IWSG: September 2025

Welcome to the September IWSG monthly blog. Thanks to all the admins of IWSG and our founder , Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit all the participants of this blog hop on this list.

 What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, story bible, or creating outlines\beats?

Wow. 

The question of the year, decade, and century. Where are we going? Do we use it, ignore it, or be destroyed by it. Not in the Skynet way. I mean will AI destory the arts? Everytime I'm with a group of writers, this question comes up.

One of my friends used GPChat to edit her book! Another told me that AI is being used heavily in the tech writing world. Ask any teacher who teaches a writing course. It's a battle and hours of extra work for them to run student writings through an AI detection program. And as AI gets better, the detection will get more difficult.

I have had writers and professionals in the publishing world advising that one use AI to help write blurbs, outlines, and everything else.

As of today, I'm still writing the way I always have. I do my own outline and story beats. I use the spelling/grammar check in my documents. Of course, I use the internet to research. But tomorrow?

I don't know. I have attended workshops on AI where I've heard many pros and some of the cons. I know writers who have had their novels used to train AI without permission of compensation. I've seen amazing promotional items created by AI. The only thing I'm sure of about AI is that we should learn everything we can about what it does or we'll be blind-sided. 

Will future generations who do most of their reading on their phones or tablets going to be able to tell the difference between something created by a human and something created by AI? 

I personally have no interest in any story that has no character development. Can an AI write something with character development? Can it be taught to do that? If AI can create a new 'Beatles' song, will it also be able to eventually create a 'Stephen King' novel or a Harlequin romance?

I can't wait to read what you all think about AI. I believe this discussion will happen over and over again.

"The future's not set, There's no fate but what we make for ourselves." John Conner, Terminator 2: Judgement Day

I had to put a Terminator quote in there.

On the writing side of things, I'm about halfway through the second draft of my latest WIP. Lots of cutting, rearranging, and using better verbs.

Someone somewhere among my blogging friends recommended the show, The Last Ship, as a good series to fill the evenings with. I admit, I fell in love with it. So much tension. There are only 4 seasons available. Apparently, the 5th series was so bad, they don't even license it to streaming platforms. I'm kind of glad I didn't watch before the Covid pandemic.

I have so many great books to read right now, but I'm also busy with so much else. Hope you're enjoying some lovely fall weather. I am, before the miserable cold gets here.

Did you ever watch The Last Ship? Are you predicting a 'Skynet' scenario or can we tame AI into a useful tool?

IWSG: August 2024

 Welcome to my take on IWSG first Wednesday blog hop. Thanks to all the admins of IWSG and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh. And to find all the other participants, check out the list.

This month's optional question:

Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

Like many people, I use Grammarly. And I'm sure there are ways I use AI without even being aware of it. Is the stupid auto-correct on my phone, AI? I don't use it to write my content or brainstorm, or to create audio. I've attended a few workshops about it. Many writers are using AI to help with blurbs and such things. I haven't turned there. I feel like everyone's answer to this question will evolve.

I want to apologize for missing last month's IWSG. I think that might be the second time since the very beginning since I skipped a month. The time really got away from me.

I've been busy working on my WIP. I'm over 60K and have been averaging about 500 words per day. I'm kind of pleased with it though this first draft is really, really rough. My hope is to have it completed and a more polished version ready for next year's Pennwriters Annual Conference.

"It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confucius

I'm looking forward to the upcoming final season of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and the next season of The Rings of Power on Amazon. I've barely turned on the TV all summer.

Still exercising on a pretty regular basis despite the heat. I've always liked the heat, but I'm more careful since I'm an old lady now. A few more weeks of the pool being open. That helps when I have that to look forward to at the end of a 4 mile walk. Summer goes by so fast.

"Eighty percent of success is showing up." Woody Allen

Is your opinion about AI in writing evolving? Do you have thoughts about where this will lead? Has the extra hot summer changed your routines?

IWSG: March 2024

 It's warm, rainy, and March. Welcome to another blog hop of IWSG. Please check out the entire list of participants here. Thank you to our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh and to all the admins who provide a safe place for writers of all genres and all levels of experience.

This month's optional question:

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?

Excellent topic. I can't wait to read everyone's opinion and experiences. I have not used AI for any of my writing stuff. I think it's a slippery slope. I know some writers who are touting it, and I think they are sliding down that slope. AI can already duplicate your physical voice and with training, can duplicate writing styles. Some AI companies have already been sued for using writers' work to train their AI. We all like to think that nothing can replace human creativity, but I think that belief underestimates AI's possibilities. I fear AI's impact on the writing world. 

And let's not get started on SKYNET.  LOL

My own writing is going pretty good. New stuff is getting done, though slower than I'd wish. Old stuff is getting editing and new covers. I'm almost done with that for the immediate future. I'll have my two completed fantasy series available on Amazon very soon. Book #3 in The Futhark Chronicles, Beneath the Mountain, is now available on Amazon.

I'm feeling good about exercising. With the warmer weather, I'm off the elliptical and back on the road with my old-lady jog.

I'm really disappointed in Netflix. They canceled two shows I enjoyed, Shadow and Bone and The Brothers Sun.  At least a few network shows I follow are back on, but I'm not really exited about any of them except Will Trent.

I'm busy organizing the registration for the 37th Annual Pennwriters Conference being held in Lancaster this year. I'm so excited to meet in person, L. Diane Wolfe, who will be attending, leading workshops and taking pitches from attendees. She's making a long drive and we appreciated it.

Do you think you're read anything written by AI? Do you attend in-person writing conferences or workshops? Any shows you love get cancelled lately?