Is nothing sacred? After exploring how AI might steal our writing jobs, we’re now testing whether these digital usurpers can replicate our podcasting chemistry too. Google’s NotebookLM claims to transform documents into conversations between virtual “hosts,” setting up the perfect showdown with our human-led book discussion format. 

For this AI vs. human battle royale, we revisit our podcast roots with James Gardner’s “The Art of Fiction,” specifically tackling that mind-exploding (and not in a good way) final chapter on plot. With words like “profluence” and “picaresque” not to mentions some painfully retrograde sexual politics, this chapter is a doozy. 

Listen as we compare the artificial hosts’ takes with our own snarky comments (er…insights) and decide for yourself: can cold, calculating algorithms somehow make Gardner’s impenetrable prose not just comprehensible, but actually entertaining? (Spoiler: the results will surprise you.)

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.

We’ve explored AI as brainstorming allies, critique partners, and research assistants. Now we’re tackling the most contentious question: should writers use AI in the actual writing process? Not the “generate a novel in a week” approach (both ethically dubious and creatively hollow), but rather using AI as an editor whose word and phrasing suggestions you might incorporate into your novel. Is this approach effective? And even if it is, is it ethical?

Join us as we navigate these thorny questions at the intersection of creativity and technology.

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.

Can AI truly enhance your creativity without taking over? Our previous episodes left us wondering, but in this episode of “Words to Write by,” we interview educator Kate Scott of the “AI for Squishy Humans” newsletter who offers some refreshing answers.

Kate reveals her practical framework for taming AI’s “enthusiastic toddler” tendencies and transforming it into a genuine creative partner. Drawing from her own experience with her just-published indie fantasy novel, Kate demonstrates how she leverages AI for targeted marketing strategies and discovering innovative ways to connect with potential readers. She shares unexpected ways AI can serve writers beyond just generating content—from personalized writing coaches to creative problem-solving tools that actually strengthen your unique voice.

If you’ve been curious but cautious about AI in your creative process, this conversation with Kate on “Words to Write by” explores approachable methods for conquering blank page syndrome and organizational hurdles that might be exactly what you need to hear.

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.

Can AI truly enhance your creativity without taking over? Our previous episodes left us wondering, but in this episode of “Words to Write by,” we interview educator Kate Scott of the “AI for Squishy Humans” newsletter who offers some refreshing answers.

Kate reveals her practical framework for taming AI’s “enthusiastic toddler” tendencies and transforming it into a genuine creative partner. Drawing from her own experience with her just-published indie fantasy novel, Kate demonstrates how she leverages AI for targeted marketing strategies and discovering innovative ways to connect with potential readers. She shares unexpected ways AI can serve writers beyond just generating content—from personalized writing coaches to creative problem-solving tools that actually strengthen your unique voice.

If you’ve been curious but cautious about AI in your creative process, this conversation with Kate on “Words to Write by” explores approachable methods for conquering blank page syndrome and organizational hurdles that might be exactly what you need to hear.

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.

Submitting work to your first workshop or critique group is nerve-wracking – these aren’t your supportive friends or family, but strangers with opinions. Yet honest feedback is the lifeblood of growth for writers. The problem? Workshops are expensive, inflexible, and the quality of feedback varies wildly.

What if you could get thoughtful critique on your terms, anytime day or night?

That’s the promise of AI writing assistants. In this episode, Renee is the guinea pig as she submits a chapter draft from her memoir to Claude and compares its insights against feedback she previously received from human critics.

The results? According to Claude, they are “Surprising, illuminating, and potentially game-changing for writers everywhere.” We’ll let you be the judge of that.

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.

Can writers harness AI ethically without surrendering the soul of their craft? In our provocative new mini-series, we’re not just theorizing about AI’s role in creative writing—we’re putting it to the test.

Picture this: You’re staring at a blank page. Your protagonist is trapped, your love interests are stubbornly avoiding each other, or your climactic scene lacks the perfect setup. We’ve all been there. Could AI be the brainstorming partner that breaks through these creative walls?

To find out, we challenged Claude (our AI of choice) with a classic writing exercise from John Gardner’s The Art of Fiction. The results? Let’s just say they left us speechless—and not for the reasons you might expect.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic, enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of storytelling, this episode is for you.

Tune in to discover if AI truly empowers the creative process—or if it’s leading writers down a dangerous path.

Remember, we have a Writers Process meetup every Wednesday. Check us out.