The Role of AI in Nonfiction Versus Fiction Writing
- Cully Perlman
- Oct 5
- 9 min read
The past week or two, I've been dabbling in AI by using Microsoft's Copilot. Per Wikipedia: "Microsoft Copilot is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Microsoft. Based on Microsoft’s Prometheus model, which is based on OpenAI’s GPT-4 series of large language models, it was launched in 2023 as Microsoft's main replacement for the discontinued Cortana." *(Not that it matters, but in total transparency, in another life I was the project manager on a few internal sites for Microsoft Windows Live and Windows Live for Mobile on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA).
A writer friend of mine, Jon Tobey, who I met while working at the same agency I worked for while working on Microsoft sites, and who blows me away in the tech space, always comments or emails me on my posts--he gives me his thoughts, insights, etc., which is much appreciated, as I know he's interested in similar things--writing, tech, and fly fishing (he's great at it, I suck at it but love it). Jon runs his own blog: https://gointothelight.wordpress.com/ which you should check out.
Anyway, he's been watching the few blog posts I've posted using AI. The last four posts, from September 25th through today, October 5th, have all used Artificial Intelligence for the writing. Not all of it, as I've interjected some comments and revised a couple things, but the majority of the writing was AI. He made two comments: that the output was coming fast (which was good), but that he was on the fence about using AI for posts (probably AI in general for any writing, which is a belief/thought that I share with him). For me, fiction is untouchable. I will NEVER use AI for fiction. Not for generating ideas, or coming up with plots, or dialogue, or anything whatsoever. I don't believe in the concept, the ability of AI to do what we fiction writers do, nor the "cheating" that using AI in fiction is to may of us who've been toiling away at the craft for decades. I hold a BA in English Literature, an MA in Literature in English, and an MFA in Creative Writing, besides an MBA in International Business and Marketing Strategy. I believe in education--not in short cuts. BUT--and this is a big but--I can't argue how far AI has come when it comes to writing blog posts, and nonfiction. It sucks. It does. But unlike fiction, when I read nonfiction (including the four (and today five) posts I've posted, I have a hard time knocking it. Or not knocking it, but not appreciating the accuracy and clarity of the writing. Have I encountered some errors? Yep. Do those errors overwhelm the writing, the truth, the concerns, or the flow of the narrative? Nope. And that hurts. A lot.
I want to despise AI more than I do. I want someone to blow it up so we can get back to writing like writers have written for millennia--without assistance. I want us to be those wacky men and women who barricade ourselves into dank rooms with the excitement of producing something original and interesting and compelling driving us. I get that with my fiction; I no longer get that with my nonfiction, because I know what I'm up against when it comes to AI, and what a Sisyphean task it is, competing with other "writers" using AI for nonfiction. To put it mildly, I'm having a crisis of conscience every time I use AI to write a blog post. At the same time, using AI for blog posts, which I read and edit as appropriate, allows me to focus on my fiction. When I generate an AI post for this blog, I read it through for accuracy, for clarity, for everything you'd employ as an editor, which I've been and am--in fiction and nonfiction. Overwhelmingly, I am left shaking my head by the end of the post--that's how competent the posts are. In fact, they're often better than a great many of the blog posts I see out there. The posts are "well-researched," use examples that would take writers not using AI hours if not days to research, and are generated within seconds. So, what do we do with that? Do we ignore it? Do we fight it and say, "Well, am I going to handicap myself for the few words I'll throw in there that'll differentiate myself from an AI post," or do I say, "You know what, I can't compete, so I'm going to use AI, make a few changes, and save myself countless hours so I can get back to what's important, because I really can't add much to what Copilot comes up with?" At this point, I'm testing the pros of AI and weighing the cons of it. I'm going to generate a few more posts. As an ex PM for digital agencies (I used to manage the build of websites and email campaigns for the likes of Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, Home Depot, The U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, PCL Construction, HON, and other large companies), I'm in an "enviable" or at least "knowledgeable" position that I can write about it with out making stuff up. My goal, mostly, is to test whether or not AI posts will hold up SEO (Search Engine Optimization)-wise, meaning will the posts show up on the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) on Google and other search engines, or will the posts be penalized due to the fact they were generated using AI. To do the testing, I have deactivated my social media accounts (all of them except LinkedIn), as I do, I have to admit, feel a little shame in using AI, even for blog posts that I curate and edit. I'll let you know what I come up with once my little experiment has reached its conclusion.
Now, to the post. The below (including the above title), was completely generated by Copilot. Obviously this is not my first go-around with AI. I started testing it out when Chat GPT came out. I have writer friends whose books have been "used/stolen" to populate Chat GPT (and other) tools out there. I hope they get paid for their work having been stolen.
Exploring How Artificial Intelligence Shapes Storytelling and Information Sharing
So, What's The Role of AI in Nonfiction Versus Fiction Writing?
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming countless industries, and writing is no exception. As advanced algorithms and generative models become accessible to authors, editors, and publishers, AI’s presence in both nonfiction and fiction is growing rapidly. Yet, the ways in which AI is used, its benefits, limitations, and the ethical implications differ significantly between nonfiction and fiction. In this blog post, we’ll explore how AI impacts each genre, compare their approaches, and discuss what the future may hold for human creativity in an increasingly digital world.
The Role of AI in Nonfiction Versus Fiction Writing
AI in Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction writing revolves around facts, analysis, and the effective communication of real-world information. AI tools in nonfiction are primarily focused on accuracy, research efficiency, and content generation for factual topics. Applications range from journalism and academic research to technical manuals and business reports.
