{"id":6253,"date":"2025-10-07T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/07\/write-of-passage-ai-cant-fake-the-funk-or-the-fire\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:10:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T13:10:00","slug":"write-of-passage-ai-cant-fake-the-funk-or-the-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/07\/write-of-passage-ai-cant-fake-the-funk-or-the-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Write of Passage: AI Can\u2019t Fake the Funk or the Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-6253-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/175500917\/1801d4cc188544587d43c0062f394506.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/175500917\/1801d4cc188544587d43c0062f394506.mp3\">https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/175500917\/1801d4cc188544587d43c0062f394506.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>I was at the James River Writers Conference this weekend in Richmond, Virginia\u2014one of those places that fills your creative tank. I got to do what I love: hang out with writers. Hungry writers. People on fire to get their words into the world.<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"vanes-1629215067\" class=\"vanes-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 2px;margin-right: 2px;margin-bottom: 2px;margin-left: 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\" aria-label=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?fit=1706%2C2560&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1706&ssl=1 1706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"569\" height=\"853\"   \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><strong>And of course, on one of my panels, the inevitable question came up: <\/strong><em>\u201cWhat about AI? Are writers going to lose their jobs?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Now, let me tell you something. If you opened my email inbox right now, you\u2019d find about eight\u2014maybe ten\u2014AI-written marketing emails. Every single one is bad. Cringeworthy bad. Pseudo-personal, stuffed with buzzwords, maybe even a random line pulled from the blurb of <\/strong><em>Island Queen<\/em><strong> to make it sound like they actually know me. But give it a few more sentences, and it\u2019s obvious\u2014they don\u2019t. They just tossed my name into a prompt, hit \u201cgenerate,\u201d and sent it flying into the void.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>So I tell authors this: AI might be everywhere. It might be fast. But being everywhere and fast with crap doesn\u2019t win you prizes, and it certainly doesn\u2019t feed the hunger of readers looking for their next great adventure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>AI is supposed to save time\u2014or so the marketing folks keep telling us. But when I spend half my morning clearing these AI-spam messages, I don\u2019t see time saved. I see time stolen.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The emails all sound the same: <\/strong><em>\u201cI\u2019ve been following your amazing career!\u201d<\/em><strong> or <\/strong><em>\u201cI just loved your latest book!\u201d<\/em><strong> or \u201cI truly believe your book has the potential.\u201d Or \u201cYou deserve more reviews.\u201d That all might be true. Then, two lines later, they\u2019re congratulating me on a novel I didn\u2019t even write. One even mixed me up with another author completely.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>That\u2019s not artificial intelligence. That\u2019s artificial nonsense.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And here\u2019s what gets me. These marketers aren\u2019t even good at using AI. They feed it bad prompts, copy-paste whatever it spits out, and send it to hundreds of people like me. It\u2019s the new form of spam\u2014shiny, overconfident, and hollow.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>At the conference, one of my fellow panelists said something that stuck with me. He said he couldn\u2019t think of a single real-world problem AI has solved. Investors are pouring billions into it, hoping it\u2019ll fix something. But from where I sit, the only thing it\u2019s \u201csolved\u201d\u2014and I\u2019m using air quotes here\u2014is how to steal everyone\u2019s work faster and give marketers another toy to misuse.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Now, don\u2019t get me wrong. I\u2019m not anti-AI. It\u2019s a tool, and tools can be useful when used wisely. But we\u2019ve made it ubiquitous too fast, without guardrails or reflection. And those without our best interests in mind are using it to fleece people.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>So, if you get one of those AI-assisted marketing emails in your inbox\u2014mark it as spam. Don\u2019t be fooled by fake flattery. If they\u2019re offering some \u201cexclusive service,\u201d go straight to ChatGPT or Claude or one of the others and ask the same question. You\u2019ll probably get the same result for free\u2014or at least for a much lower monthly payment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But let\u2019s shift gears\u2014because there\u2019s more hope than fear. At that same conference, I saw what I love most: people learning. People hungry for craft, open to feedback, and ready to chase their dream of writing a book. When writers invest in themselves\u2014show up to workshops, ask hard questions, lean into the fight to say something of value\u2014it gives me hope.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>When I hear someone say AI will put authors out of business, I just smile. What we do is too special for that. The dreams we carry, the stories only <\/strong><em>we<\/em><strong> can tell\u2014AI can\u2019t imagine them. It can remix what\u2019s already stolen, sure. But it can\u2019t reach into the unseen, the unspoken, the wilder parts of the human heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>One of my fellow panelists, R. R. Virdi, put it perfectly: AI can only feed on itself. It can only regurgitate what it already knows. That spark of divine imagination\u2014the moment a story idea hits like lightning\u2014that\u2019s still ours. And as long as we keep creating, we\u2019ll always be ahead.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>So to the marketers: maybe write your own emails. Try a little authenticity. Readers and customers can tell the difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And to my wonderful listeners\u2014the dreamers, the students of the writing craft\u2014I\u2019ve got something exciting coming your way. I\u2019m launching a Kickstarter for <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/vanessariley\/plan-plot-and-write-the-storycraft-writers-journal?\"><em>The Storycraft Writer\u2019s Journal<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><strong> It\u2019s a tool I\u2019ve built from years of speaking and teaching on writing\u2014packed with my forms, formulas, and geeky plotting tricks to help you organize research, track writing beats, and create the kind of stories no algorithm could ever predict.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The best way to make sure AI doesn\u2019t take your job is for you to keep writing and keep growing your talent, creating something only <\/strong><em>you<\/em><strong> can make.