The Honor of being Human (Authored)
It’s six months before publication, and I’m reviewing the first designed layout of my memoir. On page four, just after the title, What Do I Tell My Daughter? you’ll find two significant words before my story begins- Human Authored.The Author’s Guild, of which I’m a member, recently expanded this certification program for all authors who publish in the U.S. so consumers will know the material they’re about to read was written by a human and not generated by AI.
It’s unfortunate that this has become necessary, and yet I’m grateful this special certification exists. I’m displaying mine as a badge of honor.
I am often amazed by the capabilities of artificial intelligence and admittedly use it for day-to-day inquiries, like how to train my Bernedoodle, or even expedite aspects of my public relations work. (Some companies I work with have their own platforms and we are transparent with clients that we use AI for efficiencies.)
And yet, there’s a line that should be drawn.
People are turning to AI to write books, songs and produce art. When these productions are passed off as unique, it’s insulting and fraudulent. When we accept AI generated material as ‘creative work’, we lose touch with the most beautiful, inspirational and real aspects of human expression.
My book has been nearly ten years in the making. The past three have been especially long and difficult: seven drafts, countless tears from reliving some of the greatest challenges of my life, losing part of my identity as a woman and working mom, and the unexpected joy from rediscovering who I am and the person I want to be.
Writing a book is a difficult endeavor. It’s estimated that less than 1% of people who say they want to author a book actual finish the task and publish. That’s why this milestone is so meaningful.
I couldn’t have gotten to this point without a few remarkable coaches and editors: Shari Caudron, Brooke Warner and Krissa Lagos. There is no doubt that these talented women improved my work. They too, used their expertise, skill and creative minds to do so.
These days many of us are craving real human connection; to be touched in some way by another soul and know we’re not alone in this ever-changing, often scary and fragmented world.
Our stories can bind us together. Shared vulnerabilities make us stronger and perhaps enable us to become better people. I’m honored to play my small role demonstrating what a gift it is to be human.