The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Writing with AI in 2024

The Nerdy Novelist
8 Jan 202422:20

TLDRJason Hamilton, an experienced novelist and author of Kindlepreneur, introduces a beginner's guide to using AI for writing fiction and non-fiction. He explains the concept of generative AI, the process of prompt engineering, and how AI can assist in various stages of writing, from brainstorming to drafting. Hamilton dispels the myth that AI completely replaces human effort and emphasizes the importance of quality control. He also discusses the legality and acceptance of AI in publishing, highlighting that major tech companies are supportive of AI usage. The video provides an overview of different AI writing tools, their advantages, and how they can be utilized effectively in the writing process.

Takeaways

  • 📝 AI, specifically generative AI, is a tool that auto-predicts the next word based on the prompt given to it.
  • 🔍 The process of using AI in writing is known as Prompt Engineering, which involves using AI prompts to generate desired outputs.
  • 📚 AI can assist in various stages of the writing process, including brainstorming, outlining, character creation, and world-building.
  • ✍️ Authors often use AI for the first draft, while they handle the more creative aspects themselves.
  • 💡 AI is seen as a productivity partner, not a replacement for the human author. It helps speed up certain tasks, leaving more time for creative work.
  • 🚫 Major tech companies like Amazon and Google are not penalizing authors for using AI in their writing, as long as the quality of the book is maintained.
  • 🔑 The difference between AI models and AI writing tools is significant; models are created by large companies, while tools adapt these models for specific uses.
  • 🛠️ Popular AI writing tools for fiction authors include Pseudorite, Novel Crafter, and the more advanced Future Fiction Academy's Rexy.
  • 📈 The selection of an AI model or tool should be based on the specific needs and goals of the writing task at hand.
  • 📒 The general process of using AI in book writing involves starting small, expanding ideas, and gradually developing them into a full manuscript.
  • 🎯 AI can be particularly helpful in overcoming writer's block and burnout, making the writing process more accessible and enjoyable.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is a beginner's guide to using AI for writing fiction and non-fiction books.

  • Who is the speaker of the video?

    -The speaker of the video is Jason Hamilton, a novelist and writer with experience in self-publishing and working with AI in writing.

  • What does the term 'generative AI' refer to in the context of the video?

    -In the context of the video, 'generative AI' refers to AI that auto-predicts the next word based on the prompt given to it, essentially generating text.

  • What is 'Prompt Engineering' in the world of book writing?

    -Prompt Engineering is the process of crafting and refining prompts for AI to generate the desired writing output in book writing.

  • How does Jason Hamilton use AI in his writing process?

    -Jason Hamilton uses AI to help with the first draft of his writing, as he enjoys outlining but finds the actual text writing part of the first draft difficult.

  • What misconception about AI in writing does Jason Hamilton address in the video?

    -Jason Hamilton addresses the misconception that AI can do all the work for you, clarifying that AI is a productivity partner and does not take the humanity out of the writing process.

  • What are the potential concerns authors might have about using AI in writing, according to the video?

    -Authors might be concerned about getting in trouble with platforms like Amazon or Google, or being banned for using AI in their writing.

  • What is the difference between AI models and AI writing tools?

    -AI models are large language models trained on massive amounts of data, usually by big companies. AI writing tools, on the other hand, utilize these models and format them in specific ways for certain audiences or tasks.

  • What are some AI writing tools mentioned in the video?

    -Some AI writing tools mentioned in the video include Pseudorite, Novel Crafter, and the Future Fiction Academy's Rexy.

  • What is the general process of creating a book using AI, as described in the video?

    -The general process involves starting with a small idea, expanding it into a synopsis, then an outline, and further into chapter beats, eventually developing each beat into a full chapter.

  • Why does Jason Hamilton recommend using AI in writing, even if it doesn't save much time?

    -Jason Hamilton recommends using AI in writing because it helps overcome mental barriers like writer's block and makes the process of starting to write much easier, addressing mental issues that might hinder writing.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Introduction to AI in Writing

Jason Hamilton, an experienced novelist and writer, introduces the video as a comprehensive guide for beginners on using AI for writing various types of content. He shares his expertise from working on Kindlepreneur and running a channel focused on AI for fiction authors. The video aims to provide a high-level overview of using AI in writing a book, including the concept of generative AI, prompt engineering, and the different ways authors can utilize AI throughout the writing process. Jason also addresses common misconceptions about AI and its impact on the writing industry, emphasizing that AI serves as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human creativity.

05:01

🤖 Understanding AI Models and Writing Tools

The paragraph delves into the distinction between AI models and AI writing tools. AI models, like GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, are large language models trained on extensive data by major companies. AI writing tools, however, use these models to generate content tailored for specific audiences. Jason discusses the pros and cons of different models, such as ChatGPT and Claude, and how they can be accessed through platforms like OpenRouter. He also touches on the advantages of open-source models, including cost-effectiveness and lack of censorship, making them suitable for various types of content.

10:01

🛠️ Fiction Writing Tools and Platforms

Jason focuses on fiction writing tools, highlighting three main platforms: Pseudorite, Novel Crafter, and Future Fiction Academy's Rexy. Pseudorite is user-friendly for beginners, allowing for the generation of synopses, characters, and outlines from a brain dump of story ideas. Novel Crafter, connected to OpenRouter, offers a pay-as-you-go model with access to various AI models. Rexy, on the other hand, is a more advanced and expensive tool, marketed as the Adobe Photoshop of AI writing, providing extensive training data along with the tool. Jason also mentions the benefits of having direct access to ChatGPT or Claude for added flexibility in the writing process.

