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
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are
Stop by their posts and thank them for hosting.
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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.
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 optional question is:
What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?
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Happy September, Everyone!
I hope all is well with each of you.
I am conflicted about this month's question, after my experiences visiting
all the casinos in Colorado with our friend Jon in late August.
Furthermore, I am not very knowledgeable about AI Apps like GPChat,
and I thought a Raptor was a dinosaur.
I have not deliberately used AI, but I know that I am using it unwittingly,
and I'm quite certain it has been using me.
AI is everywhere! I google anything, and an AI summary pops up.
I thoroughly researched the origin of the gold deposits in Cripple Creek last week,
and now Google is interrupting on my iPhone with alerts about mining all around the world.
Actually Google's AI summary of the origin of the gold in Cripple Creek
is pretty good, if you can look past the fact that it changes slightly every time you ask.
(And, whatever AI puts together, you should verify with other sources).
And where do you draw the AI line?
I was struggling to smooth out a sentence for something for the IWSG a while ago.
It was late at night, I was wiped out, so I typed the truculent sentence into Grammarly,
and voilà!
A smooth sentence appeared, which I immediately used.
Then, recently, I discovered Grammarly uses AI, and it leaves a detectable footprint.
Now that sentence likely has been tagged for AI content. 😵💫
(Not that I mind. It just never occurred to me that that was AI at work).
In my IWSG post last month, I was convinced that using AI to create content was unethical.
Then our longtime friend Jon came from San Diego
to tackle the next state in his creative retirement quest, Hit 'Em All...
Jon and Terry
Aurora, Colorado USA
August 22, 2025
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
of four half hour vlog posts in four days as we traveled about
from Central City and Black Hawk to Cripple Creek and Aurora.
I'm talking serious work: photos and short videos of twenty-five casinos,
brief videos of almost all his bets, a Dick-Tracy-like series of cartoons,
running commentary on the historic towns, critiques of various casinos,
and three or four original songs!
Plus a cameo of moi and numerous glimpses of Terry trying to dodge his camera.
Jon and Terry
Cripple Creek, Colorado, USA
August 20, 2025
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
Terry and I traveled back in time, compliments of Jon and AI.
Colorado, USA
August 2025
Original photo by Jon McGuffin
I quickly noticed two things.
Jon is not cursed with perfectionism,
and AI Apps helped his creativity and output immensely.
He got her done before he flew back to California on the morning of the fifth day,
and the first post was live on YouTube
when we arrived home from dropping him off at the airport.
A lightbulb went on!
Whose productivity is flourishing and whose is floundering?
Who's embracing the future and who's an old fossil?
Perhaps I need to be more open to using AI, such as applications like GPChat, and Raptor.
Olga Godim, a longtime and active IWSG member,
left a thoughtful comment on my IWSG post last month.
She wrote, "I think humanity is still floundering with AI. We are learning how to use it and how not to. It will take a while, I suppose. But AI is here to stay, in one form or another. We need to harness it to our needs."
Perhaps I need to harness AI to my needs more, rather than avoiding it.
Also, I definitely need to ease up on perfectionism. 😂
I wrote that Jon included original songs with his vlog posts.
As a former frontman for a band in San Diego for twenty years,
Jon is a talented musician and song writer.
He writes the lyrics, and has AI come up with a number of song versions.
Then he chooses the one he likes best for his post.
When he was doing his Hit 'em All Nevada series,
his daughter Tracy challenged him to write a rap song.
And, he did: "Winnemucca and Me."
This isn't his best song, but it's my favorite,
because its catchy beat and clever words always put a smile on my face.
And I've wanted to visit Winnemucca forever!
If you'd like to hear this song, go to 11:04 minutes on this video:
Hit 'em All Nevada Compilation of Songs.
It's about two minutes long.
Jon McGuffin ~ YouTube
I'm looking forward to seeing how others respond to this month's question.
Have a healthy, happy, and creative September!
Take care!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Copyright ©2025 – All rights reserved.
My next post will be Friday, September 12th 🤞
Just so you know, I monitor my comments before publishing them. This means your comment won't appear immediately. I will not publish mean spirited or commercial comments.
Using it to assist one's own creativity is a good use. It is here to stay and we need to figure out how to use it wisely.
ReplyDeleteThe raptor funnies are indeed funny!