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Oh\u2014and before I continue, reviews are rolling in for <\/strong><em>Fire Sword and Sea<\/em><strong>\u2014and people are loving it. If you\u2019re on <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.netgalley.com\/catalog\/book\/726721\"><strong>NetGalley,<\/strong><\/a><strong> grab an ARC and take that journey with Jacquotte Delahaye. There\u2019s also a <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/231388878-fire-sword-and-sea\"><strong>Goodreads giveaway<\/strong><\/a><strong> running for twenty copies, but fair warning: I\u2019m missing about thirty-two ARCs that got lost in the mail, so if you find a copy\u2014digital or print hold on to it\u2014that\u2019s pure gold.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>As I wrap up, my mandate to you is to not fear AI. Let\u2019s outwrite it. Let\u2019s outdream it. Let\u2019s put our best ideas forward. No matter how many lines a tool can generate, it can\u2019t fake the fire burning in a writer\u2019s soul.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Books to match this week\u2019s theme are:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/vanessariley\/plan-plot-and-write-the-storycraft-writers-journal?\"><strong>Storycraft Journal <\/strong><\/a><strong>by Vanessa Riley. It\u2019s more than a notebook or journal\u2014it\u2019s your yearlong writing companion. Designed for busy writers, procrastinators, and dreamers, it\u2019s ready to turn ideas into finished novels. This guided journal blends structure with creativity.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Inside you\u2019ll find:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00b7 Step-by-step guidance through popular story models, including <\/strong><em>Romancing the Beat<\/em><strong> and genre-specific beats for RomComs and Romantasy novels.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00b7 Character-building prompts that uncover lies that shape unforgettable protagonists.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00b7 Weekly writing planner: 52 weeks of practical schedules to keep you accountable and consistent\u2014so you can finally finish that book. It up on Kickstarter: <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/vanessariley\/plan-plot-and-write-the-storycraft-writers-journal?ref=project_build\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/vanessariley\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.kickstarter.com\/projects\/vanessariley\/<\/a><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/2644\/9781982159375\"><em>On Writing<\/em><\/a><strong> by Stephen King \u2013 A memoir-meets-manual about truth and discipline in storytelling.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/2644\/9781982135980\"><em>Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature<\/em><\/a><strong> by Angus Fletcher \u2013 A fascinating argument that literature is <\/strong><em>technology for the human brain.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And 3 very different fiction works:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/2644\/9781250796240\"><em>The First Binding <\/em><\/a><strong>by R.R. Virdi is an epic fantasy where Ari, a storyteller with a mysterious past, recounts how he gained\u2014and lost\u2014everything, blending myth, magic, and legend into a sweeping tale of power and consequence.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/2644\/9780692365786\"><strong><em>Watercolored Pearls<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Stacy Hawkins Adams is an inspiring story of three women whose intertwined journeys of faith, forgiveness, and self-worth reveal the beauty that can emerge from life\u2019s deepest struggles.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/2644\/9780316377911\"><strong><em>The Monsters We Defy<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Leslye Penelope is a spellbinding historical fantasy set in 1920s Washington, D.C., where a daring Black woman with the gift of seeing spirits must outwit both humans and the supernatural to win her freedom.<\/p>\n<p>Take<\/p>\n<p><strong>This week, I\u2019m highlighting <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/loyaltybookstores.com\/\"><strong>Loyalty Bookstore<\/strong><\/a><strong> through their website and <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/shop\/loyalty\"><strong>Bookshop.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The preorder campaign has begun, get the collector cards for <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\"><strong>Fire Sword and Sea<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u2014Help me build momentum for this historical fiction. Please ask your library to carry this novel and spread the word and preorder this disruptive narrative about lady pirates in the 1600s. This saga releases January 13, 2026. The link on my website shows retailers that are in on the campaign. Get the collector cards while supplies last.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You can find my notes on Substack or on my website, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vanessariley.com\/\"><strong>VanessaRiley.com<\/strong><\/a><strong> under the podcast link in the About tab.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re ready to move with purpose and power, hit that like button and subscribe to <\/strong><strong><em>Write of Passage<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u2014be a part of my crew. Your journey deserves community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you for listening. Hopefully, you\u2019ll come again. This is Vanessa Riley.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is a public episode. If you&#8217;d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=CTA_2\">vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"vanes-924727498\" class=\"vanes-after-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 3px;margin-right: 3px;margin-bottom: 3px;margin-left: 3px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?fit=1080%2C1350&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Listen to the Write of Passage Weekly Podcast\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=240%2C300&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1 819w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=768%2C960&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"540\" height=\"675\"   \/><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I was at the James River Writers Conference this weekend in Richmond, Virginia\u2014one of those places that fills your creative tank. I got to do what I love: hang out with writers. Hungry writers. People on fire to get their words into the world. And of course, on one of my panels, the inevitable question [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6254,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,793,9,620,756,694],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-stories","category-politics","category-recommended-reading","category-syndication","category-technology","category-tv-and-film"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5f0c4783974dbb5e252d36e951e2a23b.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6253\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}