Tired of the Whole AI Crusade

 

Lately, I've noticed a surge of comments about supposed authors using AI in various ways, and honestly, I'm tired of the ongoing crusade against indie and self-published writers. Many of those accusing indie authors of relying on AI seem more interested in stirring up drama and attracting views than in any genuine concern about the issue. Ironically, the same individuals who are now criticizing authors for potential AI use are the ones who dismissed indie authors over a decade ago. For instance, I received some pretty harsh reviews for my first book published in the 2000s, which just goes to show that this kind of negativity isn't new, it just has taken on a new face. If you can't see the image, please click on it.

Don’t think that this person would use the ai excuse to put down indie authors now? Well, guess again.

Other Author’s shaming & accusing other authors of using ai:

I saw a comment on Threads about an author who made a video accusing 67 other authors of using AI for their images, book covers, and writing. Apparently, she participated in a contest with them a year ago and might have lost, which could explain her need to vent and criticize the others. In her video, she named these authors and claimed they were using AI, but she provided no evidence to back up her accusations. That was uncalled for. What a bitch, right?

Below is the screenshot of the thread:

It hasn’t changed, it is the same behavior I’ve seen online and in real life toward indie authors. I’m not speaking for all authors, but I do know that most are not using ai for writing however if they used it for images or videos or a book cover, that’s their business, not the accuser’s. If you're judging an author's work based solely on the images or videos, they use to promote their books, it's best to just scroll past. If it triggers you, to a point of insanity, simply move on; it's really that easy. You don't have to purchase their book, especially when there are others that are buying their books. While it's true that AI has disrupted the industry and many innocent authors are caught in the crossfire, indie authors should toughen up and recognize that negativity often stems from jealousy among critics. The woman who accused 67 authors in her video, has taken it down now from YouTube, probably because of all the rage it invoked but maybe that’s what she wanted. Figures, right. A person like her is far from professional and instead of being supportive and actually giving the benefit of the doubt, she chose to be a--well you know what I mean.

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Unpopular Opinion

 

Authors keep trying to justify that they wrote/write their own books and did not use ai, even though they weren’t ask to prove it. Just stop. If you’ve been writing for quite some time and have published several books throughout the years, you don’t have to justify yourself.

Just put your books out there, let the readers enjoy your books. Another thing: Yes, AI paranoia runs rampant but just because a publisher or indie author uses a video that may seem like ai generated to advertise an author’s book, doesn’t mean the book itself is ai generated! 

Trolls and haters will always cause online drama to deter readers away from author’s books because that’s what they do. Believing their lies will only mean you’re missing out on a potentially good novel. By the way, authors shouldn’t have to pay an influencer to promote their book. If the influencer likes your book then they should mention it in their podcast or stream, for free. Indie authors shouldn't pay someone to review their books either. Reviews/rates will come when the readers posts them. I made a short video of this blog entry, not all of what I have written here made it into the video, though. if you have your own opinion about this entry, please I encourage people to post their comments.

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CG Heandez

There's Nothing Wrong with Adding Images

 

Writers/Authors can add images into their works. Why not? However, I recommend including descriptions of the scene and the characters' appearances to ensure they align with the images. This helps create a cohesive experience for the reader. 

If some readers are triggered by images in books—that's their problem. Personally, I have no issue with authors using images in their works. For instance, Clive Barker included images in "The Thief of Always," and Harry Harrison did the same in "West of Eden." Personally, I believe that images can enhance storytelling, and I plan to continue using them in my own books.

In addition, if you’re triggered by an author using some images in their books, then move on. It’s that simple.

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The Concept of the Backrooms

What About AI?

I know I promised that I would post more excerpts of books that have been published and books I am working on but I must address this matter: 

Do you use AI to write your books? 

Let me say that I DO NOT. I am old school, and I really don’t know how to use AI to write. I feel that AI doesn’t capture what the author envisions for his/her books so therefore using AI to write is like using Alexa as your audio voice for your audiobooks. 

With that said, I do use images created by AI for short videos and for my blogs ONLY. I am so old school that I still use photoshop online editing tools for pictures I make that I use in my books. I’ve been doing it for over 15 years, now. Using online editing tools for my images is my personal prerogative and I see nothing wrong with it. 

What I think about AI?

I feel that people are up in arms over AI art much like when 3D rendering and photoshopping were ostracized by certain groups. But just like in the past with 3D rendering and photoshop, the dust will settle, it will pass and be accepted.

