Despite Jack London’s “To Build A Fire” being my least favorite story of all time, it’s resurrected in my memories, thanks to AI. I can’t stop thinking about it, even though I haven’t read the depressing classic in over 20 years.
I’m being a tad dramatic in my disdain – it’s clearly a well written story that has withstood the test of time for good reason.
But my optimistic, happy-ending loving self was left with my jaw on the floor when I first read the short story in high school.
“There is NO WAY this is how the book ends,” I thought-yelled to myself in the middle of Mrs. Jones’ English class. “What a terrible ending!”
SPOILER ALERT: The man freezes to death and his dog trots away into the woods. The end… depressing, right? UGH.
Suppressing its sad-face vibes most of my life, London’s story has resurfaced in my brain as I ponder the effects of AI on writing:
What would great authors across history think about AI and how we’re using it, how it’s mimicking us, and how it’s shaping our language?
I’ve been contemplating this question for months now. It’s caused me to slow down and really observe the world around me, paying attention to the level of detail the best classic authors would detail in their writing:
I saw the tiniest butterfly, the size of a dime, hiding in the light green grass while I walked in my backyard. It slowly opened and closed its black-and-orange-speckled wings, drying them in the sun.
I noticed the stark difference in temperature during a humid, Ohio summer when a fluffy-white cumulous cloud covered the sun and its heat was suddenly shielded from my freckled skin.
Deep, detailed observation is something that is uniquely human and fuels the creative passion that goes into great writing. The best writers live their lives using their senses (in ways that AI is unable), so that they can tell stories that captivate (in ways that AI can only mimic).
So, what would Jack London and other great classic authors do with AI?
Personally, I’m glad they didn’t have AI as an option. I don’t want to imagine a world where their stories, characters, and imaginative worlds don’t exist just as they are – depressing endings and all.
With their work firmly documented in history, their creative works have now helped train AI to mimic human writing alongside hundreds of thousands of other works collected across millennia.
What does this mean for the future of writing in general, but especially in terms of quality, originality, expression, and creativity?
And what about the future, careers, and livelihoods of writers and authors?
These are the questions that have put Jack London front and center in mind all summer.
As a human being who has a natural talent for writing, and has been continually working on and sharpening this skill since I was eight-years-old, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and position on using AI for writing.
What (and how) do you stand out in the age of AI?
It’s more important than ever to find your own unique blend of personality, professionalism, passion, and style.
Writing that comes from your authentic, genuine self is what the world needs.
Crafting great writing that makes an impact (on yourself and others) takes time and thought, but the investment is well worth your time and consideration.
If you want to go the DIY route, I’ve written about how to establish an authentic brand voice, what a good brand voice entails, and how to use it effectively.
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If you need a partner, my 1:1 writing coaching sessions are the perfect way to dive into your brand voice and craft guidelines that will help you write strong, genuine messaging. I always kick these off with a free, 30-minute consultation to establish your goals and challenges so you get the most out of the paid sessions. Schedule your free consultation today to secure your spot!