So, in the age of AI-assisted creation, I think one of the most important success factors for an author is to be human. To be unique, with unique lived experiences and perspectives on the world. That is what’s going to distinguish us and, hopefully, it is what will appeal to an audience and attract support.
I think I used to have a distinctive voice. I was a little snarky and sarcastic. But I have spent the last 13 years now living in non-English speaking countries. So, other than my wife, really the only place that I speak or write English (other than my novels) is at work, primarily with second-language speakers. My English has even begun to sound a bit like Japanese spoken in English, as I try to modulate my speaking to the audience. When I do communicate in English, it is either with faculty members, where there is a clear power structure, or in cases where my Japanese colleagues are asking me to translate or for advice on how to say things. So, there is pressure to be perfect and be able to defend my word and grammar choice in all situations.
Hell, for some time now, when I send myself emails as a recipient of my mailing list, some of them get filtered as spam. So, as one instructor yesterday put it, maybe I am ChatGPT and just don’t know it yet.
This is a problem!
So, I have no idea if this is going to work or not (if I can keep it up or not), but I want to start writing here about random-ass observation from my life. Just to get words flowing in English again and get used to talking/writing naturally.
That’s the idea behind Voice Finder.
Probably, some of it will be crap. Or whiny drivel. It will all be unedited. So, yeah, if that doesn’t entice you, well, I’m writing this for me, not you, anyway! (But maybe you’ll find the concept an interesting exercise to try on your own.)