AI Ink: A Journey Through Grief, Creativity, and Technology
AI Ink: A Journey Through Grief, Creativity, and Technology
An Exclusive Preview of My Upcoming Book on How AI is Transforming Storytelling
"Last year, I faced the hardest moment of my life—losing my wife of thirty years, Shilo. She wasn't just my partner in life; she was my writing collaborator, the person who believed in me even when I doubted myself. Her absence left a hole not only in my heart but in my creative process. For the first time, I didn’t know how to move forward as a writer." (Excerpt from AI Ink)
During this period of grief, I turned to artificial intelligence—not to replace Shilo, but to help me navigate the creative process when I thought I couldn’t. AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, became a sounding board for my ideas, a source of structure, and, in some ways, an unexpected companion during my toughest times. It didn’t write my stories for me, but it helped refine and enhance my storytelling, allowing me to sculpt my ideas into something more than they could have been before.
Over the past few years, I’ve watched AI rapidly evolve in fascinating and daunting ways. It became clear that AI would fundamentally alter our world, including the creative industries. I realized that I would be left behind if I didn’t learn how to use AI as a tool or collaborator. So I jumped in—and AI became a tool I rely on, not as a replacement for the human touch, but as a way to unlock new levels of creativity.
In a world where traditional writing outlets are shrinking due to corporate-driven layoffs and defunding, AI offers an opportunity to level the playing field for creatives like me. Those of us who have taken hit after hit in an industry that’s increasingly difficult to survive in must rethink the way we work. AI presents a path forward, not just for survival but for thriving in a rapidly changing landscape.
AI Ink explores this new terrain. In it, I delve into how writers, journalists, screenwriters, and other creatives can integrate AI into their workflows to thrive despite these challenges. By embracing this technology early, I believe we can manifest a future where creatives survive and thrive. However, if we ignore it, we risk being left behind, just another casualty of the modern business world.
At the same time, AI Ink takes a balanced look at the darker side of AI and the real dangers it poses if we don’t approach it carefully. Misinformation, bias, and the potential for AI to be misused are very real concerns. That’s why this book isn’t just a technical guide—it’s also a call to action for creatives to use AI ethically and responsibly.
AI Ink will be published by SkyHorse Publishing and is set to be released in May 2025. I can’t wait to share it with you all.
For my Substack readers, I'll be sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at the book, from early chapter previews to conversations with the experts I interviewed. I hope you'll join me on this journey into the future of storytelling.
~ JVT
