NaNoWriMo gets AI sponsor

[ZodWallop]

Pastiche is not the same as plagiarism.

I conceed that the quirky phrase 'If this gets any more cloying, I think I'll vomit,' is easy to identify. But how many stories had to be churned out to get that phrase? And would it have done that if you didn't ask for it to write as David Eddings?

Don't get me wrong. I don't want AI to take over writing. I understand that it will not generate unique or original works. I just think the way that it is repeatedly described here whenever somebody types the letters A and I next to each other is too much.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Pastiche is not the same as plagiarism.

I conceed that the quirky phrase 'If this gets any more cloying, I think I'll vomit,' is easy to identify. But how many stories had to be churned out to get that phrase? And would it have done that if you didn't ask for it to write as David Eddings?

Don't get me wrong. I don't want AI to take over writing. I understand that it will not generate unique or original works. I just think the way that it is repeatedly described here whenever somebody types the letters A and I next to each other is too much.

To put this in context of this thread, if you want to be a writer, you write. If you want to be a computer programmer playing at writing, use AI. Honestly, all AI writing I've seen reads like an infomercial. I, personally, have zero interest in it.

I thought the purpose of NoNoWriMo was to get you in the habit of writing, not to get you in the habit of instructing a computer to write for you.

[Quoth]

The real AI revolution involved a few bulls and many cows.

There wasn't a huge point to NaNoWriMo ever, but now it's pointless. Writing fiction is about wanting to tell a story and share it.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I thought the purpose of NoNoWriMo was to get you in the habit of writing, not to get you in the habit of instructing a computer to write for you.

Believe me, I understand the irony of an AI company sponsoring that event. I don't have any interest in an AI written novel (though I would conceed an AI could churn out a few dozen scripts for Marvel movies and nobody would know the difference).

Mostly, I just find the same users trotting out the same tired argument every single time the subject is broached to be dull to read through. Especially when even their points I do agree with are overstated and hyperbolic.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Quoth

There wasn't a huge point to NaNoWriMo ever, but now it's pointless. Writing fiction is about wanting to tell a story and share it.

I think it is more about giving wanna-be authors a framework to finally buckle down and get their novel written.

From time to time, my kid decides she wants to write a book, but goes about it backwards, starting at the table of contents, not understanding the process of actually writing a novel. If she were older and more serious about it, a project like NaNoWriMo could help.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

From time to time, my kid decides she wants to write a book, but goes about it backwards, starting at the table of contents, not understanding the process of actually writing a novel. If she were older and more serious about it, a project like NaNoWriMo could help.

That's a valid method of outlining. In a sense a list of events. You'd also want a character list, maybe a list of places and a plot outline.

It's quite a valid starting point.

Different people have different approaches to writing and it's more complex and nuanced than plotter vs pantster (planning vs simply starting to write). Apart from the School stories, Enid Blyton didn't plan or plot or think at all. She sat and typed.

A particular person might not always use the same approach.

The NaNoWriMo as it was might have helped many of the people that did it, but many more would find it useless. It was a a sort of social media phenomenon.

It can help to read different books on how to write. Many rubbish opinionated websites now. A lot of so-called writing rules can be taken too literally by beginners and are more guide lines. Some are oddly inviolable, such as the list of rules for detective fiction (but not thrillers), like the miscreant must appear near the start of the story and not in the last pages.

Read lots
Write lots
Write a complete draft before worrying about editing or formatting, no matter if extreme planner or "stream of words" (Pantster/Blyton).
It does help to write a detective novel ending first, then the start, then plot it and then do the bulk. A table of contents (can rename later) first doesn't hurt.
Only get someone else to read after your first edit.
Get a proof reader (and editor if poss). A reader that likes reading might be useless at proofing.

Read mostly outside the genre you are writing in.

You can do a course, or join a local writing group, or do something like NaNoWriMo, but almost all popular writers have done none of these.

Some people don't write a good novel till their 40s or retirement. Few achieve it as teens. You don't need to stick to writing what you know (research is easier now with Internet), but life experience counts for a lot. Writing outside of your own culture is risky.
Paul Limberger (Cordwainer Smith, Instrumentality)
Leslie Charteris (The Saint)
Nevile Shute
John le Carré
Anne McCaffery
Ngaio Marsh
Even Cpt. W.E. Johns (Biggles, Worrals etc), who was never a Captain.

You need to find time and not be exhausted intellectually from the "Day Job".

[ZodWallop]

Please don't tell me how to write a novel.

Originally Posted by Quoth

The NaNoWriMo as it was might have helped many of the people that did it, but many more would find it useless. It was a a sort of social media phenomenon.

Nothing works for everyone. I'm not expecting the next Moby Dick to come from NaNoWriMo. But hey man, if it helps some people do something they are proud of, good for them.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Please don't tell me how to write a novel.

I'm not.

I'm pointing out that there are many ways.

But NaNoWriMo IMO was a rubbish way.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Quoth

But NaNoWriMo IMO was a rubbish way.

Hugh Howey, Rainbow Rowell, Sarah Gruen and Marissa Meyer would disagree.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Enid Blyton didn't plan or plot or think at all. She sat and typed.

Barbara Cartland just sat and talked and someone took it down. Even faster!

Writing outside of your own culture is risky.

I know they're popular, but I find the Alexander McCall Smith books unreadable. And then there's the Jamie Oliver contretemps.

[leebase]

Originally Posted by Mike Hobart

I'm not saying I couldn't have written it myself, but it would have taken me a couple of weeks. "What brave new world is this?" I muttered to myself.

I recommend folks play around for some time to learn what these tools are capable of AND to find one's own comfort level.

I write my own blogs, but I use the AI as an editor to advice on MY written words. Then I decide to implement or not the recommendations.

No doubt the AI has improved my writing skills - because i use it to do so.

I've also written a piece and then had the AI revamp it suitable for submitting to a magazine like the Saturday Evening Post. OMG - it's writing was SOOO much better than mine.

But I don't publish such works. But I could imagine contexts where I might.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by issybird

Barbara Cartland just sat and talked and someone took it down. Even faster!.

Yeah, I know, quoting myself. Anyway, when I was typing this something teased at my memory about a "name" author who also had to do this late in life because it became too painful to write. Came to me when I stopped thinking about it, as it does: Henry James.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by issybird

Barbara Cartland just sat and talked and someone took it down. Even faster!

Edgar Wallace did that as well.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Edgar Wallace did that as well.

I just came across an author who did Babs and Eddie one better. Restif la Bretonne composed directly on the printing plates!

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by issybird

I know they're popular, but I find the Alexander McCall Smith books unreadable.

You are not alone. Although my knowledge of Botswana is very limited, the Michael Stanley series of Inspector Kubu novels felt much more authentic somehow,