Thoughts on AI and Writing

Our dog Teddy pretending to work, AKA, stealing my spot on the couch.

I’ve started a new fiction writing project recently, and every time I get into Microsoft Word to write, copilot chimes in and asks me if I want assistance.

I click out of it furiously, feeling almost insulted and hurt. Why would I want assistance with my own creative project?!

And then a few hours ago, while working on a letter at work, I wrote in Microsoft copilot for assistance. Yes, please help me write these generic phrases into new words.

I’m probably late in the game for this conversation, but I guess I’m curious to see what you, my fellow creatives, feel about AI?

I have such a love/hate relationship with it. I get entertained when AI writes in the voice of Shakespeare, and then on the opposite: I feel so attacked as a creative writer that a computer can do what I choose and love to do in two secs or less.

I remember reading an article a while back where an author actually ran an experiment with readers where they were given an AI generated story and one written by someone. In the end, they found that the story written by an actual person was the more popular choice. Maybe it had something to do with AI being too general and using phrasing that didn’t fit with the overall narrative… I don’t quite remember the why.

But in an age where technology dominates and everyone is desperate to get ahead… especially financially, I can’t get rid of this fear that I’ve missed my chance to let my voice be heard.

Am I too late to be a published author? Or will AI-generated material get published, too, and ruin my chances? I need to do more reading on this.

I am interested to know your thoughts!


Sorry, I’m a bit late posting this week, and I missed last week, too. I am recovering from a nasty cold. I hope you are all well!

AJM

the last time

no one told me
that when you get older
those friends you saw everyday
won’t be around as much
those girl shopping days
nights out at the bar, dancin’
or slumber parties
don’t happen as often

because we’ve got families
and adult responsibilities
and making plans
is like getting the planets to align

and one one told me
that one night
you’ll watch a video
about two friends
and it’ll bring back a sudden ache
for those carefree nights
where a drink at a bar and a DD
were the only things we were worried about

and no one told me
that you’ll miss your friends
like a promise you can’t keep
like a cloud that blew across the sun
a hollow longing
that hollars down an empty road

and that one day
we got together for a slumber party
wished on stars together
and told secrets
for the last time

when democracy dies

when things get rough

when i feel trapped

by my responsibilities

i look up at the night sky

and think

…at least i’m still free


🥺 Our future here in the US is so uncertain. I’m scared of what our future looks like. No, I’m terrified. I’m so glad I get to watch the world burn around me because of someone I didn’t vote for. 🙄

AJM

Golf Course in Outer Space

I had a dream my dad went to live
at a golf course on the moon
and the only reason he went
was because my uncle told him to

there was a constant summer sun
in a long, flat expanse of green
a domed space that went on forever
and the people there were mean

I knew he was uncomfortable
I could see it in his face
because for some reason, I went with him
to this golf course in outer space


Because I thought we could use some silliness this month. And I’ve started this thing where I write poems of actual dreams I’ve had. This poem made my Dad laugh.

It has been soo cold. January is kicking my butt physically and mentally, and I just have to endure. I can make it through. The new presidency has me super depressed, so I am just going to read. How many books can I make it through? I am currently reading four…two audio books and two other books. A memoir, a YA science fiction adventure, an urban fantasy, and an epic fantasy romance. Variety is the spice of life. Maybe I should throw another genre in there.

AJM

Moving to Tuesday/Wednesday posts

Hi all,

I hope you had a fan-tabulous holiday season and Happy New Year!

(Our Golden Teddy tired out after the holiday festivities at Grandma’s house.)

Just dropping a quick note to say that I’ll be moving over to Tuesday and/or Wednesday AM posts from now on. Posts will range from poetry, fiction, blogging, and miscellaneous content.

I am looking forward to a productive writing year! All the best,

-AJM

aliens

I had a dream I visited aliens
they left their spaceship on the moon
yet in the time they left it
I stepped on it like a balloon

and it didn’t pop or float away
it shattered and made a mess
for the rest of the dream they chased me
trying to get me to confess

the space ship was red and white
like a plastic bobber on the lake
it hovered over my parents house
so close it made the windows shake

and each time they looked for me
I ran away to some place new
getting more and more exhausted
as my paranoia grew

I was so afraid and full of fear
but I never saw their faces
I just ran away from the truth I knew
that I was lacking in social graces


Once again, it’s not Monday. I didn’t want to be away for the next few days and not post anything. This one is actually written from a dream I had a month or so ago. I have strange dreams a lot and might consider writing more on them.

I hope everyone has a nice week and to those of us in the US – a very Happy Thanksgiving!! ❤️

~AJM

A Woman President

To the Opposition:

A woman should be president
Do we have enough accessories?
Should we pin up your politics?
Should we clean up the mess we see?

Should we tie up a policy
in a neat little bow?
There’s no reason for drama
please, enough with the show

We’re not your courtesans
Or eye candy on stage
We’re not here to flaunt your ribbons
While you trap us in a cage

We won’t type your memos
while you admire our bra size
We’ll file your harassment along with
all your stupid small-pinched-lies

And while you slander us
We’re tying our kids shoes
We’re fighting in combat zones,
making headlines in the news

We’re scientists and astronauts
We’re surgeons and vets
We have our own voices and money
But there’s been no presidency yet

And while we gather our courage,
you tell us that we’re weak
Please shut your damn mouth
and let the women speak

We’ll tell you

A woman should be president
It’s not about IF we can
It’s because men are afraid
because we’re smarter than them


Hah…I love this one. And not just because it’s about women’s rights and all that good stuff. It’s because this poem is sure to piss some people off…and I’m here for it. Boy, am I here for it.

I dread the results of this election. The next few days are going to be so stressful. Here’s hoping! <3🤞🗳️

~AJM

Dream-Lies

Some of my classmates are getting old
I see the wrinkles beneath their eyes
Their hair is gray, their children are grown
Were the dreams we dreamed just lies

Some said
I want to go to Hollywood and party with the stars
I’ll own a house in malibu and several shiny cars
I’ll paint with fields of color and start an artist’s revolution
I’ll save the whales and sea turtles and remove plastics from the ocean

And still for others
These dreams are dreams left up high on an empty shelf
But the biggest dream I ever dreamed was the life I live myself