and laundry. I hope you do get to visit Hawaii sometime. I dreamed of it all of my life and I finally got to go for the first time when I was 35. I never imagined that I would get to spend lots of time in Hawaii later in life. It is a magical place! Happy creating!
DeleteThanks for popping by my blog, I sincerely hope that creative people will last, but I can see the rise of the bot.
ReplyDeleteYour hope is my hope, TWW! I hope you enjoyed IWSG Day!
DeleteWow, I need to go back to Hawaii! I hope you had a fantastic time there! I think all of us writers agree that AI can be a useful tool, but it is dangerous to let it steal creativity and pass it off as its own. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! We had a lot of fun, and I can't wait to go back. Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteLove the photos! Seems like a great trip. :)
ReplyDeleteThank, Yvonne! It was. Wishing you a happy and creative spring!
DeleteI'm impressed that you could visit everyone on on our IWSG list.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points you addressed in your blog post. Use AI as a research assistant, not as a creative author.
My favorite photo is of you on the windward side of O'hau.
Thanks, Lynn! I gave up trying to have a photo without hair streaming and just went with it. I've been trying to visit everyone for years, and I finally did. I don't how Alex does it every month. Have a good one!
DeleteI don't think I'd want to leave that gorgeous island either. 100% agree with you about AI.
ReplyDeleteI'm home now, Kate, and we've had 17 inches of snow in about 30 hours. Reality!😭 I hope you have a great weekend!
DeleteThanks for a thoughtful post! I look at AI like we moved from handwritten books, to ye old word processor, to computers, now we have as much or as little AI as we want.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise! I can't believe how the world and technology have changed during my lifetime. What's next? I had hoped we be established on the moon and exploring Mars by now, but I never imagined the ability that people would have to communicate and create. Enjoy the weekend!
DeleteLook at the sky, look at that water. Those are beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm of the same mind as you. AI lacks human creativity and nuance. Only I can write what I write. And I'd rather not use AI who lacks those aspects to affect my writing.
Hi, Lidy! The colors of the water in Hawaii are vibrant and changeable throughout the day. It's a constant show, and so is the sky. We have more dramatic skies in Colorado, but we don't have that gorgeous water. I'm looking at deep blue sky and brilliant white snow here in Colorado this morning, and it is beautiful and cold! I miss that tropical warmth for sure. I so agree, "Only I can write what I write." Happy writing in the weeks to come! Take care!
DeleteI fully agree with you. I am sure there is a place for AI, but as a photographer, I find it almost cheap to use the tool for image creation. I much prefer seeing beauty though the eye of a living person. I am also finding more and more AI work on Etsy and that is disheartening. I get so excited to find laser files to make beautiful engraved kitchenwares, but lately it seems like a lot of the same AI produced files that "artists" are putting out there for sale. No thank you. I want the hand drawn art that can only come from the creativity of an actual human. Idc if you tweak the image after AI has done all of the work, to me, that's still not your work. There's a place and time for the tool, but pushing out real creativity from humans is never a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels, Louise!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Theresa! The art world seems to be embracing AI. I'll take human creativity over AI any time. Have a wonderful weekend!
Delete*jealous* One of our daughters and her family live in Hawaii, and we want to visit her so badly. But Grandpa is 96 and he doesn't want to go. It's no small thing to hire someone to stay with him.
ReplyDeleteYou're in a tough spot, Donna., but your choosing love and care for Grandpa is what really counts. Travel becomes challenging as you get up in years. I know how difficult it is to find a competent and compassionate caregiver who is available and affordable. I hope your Hawaii trip becomes doable sometime. It is a remarkable place. Meanwhile happy creating! Take care!
DeleteOh dear, you took time from beautiful Hawaii to pen this post for us? Thank you for your thoughts on AI. I agree with you. The bad part of going to Hawaii or the warm states in the winter is returning to the cold north. It seems like forever for warm spring weather to return! Have a safe flight home! Love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, J.Q. I really value the IWSG as a community, and I enjoy engaging with everyone, so yes, I took a break from beautiful Hawaii. I just burn extra midnight oil ~ although it's getting harder as I get older ~ lol. We had a huge dump of 17 inches of snow after we got home, and we were in a lucky location. Other relatively nearby areas had several feet. It was a bit of a shock to the system! But I love Colorado too, so I have the best of both worlds. That said, I can't wait for spring, flower, baby leaves, and warmth! May spring arrive for you soon! Sending you a big hug!
DeleteIt looks lovely there! We enjoyed Mexico and intend to keep going back when we can. And I'm with you on AI.
ReplyDeleteHi, Shannon! It's great to find a place you love and to be able to return to it. May you make future happy memories of Mexico! I hope you enjoyed IWSG Day!
DeleteGreat photos! The ocean looks amazing in the first one. I agree about AI being used for proofreading -- Grammarly and ProWritingAid are great examples (I use the latter for my own work). I've played around with ChatGPT and found that it isn't a great writer (not that I would use anything it wrote, I was merely curious) but it does work well as a research assistant :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day If You Don’t Have Time to Read…
Thanks for your informative comment, Ronel. I did try to get into ChatCPT out of curiosity, but I couldn't get anything to work. Technically challenged here ~ lol. But I would never use it for creating "my" work. Have a happy and productive month!
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