GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL (Intelligence, Artificial 2024)
The common thread of advice about AI—tread carefully. National Novel Writing Month could have avoided a major blunder if it was listening.
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is an annual event that takes place every November. It challenges participants to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, helping aspiring writers break through procrastination or writer’s block by emphasizing quantity over quality in the initial draft. The event is open to writers of all skill levels, and there is a strong community aspect, with local and online events, forums, and support groups to help participants stay motivated.
In a statement released in September, NaNoWriMo declared that opposition to using AI tools is “classist and ableist.” Their argument?
It’s classist because not all writers have the financial ability to hire humans to help with feedback and review.
It’s ableist because not all brains have the same abilities and not all writers function at the same level of education or proficiency in the language in which they are writing.
Such a disappointing point of view. It suggests there is a right way and a wrong way to express oneself creatively and that AI somehow levels the playing field—because…we want everyone’s writing to be the same? 🤯 I don’t even want every writer to play on the same field.
Any ho, as expected, the backlash from writers was swift and intense, causing NaNoWriMo to issue a more “nuanced” statement that neither outright supports nor condemns the use of AI tools, recognizing that AI can be useful for brainstorming or overcoming writer’s block while encouraging participants to focus on original, self-driven content, in keeping with the spirit of the event.
The Reason for My Rant
This controversy touches on something crucial—how do we leverage technology without devaluing our expertise. Some tips:
Use AI as a Tool, not a Substitute: AI can support your business without compromising your voice. Whether it’s optimizing workflows or improving client communication, know where AI enhances your work rather than replacing it.
Maintain Authenticity: Your expertise and your signature approach are what set you apart—the reason your clients want to work with you instead of the next expert. Not every communication needs to sound like “Erin”, but when it does, AI is not your friend.
Be transparent: Clients are more aware (and wary) of how AI is used in the services they procure. Be transparent about how you use it and ensure it aligns with your positioning and your clients’ expectations.
IP is Fuel 🚀
Erin