Tag Archives: creative process

Voice It

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I recently overheard a conversation referencing AI document drafting. I wasn’t particularly paying attention, for as a writer, I have an appreciable dislike of the pervasive insertion of AI into every conceivable electronic activity. Not to mention I was one of those hapless authors whose books were used to “train” AI. No permission. No compensation. Just total hock off. Insert angry face emoji. 😡

Image Credit Pixabay: justDIYteam

Being an author of little notoriety is even more the kicker. My voice is a blip against the ever-burgeoning appetite of the AI monster making an ugly attempt to dislodge and/or impersonate humans in countless roles: professionally, personally, and now even medically, including mental health advice. I kid you not, having recently seen a shiny new “option” of speaking to an AI counsellor as a support package for workplaces … 🤢 What could possibly go wrong … 🤦‍♀️

Some people love using AI. Bully for them. And I get it can be useful in certain contexts. For example, an image I’ve used in this post is AI generated. Were AI not being poured on us like itching powder, I may have less discomfort over its use in various applications, especially as a tool. But when copilot appeared on all Microsoft applications I felt compelled to add my disgust to the Microsoft chats flooded with disgruntled users objecting the inability to permanently delete this unwanted “feature” from applications. Instead of fixing this, copilot and other AI bots began popping up increasingly, to the point where I’ve seriously considered the advice of a friend when encountering irreconcilable issues with a PC—throw it out the window!

(Given I’m typing this post, I clearly did not, but I tell you, I’ve been tempted!)

But that’s where that overheard conversation I mentioned above took an interesting turn. As I was about to zone out, one of the participants expressed how much they preferred reading documents self-drafted by the other individual. Why? They had such a lovely way with words. It was a beautiful statement that gave me pause.

That’s when it hit me with the clarity of polished crystal—if we let it, AI can rob us of our voice. You see, the thing AI lacks is … us. Our unique voice. Our undigitalisable thoughts and emotions. Our human irrationality. Our desire to create. Our deep reverence for that which is holy and fully of beauty. Our need to build meaningful relationships. And our need to express what has been deposited in us to the world.

By ceding our communications, investigative ideas and storytelling (and more) to AI, we risk allowing our voices to be stolen by a clever program. And there is not one human, creature or bot in the world that can replace what you and I alone carry and are called to share with those around us, in this exact time and place in which we live.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

I can’t tell you how to use AI tools. Maybe it’s been a task saver for you or valuable in ways I can’t imagine. (Online searches, and spellcheck—yeah, yeah, I suppose that can definitely be helpful …) I know some authors who are even experimenting with it for accelerated drafting and other creators who have had great fun with AI-blending of visual art concepts. Whichever way you choose (or not! 😉) to engage with this technology, I hope you never use it as an excuse to relinquish opportunities to raise your voice and release your creative power in this world, in whatever medium that is. How tragic it would be to allow something so precious to be replaced by a tool that’s not even human. Your unique voice is valuable and worth being heard. 💗

In The Gaps

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Ever had that moment when you’re breezing through a book and, like screeching tyres, it occurs to you a critical item, character, or event has cropped up in a way that’s either impossible or suggests you must have missed an earlier clue somewhere? Me too.

Photo Credit: Mexico by d_alexander33 (Pixabay)

As a writer, it is highly frowned upon by readers and writing coaches alike to pull your reader out of the story and send them flicking back through the story to play catch-ups—unless, of course, it’s a brilliant plot twist they want to revisit. Worse: what if they cannot find the missing clue BECAUSE YOU FORGOT TO PUT IT IN?! Imagine this as an author. Gulp.

I’ve not had a MAJOR gap in my novels that I’m aware of 😬, but after releasing Immortal Mistake I noticed something right at the end that bugged me. It’s not an error, perse, but it is a bit of a, ‘Hang on, how did they get that back?’ question. (Feel free to try figure it out and let me know what you think this is. 😉) But like every writer, I’ve come across plenty of gaps during manuscript development.

This funny Insta reel depicts well how it feels when you think you’ve done the hard work getting your manuscript in shape and you have all those ends tied up so neat, but then … da-dom—plot hole!!!!!

Have you ever felt like life has thrown up a story gap? Those, ‘How did I get here again?’ or maybe, ‘There’s something I’m missing,’ moments. Maybe it’s not a gap, but a series of little choices leading to what feels like a major deviation from your life “plan” or intended goal. Maybe you took a risk [business, life, relationship etc] and there was a critical piece of information or backstory you didn’t factor in or were not provided, and now you’re at an unsolvable impasse.

As a writer hitting these barriers, it can really put you on your tail as you try and figure out a solution. ‘What now?’ blares in ugly mocking tones. Sometimes it can derail your creative flow or make you want to crawl in a hole for a while to nurse your ‘I thought it was working so well’ lament. But often it isn’t as bad as it first seems.

Photo Credit: Wall by Alexas_Fotos (Pixabay)

Sometimes there may be unforeseen benefits for the story that come from the plot-hole wrestling process. Other times, at the perfect moment, you might be provided information that flips the whole thing on its head in the most brilliant way. Love those type of solutions!

