AI and the Future of Publishing

 

Today’s post is by Kevin Spencer and addresses the subject of AI (Artificial Intelligence). It’s a little longer than our typical post but well worth the read. If you’re not familiar with the term or you’re not sure where you stand on the issue, this post might help you make an important and educated decision.

Editing is a crucial component of the writing process. Many writers may believe that their best work is whatever spills out during the initial creative writing stages, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Careful, thoughtful editing can make all the difference in turning a promising piece of writing into something truly special.

First of all, editing is an opportunity to improve clarity. When you're writing, you may be so focused on your own ideas that it's easy to forget that your readers may not be able to follow your thoughts as easily as you can.

By reviewing what you've written with a critical eye, you can catch any instances of jumbled sentences, unclear phrases, or awkwardly worded passages that could cause confusion. You can then rephrase or rearrange everything to ensure that it flows smoothly and makes sense.

Additionally, editing can help refine writing style. Everyone has their own unique voice as a writer, but that doesn't mean every piece of writing is equally well-written. Editing can help you comb through your work and analyze how it sounds -- is it too passive? Repetitive? Does it overly rely on certain words or phrases? By making tweaks and adjustments to your writing style, you can ensure that it's more engaging, more effective, and more enjoyable to read.

In some cases, editing can help you clarify your own thoughts and ideas. Maybe you know what you want to say, but it's just not coming out the way you intend. This is where editing can come in handy -- reviewing what you've written can help you see where there might be gaps or inconsistencies in your writing, and you can then tweak your phrasing to better express what you really mean. It can be a frustrating process, but it's worth it to end up with something you're truly proud of.

Finally, editing is essential for proofreading. Arguably the most basic component of editing, proofreading is all about hunting down spelling errors, typos, or other embarrassing mistakes that can mar an otherwise perfect piece of writing. While it's easy to brush these off as minor errors or to assume that you'll just catch them later, it's always better to take the time to fix any errors as soon as you spot them. Not only will it make your work more polished, but it'll also save you the embarrassment of having to frantically backpedal if someone else points them out.

All told, editing is an essential component of any successful piece of writing. No matter how skilled a writer you may be, there's always room for improvement-- and editing is the key to unlocking your work's full potential.
________________________________
My dear fellow writers,

You may notice that I didn't sign the article above. That's because I didn't write it. Confused? So am I, but probably not for the same reason you are, kind reader. Let me explain. An AI (Artificial Intelligence) writing program, easily accessible on the Internet, wrote that piece above.

I had heard odd bits and whispers about the AI writing bots appearing on the web and how good they were. Foolishly, I discarded the notion that any Artificial Intelligence could write anything indistinguishable from a human. However, out of curiosity, I found several Artificial Intelligence writing programs readily available online. I picked one at random.

After accessing the program (ChatGPT), I asked it to write a 400-word essay on the importance of editing. To my astonishment, and as I watched, it took the program approximately 20 seconds to spit out what you read above. That's scary.

But it gets worse. I then asked the AI to write the same 400-page essay on the importance of editing, but in the style and "voice" of Kevin Spencer. It took a little longer this time. I'm guessing because it had to locate and analyze my posted work before it began. (At least it didn't ask: "Who's Kevin Spencer?") What follows is what appears on my screen after about a minute.

_________________________________

Well, well, well, folks! If you're anything like me, you love spinning a good yarn, letting your words flow like honey onto the page. But let me tell you something – there's nothing that can take a piece of writing from mediocre to magnificent like some good old-fashioned editing.

Why, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, editing gives you a chance to fine-tune your message. I know, I know – you're a wordsmith, a master of your craft, and your meaning is crystal-clear. But think about it – you're so close to your own writing that it's hard to step back and see it from a fresh perspective. Editing gives you the opportunity to read your work with fresh eyes and tweak anything that might be unclear or confusing to the reader. And trust me, folks, there's nothing that can kill a good story faster than a reader who can't figure out what the heck you're trying to say.

In addition to sharpening your message, editing can also help you refine your style. You want your voice as a writer to be strong and distinctive, but there's a fine line between that and just plain old confusing. By combing through your work and making small adjustments to your phrasing, you can improve your writing style so that it sings instead of clunks. But wait, folks, there's more! Editing can also help you get your ideas in order. Sometimes when we're writing, we have a vague sense of what we want to say, but we haven't quite figured out how to organize our thoughts. Editing helps you see where your ideas might need to be rearranged or fleshed out, so you can present your argument or story in the most effective way possible.

Finally, folks, editing is just plain essential for proofreading. Sure, we all make typos and grammatical errors from time to time. But if you're trying to make a good impression on your readers, you don't want them distracted by a glaring mistake. By taking the time to proofread your work, you can ensure that it's polished and professional.

All in all, folks, editing is the secret sauce that can take your writing from good to great. It might not be the most glamorous aspect of the writing process, but trust me – it's worth it. So the next time you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), don't forget to go back and give your work a good once-over. Your readers (and your future self) will thank you!

_________________________________

I'm not sure that it actually has wholly captured my "voice," but it isn't all that far from it. In fact, I think it is alarmingly close.

I wish I could wrap this up in a bright little ribbon and bow for a closing paragraph. But I can't. In fact, it scares me silly. Where is this going to lead us? Can we ask the AI to write a novel in the style of Lee Child, John Grisham, or even Stephen King, and then publish it as our own? Will school students have Artificial Intelligence write their term papers or, even worse, dissertations? Are teachers going to be able to distinguish between AI and human content?

As I said, I don't know where this will lead us. But I do know two things. One, I've had my eyes opened. And two, as writers, we had better start talking about this.  Quickly.

Do you have any experience with AI that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you.

 Photo by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and deepagopi.

Kevin Spencer is a freelance writer and professional editor and is privileged to be a staff writer for Christian Devotions. He lives in Middle Tennessee with his beautiful wife Charlotte and his wonderful grandson Caleb. A former prodigal son, Kevin has been blessed beyond measure and lives a life far, far better than he deserves.