A lot of people have a lot of opinions about this huge craze of using A.I.
Authors and Illustrators have been viewing this tool as a way of refining their craft. This is my opinion on A.I. and it's use on writing, illustrating, and our application of this tool.
For the last two years I never really had a lot of thought about it and really never considered addressing this shiny new tool that is at everyone's disposal. From what I know some authors use Chat GPT it as a sounding board to bounce idea's off of as a way to help sort out their plot and story. For me It seems redundant as I have Pascha that I can storm up to say a few fragmented statements and storm out leaving her baffled as I go back to my computer to write down the new idea I only partially explained to her.
Puffin Publishing says it takes 18-24 months to finish a picture book, earlier this year a guy on Twitter decided to create, publish, and sell a fully A.I. created book.
All which took him a single afternoon. Needless to say his book and profile ended up getting destroyed by his lackadaisical attitude on the art of children's literacy and neglecting the effort and true reward of the title. One review in particular stood out to me saying his book had no heart and his child didn't like it before he realized it was AI done. "This was also at the time authors and artists protested, "AI art is stealing."
Now the part I think you are all really wondering about. AI art. What is our stance of computer generated illustrations and how is Author Squared going to applying AI art and it's varying uses in the future?
I can't deny AI art has improved at an impressive rate. In two years we went from mocking it's faulty hand structure to fake posters about upcoming Pixar films. AI art has gone a long way in ultimately a short amount of time.
Recently my illustrator was asked at a book signing, "Why don't you let AI do your drawings? It's a lot easier than spending all that time doing it yourself."
I want to take you down a quick parallel journey.
On our travels we've purchased 2 handmade coffee cups from 2 different consignment stores. Both are beautifully hand made and sculpted.
During 2 separate book signings we had the opportunity to meet both talented artisans. One has 20 years of experience and she has learned through those years how to produce "Near China" pottery. Her mug is surprisingly light and you can feel the difference in the two coffee cups and experience.
So the question I bring up is.
"What good is twenty years of experience if a novice can let A.I. refine their own work into a flawless china cup?
Pascha and I are not interested in using AI art in any artistic form but we have used Stock images for our books before typically small things; page numbers and cover background for Cravers, lined paper of Story Stumped (Upcoming Release), and tape, paper, and paperclips for Tattered. So any AI art used will probably be unintentional or used for small accents for design.
So while we have no interest in using AI in writing or illustrating there is one very specific reason I have interest in using AI art.
In my YA/NA chapter book, Under The Shield (Upcoming Release) I would love to be able to see my characters in a more realistic design. Something that is more concrete and definitive than just my imagination but even still I haven't yet done it nor do I know if I'm actually going to take that step. Perhaps in the future or closer to release. The funny thing is that I have another YA (Trapped) I'm working on and not once have I considered wanting physical imagery for these characters.
To sum up my entire point is...
Being an artist is all about pushing yourself creatively, refining your eye to detail, and learning from your past attempts. Just like how spell check was suppose to make people better spellers but just became a crutch for faulty spelling.
Just compare our first book to our newest. We couldn't have ever made it where we are if we depended on a third party for refining. It takes iron to sharpen iron.
This might be an unpopular opinion but AI seems to be the modern day participation award for those that want quick gratification without the effort of muscling through. Even writing this Quick Story, WIX offers AI to many aspects of web building but I'm not interested in using it. Then I look at modern magazines and film studios and the rumblings of replacing writers.
I can't help but ask. How long are authors really going to be around? But this I'm sure will be Quick Story for another time. There is a profound question in Under The Shield that when you think about it is fitting for anyone that considering on using AI to improve their writing or artwork.
“When you walk with a limp should not the cane be next to the strong leg?” Wait until you find enough strength in yourself before searching for a crutch that can give you temporary support.
Enjoyed the read thank you