15:03

📚 Process of Creating a Book with AI

The paragraph outlines the general process of creating a book using AI tools. Jason introduces the 'fractal technique,' similar to the snowflake method, which involves starting with a small idea and expanding it into a synopsis, outline, chapter beats, and finally, full chapters. He emphasizes that AI can be used at any stage of this process, but also encourages authors to contribute their own ideas to ensure quality and originality in their work. The paragraph concludes with a reminder that while AI can assist with writer's block and mental challenges, it is not a substitute for the human element in writing.

20:04

🤔 Should You Use AI for Writing Books?

Jason concludes the video by addressing the question of whether one should use AI to write books. He affirms the value of AI as a tool to overcome writing obstacles and enhance the writing process, but cautions that it should not be used to produce low-quality or meaningless content. AI, according to Jason, is not yet capable of writing entire books independently, and its primary benefit lies in aiding authors through mental barriers and assisting with productivity. He also promotes his membership community for further information and support in using AI for writing, inviting viewers to sign up for the waitlist.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the context of the video, AI is used as a generative tool for writing books, where it auto-predicts the next word based on the prompt given to it. The video discusses how AI can assist in various stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to drafting, and emphasizes its role as a productivity partner rather than a replacement for human creativity.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is focused on creating new content, such as text, music, or images, based on patterns it has learned from existing data. In the video, generative AI is the key technology behind the writing process with AI, where it generates text based on the prompts provided by the user.

💡Prompt Engineering

Prompt Engineering is the process of crafting and refining inputs or prompts for AI systems to elicit desired outputs. In the context of the video, it refers to the skill of effectively using AI in writing by providing it with the right prompts to generate quality content.

💡First Draft

A first draft refers to the initial version of a written work, which is often a raw and unpolished representation of the author's ideas. In the video, the speaker mentions using AI to help with getting the first draft down, as it can assist in overcoming the challenge of starting and filling the blank page.

💡Productivity Partner

A productivity partner is a tool or individual that aids in increasing efficiency and output in a task or process. In the video, AI is described as a productivity partner for writers, helping them to accelerate their writing process, generate ideas, and produce content more quickly, without taking away the human touch or creativity.

💡Quality of the Book

The quality of the book refers to the overall standard and excellence of its content, structure, and presentation. In the video, it is stressed that while AI can assist in the writing process, the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the book's quality lies with the author.

💡Models and AI Writing Tools

In the context of the video, models refer to large language models like GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, which are trained on massive amounts of data to generate human-like text. AI writing tools, on the other hand, are platforms or interfaces that utilize these models to assist in the writing process, often tailored to specific types of authors or writing styles.

💡OpenAI and Anthropic

OpenAI and Anthropic are companies known for creating advanced AI models. OpenAI is behind models like GPT-3 and GPT-4, while Anthropic has developed models like Claude. These models are used in AI writing tools to assist authors in generating text and ideas for their books.

💡Snowflake Technique

The Snowflake Technique is a ten-step process for designing a novel without outlining, developed by Randy Ingermanson. It starts with a single sentence summary and expands through increasingly detailed stages to a full novel. In the video, this technique is likened to the 'fractal technique' mentioned by the speaker, which involves starting with a small idea and expanding it through various stages of development.

💡Writer's Block

Writer's block is a condition, often regarded as a psychological state, in which an author is unable to produce new work or experience a creative slowdown. In the video, the speaker mentions overcoming a severe period of burnout and credits AI with helping to alleviate this condition, making it easier to begin writing again.

💡Burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic physical or emotional exhaustion often accompanied by distress and reduced effectiveness or accomplishment. In the context of the video, the speaker refers to a period of severe burnout where they found it difficult to write, and AI was instrumental in helping them to recover and continue their writing practice.

Highlights

Jason Hamilton, an experienced novelist and author, shares his insights on using AI for writing fiction and non-fiction.

AI, specifically generative AI, is defined as a tool that auto-predicts the next word based on the user's prompt.

Prompt Engineering is the process of getting the desired results from AI by refining the prompts given to it.

The main goal of using AI in book writing is to assist in the creation of a book, whether it's the entire book or parts of it.

AI is used in various stages of the writing process, such as brainstorming, outlining, character creation, and world-building.

AI acts as a productivity partner, assisting with certain areas of writing while the human author retains creative control.

Major tech companies like Amazon and Google are investing in AI and do not penalize authors for using AI in their writing.

It is a misconception that AI can completely replace human effort in writing; the author still needs to ensure the quality and alignment of the content with their vision.

Different AI models have different strengths and are suitable for various tasks, such as GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, with the latter being more advanced.

Open router is a third-party tool that allows access to multiple AI models, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Pseudorite is a user-friendly AI writing tool for beginners, allowing the generation of synopses, characters, and outlines.

Novel Crafter, connected to Open Router, offers a pay-as-you-go model and access to various AI models for fiction writing.

Future Fiction Academy's Rexy is a more advanced and expensive tool, marketed as the Adobe Photoshop of AI fiction writing.

Chat GPT and CLA Anthropics Claud Pro are recommended as additional tools for fiction authors due to their chat interface and creative output.

The process of creating a book with AI involves starting small, expanding ideas, and developing them into a full narrative.

AI can help overcome writer's block and mental challenges associated with writing, making it easier to start and continue the writing process.

Hamilton's membership platform provides in-depth information and a community for authors interested in writing with AI.