 I am grateful that back in the 2000’s I discovered certain online tools to create my images, I still use those tools to this day. If people don’t like that I use photoshop and online editing tools, well they don’t have to and they don’t have to follow me. Just saying.  Anyways, peace and no hate. Support other authors, stop being mean-spirited Haters. If you don't like what an artist created or what an author wrote, don't follow them, its' that simple.

NOTE: I am happy to say that Lost in the Backrooms continues to be downloaded and read. Thank you.

If interested in my books please visit link below. I mostly write preteen to young adult books under the pseudonym Cecile Garcia however, I do have another pseudonym which I will use to publish adult rated books (18 & over).

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To Rate a Book

Are ratings better than reviews? I believe all are relevant  but lately, on Amazon, books are being rated and no reviews are left. Some Indie authors say that it isn't good and Amazon rating system will become like GoodReads. 

Two of my books recently received a rating but no review and that's okay with me. I welcome all kinds of rates and reviews. The more, the merrier. People notice books that have reviews or rates. It's  always important to leave some kind of rate on a book you've read. Good or bad or in-between will bring attention to any authors book and that's important.  So the next time you read a book, please do rate it---it matters.

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Immortality is Now Available as a Paperback!

Immortality: Chandra's  Quest Book 3 is now available as a paperback. It can be purchased through  Amazon Kindle. I will share excerpts from the book next week. Please visit the link below to see book price and details. 

Immortality 

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What Would You Be If You Weren't a Published Author

On Twitter, one of the other authors whom I follow, asked everyone: What would you be if you weren't a writer/author?

Well I can't speak for all authors but for me, I would be as I am now with one exception--not an author/writer. I probably would still have a presence on social media/online, I would still create handmade gifts to sell on Etsy or eBay but there would be no books, no Chandra's Quest, no In the Company of Elves, et cetera. I strongly believe that my life would be the same except that I wouldn't have published a book/books, I wouldn't have thought about becoming an author at all; I would not have the inspiration to do so.  

Since I love making handmade gifts, that would have been the only creative outlet I would have going for me. I often wonder though, if I didn't become a published author, would the people who blocked me on social media, have still blocked me? Would they have been just as critical of what I sell online?

So many questions, so many 'what if's.' My children took inspiration from my creativity and if I had denied or ignored my passion, what example would I have set for them? If I had not pushed forward, been assertive pursuing my dream, would that show them that keeping their creativity bottled up inside is better than having others critic their work? 
My creativity is a way for me to put my imagination out there and it eases my mind, makes me happy. I enjoy writing, letting others read my work. Money isn't the issue for me because when I create something, I want those people who are interested in my work or items I've created, to like/ enjoy the things I've done; to own something I've created with my own two hands. 

When I write in this blog or in one of my other blogs and someone actually reads the entry, I am grateful that they took the time to read what I've written. Perhaps, that person agrees with what I've written and enjoys it. I really don't know the type of audience/readers I attract but it is for them that I write, it is for them that I create my stories and publish my books and it is for my children that I pursue my endeavors, so they will be encouraged to pursue their dreams. When I pass away, I would leave something behind, something precious to my children, memories and my books so they can continue selling them and giving readers my gift, my creativity, my books. Just saying. 

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Using a Pseudonym

I read a comment that Indie/self-published authors should not use pen names (pseudonym) because they're not real authors. Of course social media is the place to post comments like that right? Despite of the fact that the person's comment was uncalled for, I decided to bring this to light. There are people out there that think Independent/self-published authors should not use pen names because pen names are for the professional writers. Well I beg to differ. A pseudonym is used by some authors who want to conceal their identity. My pseudonym is Cecile Garcia, not much difference from my real name, Cecilia. Cecile is the name of one of my favorite characters in a soap opera I used to watch back in the 1980's. It was called Another World. 

The character's name was Cecile DePoulignac played by Nancy Frangione. I'm sure if you're as old as I am, you'll remember her. I liked her name and since it was similar to my actual name, I chose to use it. Some authors however really go way out on pen names. 

Example:
E.L. James (real name is Erika Leonard Mitchell)
JK Rowling ( real name is Joanne Rowling)
Mark Twain ( real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens)

I'm sure there are many more out there. There's nothing wrong with using a pseudonym, by all means do so if you wish.I am happy that I chose mine.

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