How to Write a Book with AI in 2024 (2 Best Methods)

The Nerdy Novelist
17 Jan 202422:25

TLDRIn this informative video, Jason, an experienced author, dispels the myth that AI can write a book at the push of a button. He outlines the multi-step writing process and suggests using AI for the least enjoyable parts. Jason introduces the fractal technique for expanding ideas and emphasizes the importance of human validation in the writing process. He also discusses the use of AI in fiction and non-fiction writing, offering tips on maximizing creativity and productivity without burning out.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Writing a book with AI in 2024 involves more than just a push of a button; it requires understanding and actively engaging with multiple steps of the writing process.
  • 📈 Jason, the 'nerdy novelist', emphasizes that creating a book using AI should focus on leveraging AI for the parts of the process the author enjoys the least, thereby maximizing creative pleasure and preventing burnout.
  • 🧮 The video outlines a step-by-step method for writing both fiction and non-fiction books with AI, highlighting the importance of using AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement for the author.
  • 🔮 Recommends utilizing specific chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT for various tasks, along with other tools like OpenRouter or Po for accessing multiple models within one service.
  • 💬 Introduces the 'fractal technique' for book writing, akin to the 'snowflake method', which starts with a small idea that is gradually expanded into a detailed manuscript.
  • 📖 For fiction, the process involves brainstorming, outlining, and expanding on ideas until a fully fleshed-out manuscript is achieved, with AI aiding in each step.
  • 🖥 For non-fiction, the focus is on ensuring accuracy and relevance of content, with AI assisting in generating ideas for chapters and outlines based on the author's expertise.
  • 📝 Highlights two methods for writing prose with AI: step-by-step editing and using 'super prompts' to generate large sections of text, each having its pros and cons.
  • 📃 Discusses the role of AI in overcoming writer's block, burnout, and enhancing productivity for writers with various needs, including those with neurodivergence.
  • 🚀 Emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a powerful tool for authors, not a threat to their profession, aligning with the outcomes of the 2023 writers' strike.

Q & A

  • What is the main message Jason, the narrator, wants to convey about using AI in writing books?

    -Jason emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a tool to assist writers, not replace them. He suggests using AI for parts of the writing process that the writer finds challenging or tedious, thereby maximizing creative enjoyment and reducing the risk of burnout.

  • What are the different stages of the writing process mentioned in the script?

    -The stages mentioned include brainstorming, outlining, character and world development, research, the actual writing, and various types of editing such as developmental editing, line editing, and proofreading.

  • What is the 'fractal technique' and how is it used in the script?

    -The 'fractal technique' is a prompting strategy where you start with a small idea and expand it into something larger. It is similar to the 'snowflake technique'. Jason uses it to generate ideas for a story, expanding it from a simple concept into a fully fleshed-out manuscript.

  • What are the two best methods Jason suggests for writing prose with AI?

    -The two methods Jason suggests are writing the book one section at a time, editing as you go, and using a 'super prompt' to write an entire chapter at once. The choice between the two depends on the writer's preference and the specific requirements of their project.

  • What is the significance of the 'super prompt' in AI-assisted writing?

    -A 'super prompt' is a detailed, long prompt that provides comprehensive information about the characters, setting, chapter beats, and desired style. It is used to generate a large amount of text, such as an entire chapter, in one go. This method can be particularly useful for writers who prefer to have a complete draft before editing.

  • Why does Jason recommend using a specialized tool like Novel Crafter for fiction writing?

    -Jason recommends Novel Crafter because it is designed specifically for fiction writing and allows for a more efficient and seamless writing process. It enables writers to add scene beats and generate prose based on those beats, which can then be edited to the writer's satisfaction.

  • How does Jason address the concern of AI replacing authors?

    -Jason clarifies that AI is not intended to replace authors but to serve as a productivity tool to enhance their writing process. He references the 2023 writers' strike, which resulted in an agreement that studios would not replace authors with AI, but rather, authors would have the power to benefit from using AI tools.

