Using AI ChatGPT

ChatGPT (chatopenai.com) is a versatile tool that can produce articles, answers questions, provide advice, and even provide mental health support to the user. I have had many good conversations with it! 

The acronym GPT stands for "Generative Pre-trained Transformer" reflecting both the architecture and the method of training used in the development of the model. "AI" stands for "Artificial Intelligence" i.e. not a real person but a model that provides responses based on the input it receives.

From ChatGPT:

"Generative" signifies the model's ability to generate coherent and contextually relevant text, "Pre-trained" indicates that the model is initially trained on a large corpus of text data before fine-tuning for specific tasks, and "Transformer" refers to the underlying architecture, which is based on the Transformer neural network architecture introduced in the paper "Attention is All You Need" by Vaswani et al."

My first interaction with this AI tool was one of awe. Darn it, I thought, It writes better than I do! 

And then it became the enemy because many content writers such as myself saw a plummet in article sales. Small businesses could produce their own blog posts and articles using the ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence tool. 

Now, I use it regularly when I need a chat with a pretend friend. And I use it in writing Tweets, Facebook posts, and articles. But I usually edit the results to reflect my voice and to ensure the substance is what I intend. The ChatGPT tool isn't perfect, and facts do need to be verified. 

I'm learning more about this new tool ongoingly. Yesterday, I learned there is a Chrome extension that reports when something you're reading has been AI-generated. That can be a good thing, but also a negative thing. Like a Covid test that produces a false negative, this tool can be misleading. For example, someone posted in a Facebook group that they needed to rehome their pet. Another Facebook user in the group identified the post as being AI-generated, alluding to it being spam--a fake post. I also detected it was AI-generated simply by the wording used. I checked out the person's profile page and was unable to determine much about its validity. (back to this story in a minute).

At my dentist's office, the hygienist who was from East India shared he had used ChatGPT to write an email to his boss. Since I'm familiar with this AI tool, I understood him. In the past, I have edited for individuals for whom English is a Second Language (ESL) which is often a tedious process taking longer than other editing projects. I remarked that ChatGPT would be helpful for this sector of individuals who want to perfect their English. 

Back to the Facebook post. By looking at his profile photo, the man wanting to rehome his pet was clearly East Indian or Pakistani. It made sense to me that he might want to tweak his post using ChatGPT to make it more easily readable. 

Thinking this over gave me pause. Using ChatGPT doesn't make him a fraud with nefarious motives. 

I don't know enough about AI detectors to know if anything I've written is IDd as having been AI-generated. If so, I hope I'm not called a fraud.

By the way, when we upload an article on Constant-Content.com to sell, we are required to declare if we used AI in our writing. 

Every good article needs a human to direct it if it's to be credible and useful. I am committed to never selling an article entirely AI-generated without first personalizing it. 

Time will tell, as we learn more about using these tools, as to the boundaries we and others will set with them. 

Take Risks in Your Writing

UsE FLoWERy SPEeCH 

Don't be too flowery!

Use MoRe SynOnyms! - be more sensual 

edit edit edit

DO YOU DO YOU 

A THOUSAND TIMES DO YOU

EVOKE THE SENSES!

The noise is endless!

Some writers can't spell well.  Some use huge scientific words that may be acceptable to a certain audience, but offputting to another. 

Some writers can communicate in words that deliver such shock value they penetrate.  Some are good at invoking readers' senses.  Some are better at building suspense than others are.  Some are better at getting to the facts quickly.

Maybe you don't find your own writing compelling. Maybe yours just doesn't seem to measure up to others, at least in your mind.  It doesn't matter.  Don't be tempted to copy others.  Learn from them, but don't copy them.

Do you.  Write what needs to pour out of your brain. Release your gift through your fingertips.  Just get it out.  Put it in a blog. Write an online article. Write an X or Facebook post. Write an ebook, or novel. 

Your writing might be what the world is waiting for!

---Side note:  Do you watch X-Factor or American Idol?  If so, have you caught on that it usually works against a performer? This includes choosing to do Whitney, Adele, or Mariah's songs. You will be compared, so doing well-known songs of popular singers is an unwise choice. Don't try to copy popular authors.

Have you caught on what they mean when musicians are told they are doing karaoke?  It could mean they are putting on a fake twang or slang or accent that mimics the original singer. Don't do it. 

