T. V. Pinkard

The Full Scoop on AI

Let's talk about AI. There are many who argue that generative AI in the literature world is an "inevitable" freight train, and we all ought to hop on while we can, lest we get left behind. If you are one of these people who eagerly use things like ChatGPT in the writing, editing, or creation of your books, I am simply not the editor for you. There are others who feel differently! I wish you luck on your endeavors. 

​

For everyone else, I want to make clear what my policy is around AI so that we can start on the same page. I could go on and on about my moral stance against the use of artificial intelligence in the writing process, and there are plenty of creators who have stood on that same soap box and discussed it with depth and eloquence. Writing is an entangled, highly demanding process and most folks who do this as a hobby or a career can attest that it will be painful at times. Any art worth doing will challenge you, push you past that wall you thought you couldn't breach. That is part of the reward! You will surprise yourself with the corners you can paint yourself out of given the dedication, patience, and effort. And it does take all three. 

​

What I can say without a shadow of doubt is whatever corners you think you might cut, AI will do a worse job of telling your story than you ever could. It doesn't matter what stage or level of experience you have. Indeed, if you are new at this, you are robbing yourself of the opportunity to learn. There's only one way to get good at writing books, and it's the same way you become proficient at anything: by doing it. Badly at first, and then with time and perhaps a bit of community or mentorship, you find your stride and draft better and better books.

​

Some folks try to justify the use of AI in outlining, in brainstorming, conjuring initial ideas, or in organizing the ideas they already have. The truth is there are no shortcuts to writing books, and I speak for a great many editors when I say we will spend twice as much time undoing the mess that AI has made of your work wherever you try to lean on it. I suppose there is some comfort in knowing that as it stands, creating an effective long form narrative remains a deeply human endeavor that generative AI cannot replicate. So even if you don't hold the same moral objections, the fact of the matter is AI isn't making your book better. It's not saving you time or getting you to the destination any faster. 

​

If you are looking to break into the writing world, it's also worth noting a growing number of people in the industry are choosing to blacklist anyone who deals with generative AI. However harsh that may seem, I share in the belief that this beast is only "inevitable" if we lay down and do nothing about it. Further, I value my own time and the labor that I put into thoughtfully analyzing other people's art. I'm here to collaborate with human storytellers desperate to get the stories in their hearts out on paper. To put it bluntly, I don't want to edit the book that you couldn't be bothered to write. 

​

So my policy is as follows: 

I do not accept manuscripts that have used generative AI for any stage of the process. This includes brainstorming, outlining, writing, or editing. 

​

In return, I assure that I do not use these tools for any type of editing service that I offer. Every big picture document, margin comment, line edit, summary, and query revision is done by me, by hand. I will never put your work or your ideas into any generative AI platforms. I will always read your stories with my own eyes and analyze them with my own mind.

The writing process is lonely enough as it is; I'm here to offer a human connection to help make the next step enriching and inspiring! 

​

If you are looking to hire me and have any questions about this policy, you are welcome to contact me at tanapinkard [at] gmail [dot] com.