Welcome back to A Writing Life, our series of monthly articles written by long-time 26 member and contributor Rob Self-Pierson.
Like many of us, Rob straddles the line between commercial and creative writing. Each month, we’re inviting him to share the trials and triumphs of a writing life – and what he learns along the way.
It’s June, and AI seems everywhere. Rob explores why some writers and brands are turning to AI, and shares why he and his studio won’t be…
Image: The key is here, the gate elsewhere (1871) by Victor Hugo.
I’m not against AI, or how it uses m-dashes.
I don’t believe AI is going to replace me as a writer.
To be honest, I’m bored with the coverage ChatGPT et al are getting. I’m pretty sure the noise is drowning out the truth: that AI isn’t quite the asteroid hurtling to Earth so many headlines suggest.
Yes, generative AI produces text. It can communicate what appear to be fresh ideas. It’s cheap, often free. And it’s constantly there, just a prompt away. This makes it useful for many reasons. I see why writers and brands get drawn to it.
But I won’t be using AI in my writing, or at The Brand Language Studio. Here are a few reasons why:
1. I love to write
Why get technology to do the thing I love most?
If you don’t love to write, maybe engage AI. Though first speak to someone whose passion is language. See if they’ll mentor you. Go to a workshop they’re leading. Seek inspiration in all they share.
That’s what I say to anyone whose instinct is: ‘I’ll ask AI’. Instead, spend half an hour with a writer and you’ll realise lots about writing. That writing is play. Writing is creativity. Writing is understanding yourself, your life, the world. Writing is freedom. And adventure. Writing is joy in hard times. And writing is your opportunity to explore and express what you feel matters most.
The above is true whether you’re writing a pitch or a poem. Give it time, keep practising, don’t give up, and one day, in one moment, the craft of writing will become its own personal reward.
Yes, I could ask AI. But I gain much more from writing it myself.
2. People are my business
‘Business!’ exclaims Marley when Scrooge suggests his former partner was always a good man of business. ‘Mankind was my business.’ Oh, to write as crisp and clear as Dickens!
Also, to enjoy such a moment of realisation as Marley and later Scrooge. Perhaps mine is that although I write for brands, people are my business. Fellow writers, creative partners, clients-now-friends, trainees. Without them, my working life would be much poorer.
But ‘without them’ I could easily be – had I built my writing career 15 years later, at this time when AI has become a new go-to.
Image: “Marley’s Ghost” from A Christmas Carol, 1843. Illustration by John Leech.
When I started, you went places and met people to develop as a writer. Each week, I’d pick an event to attend. There, I’d look for someone to chat with. If all went to plan, we’d meet for coffee soon after. A few times it led to a project or creative collaboration. Other times I simply received invaluable advice.
My first few years were tough. I worked long weeks at tiny rates. There was no AI to ask direction, or to bounce ideas with. Instead, I joined organisations like 26 and Dark Angels. The communities I found there, made up of good people, kept me going.
All I wanted was to grow as a writer. As I pursued that aim, I met the people who continue to make my life rich, fun and full of experience. Until AI offers me such fulfilment, I’ll go to good people.
3. AI seems so divisive
I drafted this article with a pen and a notepad. Do you mind?
Between my first and final draft, I met 26’s John Simmons for a chat over coffee in the Royal Academy. When John left, I explored the Victor Hugo exhibition. I was drawn to this text:
The work ahead of me is like a sea –
a whole immense expanse of partly glimpsed ideas.
It made me rewrite my first draft. Something in the imagery of Hugo’s language. I felt deeply inspired by his words. Do you mind? I’m going to guess you don’t. I’m just sharing some writing process.
When I tell someone I’m a writer, they ask two questions. What do you write? What’s your process? Not only does a writing life break the ice – the ice melts away in the warmth of intrigue. I’ve always felt that conversation about writing brings out the best in people.
Contrast this with a thread about generative AI I saw on LinkedIn.
Someone said they could spot an AI post a mile off. All the m-dashes.
Another person replied they use m-dashes, many writers do.
The author replied m-dashes have rules that AI doesn’t keep to.
Someone else said, in caps, not to be so precious about punctuation.
The author snapped back, arguing AI was stealing writers’ work.
Another person replied to ‘stop crying and get over it’.
They all seemed to really mind about the others’ views. Nobody asked why or what or how. It just got nasty. Really quickly.
Debate about AI, I realised, has the potential to turn conversation into squabble – and bring out the monster in people.
I’d rather raise intrigue. So I’ll stick to pens and notepads.
Together we go
Perhaps one day AI will end my career. There’s a chance I’ll look back on this post and laugh at my naivety. Whatever happens, I’ll continue to write, and hope to grow as I do.
See you in July as we close this first year of A Writing Life.
Onwards,
Rob
If you’d like to share in response, message Rob via Max at 26. Also, find out more about Rob’s studio or connect with him.
Take a look at our 26’s most recent encounter with AI: For instance, it is nearly dawn…