First of all I would like to start to clarify my stand on AI in general. I'm not a big fan of AI. Why?Because it's being used the wrong way. I feel bad and angry for the artists that draw and paint and some company is stealing their artwork without their consent and using it to train the AI.
I also feel bad that content writers are using AI to write all and whole of their articles - there is no human touch anymore. It's simply not right. Why are you having a blog if someone/something is writing it for you?
That's not creative, that's no art. Big dot.
What I can understand if the AI is used the right way. And that's why I want to talk about Voicepal today and how it is helping me fight with my writers block and challenge me, sparking my creativity and imagination.
I stumbled upon this app on YouTube where I occasionally watch some videos from a creator calledAli Abdaal. He uploads videos about "feel good productivity". Not my daily bread but sometimes I enjoy it and find something useful and inspiring that fits into my own workflow.
What is Voicepal
The official description of the app:
Unleash your creativity with Voicepal, the ultimate ghostwriting assistant designed for online content creators. Whether you're scripting videos, drafting newsletters, or writing blog posts, Voicepal streamlines your process and helps you craft high-quality content effortlessly. All while having more fun. - App Store
So basically this is an app that's supposed to help you with your creativity, writing - but make no mistake, this app will not create the content for you. Well, technically it can generate content if I remember it correctly but I never use that option for all the reasons I stated above already.
What is Voicepal helping me with?
1. Overcome writer’s block
Every writer knows the feeling of staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike. Voicepal helps to jumpstart creativity by generating prompts. It acts as a creative collaborator, sparking ideas when your imagination needs a boost. This is very helpful for me since sometimes I'm stuck and I just need a little poke to get back on track with my creative thinking. I love that based on my already provided content I'm getting many extra questions/follow ups to think about.
2. Build immersive worlds that makes sense
Worldbuilding is one of the most difficult tasks for any storyteller. There are so many topics and systems that we need to connect together and especially they have to make sense! Voicepal has very smart AI I have to say. I can use it in my native language - Czech and it understands everything I say (apart from some made up names), transcribe perfectly and then give me those kicks and very often reminds me basically about a topic or even a small thing I almost forgot to consider.
3. Always on the go
I have Voicepal on my phone. And I rarely leave without my phone. Not because I need to scroll through useless videos but because it's easy to dictate what I have on my mind. I don't always feel like sitting and writing and that's why I really like I can use this tool on the go. Plus focus mode on the phone is making sure I don't get distracted.
4. Tailored to my voice
What sets Voicepal apart from other AI writing tools is its ability to adapt to my unique style. Whether I'm crafting a gritty dystopia, a high fantasy epic, or a contemporary drama, Voicepal learns from my input and provides suggestions that match my tone and voice and mostly thought process, ensuring my story remains authentically mine.
5. Great companion that understands my blah blah
Well, not everyone around me understands what I'm doing or even what I'm talking about. You feel me, not every friend is on the same wave and wants to listen about my fantasy worlds. That's life and that's the beauty that we are all different and unique. So if I don't have anyone at that moment to throw all my questions, concerns and doubts about my world I can certainly do it to Voicepal. It will not give me a pat on a shoulder but it will ask and dig deeper. And that's the fire we sometimes need.
How is Voicepal doing that?
So here is an example of my "workflow". On my walks I have recorded multiple thoughts I had on my mind in one "stream" (basically a category on certain topic within the app). I have copied my texts and translated them from my native language to give you a sneak peek.
I'm not going to provide the whole text since it has many secrets that will be revealed once the book is finished but in a nutshell I'm feeding the Voicepal with every possible thought I have about the world of Geon. And more information the app has, more relevant questions and prompts it's giving me. I can just simply click to the Aa symbol to type my answer or dictate it and it will stay within that specific "stream".
Who Should Use Voicepal?
Certainly not lazy people who has the inclination to look for the easy way out. I think for that type of people there is really a thin line how to use this tool the right way. It can be difficult to avoid the "create the whole content for me". But I would assume these type of people use ChatGPT or something similar anyway.
And that's the sad part. But we live in the world where we want to make everything simple and comfortable. But without hard work, there is no art, there is no novel. At least a good one.
Thinking about it. Would you even feel good if you would know that you didn't write a single sentence yourself? It's like cheating at school but BIG time. So big that it could potentially ruin your name, your career and everything. Not worth it.
The Future of Writing with AI the right way
As AI continues to evolve, tools like Voicepal can offer a glimpse into the future of creative collaboration. Instead of replacing human creativity, AI ghostwriters should be here to enhance it. Nothing more nothing less. We want pure Tolkien, Martin, Rowling and many other amazing writers and worldbuilders. The only enemy is ourselves. If we allow to destroy the creativity and imagination it's easy to blame the tool. If we ask to be replaced, then that's what we will get.
Final Thoughts
So the main question is: "Do I feel bad for using Voicepal? "
No, because I genuinely think I'm using it the right way. Instead of talking to a literature professor I have AI shooting questions which can be relevant, helpful and freeing my mind of a constant paranoia that I have missed something.
Also, I don't ask questions.Only to myself. I just talk, a long monologue. You can do around 25 minutes in one go (at least with the Pro version). I don't need AI to tell me how my world looks like I need the AI to ask me how my world looks like and how every system works.
I would love to have a friend on a phone all the time to talk with me about my imaginary worlds. If you have one, I can just say, be grateful.
In the end, it's my world and it will always stay my world as far I will treat it that way. Tools are here to serve us, we shouldn't serve them and let them replace us.