Thoughts and Musings About Fanfiction Written with AI
There are a lot of topics I can stay neutral about. Topics that even surprise me that I can keep that neutrality, especially in public, when they come up. It's old school librarian training, when we were taught that every opinion is valid, we were to be the most center moderates of the land in all things, research anything and everything, don't judge, and so on.
But I've been reflecting a lot about AI being used for the writing of fanfiction a lot the past few weeks as I've been ferrying my nearly 30 years of online fanfiction over to AO3, hundreds of stories that just didn't make it over yet because each time I had to move archives, the load was larger. And while I've been doing it, I've been thinking of the discussions I've seen regarding fans who are using AI to write the fanfic, to finish the fanfic, to beta read the fanfic, to check the spelling and grammar of the fanfic, etc.
And I'm going to try to say things as nicely as I can, because this is the internet, and those things are going to be around for a while, so here's my attempt at being nice on what I'm going to say about the above uses of AI.
Fuck that.
Maybe you're using AI to write your year-end review, because you know your boss never reads them, the company requires them, and you are fucking burned out because you're understaffed, underpaid, and under way more fucking stress than you should be for one single human. 100%, fucking use AI to deal with that shit. Take it off your plate so you can move on with your life, because ten years from now, fifty years from now, a hundred years from now, no one's reading that year-end review. No one's printing up that year-end review to bind it from scratch and reread it when they're lonely at college and need to have a happy moment rereading something about their OTP that someone halfway across the world wrote when they were so full of plotbunnies and joy from their favorite movie, book, tv series, band, etc. that they wanted to find a way to share that joy with the world, and they wrote a fic. No one is giving kudos to that year-end review after they stayed home sick and needed something to distract them from their shitty infection. No one's creating art to accompany the year-end review because that year-end review really needs cover art.
But fandom is community. Fandom is finding other people you would otherwise never have known. Fandom is fun, and warm, and silly, and gentle, and all of those things that the fucking real world often is not. Fandom is escape from the mundane, it's chatting with someone in another time zone, someone where you're translating back and forth and but for this fandom you would never have spoken a word to one another but now you're learning Japanese because you want to understand another person better than you can using an online translator to chat, it's going into a video chat at 2 a.m. after binge watching three long-ass films together and squealing over the character with six lines that you both love.
So what the fuck is anyone gaining in having something fake write a fake story with fake attachment to the characters and setting and source materials and posting it to try to gain kudos or comments or connections? Because then it's not really fanfiction. It's fakefiction, when one considers, if it's written by AI, artificial intelligence, then artificial=fake, and then we get fakefiction.
Just say no to fakefiction, kids.
There's not a lot of artificial things that give me warm, fuzzy vibes. Artificial sweeteners? Makes things taste like ass. Artificial colors? Probably causes cancer and shit. Artificial flavors? There are some fucking weird ones out there that taste nothing like a real [insert name of food here].
Now, are there man-made items that are useful, helpful, and loved? Sure, but we give them fancysupercool names, like nylon, concrete, and sporks because we're okay with them. We put artificial in front of things we don't trust. (And no one should trust the robot overlords. And if you do, you need to fucking go read Asimov.)
There seems to be a lot of need for instant gratification. Instant likes. Instant kudos. Instant comments. Instant reposts. People refreshing constantly looking to see if someone responded, and feeling they did a bad job if they don't meet certain thresholds.
I've been in this game a long time. I have more than a few stories written. I can say with certainty there are ups and downs when it comes to response. I can even say I write some things under another name, because discussions with others clued me in to the fact that if I post too quickly, then there are those who will just read and not interact in order to get through the slog of chapters and stories, and it all goes back to the first thing I mentioned - community. And I didn't want to lose the community part, even if it is a little skewed in a way living dual fandom lives, but I digress (and don't even try to shame me on that one; all of the words are my own, in both cases). But I can also say it doesn't take a thousand stories to make an impact. It doesn't take a million words to make a connection. My favorite story in the Tolkien fandom (or any, really, so my fav fanfic) is a story that's just under 20K words (and I'll teaser that for a future fandom manifesto, but it's not one of mine, that would be cheating, even for me). It makes me happy, it has inspired me for writing things, and it was a connection point to someone, though brief, related to a shared enjoyment over a pairing that was revving up at that point but has stood the test of time (spoiler: it's Erestor/Glorfindel, no one is surprised).
