Authors & AI
Episode 2: Brainstorming with Bots
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.
Have you checked out our Hero’s Journey Study Guide? Do you appreciate the Snark Notes (aka, show notes but written under the influence)? Words to Write by is a two woman passion project. A little support will go a long way. You could also drop us a line and let us know how you’re enjoying the podcast.
AI & Authorship: Where’s the Line?
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...