NaNoWriMo, AI-Generated Text is Not a Story
The official organization behind National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has asserted that typing in keywords to create AI-generated text counts as writing a novel. They claim it is classist and ableist to conclude otherwise. I’m tempted to bang my head against the keyboard, but I’m afraid NaNoWriMo would count that as a short story.
To build on what a friend said, it’s as if an organization dedicated to helping runners complete marathons declared, “We don’t want to be classist or ableist, so runners are free to use a bike or car. They don’t have to run the same course, cross the finish line, or even register for the marathon in the first place. Anyone who wants to complete a marathon can do whatever actions they deem equivalent, and that will count as a completed marathon.”
If that seems absurd, it is.
Finances and class differences have never stopped writers from creating excellent fiction. J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, George Orwell, and Charles Dickens turned poverty and difficult circumstances into incredible stories. Expensive classes, books, and college degrees aren’t necessary to write a novel. There are thousands of free writing resources, either at the local library or on the internet. There are critique groups where real humans trade feedback. You don’t have to have money to learn this craft.
When it comes to limitations due to disability, I’d love for NaNoWriMo to consider the work of Joni Eareckson Tada, Flannery O’Connor, Max Brooks, and John Milton. These authors overcame all kinds of challenges to create incredible books with nary an algorithm in sight. One might argue an author’s struggles are what gives the completed works power, beauty, and uniqueness.
In addition to diminishing the accomplishments of writers who have overcome incredible obstacles, NaNoWriMo’s unwise assertions will harm new writers at the beginning of their careers. Publishers do not accept AI-generated text, and in some cases submitting such text will result in being blacklisted. Why? Because AI-generated text cannot be protected by copyright. Copyright only applies to words written by humans, and a publisher can’t make money on work that can’t be copyrighted.
The organization would have better served aspiring authors by telling them the truth: There are no shortcuts.
You must pick up your pen or put fingers to keyboard and create. Stories demand hard work, and if you’re any good at it, it will be even harder. You will lose sleep, cry, tear your hair, and get plenty of paper cuts. That’s the job.
NaNoWriMo, AI-generated text is not a story. Labeling it “story” devalues the accomplishments of real authors who have labored, wept, fought, and even died in the name of art.
A story must be written by a human.
I wholeheartedly agree with you! The fact that NaNoWriMo is allowing the use of AI text as a story is appalling. Almost the “lazy way” out of writing a story.
Amen! Completely agreed! A story is not something that should be made by a robot. It is a creative piece of art, made by a creative person, who is made by an even more creative, fantastic, awesome, and wonderful God.
There’s nothing that can ever replace the creativity that has been placed into us by our God. If Someone wants to use ai to write a story, that’s something that they’re risking.
You cannot hide under a veil of lies claiming you wrote something that isn’t yours. Lies are always found out! It’s vital to make sure we use our God given creativity. We’ll only prove we’re lazy by using ai.