What's Real? ( #IWSG )

 

 The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog. 
     The co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Liza at Middle Passages, JH Moncrieff, and Jemima Pett.

October 7 question - Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? (Thanks Melissa Maygrove for the question!)

  

        Great question for the times.  It's a question of ethics I would say, but when you toss ghostwriters into the mix then that does put to question any endeavor in which someone claims to do something that they have not done.  Paying someone to do our work extends into many realms.  It's the way things have worked for a long time.  I don't think it's right to say we've done something we really haven't and receive remuneration and accolades for that work.  If we've paid then so be it, but that doesn't make it right.  

         On the other hand there is a lot of writing that is not particularly good and an "author" who fits into that category might need that extra help to tell their story.  If it's something akin to having an editor or proofreader or whatever then I don't think it's particularly bad.  But if AI not only writes the story, but also comes up with the concept, story, characters, and every other element of the written product, then to me it's like cheating or even stealing.

        In the end, it comes down to the reader.  If they are entertained or enlightened or whatever the case may be, then maybe it doesn't matter who or what wrote it.  

       I suppose time will tell....