AJ Alanson Author

I giggle, fangirling just a little over AI’s description of my novels – then it takes off and writes one.

“Here’s a novel-length story in the style of A.J. Alanson, focusing on a quirky mystery set in a fictionalized Keeney, Manchester, with a touch of the supernatural and a fast-paced, character-driven narrative:”

Flapping a hand, I coo, “Ah, shucks, is that how you see me?” To which it adds:

Style Notes:

• Quirky Characters: Elias and Seraphina are both eccentric and memorable, with unique quirks and backstories.
• Fast-Paced Narrative: The story moves quickly, with a constant sense of adventure and danger.

I blush. Admittedly, I have 9 novels out there to crawl – without permission – but not like a stalker or anything. In a way, my works are in the public domain, just like that creep is only standing in the street, in the rain, for hours, on public property. Except, well, my books aren’t, and the creep isn’t. I read on:

“The rain hammered against the stained-glass windows of the Keeney Clockworks, a place where time itself seemed to have taken a detour into the bizarre. Inside, amidst a labyrinth of gears, springs, and brass fittings, stood Elias Thorne, a man whose eccentricities were as well-known as the clockwork contraptions he meticulously maintained.”

Nailed it! Sounds like me-ish, but as the novel continues, I discover one teensy weensy detail AI shouldn’t know. My published works are cozy, women’s lit, mysteries and adventure WITHOUT EVEN A HINT OF PARANORMAL OR SCIFI FANTASY. Just like that creep can’t possible know the drama I’m currently binging, or…where are my lace panties? Right? I swear they were in my top drawer, just like my other scifi, paranormal, and urban fantasy manuscripts haven’t been published, excerpted, traded, or even sent out for editing. They are right here, in my top drawer, so how did AI know?

Hey, I use AI but NOT IN MY WRITING, or my art. Admittedly, ripping off images and 3-D printing my sculptures is likely right around the corner, but still, I’m an early adopter. I’ve used grammar checkers for years, I run the in-Word diagnostics, and I’m totally getting into having an assistant to duplicate myself because the expectations on an author to market themselves are impossible for one person…who should be writing, you know, like, books. This is the good stuff AI can do for me, just like a friend from work, or a companion, BUT that novel it wrote, and every iteration subsequent to my first input question? That’s why we need restraining orders.