AI AND CREATIVE WRITING_ BY SUMAILA UMAISHA

Since the advent of AI, there have been controversies surrounding its use as a writing tool, especially in creative writing. This is not surprising. Every innovation comes with its advantages, disadvantages, and the scepticism that naturally accompanies change.

Now, before the emergence of AI, how was writing done?

First, the writer conceives a story and turns it over in his mind for some time until it takes root. Then comes the writing itself. The first attempt is usually only a draft. Even the second or third attempt may still remain drafts. In fact, I once read that Mario Puzo, author of _The Godfather_, admitted that he rewrote the novel over twelve times before it was eventually published. No number of rewrites is too many if they strengthen the work.

After the rewrites come self-editing, which may also go through several rounds.

Then comes the final editing by a competent editor, who points out typographical and grammatical errors and suggests improvements in structural or technical aspects of the work.

From this process, it is clear that a writer does not simply approach an editor with an idea and ask him to turn it into a story. Also, a first draft is not handed over to an editor to edit or rewrite. Under such circumstances, the finished piece could reasonably be regarded more as the editor’s work than the writer’s, because it would inevitably carry the editor’s style and voice.

In the same vein, asking AI to write or rewrite a creative work for you is not only unethical but also suggests that you are not truly a writer in the first place. The joy of authorship lies in the act of creation itself, and in the emergence of a voice that is distinctly your own. The fulfilment is not merely in having your name attached to a work, but in being its actual creator. A man may be regarded socially as a father to a child, but if he is not the biological father, the bond and reality are not quite the same.

Therefore, just as there is a proper process for engaging a human editor, there should also be a proper approach to using AI tools. You may ask AI to identify grammatical errors and typographical mistakes for you to correct, much in the same way a human editor uses track changes to highlight issues for your attention.

You may also ask AI to critique a piece and point out its strengths and weaknesses, just as an editor might leave comments highlighting areas of strength and areas needing improvement. 

However, it is not compulsory to accept every suggestion AI offers, just as you would not accept every editorial suggestion unquestioningly. More importantly, do not allow AI to affect the corrections for you. AI has a tendency to leave traces of its own imprint and stylistic patterns on sentences. Use your own language. That is where your originality, voice, and artistic identity reside.

As for the fear that prolonged exposure to AI-generated materials might eventually influence your writing style to the point where it appears AI-generated and becomes flagged by AI detectors, that concern is largely exaggerated. Simply ensure that your use of AI remains limited to identifying errors you can correct by yourself and offering suggestions on how a work might be strengthened; suggestions that remain subject to your judgment and approval.

Let AI strengthen you as the calculator strengthens the mathematician, not reduce you to a plagiarist or replace your voice!

© Sumaila Umaisha

- Nigeria