Hi, Alex! I had great fun looking at raptor memes yesterday. I get distracted too easily. 😂 My students could easily "birdwalk" me, and I haven't gotten any better. Enjoy today!
DeleteYeah the summary AI in Google. When it first appeared, I found it annoying but then it became really helpful with my schoolwork- those 100000 doubts about Chemistry and Maths. And AI is here to stay forever- that's a fact that we should accept. We might not even realize how AI would step into our lives and be a part of it:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great September, Louise!!
Thanks, Rida! Since those AI summaries first appeared on my computer this year, they have really improved. We live in an amazing world. Chemistry and math. I've torn my hair out over those two subjects plenty of times. Good luck as you tackle them this academic year! Hugs to you!
DeleteI agree with Olga's comment about Al. And your friend's use of it is a good example of how it can help us and save time. There are a lot of non creative writing tools we can use. I love the picture of you and Terry traveling back in time.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that picture fun, Natalie? It did a great job with my wrinkles! 😂 I've been reading "Philosophy Now" magazine's recent issue on AI, and the philosophical questions are fascinating. Will AI machines become conscious, and if they do, then what are their rights as conscious beings? Have a fun day!
Delete...how true about cars and horses! Have a fabulous day, Louise.
ReplyDeleteYou have a fabulous day too, Tom! I had a hard time picking out my favorite raptor memes. There were some real groaners, and as geologist, I had to point out that that claw was on the raptor's foot (not that I came up with the meme). Take care, my friend!
DeleteHe uses it for his music - that is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat image about mining and phones is so true. If green freaks really understood where their cell phones and other vital items come from! (Such as most cell phone components are created in one of the most polluted places on earth, located in China.)
Hi, Diane! Yes, I found Jon's use of AI for music really interesting. He had stopped playing his guitar after he left his band to get a teaching degree, then a Masters in Education. Now he's playing again, and he's having a great time writing songs. My eyes have really been opened. As someone who worked in hard rock mining (a little) and petroleum (a lot), I understand how critical these resources are, and I felt I needed to add that meme to my post. I found the meme deliciously ironic. Have a great day!
DeleteSounds like Jon has mastered using AI for productivity while keeping creative control.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for IWSG day Seasonal Creativity For Authors
Hi, Ronel! Yes, Jon has found that balance, and I found it inspiring! Enjoy visiting around today!
DeleteAi is here to stay. We old fossils will "get used to it." The younger generation will take it for granted
Deletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
So true, Lee!
Deleteappreciate your pros and cons and insight on AI. It has good uses, but it will surely be abused by some to the detriment of others as all inventions over time have been. I’m always wary, and I don’t care for so much change so fast, but it’s here, so I will figure out the best way to approach it. thought-provoking question this month!
ReplyDelete=D
Tara Tyler Talks
Hi, Tara! It's the abusers I worry about, but I hope to be around long enough to watch it all play out. All the best to you!
DeleteLovely photos and illustrations. Grumpy 😠 🐈 cat always makes me laugh. I love ❤️ the image of you and Terry traveling back in time. So true about cars and horses, Louise.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda! I'm still making the rounds, as you can see. I adore Grumpy Cat, and I'm not surprised to hear that you love him too! You have a good sense of humor>. Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteIt's true -- it is a new technology and one that isn't going away. Definitely something we need to at least undersand in order to keep our feet under us, eh?
ReplyDeleteFor sure, Crystal! I've decided that I don't want to be an old fossil. Happy creating in September!
DeleteThose raptor memes are fantastic! Yup, AI is here, so whether we use it or not, we need to understand it, how it's uses, etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the raptor memes, HR! I certainly had fun looking for them. I am definitely inspired to learn a lot more about AI. All the best to you!
DeleteYour reflections capture so well the shift from skepticism to curiosity. AI really does seem less like a threat and more like a tool once you see how it can boost creativity without replacing the human touch
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roentare! It's the human touch all we creative types worry about. I hope your September has gotten off well! Take care!
DeleteOh, this was fun Fundy Blue! Your posts are always enjoyable ;-) Yes, I guess we must accept that AI is here to stay. But I want to be first in line (or very near) to learn how to keep it in check. Have a wonderful September!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed my post, Diedre! Keeping it in check is top of my list too. But now I'm inspired to see how it could help me. Happy creating this month!