But I wouldn't want to read that story if it was written by AI. I opened the story because of the title and the summary; I read it when I saw the notes on how the story was conceived; I keep going back to it because it's this really cool thing that another person made and it's so fantastic that this author took time, took part of their life, to create this, and to share it, and to put it out there so that others could experience joy from it.
And that's fandom. Not creating a 10 chapter fanfic in 17 seconds from two lines of disjointed prompts because you didn't want to put the time in to write it yourself, and now you want praise from others for what you did.
If you're doing that, or you're thinking about doing that, no. Fuck no. Don't fucking do it.
Fake Fiction by Picturesque is stuck in my head so here's a lyric pic I made. lately I've been picking colors from the album cover art. -name insta tumblr-
Sam stared a Nath in shock, "OMFG OFC I'LL MARRY YOU BBY. I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH I'D LOVE TO BE MRS. SYKES. AKDJF; LAKDJF " Sam screamed and the whole restaurant looked at her. Nathan called for the bill b/c he wanted to make Sam glad he came. "Turn the lights out now." Nath said as he took her by the hand. And things hot heated real quickly. The next morning Sam woke up all by herself in Naths bed all by her lonesome self. "Baby where are you?" Sam called out. "I'm making you breakfast stay in bed or I'll cut a bitch." Nath yelled. "I will, I neva wanna leave this bed." Sam sung. But all of the sudden Sam felt sick. She sprinted to the bathroom and vomited in there chrome toilet. "O fuq" Sam said quietly. "Baby are you ok?" Nath questioned. "Oh I'm fine i just dropped an earring so i had to get it!" Sam covered quickly. "oh ok well i made you waffles and eggs and some apple juice." Nath said while handing her the try. Sam scarfed down the food and then texted her nigah KyKy. "Yo bitch water you dewing today?" Sam texted Kyla. "Well me and Harry just got done doing it. So probs nothing, why?" Kyla sent back to Sam. "Do you wanna chill to night we haven't chilled in like 69 days. u feel???" Sam sent to Kyla. "Yeah bish you wanna come to my crib about 6:00 tonight?" Kyla said. "yeah sure". It was now 5:30 so Sam decided it was time to go to Kyla and Harry's house.
Sam arrived at Kyla and Harry's house a little after 6:15. *KNOCK KNOCK* no answer *KNOCK KNOCK* STILL NO ANSWER "KNOCK KNOCK MOTHERFUCKERS. " Sam yelled at the door finally Harry answered the door. "Ohh sorrry Kyla and I we doing laundry" Harry said slowly in this deep British accent. "mmmmmmmmh, yeah you were." Sam obviously knew Kyla and Harry were in a heated make-out sesh and then Kyla gave Harry a quick handy. "Kyla, Sam's here" Harry yelled out to Kyla. "Oh hey Sam how are you!" Kyla said in her southern accent. "I'm good how is u" Sam asked " We r gewd come in sit down on our couch!" Kyla said while her and Harry led Sam to the couch. "So Sam how are you and Nathan?" Harry asked. "We're good" Sam said adjusting her hair making it obvious to see her massive ring on her finger. "OMFG WHAT IS AIR YOU ARE NOT. WHAT OMFG SAM YOU ARE ENGAGED??? REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO BLOG ABOUT THIS?" KYLA YELLED HER AND SAM DID A LITTLE JUMPING DANCE THING. "Babe you had a blog about me?" Harry asked Kyla "Yeah she did its url was karrysex, god damn it i miss those days." Sam said to Kyla. Kyla and Sam fangirled over the ring for awhile longer, but then shit got real.
Sam finally got discharged from the hospital later on that week. She still was in a little payne from the accident but that didn't stop her and Nathan from going hard in the mofo paint. "So Samantha how are you feeling today?" Nathan asked "I'm feeling g8t, how about we go round numba 2?" Sam suggested while throwing her self on Nath and making out to the beat of their hearts. ROUND TWO IS NOW OVER. Sam and NAthan were laying in bed cuddling, " Ya know sam i really do love you. You are the most beautiful gurl i have eva seen in muh entier lyfe, i've seen alot of girl and non of them are a bootyful as you. and i mean it. 4 lyfe." Nathan said kiss her on her head. "Awh niaggh shit you got my crin and shit" Sam said wiping a tear from her eye. " I love you too nath. i love you too." Sam said as she drifted off to sleep.
5 months later.