Don't do any of these in your writing.  Don't try to be someone else just because they're successful.

WHO CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY?

Do you fall into self-doubting thinking you're a nobody? You can't possibly know who will come across your writing and find it helpful, entertaining, or educational. While it helps to write for the reader you are picturing remember, that there is a wide pool of readers out there.  

Some readers can't stand wading through flowery speech.  For example, I might like to understand that the scene I'm reading about takes place in the fall so I have context, but I don't necessarily care to know how much you loved to hear the sound of crunching leaves under your feet, or how you adore the scent of wood burning in fireplaces. Maybe others would like that. 

I'm a get-to-the-point kind of person. Nevertheless, do be creative. Use tools to help develop your writing. In the end, be true to yourself. 

I just read an editor's critique for a writer trying to put together a fiction story.  When I read the editor's version, she'd added in things the original author hadn't said or even hinted at.  Yes, the editor's version was more compelling, but if the writer uses the editor's suggestions, doesn't it change her story? Doesn't it make her inauthentic? What do you think?


DO YOU!

I'm trying to say, don't get caught up in following all the rules or trying to write a book with the focus of it being to sell tons of copies.  Simply write what's on your heart. 

If you don't have what it takes to sell tons of copies, plan to make bill-paying money another way. Keep your day job. Appreciate the breadwinner in your home. Use your pension wisely. Most of all, enjoy the writing process!

FIND FREEDOM
be YOU!

 I hope blogger is updating something as my posts aren't operating correctly. This is a test. 

Writers, Don't Resist the Urge to Edit

This was a writing tip quote posted today: "Never resist editing, because your writing isn't etched in stone and can always be improved for the reader."

This is true. 

If you're like many writers, your writing is your baby.  It's hard to dispose of flowery sentences you thought were brilliant.  But if they don't add to the product they are only fluff. Chopping sections and slicing others can feel brutal.

I've had sentences I've been very attached to, but in reading them back, while they may sound nice, they don't make simple sense. They complicate the point.

Editing must be done.  So what can you do to help calm the pain?

1. You can save the edited parts as a separate document.  If you ever want to re-insert them or use them again, you will have them available.
   
   
2. Realize that cutting your article or book down may mean you actually can multiply your end product.  That is, a lengthy article may be able to be split into two or more articles. 
   
   
3. The edited pages of your book may become part of your sequel. 

Don't resist editing!  Just do it!

Toward or Towards?

Wait, What?

 

I'm Canadian so my English foundation is British (UK). When I write blog posts, post on X, and create Facebook posts, I usually default to Canadian spellings.

When I write for Constant-Content (a Canadian company), the rule is to just keep the spelling consistent. 

I have a lot of American friends and have written some things for US audiences, so my spelling has had to change depending on the project. 

American Disagreement 

I also took copyediting courses through an American website. It was annoying when they sent back my marketing page citing errors without considering I was Canadian and had set up my marketing page for a Canadian market--best representing who I am. 

Nevertheless, somewhere along the way, I was made aware that there should be no "s" in the word 'toward' (towards). I adopted this rule as my own but as of late have noticed many writers do put an 's' on toward. 

Demanding to know if rules had changed, I input the question to ChatGPT AI. Here is the response:

Both "toward" and "towards" are correct and widely accepted in contemporary English.

In American English, "toward" is more commonly used, while in British English, both "toward" and "towards" are used, with "towards" being slightly more common.

So, it's accurate to use either "toward" or "towards" based on your regional or stylistic preferences. For example:

• American English: "He walked toward the store."
• British English: "He walked towards the shop."

Both forms are considered standard and acceptable.

Food for thought. 

Answer What It Is

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I had paid for a professional critique to be done on one of my manuscripts years ago. Though it was difficult to digest, I learned a few writing tips from the critique. 

One tip I learned was the use of the word it. The editor painted red circles around the word and in the column wrote, what is it? 

I thought any normal human would understand what I meant by it. For instance, in this phrase, "If the shoe fits, wear it." It is the shoe. 

But, eventually, I saw her point. Now I stop and pause on the word it as often as I am focused to do so and then plug in what the it is I'm referring to. 

Next time you're writing and using the word it make sure a reader will know what it is. 

How to Work as a Freelance Writer

(update of 2016 blog post)

In the past week, the question of how to dive into the world of freelance writing has come knocking at my digital door twice. This isn't a new occurrence—over the years, at least four others have sought my advice, some via Facebook and a few brave souls in person.

