My Stance on Generative AI as an Author

I do not and will not use generative AI to write books, or to create character art, book covers, or any other art. The reasons are manifold:

• I like using my brain and want to protect its ability to think and create.
• Mastery of skills is more important to me than quick output.
• Quality matters to me far more than quantity. I want to be creating masterworks that are still resonating with audiences fifty or one hundred years from now.
• The process IS the art. It’s the fumbling around, and the plotting headaches, and the dead ends, and the endless repetition of skill building. The end product is what everyone sees, but the artistry is in the creation of it.
• I gain so much through struggling through the process. It is a gift and part of what I LOVE about writing. I'm not about to hand over what gives me the greatest satisfaction.
• I don't want to become dependent on AI. I don't want to lose the ability to make art myself.
• The way most (if not all) LLMs were developed is unethical, and involved stealing creatives' work without permission or compensation. The companies argue that they couldn’t have afforded to do the work any other way, but hmmm... that sounds a lot like what plantation owners said about using slave labour.
• Generative AI data centres use excessive resources (especially water) and are environmentally irresponsible.
• Creating is both joy and struggle, but it’s the struggle that makes the joy real and lasting.