AI Offered to Write My Book. How Could I Refuse?
A few days ago, an ad popped up on my screen: “What’s stopping you from writing your book?” The company, Squibler, promised an AI engine that could deliver a “publish-ready book in minutes.” They offered a free trial. Naturally, I had to try it.
I fed the AI a quick outline for a novel — a worried prime minister, a global crisis, a Canadian space mission in trouble. I even added a dog with asthma, though I’m not sure why. Then I hit Send.
Within seconds, Squibler delivered a draft titled Moon Shot Mayhem. It was a dark and stormy mess. Fast, yes. But also soulless, sloppy, and frankly, awful.
The AI’s Attempt at Drama
Here’s a sample:
“The mahogany desk in Prime Minister Tom Spears’ Ottawa office usually held only the weight of impending legislation and the occasional strategically placed Canadian maple leaf paperweight. Today, however, it groaned under the sheer crushing weight of a global crisis: a hydrazine shortage of apocalyptic proportions. The room itself was a maelstrom of frantic activity. Aides zipped around like caffeinated bumblebees, phones shrieked a symphony of unanswered calls, and the air hung thick with the scent of stale coffee and impending doom.”
Notice the metaphor overload — apocalyptic, maelstrom, symphony — all crammed into one paragraph. For context, hydrazine is actual fuel used in spacecraft.
Further on, the prime minister “looked like a Labrador who had just witnessed its favourite squeaky toy spontaneously combust,” and his asthmatic bloodhound, Buttercup, “with the grace of a drunken walrus,” lumbered through the scene. The dog eventually finds some biscuits — the intended comic relief after a build-up of suspense.
Fast, But Flawed
This free sample was all I got without paying $192 for the full draft — which still contained spelling mistakes. It’s not just unpublishable; it feels unethical. If this is AI’s idea of a novel, it raises concerns about its role beyond writing. Would I want this kind of soulless output influencing my medical care or commercial flights?
Testing AI’s Limits
Curious, I tried a prosaic prompt: a simple summary of early events in Pride and Prejudice. The AI recognized Jane Austen’s work and expanded it, mixing characters like Mr. Bingley and Mr. Collins. The output was less ridiculous than my original attempt but clearly plagiarized. Essentially, the AI repackaged an existing author’s work and offered it for sale.
What Writers Need to Know
- AI writes fast. That’s its strongest advantage.
- But the output often lacks depth, originality, and ethical grounding.
- Plagiarism is a real issue. AI can lift content from existing works without compensation.
- Flooding the market with low-quality AI-generated content could impact readers’ expectations and the industry.
I shared my experience with a professional novelist, Linwood Barclay, who called the AI’s work “horrible, but kind of amazing.” He pointed out that the sheer volume of bad content might still find an audience. More importantly, he highlighted the legal concerns around AI profiting from other writers’ work — which, in simpler terms, is theft.
The AI’s free sample ended with the prime minister’s crisis hitting him “with the force of a rogue meteor.” That perfectly sums up the absurdity of the whole thing.
If you want a well-crafted story, it’s best to stick with human authors. For example, Linwood Barclay’s latest novel, Whistle, showcases what a skilled writer can do.
Final Thoughts
AI tools can speed up content creation, but writers should be cautious. These tools often sacrifice quality and originality for speed. For those interested in learning more about using AI responsibly and effectively in writing or other fields, there are courses available that cover AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, and ethical considerations. Consider exploring resources at Complete AI Training to understand how to work with AI without compromising integrity.
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