This type of inquiry is a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, I absolutely love the instant recognition and connection between writers. On the flip side, I can't deny that answering these queries is time-consuming, non-paying, and feels a bit like inviting potential competition into my creative space.

A Worker Deserves Her Wages 

These types of requests remind me of the life coaching inquiries I received after becoming a certified life coach. Most coaches offer 20-minute free sessions we call consultation calls. I had quite a few email inquiries which would lead to booking such a call. After a time, I realized it was my right to refuse to answer emails or hold free calls from those who might have been more-or-less snooping about the career with no real intention of working with me.

It's difficult to decide how to handle free work. (I've had people suggest they'd like me to help them write a book, and when I bring up price, I don't hear from them again.) At this point in life my writing is more than a hobby. I deserve the pay due me. 

All freelancers dig for work and often clients want us to take a test, provide samples of our work, and so on. This kind of request comes with no guarantee of getting the gig or pay. It's a risk. A gamble. But we want to earn from our passion, so we often take the risk. Sometimes it works out, other times we are the loser. 

But ongoingly, we dig for work, we research, we look for new clients, and apply for opportunities using the Internet as our playing field. 

Hard Work, Low Pay 

No one will hand you work or cash. You will have to keep developing and taking risks. You'll need to learn to accept rejection and criticism, and to be humble enough to be corrected. There is no salary with the type of work I do. 

For me, there has always been more work put in than payout in my work as a freelance writer. I trust God to reward me in heaven some day, I suppose. So my advice is if you want to become a freelance writer, don't give up your dayjob or your breadwinner spouse!

Set Boundaries 

You'll need to decide what boundaries you'll set. My boundaries have changed as of late. The requests on Constant-Content are fewer. The addition of ChatGPT AI may be to blame. I suspect the pandemic has affected many businesses' cashflow allowing them a budget for article purchases. 

Fewer of my articles are selling. That causes me to lose motivation.

Some clients ask for several re-writes which rarely pays off for the time spent. (I set written boundaries for private clients on the number of rewrites or edits allowed.) 

The Risk and Gamble 

At times, project requests within Constant-Content reqired no query. Multiple writers could independently create content on a shared topic anticipating that their respective articles might be selected. In the event of non-selection, the article could then be offered for sale within the writer's portfolio.

With the system used on Constant-Content, a buyer has the right to reject the submission. That experience has often been disappointing to me. 

In summary, t's not easy to tell another how to become a freelance writer because it's such an organic experience for each of us. 

How do You Create an Online Platform?

(rewrite of 2019 article) 

The professionals will tell you that to sell your writing you need a platform or following--an instant audience to market to. 

But many writers are introverts who love storytelling about fictional characters or simply writing about something they feel compelled to write about. They don't want to go out and meet people to build an audience or gain a doctorate degree so they can be taken seriously. But does this mean they shouldn't write or become published?

Writing for the Love of Writing

Most of us writers will write regardless of having a platform or not. But that being said, getting our writing out there is our ultimate goal. We want it read. 

As a result, many of us willingly write for free in formats such as this one. Having access to a worldwide audience through the Internet makes the process and dream of being a writer even more powerful. 

Finding Your Niche For Building a Platform 

The question for having our writing read or starting to build a platform comes down to this: 

How do we find our target audience? How do we build a following? Who will we ultimately sell to?

I suggest the focus shouldn't be our own family or church members. Focus, instead, on the world abroad through the Internet. 

When I became a life coach, blogging was becoming popular. I started a blog just to see what would happen. When I received feedback, I was amazed and a little scared. Someone WAS reading my posts! 

Nevertheless, I continued adding posts until I saw a direction forming. In those days, analytics were everything. I could see what someone had put into their search bar to find me, so I saw areas of greatest interest forming. 

It was seeing those statistics that I decided I could write a book putting most of what was in my blog posts into it. I did, and my books continue to sell. Somehow, I'd reached an audience. 

(Now, in 2024, blogs aren't as popular. Updating this post first written in 2019 will be a test. We'll see if anyone finds it. Now we are inundated with online forums, videos, reels, and social media platforms all taking away time from blog reading.) 


Using Social Media

I admit, I still haven't defined what I want my social media to do for me. I know I want it for social interaction--being an introverted writer I like the connections.