"Sam could you pass me the bread sticks,plz." Nathan ask in husky birttish accent. "oh ya sure bby" Sam said as she pass the sicks. But she noticed a shinny diamond ring on one of the sticks of bread. "um nath what is this???" Sam asked excited Nathan was already to the side of her kneeling on one knee. "Samantha Michelle Sobieski i've loved you since the day i've laid eyes on you. When im with you i feel normal I dont feel like Nathan Sykes from The Wanted i feel like Nathan Sykes Gloucester, England. I feel safe when im with you i feel so happy when i have you in my arms YOU ARE MY WORLD I LOVE YOU. So would you make me even happier and Marry Me?" Nathan asked . Sam face was shocked. AND THAT BOYS AND GIRLS IS THE END OF THIS CHAPTER.~
It was now 2 am at club little things things and Sam was just finishing her shift. On her way home she kept drifting off to sleep. As you all can guess Sam got in a car accident, and she was rushed to the hospital for test on her bod. Sam woke up the next day with her best fried Kyla by her lone some side. "Kyla where the hail am i" Sam said in a fog "Sam bby cake ur alive" the magnificent Kyla said o so gratefully`. "You're in the hospital huny. u were in an *looks away dramatic* an a car accented." Kyla said with tears in her eyes. "Oh muy gawd. i was!??!?!?!" Sam said in a really annoying jersey shore accent. "Stap talkin like that but yea you were, the drs said you suffered from a concussion." Kyla said. "O that would explain my headache." Sam dozed back to sleep while Kyla called Nathan and explained this mess.
Nathan arrived at the hospital around 2 in the afternoon. "Hi im looking for Sam Sobieski" Nathan told the lady at the front desk. "Oh yes go down to the elevator and up to the 3rd floor and she is in room 666." The lady explained. "Thank you" Nathan say and took off for her. 5 minutes later Nathan was at Sam's door. " Nathan!" sam said and shot out of bed. "Sam" nathan said and ran to her. * they ran in slow motion like those beach people.* Sam jumped in to Nathans arms and they kissed. " well im just going to go have sex with my husband now, bc he is harry styles and bc i can ok, bye y'all." Kyla said in her beautiful country accent . Nathan carried Sam back to her bed. " SO are you feeling ok? I was so worried about you." Nathan said looking Sam over for bruises and bumps. "Yes, i is good, doctor just said i have a concussion." Sam explained. "oh so what is that" " Idk kyla explained it to me bc she is a really really smart nurse. yeah but it has to do with my head" Sam said. *Nathans phone rings* *text from Kyla* " A concussion is a Temporary unconsciousness caused by a blow to the head. Also, loosely, aftereffects such as confusion or temporary incapacity. She will be ok she will have alot of headaches, but you can take her mind somewhere eles if yah know what i mean. (;" *text kyla back "thank you o i know what you mean and i deff deff will". "who was that Nathan ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME I KNEW IT IM NOT GOOD ENGOUH 4 U." Sam started to cri " NO BBY IT WAS KYLA SHE WAS TELLING ME WHAT YOUR CONCUSSION IS ABOUT, I SWARE, YOU ARE BOOTYFUL AND YOU ARE PERCET TO ME." NATHAN TOLD SAM TRYING TO CLAM HER DOWN. "OK SRRY IM RRLY SLEEPY OK IMMA TAKE A LIL NAPSKI."sAM SAID while sungglung next to Nathan. "Night bby i love you." NATHAN SAID FOR THE FIRST TIME HER LOVED HER. BUT SHE DIDN'T HERE CUZ SHE IS SLEEPING. DUN DUNDUN.
Nathan and Sam arrived at Nathans flat around 8:30. They sat on Nathans sofa and talked awhile longer. "So Sam I know we only met but let's pretend its love." Nathan sang the lyrics of his arch band ONE DIRECTION. "LOL what." Sam said confused. "I was saying i know we only met a short 5 weeks ago, but I really really like you..." Nathan said in a strong husky British accent. "Oh really? cause I was kinda thinking the same thing." Sam said shyly. "Great! well this is a bit awkward but not really." Nathan said making a move on to Sam. Sam embraces it and then it turned in to a heated make-out sesh. And y'all knows what happens next mkay.