One of the most significant uses of AI in nonfiction is automated fact-checking. AI algorithms can scan large databases and cross-reference sources to verify facts, dates, and statistics, helping to reduce human error and bias. For journalists, this means faster production cycles and higher confidence in the accuracy of their reporting.
AI also excels at summarizing complex information. Machine learning models can condense lengthy research papers or news articles into bite-sized summaries, making information more accessible to a broader audience. This is invaluable in educational settings and for professionals who need to stay up-to-date without wading through dense material.
In addition, AI-powered writing assistants can help nonfiction authors organize their ideas, suggest improvements in clarity and style, and even generate drafts based on structured outlines. These tools do not replace the author’s expertise, but they streamline the writing process and free up time for higher-level analysis and creativity.
However, AI in nonfiction also faces challenges. Ensuring that AI-generated content is free of misinformation and bias is a major concern. Additionally, while AI can gather and present data, it may lack the nuanced understanding required for deep investigative journalism or the critical thinking needed for persuasive essay writing. Human oversight remains essential.
AI in Fiction Writing
Fiction is the realm of imagination, creativity, and storytelling. Here, AI’s role is more experimental and collaborative, often serving as a creative partner rather than a mere assistant. AI can generate plot ideas, create characters, and even write entire stories, but its value lies in augmenting human creativity rather than automating it.
AI-driven story generators use narrative structures learned from millions of books to craft plotlines, dialogue, and character arcs. Authors can use these tools to overcome writer’s block, explore new genres, or experiment with nontraditional storytelling formats. For example, an AI might suggest an unexpected plot twist or develop secondary characters that enrich the story’s world.
Some fiction writers use AI to analyze reader preferences and predict which story elements will be most engaging. By examining data from book sales, reader reviews, and social media trends, AI can help authors tailor their work to audience expectations without sacrificing originality.
Interactive fiction and video games present another frontier for AI. Here, AI algorithms can respond dynamically to player choices, generating new narrative paths and dialogue in real time. This creates a more immersive and personalized storytelling experience, blurring the lines between author, reader, and participant.
Despite these advances, AI-generated fiction often lacks the emotional depth, subtlety, and thematic coherence that define great literature. While AI can mimic styles and genres, it struggles to create truly original voices or convey the complex motivations of human characters. Critics argue that AI fiction is more pastiche than innovation, and that human creativity remains irreplaceable.
While AI can gather and present data, it may lack the nuanced understanding required for deep investigative journalism or the critical thinking needed for persuasive essay writing
Comparing AI’s Use in Nonfiction and Fiction
While AI is revolutionizing both nonfiction and fiction, the differences in its application reflect the distinct goals and challenges of each genre.
Purpose: In nonfiction, AI is primarily a tool for efficiency, accuracy, and information management. In fiction, AI is a creative collaborator, helping to spark ideas and invent new storytelling forms.
Output Quality: Nonfiction AI tools are judged by their factual correctness and clarity. Fiction AI is evaluated based on originality, emotional resonance, and narrative coherence.
Human Oversight: Both genres require human intervention, but for different reasons. In nonfiction, humans verify and contextualize information. In fiction, they inject creativity and emotional depth.
Ethical Concerns: Nonfiction AI must guard against misinformation and bias. Fiction AI raises questions about authorship, ownership, and the value of machine-generated art.
Audience Engagement: AI in nonfiction enhances accessibility and understanding. AI in fiction pushes the boundaries of interactivity and reader participation.
Ethical Considerations and Challenges
AI’s integration into writing brings up significant ethical considerations for both nonfiction and fiction. In nonfiction, the risk of spreading misinformation, plagiarism, and biased reporting is heightened if AI outputs are not carefully vetted. The responsibility for accuracy still falls on human editors and authors, even as AI becomes more capable.
In fiction, questions of intellectual property and authorship come to the fore. If an AI generates a story, who owns the rights? Is AI-generated fiction as valuable or meaningful as human-created literature? These debates are ongoing, and as AI tools evolve, so will the legal and cultural frameworks surrounding them.
The Future of AI in Writing
Looking ahead, AI will likely become more sophisticated in understanding context, style, and audience needs. For nonfiction, this means smarter research tools and more reliable fact-checking systems. For fiction, it means richer collaboration, enhanced interactivity, and new forms of storytelling that blend human and machine creativity.
However, the core strengths of each genre—nonfiction’s commitment to truth and fiction’s embrace of imagination—will continue to rely on the unique qualities of human writers. AI can assist, refine, and inspire, but it cannot replace the judgment, empathy, and creativity at the heart of great writing.
Conclusion
AI is reshaping the landscape of both nonfiction and fiction writing. In nonfiction, it acts as an indispensable assistant, improving accuracy and efficiency. In fiction, it becomes a creative partner, expanding possibilities and challenging conventions. While concerns about bias, originality, and ethics remain, the partnership between human writers and AI promises to unlock new dimensions in storytelling and information sharing. As we continue to explore this relationship, one thing is clear: the future of writing will be shaped by both human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.
Cully Perlman has been approached by companies to interview for "AI Teacher" or something roles at AI companies (I've rejected them all, as it felt like I'd be teaching my replacement my job). I'm also author of THE LOSSES (which came out before AI was prevalent), an editor, a short story writer, and an AI skeptic and hater. I can be reached at Cully@novelmasterclass.com
To be fair, the weekend ChatGPT came out, one of my associates trained it on my canon and sent me AI-generated works in my voice. This has soured me on AI beyond words that I, as a mere living, breathing author can express. AI also pretty much killed my day job in software. I may be bitter, the Emperor may be naked, we shall see. I did say, though, that for me the Tips section on how to market was the most interesting part of that post, as truly terrible writers who understand modern marketing are killing it. Good writers should have the same advantage.