Upset - And in need of ranting · Writing Wives Storyteller Lab

Upset - And in need of ranting

I was accused by a critique partner of using AI in my plotting because it is similar to Ilona Andrews' ones, also because I use metaphors that personify objects, and my chapters are too polished when I post them for review.

She was polite about it (I value you as a critique partner etc.) but I was taken aback and hurt.

I use AI for spelling and grammar, and I absolutely do not mind if anyone else uses it for more than that. I had already told my critique partner this, so the message came out of the blue.

It has become the latest, gravest insult. If your writing is bad, mediocre or too good, if you use mdashes (I do), if you overuse the comma (I don't). How do you even defend yourself against it? (and you shouldn't need to, right?)

I know I shouldn't care, but it hit me badly and I ended up with a bad migraine yesterday. My motivation is in the dumps (should be writing my manuscript now instead of posting this).

I gently told her it wasn't true, and she has now apologised, but I feel the damage is done.

Thanks for letting me rant!

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