Does the threat of AI make you nervous? Eighty-six percent of the respondents to a UK Society of Authors survey agreed with the statement that “generative AI will devalue creative work produced by humans.”
It’s the opposite. AI is more likely to increase the value of quality creative work produced by humans because humans can produce work that AI can’t match. Here’s how to do that kind of work.
Use AI to Support Your Writing, Not Do Your Writing
Learn to work with AI. That’s the first step to producing great books. Twenty-five percent of respondents to the same survey were already using AI tools. That may not sound like much, but this survey was done in January of 2024, and the number is much higher today.
AI is excellent at finding what’s already out there. AI can summarize content quickly. AI can provide perspective and broaden your range of options. But it can’t do three things humans can do to create a great book.
Power Up Your Point of View
You have a powerful point of view and that differentiates you from AI. You developed your point of view from everything you’ve experienced. It’s inside your head, so AI can’t discover it. Use a strong, clear, and unique point of view to beat AI.
Discover New Things
AI can’t discover what’s still in people’s heads or remains unpublished. You can do that, though.
Conduct proprietary research. Do a survey or study that enriches your book.
Interview people. Top nonfiction authors have always done interviews. Mark Bowden says, “When I taught nonfiction writing, the first assignment I gave was to go someplace new and interview someone you don’t know.”
It’s good old-fashioned reporting. Discovering new things will help you beat AI.
Get Emotional
AI is like Mr. Spock from Star Trek. He is wonderfully rational and free of emotion. He may be able to reason well. He has a great memory. But Mr. Spock will never have his heart broken. Neither will AI.
Humans feel emotion. AI doesn’t. As Dr. Nick Morgan says, “Stories are simply data with emotions attached to them.” Use powerful stories to beat AI.
In a Nutshell
If you want to beat AI, improve the quality of your inputs. Do some proprietary research. Interview people.
If you want to beat AI, improve the quality of your output. Develop a clear, strong point of view. Tell lots of relevant stories.
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I’m Wally Bock. I’m the player coach who helps mid-career authors create a business book they’re proud of without going crazy or shredding important relationships. Contact me if you’re finally ready to make that dream about writing a book a reality.
