Can artificial intelligence really enhance creativity? According to author Hank Quense, the answer is a resounding yes. In our interview, he discusses his new book The Author’s AI Toolkit: From Concept to Publication, and breaks down how AI can help writers overcome blocks, organize ideas, and focus on what really matters: the magic of storytelling.
The Author’s AI Toolkit frames AI as a creative partner, not a threat. What first inspired you to write this book?
Early last year, I was exploring AI to see what all the fuss was about. I asked it “What makes Ted Lasso a great character.” The response stunned me with its detail, accuracy and insights. Next I fed it a 100 word storyline from one of my published novels and asked it to develop a plot based on the storyline. Again the response stunned me with the innovative plot it put together. It wasn’t the plot of my story, but if I was beginning a new novel, I would have used a few AI generated plot points in the story. That was when I knew I had to write a book to show other writers and authors how to use AI as an assistant
Many writers fear losing their voice when using AI. How can authors maintain authenticity while embracing these new tools?
I don’t think writers would lose their voice if they use AI as a writing buddy or assistant. I use AI to offload the tedious details about writing. Editing is one such detail. Brainstorming a stuck plot or scene is another. Research is still another. Writers absolutely will lose their voice if they allow the AI to do the writing instead of doing it themselves.
You highlight five key areas where AI can support writers—from planning to book marketing. Which one do you think most authors overlook?
I talked to many writers during and after writing the book. Almost of them knew nothing about using AI and the few who did know about it were afraid of learning something new and different. These writers overlooked all five of AI assisted areas. Once a writer agrees to sample AI with an open mind, I think they will be amazed at the many ways it can help
When you first integrated AI into your own writing process, what surprised you the most about the experience?
The biggest surprise was how much more time I had to be creative once I handed off the tedious, boring details to AI. As an example, instead of struggling with coming up with good keywords for a story or an article, AI can almost instantaneously produce a list of keywords that is much better that what I could do in an hour. Now my task is to decide which AI keywords to use. AI can also edit a piece of writing far faster (and more accurate) than I can.
Some argue AI “kills” originality. How do you respond to critics who worry that using AI might dilute creative work?
I can only talk about AI for writing. When I get a new idea now, I ask the AI to brainstorm it with me. This leads to an expansion of the idea and sub-ideas. Sometimes I’ll rephrase the original idea to see what else the AI can come up with. This is an excellent way to rapidly find out if the idea is worth pursuing or putting on the side. An important fact here is to remember this: the original idea is mine, not the AI’s. The Ai is being creative, it’s merely fleshing out my creative idea.
Your toolkit covers everything from formatting to audience targeting. How do you think AI will transform the future of self-publishing?
Self-publishing will still be a tough job, especially the first time through the process. Using AI can simplify the process in several areas by developing lists of keywords, advising on what book categories to use and writing blurbs and descriptions. The real danger in AI is the unethical promoters who offer to write an entire novel from a story idea and publish it (for a hefty fee).
You emphasize ethical AI use. What advice would you give to writers who want to use AI responsibly without compromising their craft?
Don’t let the AI replace your writing. Ensure that you use it as an assistant, not a creator.
If you could give one piece of advice to a brand-new writer just starting out in this AI-assisted era, what would it be?
This answer is pretty much the same as the last answer. As a brand new writer, you have to learn to create stories or articles. You also have to learn how to use and control the AI.
Shoreditch has such a vibrant creative community. What advice would you give to Shoreditch-based writers, artists, and creatives eager to use AI in their own projects?
If they are new to using AI, I’d suggest they restrict their initial applications to brainstorming an idea and researching the idea. This will give them an appreciation of the AI’s capabilities. Another experiment for writers is to take a story idea and write a 100 or 200 word storyline. Feed that into the AI and ask it questions about the storyline: Give me five plot points; How should the main character act.
I think they get my meaning.