Sam woke up in Nathans bed with Nathans naked body lying next to her. She stared at Nathan while he slept (kinda like tay tay swizle dose to her bfs.lol) BUT this was a cute stare, it was like she was embracing him and all his glory (if ya know what i mean) (his p to the p). Nathan soon woke up and saw Sam getting dressed, "Morinin' love" Nathan said in his morning voice. "Oh hey babe." Sam said while buttoning her shirt. "Where are you going baby, I wasn't done with you." Nathan said with a smirk "Oh babe I have to go to work, but ill be back for you later." She said with a wink and walk out to the car.
Sam woke up in the morning with and empty bed and an empty tummy. She sat up in bed and did a little stretch then she smelled something from the kitchen. She got up and walked to the kitchen, when she arrived there she saw a man standing by the stove, lol he turned around. "Good morning love!" the man said chirpily. "O hello there" Sam said confused. "I made you some breakfast." Nathan said. "Thank you, um did we do "it" last night?" Sam asked nervously. "Um yeah, and from what I rember it was quite nice." Nathan said pleased. After they finished breakfast Nathan told Sam that he had to leave because he had rehearsals with the band. "So when can I see you again?" Nathan asked. " You can see me and my goodies anytime you'd like baby(;" Sam said seductively. " Well great here is my celly number. Meet me at Pizza Hut at 6:30 babe." Nathan said given her a kiss.
It was now 5:30 so Sam started getting ready for her date with Nathan. She put on a little black dress, and 6 inch louboutin heels. After she finished curling her weave she put her make up on and strutted her hot self down stairs. By this time is was 6:20 so Sam decided to get he drank on so she took 4 shoots of Sobieski vodka and she was good to go. When the doorbell rang Sam ran to answer it cause she knew it was Nathan. "hello." she said while opeaning the door. Nathan stood there in awe of her beauty. "Wooooahhh, you look beautiful." Nathan said. "Thanks love you look quite nice yourself." Sam said back with a wink. "Shall we get going?" Nathan asked. "Yes we should" Sam said as they walked out of her flat hand in hand.
At dinner Sam and Nathan talked a bunch about their lives and about their jobs. "So Sam why are you a high class stripper/prostitute anyways?" Nathan asked curiously. "Well Nathan by best friend Kyla is dating Hairy Stiles and they already had a business and i need a job so i put my goods to work." Sam explained. "That is quite fascinating." Nathan said leaning in to kiss Sam. While she was leaingin in she knocked her water on him. "OMG IM TERRIBLY SORRY LOVE." she exclaimed. "Oh don't worry about it, Let's just go back to my flat so I can change." Nathan said. As they drove to Nathan flat Sam was thinking to herself about how she could get use to spending time with Nathan.
Sam, Was twerking her way downtown to her famous corner that was paved with gold. See Sam is a high class stripper/prostitute, so what ever street corner she worked on had to be clean and beautiful, like her best friend Kyla. Kyla was also her bosses girlfriend so her and Sam got to know each really well. Sam was waiting for her usual 4'o clock appointment with Paul Walker, She saw a black rang rover pull up and she expected it to be Paul Walker but it was her boss. Harry.
"Aye niggah get it the gud damn car." Harry yelled. Sam strutted her sweet little ass down to Harry's new 2015 Range Rover. " Dayum boi why you gotta yell." Sam said embarrassed " Sorry boo, but you just got put in for a night shift at Club Little Things and you best be getin ova there to get ready." Harry explained. "O I do!? maybe ill score a little to night, if you know what i mean" she winked and nudged Harry's arm. "yeah I kno what you mean, and stop." Harry drove off into the sunset.
It was now 1' o clock in the morning she was cleaning up the confetti and all the loose dollar bills. When she went to throw them in a bin, a rather small man named Nathan Sykes bumped in to her. "Niaggh cunt see i am tryin to clean dis club why you got to runi thing!?" Sam yelled while trying to gather her items back in to her dainty little hands. "I'm terribly sorry love, here let me help you" The man had a deep strong British accent. Sam looked up. "OMFG YOU'RE NATHAN MOTHERFUCKING SYKES." Her voice boomed through the club. "Haha yeah I am, are you ok?" he asked awkwardly. "LORD HAVE MERCY, I AM WONDERFUL. U OK?" at this time she was still in shock. " I'm fine love, what is a beautiful woman like you doing at this club all by herself?" he asked so loving. " oh about that i work her. lol. but fuck that lets go back to my crib and talk this isnt a place for convo." Sam suggested. "Sound wonderful my lady." Nathan said. They walked out of Club Little Things, only expecting a one night stand....
