Why You Shouldn’t Let AI Write Your Book (But Should Still Use It)

When it comes to AI, writers fall into one of two groups: those who embrace AI for its capabilities, utilizing it for idea generation, research, different levels of editing, and, in some cases, writing itself. The other camp opposes it completely and won’t even use the free ChatGPT version to spell-check.

And for those who recognize AI’s potential, it’s easy to take it one step further and speculate—if it’s so powerful, should we let it write for us?

That question—whether writers should let AI write their books—is becoming increasingly common.

(And before you leave—I’m going to say no, but I’ll do it in more words).

It is an established fact that AI can generate content, and for some, the idea of publishing a book without the investment that writing one requires sounds tempting. But while it’s possible, letting AI write for you might not be the best idea. And I’m not just saying that as a writer, fearing AI will make my thoughts and ideas irrelevant. I’m saying it as a reader.

So why shouldn’t you use AI to write your books for you? After all, people have used ghostwriters for ages, never releasing an original thought of their own. So how is AI any different?

Let’s dive in.

AI Written Books Are Easy to Spot

With the rise of AI, and the growing amount of people using it, some pins have popped the bubble of AI’s supposed infinite abilities. In other words, the output AI produces isn’t as perfect as you’d think.

We’ve heard about incorrect data, lack of cohesive structure, and just random ramblings. But even if the work AI produces is flawless in terms of grammar and cohesiveness, you still can’t prevent it from sounding like AI generated work.

There’s already technology designed to identify whether a text was written by AI or a human. But even without such tools, any reader searching for quality content will be able to tell that something’s off.

AI Can't Replace a Writer's Voice or Experience

While AI has access to more information, perfect grammar, and can write faster than your fingers can move, it lacks one thing—originality.

For me, originality shows itself in literature in two ways. First, through the writer’s unique experiences, worldview, and beliefs. All of these feed into the writer’s worldbuilding, characters, and dialog. Second, through the writer’s distinctive tone—their choice of words, pacing, and turn of phrase—that makes them sound like them. 

Sometimes it’s that tone alone that makes you want to read a book (like any recent work by Stephen King—you know you’ll likely be disappointed with the ending, but you can’t resist the way he gets into people’s heads and draws out the worst in them).

And it’s something seasoned readers will notice and miss (maybe not the fans of Fifty Shades of Gray, but those with a slightly more refined taste).

Letting AI Write Your Book Takes the Fun Out of Writing

The main point against letting AI generate a bestselling novel for you (regardless of whether it can) is simple—it’s just not fun.

Unless you’re looking for a “get rich quick” scheme, generating an entire book using AI takes all the joy out of the process. Most of us write knowing our work will likely never become the next Song of Ice and Fire or get its own Netflix series. We write because it’s our escape, our hobby, the thing we find joy, relief, or self-expression in.

Befriend Your Enemy

But what about the writers swearing never to touch AI? Is it truly the force of evil that indie writers on Threads claim it is? Not necessarily.

AI can be an amazing tool for writers, and could be used to enhance your work. You can turn to AI for:

1. Editing

2. Proofreading

3. Brainstorming ideas

4. Research

And more things that I extensively described in detail here.

Final Thoughts

AI is a powerful tool, but that’s all it is—a tool, an assistant, not a creator with a mind of its own.

What’s more, readers who want authentic, unique, experience-filled novels aren’t going anywhere, and that’s something AI just can’t replace.

If you’re considering letting AI write your next book, just keep in mind that:

• AI writing sounds distinctively like AI

• Lacks personal experience, style and touch

• Simply takes the fun out of writing

So instead of fearing that AI will render your work irrelevant, think about how you can utilize it to become better. And if you’re looking for a “get rich fast” scheme—you’re in the wrong profession!

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