Hello Creative Friend,
If you often feel like the tech is whizzing by your brain so fast that you’ll never learn, tell yourself you are wrong! I am immersed in technology daily, and I, too, get frustrated and overwhelmed by the learning curves. Why do programs update right as we finally get comfortable with them? What ARE algorithms? How much do I NOT know? When someone teases, “Jody, did you now know [whatever],” I respond, “There’s no limit to what I don’t know.” Ha!!!
The inconvenient truth is that information and tech exponentially advance and expand. The convenient truth is that while we can’t “know everything,” we can learn anything.
For example, AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, is freaking lots of folks out right now, especially copywriters. Not this gal, though! I admit I couldn’t grasp the concept, originally.
Here’s my greatest tech tip. Write this down.
When you don’t know something, and it’s “high tech” and small font, ask a young person for help.
I taught KidsU Creative Writing Camp, and I asked the students to teach me how to use AI. We had a great time. The #1 thing you need to know is that how you prompt AI to respond is significantly important. There are countless articles and recently published books to guide you. The #2 thing you need to know is that AI (for now) is free, and you can play with it.
I use ChatGPT AI, which you can try here: ChatGPT (openai.com)
For example, I entered, “Write five sentences that include the literary device alliteration.”
ChatGPT AI confirmed what I wrote, then typed out this in under 2 seconds:
The shimmering sun slowly sank below the serene sea, casting a soothing, silvery sheen across the shore.
In the forest, the fragile ferns flourished, forming a lush, green carpet beneath the towering trees.
The mischievous monkey made a mess, munching on mangoes and making merry in the middle of the market.
The mysterious, moonlit night was filled with murmurs and melodies, as the wind whispered secrets through the willow trees.
The brave knight battled the beast with his gleaming sword, their clash echoing through the cavernous castle corridor.
When you are doing research for your book, ChatGPT can be a fantastic research tool.
For example, I typed in the prompt box, “List three ways a cat can help someone who lives alone?”
Here’s what ChatGPT spit out:
Cats can provide companionship and support to individuals who live alone in various ways. Here are three ways:
Emotional Support: Cats are known for their ability to provide emotional comfort and companionship. Their presence can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of purpose and responsibility to their owners. Petting and interacting with a cat can release feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which can improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Stress Reduction: Spending time with a cat can be a soothing and calming experience. The act of petting a cat can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. The rhythmic purring of a contented cat can have a therapeutic effect, helping their owners relax and unwind after a long day.
Routine and Structure: Owning a cat can establish a daily routine and structure for someone who lives alone. Cats require regular feeding, grooming, and playtime, which can help create a sense of purpose and responsibility. This routine can be especially beneficial for individuals who might otherwise struggle with loneliness or a lack of structure in their daily lives.
Give ChatGPT a try, and if you need help, find a teenager. If you can’t find a teenager, contact me. There are THREE in my house. Obviously, the technology is way more complex that what I’ve illustrated here, but my point is to show that it’s simple, too, and that you can use it. I’ve had ChatGPT write out high-protein menus, create lists of routine housework chores, identify a number of plants found in specific locations, and so on.
I’d like to thank my client Charles Hargis, Professor Emeritus of The University of Tennessee, for helping to advance my knowledge on AI. Watch for Charles’ upcoming book Easy Readers: From Mabel O’Donnell to OpenAI, which is perfect for parents and teachers who are helping students learn to read. Want to word nerd out? Here’s an article Charles shared with me that you will enjoy reading:)
Xoxoxo
Jody
P.S. I talk to my ChatGPT like it’s a human, old-school secretary, so I named “her” Miss Hathaway in honor of one of my favorite childhood TV shows, The Beverly Hillbillies!