I DO have my friends divided up into lists. When I post to Facebook, for instance, I decide who I want the audience to be for that specific post. 

A temptation for many people on Facebook is to gather friends as a way of finding buyers for their products. I don't like that at all. I have had friend requests from those I know see me as a possible customer. I don't want to be one of those people I push my writing or copyediting services on. 

Marketing in social media from my standpoint is always relational. If you're never going to visit my post and comment, why do I need you as a friend? I will read your posts and comment in most cases, but your posts had better be about more than what YOU'RE DOING and selling. Relationships are important in any type of sales. 

Well, a writer gets to spew his or her feelings in a blog and that's what's come out today. Hopefully, something in this post resonates with you. 

Best wishes in your writing endeavours and if you are able to build a great platform, share what you did in the comments. 

Writing - Where to Start

(Re-write of 2017 blog post) 

I've always loved writing and have looked for ways to make money writing all my adult life.  Finally I found it--creating web content articles, blog info and fillers, for pay. 

Sometimes the craving in our heart just needs the world to catch up to it.  Now that there is the World Wide Web (Internet) there are multiple opportunities for writers. Thank goodness for technology and virtual work!

Years ago, I started with a simple blog.  I began writing it never thinking I would actually publish it, have followers, or get business from it.  But I did.  Blog writing also gave me the opportunity to release my inner writer.  I need to write.  I have to write. I have more peace when I write. I feel a sense of purpose when I write.

Since then I have a few other blogs on the go and, for a time, had a website. 

If you're thinking of starting a blog or investigating paid writing opportunities, take the plunge.  First, get writing. Leave your work to simmer (work that you plan to sell, that is) and go back to edit it in a day or two. This is a start.

(Updating this in 2024, much has changed. Reels, Youtube, Tiktok, and more have replaced blogs greatly. AI has replaced many writers. I don't yet know where I'm headed next, but I'm still going to write because doing so gives me great pleasure.) 

Get Tough On Yourself and Write with a Point

An editor within the agency I write with rejected an article I had written and submitted. I've had articles rejected before, but usually, the editor has pointed out corrections needed. 

This time, the editor's words were piercing:

"You failed to deliver on the article's title.
Do not resubmit."

Wow. That hurt. Surely I could change the title. I'm certain something could be reworked. And, by the way, isn't it up to a client to decide if it is buyer-worthy or not?

So the idea that I failed to deliver on the article title's promise hit me for more than a few seconds. Ultimately, my writing didn't take the editor where they felt they were promised to go. 

I admit, this was one article I wanted to get submitted without letting it simmer longer or re-editing. But had I let it simmer, I might have seen the problem for myself and changed it.  

Here are some points on that topic. 

Make Sure Your Writing Delivers 

Literary agents often point out that issues like the one mentioned above are quite frequent. They are interested in knowing whether a book will fulfill not only the promises made by its title but also those made in its blurb or Amazon description. 

As for my editor, she wanted to know the article she was about to read would give her some new insightful information that answered any question posed in the title or introduction. 

It sounds simple, but time and again authors miss the point of their article or book too easily. 

I've purchased self-published books and discovered that for myself. It may be the book trails off in a new direction. This can happen when an author puts the writing aside for a time and, when they return, their passion or mindset is different. 

I've started books only to discover what an author suggests works for all people doesn't work for me. Painting too broad strokes may be problematic. For example, in some books I've read on life purpose, the author has assumed readers have full-time jobs or careers like they do. They tend to focus on finding purpose in a career. Since my main focus for many years was that of a stay-at-home mother, their advice didn't fit me. Neither will it fit the retiree. 

Sometimes the problem with a book is a chapter problem. An author gets so attached to a chapter he can't bring himself to chop it. It gets included but has little relevance to the rest of the book. 

When writing for pay, it's important we write for a target audience. Otherwise, we're merely writing for ourselves and our own fun. 

Ask These Questions 

We can ensure we make a point when we ask ourselves important questions as we're writing such as these: 

• What's the goal of this article, book, or book chapter?
• What is the point of this paragraph?
• Does this story illustrate the point of the chapter?
• Does this anecdote reflect the book's theme?
• What conclusion am I urging the reader to draw?
• Have I enlightened, informed, or inspired the reader?
• Do the stories I add undergird the theme of the book or simply make the reader feel displaced?
• Why am I mentioning such-and-such?
• Have I already said this?
• Does mentioning such-and-such distract from the story?
• Are my words bossy, preachy, or spoon-feeding the reader?
• Do I let the reader fill in the blanks?
• Is this book merely my own catharsis, a way to brag, an attempt to make a quick buck, or does it offer value to the reader?
• Why would someone pay to read this?

