A Writer Conundrum Over AI?

 

So, what do we do with AI? Writers need to answer this question now.  

Right now, I ignore it. It’s still developing, so no need to use an inferior product. The ethical uses are bringing work out, too. As a matter of pride and independence, I simply want nothing to do with AI. I think and I act freely. I don’t need a machine to influence or even sabotage my essence.  

As a writer, AI is something I simply cannot tolerate. Why do we want computers to write for us, think for us, or even dehumanize us? 

Virtual assistance can be helpful in certain areas of manufacturing and the like. But if you are going to use it to write your book, you should move to another profession.  

AI makes us lazy, dumb, and useless as a writer. We want writers to struggle to come up with the right words or ideas, to do more research, thinking, or experimenting, and to let their emotions and curiosity drive them. Asking AI for help is an assault on a writer’s soul.  

All technological tools, inventions, and services are initially to be feared, criticized, not trusted, and banned. Then, we warm up to them and agree that there may be some wonderful applications of such technology. Then we get addicted to the technology and realize there is no turning back, and a co-dependent energy develops.  

My dad used to tell me a story about how his dad remarked during the advent of television, “Who wants to see their faces?” He was so used to radio and could not foresee how television would develop into something so valuable to society.  

There are always early adopters to the newest tech. There are also early haters who believe doom will come from such technology. The truth is, everything in existence can be used for good or evil. A gun can save your life, if attacked. It can also cause unnecessary and unfair harm. Medicine can heal one thing, and cause another harm. Foods can be nutritious and taste great unless you are allergic and can get sick from ingesting them. Money can buy happiness - or it can be used to pay for a hitman. Get the point? 

So, will AI go away? Nope, once something exists, it will always exist -- until something superior replaces it. 

So, are there good usages of AI? There could be, so, as I said before, all things can be used for good or bad. Just not for writers right now.  

Maybe I’m just a curmudgeon, stuck in the vestiges of a bygone era, or maybe I’m the voice of measured reason. Any young person is likely not to question the world they grow up in. They accept all technology as their normal baseline, not knowing of the pre-tech world that existed, not struggling to coexist in a tech-centric vs a tech-assisted world.  

I treasure being a member of Gen X. I remember the world before Amazon, Bitcoin, Google, Facebook, and AI. It wasn’t perfect back then nor is it now. It was just different. My world should not simply disappear nor should the present one. We must see the benefits of a blend of the two. But AI for writers? Disgusting!

 

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum