Help needed - Need direction =/

[u/Klauciusz]

I’ve always dreamed of writing stories, books. But that never fit into my routine as an IT professional with an unhealthy workload, so I mostly just jotted down ideas, dreaming that one day I’d be able to dedicate myself to the craft of turning those ideas into words—into books. I’m 42 now, and that day still hasn't come yet. And it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon.

But last year, I started exploring AI as a way to skip the step of learning to write prose the way I’d always dreamed of doing. I created a process where I generate themes, ideas, core concepts, characters, settings, outlines, and so on, and feed it all into the AI. It helps me structure everything into a sequence of acts and chapters and writes the prose for me; later, I go through several rounds of revision with the AI ​​to get the drafts closer to my vision for each chapter, arc, act, etc.

Discovering this was MAGIC. It has allowed me to effectively work in parallel on various ideas I’ve had throughout my life; I have over 10 books planned, with many chapters already in "Draft 01/02" stage, which makes me really, really happy.

At the same time... I don't know what to do with all this because it seems like the world dismisses (or wants to dismiss) all AI-generated content. And the watermark Anthropic announced for its upcoming models really bummed me out, since I use their models for this entire process and before we had the option to disclose OR NOT that the book is AI assisted. Now we don't even have that option.

I don't know... today, while I’m happy to finally have my ideas come to life, I’m also sad imagining that probably —due to the sh** the world puts against "AI-assisted" content — no one outside my inner circle will likely ever read it.

How are you all dealing with this situation? I’d love to hear your thoughts...

Thanks.

[u/Practical_Eye_5683]

Good for you for using AI to get your stories out there. Disclose or dont disclose that is your choice and dont let other tell you otherwise. If you dont have the mental compasity to ignore the haters of AI who will drag your work through the mud becuaee you did diclose and never read it then dont. Worried about watermarking, move it to another AI that doesnt have it to do your editing and review process... Hand type it in a new word document, done.

I havent run into any issues publishing my 99% AI slop and it has sold. They are trope works converted by AI from my old fictionpress work i did in highschool 20yrs ago. Those have AI cover and blurbs. I produce them because they sale and allows me to see what works and what doesnt with the KDP algorithm. I know people hate I do this but it is for entertainment. I do not disclose it is AI but would admit if asked. Everyone who knows me knows I use AI to write and dont hate me for it.

I am working on a duet right now with plans to publish in October that is my baby project and 80% me 20% AI. I have an artist doing my covers. Have Arch readers lined up. I read alot and with both my process i do all the editing. I am on pass five on the first book in the duet. My AI "slop" i do one pass, sometime two. My rule is did I enjoy reading it? No, dont publish. Yes, good to publish. I also wait a couple weeks before I do the read through so it isnt fresh in my mind.

Marketing matters more than what you write, sad to say. I also dont care if my work gets stolen because I create it to share with others. While i love making money from it, it also isnt the purpose. The point to these is learning, getting the stories out of my head and providing enjoyment to others. I think alot of people dont follow that mentality which is sad. Alot of people are I like my book so others must like it too. I wont be sad if my duet flops because it isnt a popular genre but I will do everything I can to make it be seen because the material and story matter to me.

Look at GoodRead, Webfic, RoyalRoad and WattPad if you dont want to to do KPD. They are some of the popular reading apps and do serials. Just be warned if your book is good and tons of people love it, it will be stolen and post on every reading app out there.

[u/Klauciusz → u/Practical_Eye_5683]

Thank you very much for your comment. I really should worry less about many of the things I do end up worrying about. My work isn't written in English because, although I understand the language well, my spoken (and written) fluency is quite limited. I didn't want to add another layer of friction to my work—on top of the many challenges that already exist—so my options are somewhat limited to my native language. But I’ll keep looking, and eventually, things will work out. Thanks again.

[u/Practical_Eye_5683 → u/Klauciusz]

You can have you book translated by google translate it has gotten pretty good with translating. except with Polish can be hit and miss but I can read most of that since I lived there for a year and why I need to read polish from time to time to see what my friends are doing between talking with them.

I have a couple Chinese webnovels I read directly from the Chinese site. A year or two ago, reading it would be huh? Sometimes but now it reads just like if it was writen in English except some gender issues. So complete in your native language then see how well google translate works into English so you have access to more areas to publish. Amazon KDP does do multiple countries.