The point is, an ‘impossible’ roadblock or crushing disappointment doesn’t have to result in the entire story being thrown away. Get the life parallel? We might just need a good sleep [a good cry??] and a bit of perspective. As goes the hero’s journey, we might need to rally the troops [call in some help] and start changing those decisions that have led us down that bumpy path of disappointment. I’ve even had situations where change comes through the most impossible solutions, as if hand delivered by divine appointment. And then there is the dawning realisation that, in some circumstances, this is where we needed to be all along.

Photo Credit: Leap by hesalzmanngmailcom (Pixabay)

If you feel like you’ve got some story gaps, are facing unexpected roadblocks, or other disappointment, take heart. No part of a story is wasted. With a little help or purposeful adjustment, a new path can be forged, even in unexpected ways—because the story to come is so worth pressing through those moments.

The Name Game

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For those who have been paying attention, one of our FAVOURITE characters has a novella in the pipeline. It’s so close in the pipe I can see it – except for one thing – I can’t decide on a title!

Usually a title comes to me swiftly and I know right up whether it’s going to work or not. But this time I’ve wrestled with soooo many title options and NOTHING sits right.

Given the title of my next novel moves away from the “-ate” word pattern, I’m thinking I’d like to do the same with this science-fantasy novella. Easy right? More options, right? Apparently more is not always, well, more.

Photo Credit: Kellepics, Fantasy eyes forest, Pixabay

I’m not the only writer to hit a block on landing a title, and this isn’t my first naming brick wall. One thing I’ve learned over the years is frustration (and desperation!) is not a friend of the creative process. Rushing forward impatiently can make a mess. Once a story is in the public forum, it’s a big deal to backtrack marketing and social media releases because a name has been hurried and now isn’t working.

So, heeding my own advice, I’ll chew on ideas a while longer and keep you in the loop once I’ve landed a title that works. 😉

MP Ashman Author

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After a craaaaazy year, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s watched a little more Netflix than usual. Eating in has become the new dining out and I’ll bet online movie services are booming. (Not even going start on Zoom!)

As one who rarely watches television, an enforced “keeping up with the Joneses” (well, the state of COVID restrictions) increased my television hours significantly. During our viewings, we stumbled across a Netflix documentary called Flint. To quote:

“A documentary based on five years of research into a Michigan auto town where tens of thousands were drinking water into which poisonous lead had leached, and how officials failed to respond.”

This reminded me of a novel by Sci-Fi YA author, M.P. (Matthew) Ashman. Matthew’s books are a completely different angle with a completely different target audience, but the background has a similar tone, in that the governing authorities in Flint established a new water source then deliberately failed to disclose testing results demonstrating the water was carrying toxic levels of heavy metals. Government corruption. New (dodgy) water source. Non-disclosure. Nice (not).

The premise Matthew applies overlaps this idea (different, but uniquely done), so I thought it would be interesting to get his take on this and learn a bit more about his writing and him as an author.

But this is going to be a Q&A with a difference. We get to hear Matthew’s responses directly from him (just for something cool). So after the questions I’ve asked him (below), click play to see what he has to say. (Thanks, Matthew.) Here goes!

Q1) Matthew, are you familiar with the Flint Netflix documentary?

Q2) Can you describe the underpinning theme of this story?

Q3) At what point did you feel you’d like to see your stories in print?

Q4) What has been the main lesson you’ve learned in your pursuit of publication? Is there anything you would have done differently along the way?

Q5) Tell us your favourite part of the Time Twins water tower story. (Without spoilers, of course 😉)

Q6) Do you have a date for your next release? If so, details please! 😊

Thank you Matthew for lending your voice. It’s been great having you.

To find out more about Matthew’s writing, click here.

For more about Matthew’s novel Time Twins – Water Tower, click here.

Bio:

 M.P. Ashman was born in Maryborough, Queensland in 1985 but the family soon moved to Toowoomba, where Ashman has spent the majority of his life. Discovering a love of writing at eight years old, it was perhaps due to books such as The Neverending Story that his initial interest was in fantasy fiction. Many years later however, he began to carve out his niche in Science Fiction with the initially self-published offering Time’s Child in 2014. However, this and other self-published titles were withdrawn from the market in 2016, with a view to seeking traditional publication. The main characters of the Time Twins series were initially conceived in 2003 whilst Ashman was still at school, but it would not be until many years later that they would find their voice and their story. Ashman continues to live in Toowoomba with his family including his cat, Prue.

 

Author Interview: Blaine Colton trilogy

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For the next couple of posts I thought I’d follow up my latest blog by sharing some more interviews. But this time it’s me being interviewed!

In the interview linked below I’m talking to Wombat Books/Rhiza Press Director, Rochelle Manners, about the Blaine Colton trilogy. This brief chat is a nice prelude to what’s coming next time … but more about that then. 😉

For now, I’ll hand you over to Rochelle.

Author interview: Blaine Colton trilogy & writing with Rochelle Manners