  • What is the role of AI in non-fiction writing according to the script?

    -In non-fiction writing, AI can assist with brainstorming chapter ideas, outlining, and providing accurate information for the content. It can serve as a productivity assistant, helping writers to manage their work more effectively and ensuring that they cover all relevant topics in their book.

  • How does Jason suggest validating AI-generated content?

    -Jason suggests that writers should spend time validating AI-generated content to ensure its quality and creativity. This involves editing the AI's output and adding personal touches to make the writing unique and engaging.

  • What is the importance of being familiar with the subject matter when writing non-fiction, according to Jason?

    -Jason stresses that writers should not write non-fiction about topics they are unfamiliar with. AI can serve as a helpful tool, but the writer's expertise is crucial in verifying the accuracy of the information and ensuring the content is relevant and well-structured.

  • How does Jason describe the role of AI in overcoming writer's block and burnout?

    -Jason shares his personal experience of using AI to overcome burnout. He found that AI could help blast past resistances and writer's block, making it easier for him to get back into writing and enjoy the creative process again.

  • What are some potential benefits of using AI in the writing process, as mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions several benefits of using AI in writing, including assisting with brainstorming, outlining, research, and editing. It can also help writers manage their time more effectively, reduce burnout, and enhance their productivity by taking over some of the more tedious aspects of the writing process.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to Writing with AI

The speaker, Jason, introduces the topic of writing a book with AI in 2024. He clarifies that AI is not a simple button-push solution and shares his experience as an author and his work on Kindlepreneur. Jason addresses the misconceptions about AI in writing and emphasizes that AI is not about replacing authors but rather assisting them. He outlines the multi-step writing process, including brainstorming, outlining, character development, research, and editing, and suggests using AI for the least enjoyable parts of the process to maximize creativity and prevent burnout.

05:02

🤖 Utilizing AI as a Writing Partner

Jason discusses the role of AI as a junior writing partner, highlighting the importance of validating and enhancing AI-generated content. He provides an example of how to improve a generic opening by brainstorming creative ideas with AI. Jason also touches on writing non-fiction, explaining that AI can assist in generating chapter outlines and ensuring accuracy of content. He emphasizes the need for authors to be familiar with the topics they write about and stresses that AI serves as a productivity assistant rather than a replacement for human creativity.

10:03

📚 Methods for Writing with AI

The speaker presents two effective methods for writing with AI: writing one section at a time and writing entire chapters all at once. He explains the process of using novel crafter and chatbots like Claude for generating prose, and the importance of editing AI-generated text for natural flow and consistency. Jason also introduces the concept of a 'super prompt' for generating entire chapters or articles, detailing how to structure the prompt with character, setting, and chapter beats information. He notes the limitations of this method and suggests that it's more efficient for certain tasks, like writing online articles.

15:04

🚀 Embracing AI as a Tool for Writers

Jason shares his personal experience with burnout and how AI helped him get back into writing. He explains that AI can assist at every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to research. The speaker also mentions the 2023 writers' strike, which resulted in an agreement ensuring that AI would be a tool for authors rather than a replacement. He concludes by reiterating that AI is a mind saver, not a time saver, and that he will use every tool available to become the best storyteller.

20:05

🛠️ Exploring AI Writing Tools

In the final paragraph, Jason invites viewers to explore a related video for an in-depth look at his favorite tools for writing fiction with AI. He briefly mentions the tools needed for writing, such as specialized tools for fiction or non-fiction and chatbots like Claude and Chat GPT. Jason emphasizes that while AI can assist in many aspects of writing, it is ultimately the author's responsibility to shape and refine the content, ensuring that the final product is a reflection of their creativity and expertise.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI in Writing

AI in Writing refers to the utilization of artificial intelligence tools to assist in the creation of written content. In the context of the video, AI is presented as a collaborative tool that can help with brainstorming, outlining, and drafting, rather than a replacement for human authors. It is used to enhance the writing process by tackling the least enjoyable parts for the writer, thus preventing burnout and improving productivity.