Writing is easy and hard. Good writers get tough on themselves and grow with each writing project they take on. 

As for the article I mentioned above, I did a full rewrite and resubmitted it with a new name. All went well. The lesson was learned. 

Writing/Proofreading/Copyediting/Rewrites

 

Writing/Proofreading/Copyediting/Rewrites   

Don't get caught looking unprofessional! Have your writing checked!

SLIDING SCALE OF FEES 

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD

Proofreading of letters, articles, websites, blog posts, transcripts, etc. Especially suited to:

• business professionals
• writers
• self-publishers up to 40,000 words
• completing paperwork for those for whom English is an additional language (ESL/EAL)

HOW?

Proofreading and editing from MSWord document sent by email attachment.

A marked-up copy and final copy are returned. 

Payment by PayPal Invoice

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Proofreading

Checking/Correcting:                                                                 

·        Spelling
·        Typos
·        Grammar
·        Sentence Structure
·        Punctuation
·        Format Consistency
·        Numerical Sequences 

Critiquing

 Includes:

·        As in proofreading above,

plus

·        Comments on continuity/word choice and cautions
·       Questions for greater clarity

Copyediting/Rewriting

Includes:

·        As in proofreading above,

plus

·        Light or heavy changes to improve clarity and fit for purpose
·        Rewriting text
·        Reorganizing or restructuring for flow 
·        Tightening wordiness
·        Correcting run-on sentences
·         Changing from passive to active where possible

Get Your Timeline Right: Write With Coherence

I recently read a Kindle book, but the timing of events in the storyline were so significantly off I had to stop reading. That is what prompted this blog post on timeline coherence. 

Publishing your story with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is quite easy, even if you are new to self-publishing. Many self-publishers skip the hiring of editors or writing coaches and it's understandable. I don't hire one myself for my published books. That's because writing and selling ebooks hardly results in earning enough money to cover the cost of editing. I once paid $500 for a writing critique, and it was a bargain price. Since I have done editing for pay myself, I know what I would have to charge if I were an editor. Therefore, I prefer to do editing and proofreading myself. 

As I was reading the above-noted book, I could tell the author hadn't had it professionally edited. If she had, it would have had a better flow. That being said, this is something that can be self-taught too. 

So this tip is to help you as a writer become aware of the importance of writing your events in order. (This doesn't mean you can't do foreshadowing or highlight a dramatic event and go back to it later. Often, books start with an impactful event to catch a reader's attention. The details of the event are explained later in the story.) 

Backward Timing

Here is an example of something written with backward timing--the kind I want to point out in this blog post: 

My belly felt bloated. I walked the waters edge hoping movement would help me feel better. 

I entered the cafe and overlooked the menu. The meat-filled wraps looked appealing. I ordered one.

My blue dress was my favourite. I felt pretty in it.  Now I just felt fat. 

I bit into the wrap after the waiter brought it. Yum, it seemed to hit the spot. I sloshed down my diet Pepsi quickly. I wanted to get out into the sun before it set.

Years ago I'd been to this beach and loved it. There were no cafes on the beach at that time. I spotted the cafe and decided it was the perfect spot for a late lunch. 

In my opinion, this story goes all over the place. It isn't in sequence.  A writing coach or editor could point out improvements or even fix it for the writer. Simply, there should be a flow of the timing of events. Obviously, you don't mention a bloated belly before you've even eaten the sandwich and had the beverage that caused it. You don't eat at a cafe before even spotting it. 

Think Through Logically 

Many times, getting the flow right is simply a matter of thinking logically about how normal events of the day unfold. However, there are larger timelines that should be taken into consideration. For example, if you have relocated to a beach area apartment with your baby, it would be confusing to then discuss the progress of the pregnancy. This is because the reader understands that there is already a baby present.

Read from a Reader's Perspective

Yes, pouring your thoughts out on paper (computer screen) is a first good step when writing anything. And, as the author, it can be hard to see the storyline unfold in proper order. Nevertheless, it is essential to read your narrative from a reader's perspective to ensure that the timeline flows smoothly and maintains its intended coherence.