DeleteThanks for the shout-out in my direction, Blue. I don't use AI for my writing, but I do use it when I play with images and create book covers. Although my use is 'second-hand.' I create collages using AI images produced by other artists. But I like the results. For example, your AI portrait with your hubby 'Back in Time' is wonderful. Even if it isn't strictly original, it is fun to look at and will give you marvelous memories for years to come.
ReplyDeleteThe Imgflip meme about cars and horses is great. Made me smile.
I'm happy the raptor meme made you smile, Olga! I do love the "Back in Time" photo. A number of my artistic friends make striking images with AI, but they always signal that it is an AI image. That's reasonable, I think. Wishing you all the best in September, Olga!
DeleteI don't know personally, but have heard there are many ways to use AI. It might be too smart for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI find AI hard to wrap my head around, Teresa. I definitely want to learn more about it. I hope all is going well for you! Happy September!
DeleteWill we use AI, or will it use us?
ReplyDeleteGood post. They allow photography inside casinos now? Guess I haven't gone in years.
“Let’s strive to be better in September!” – Charmaine J. Forde #quote
I have a novelette coming out on the ninth. And a post about condiments planned on the A to Z site this month. Hope you're well!
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge
Hi, J! September is nearly always my favorite month. Thanks for telling me your release date. I want to read your story. Wishing you lots of success!
DeleteDear Louise 🥰♥️
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your friend’s comment on your last month post that AI is here to stay . Actually it’s true for all kinds of changes we have seen or will see in future. I remember when cable tv appeared in our area in late nineties or 2000 people with conservative mindset objected potentially.authorities tried to resolve this matter by banning few sites but soon everything came back . There is no turning back in nature’ s plan for change because as they say that nothing is permanent here except change whether we accept it or deny it.
Thanks for introducing Jon’s songs . I heard and it felt uplifting and delightful 🤗🥰👍
Jon sounds wonderful musician and songwriter 👌♥️
I also enjoyed the memes,they make me smile 😊
I am glad you are thinking about using AI dear Louise 😊
I used ChatGPT twice until now to find the definition of some word . I use google when I have to search something. I will try to find ways how ChatGPT can help me in such searches.
Health,peace and happiness to you,Terry and loved ones 🥰♥️😞
Thank you, Baili! Wishing you and your loved ones health, peace, and happiness too! I have used Google for years to search for information and to doublecheck the spelling or precise meaning of a word. Google really ha expanded my world, so I can't wait to see what AI does. Terry uses ChatGPT frequently and loves it. That he got from his friend Jon, not me. 😂. It's been fun going around and reading different posts for the IWSG this month. Hugs to you, my dear friend! ❤️
Delete🙏
ReplyDelete❤️
DeleteI think we all are using it inadvertently. Put something in a google search line and the first thing that comes up is the AI aggregate. As long as you keep going (if you really care) I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is the potential for plagarism, fake videos, taking jobs away from some in film (like extras by making crowds) and relying on it too much. But who knows. It's evolving and I don't know a whole lot yet. And I'm ok with that!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jeanie! There are a lot of people whose jobs will be eliminated by AI. I hope our society can handle the dislocations. I've become much more curious about it. Wishing you all the best! Take care!
DeleteAw, what a refreshing post to read. Great dinosaur/raptor memes and eye-opening info on using AI. Your friend should make a tutorial on how he does all that for us old fossils.
ReplyDeleteThanks, JQ! I hope you had fun visiting around for IWSG Day. I'm still making the round. Thanks for visiting. Have an awesome September!
DeleteLmao never thought about the horse car thing, but so true.
ReplyDeleteI never used it, aside from the stupid thing showing up with a write up on some of my Google searches, as it cant keep up with my craziness in my writing lol
I used it to cartoon a picture once though and I've been thinking on trying it for songs since I can do lyrics but nothing else.
You should try your lyrics, Pat! My friend Jon has had lots of fun and success with fitting his lyrics to music with AI. Yeah, Google's AI is answering pretty much every question now. Happy weekend to you! ❤️
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts! Have a great September.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great September too, Yvonne! Thanks for stopping by!
Delete“Whatever AI puts together, you should verify with other sources” is so true, Louise. And of course, Olga is right, too. We do need to be in charge of AI so it won’t be in charge of us. Thanks for a great post. Love the fun cartoons and cat pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria! I'm glad you enjoyed my post. ❤️
Delete