💡Fractal Technique

The Fractal Technique is a method of expanding a small idea into a larger structure, akin to the snowflake technique used in writing. It starts with a basic concept and builds upon it, branching out into more detailed components such as chapters, scenes, and beats. This technique is used in the video to illustrate how AI can help in fleshing out a manuscript from a simple idea.

💡Chatbots

Chatbots, such as Claude and Chat GPT mentioned in the video, are AI-driven conversational partners that can assist with various writing tasks. They can generate ideas, provide outlines, and even draft text, serving as a productivity tool for authors. These chatbots are integrated into the writing process to help with creativity and efficiency.

💡Synopsis

A synopsis is a brief summary of the main points of a story or argument, providing an overview of the narrative or content. In the context of the video, a synopsis is used as a stepping stone in the writing process, where AI can help in creating a structured outline that forms the basis of a manuscript.

💡Non-Fiction

Non-fiction refers to written works that are based on factual information, real events, and true stories, as opposed to fictional creations. In the video, the author discusses the use of AI in non-fiction writing, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and the AI's role in assisting with brainstorming and structuring the content.

💡Productivity Tool

A productivity tool is any application, software, or method that helps individuals or teams to work more efficiently and effectively. In the video, AI is positioned as a productivity tool for writers, aiding in various stages of the writing process from ideation to editing, without replacing the human touch.

💡Writer's Block

Writer's block is a common term used to describe the inability to produce new work or new ideas in one's writing. In the context of the video, the author shares personal experiences with writer's block and how AI can serve as a solution to overcome this creative obstacle by providing new ideas and prompts.

💡Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is the concept of recognizing and respecting the variety of neurological differences among individuals, including those with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. In the video, the term is used to acknowledge that writers with neurodivergent conditions may face unique challenges and that AI can be a supportive tool for them.

💡SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of optimizing web content to make it more visible and accessible to search engines, thereby increasing the likelihood of higher rankings in search results. In the video, the author discusses using AI to create SEO-friendly content, such as informational articles, by incorporating relevant keywords and structuring the content effectively.

💡Writer's Strike 2023

The Writer's Strike 2023 refers to a labor action taken by writers in the entertainment industry, advocating for their rights in the context of AI's growing role in content creation. In the video, it is mentioned to highlight the outcome of the strike, which ensured that AI would be a tool for authors to use, rather than replacing them.

Highlights

Jason, an experienced author and 'nerdy novelist', shares his insights on writing a book with AI in 2024.

Writing with AI is not as simple as pushing a button; it involves a multi-step process including brainstorming, outlining, character development, and editing.

AI can be utilized for the least enjoyable parts of writing, maximizing creative pleasure and reducing the risk of burnout.

The fractal technique, similar to the snowflake method, involves expanding a small idea into a larger manuscript.

AI can assist in brainstorming news stories or other writing prompts to generate initial ideas for a book.

The importance of validating and editing AI-generated content is emphasized, as AI is a tool rather than a replacement for authors.

Non-fiction writing can also benefit from AI's assistance, particularly in generating chapter outlines and content ideas.

AI can serve as a productivity assistant, providing ideas and content that can be refined and improved upon by the writer.

The step-by-step method of writing involves editing AI-generated text scene by scene to create a cohesive narrative.

The super prompt technique allows for the generation of an entire chapter at once, though it may require more advanced prompting and editing.

AI's role in writing is to assist and enhance the author's productivity, not to replace the human touch in storytelling.

The writer's strike in 2023 led to an agreement ensuring that AI would be a tool for authors, not a replacement.

AI is described as a mind saver, not necessarily a time saver, in the process of writing.

Jason's video provides a comprehensive guide on how to integrate AI into the writing process for both fiction and non-fiction.

The use of specific AI tools like Claude and Chat GPT is recommended for different aspects of the writing process.

AI can help overcome resistance in writing, such as burnout or neurodivergence, by providing support at every stage of the process.