The theme for today’s blog is ‘Oh my days, everything is AI slop, human creativity and connection are doomed, but thank biscuits we have each other. And the Book Forge’!!
Ready? Let’s go.
Are we losing touch with what matters?
In a world where a glorified probability generator (AI) is fast becoming the go-to understudy for anything from a teacher to a guidance counsellor, I have to admit to finding it harder and harder to look on the bright side when contemplating our collective future. Will life’s simple pleasures – reading a book, watching a video, admiring a work of art – be sullied from now on by doubts over the sentience of its creator or the authenticity and validity of its content?
I know, urgh. Geez, what a downer! I only get like this on the sort of day when my belt loop gets caught on the door handle, or when drivers don’t nod a thanks for letting them pass, or when there’s any Tom Waits music on the radio. Today must be one of those.
So let’s flip the narrative I’m losing myself in (as my passive aggressive ‘You’re welcome’ bounces off the ear pods of the oblivious bloke I hold the door open for) and remember what’s important, what’s possible, and what’s still there under the clouded perception of the modern world the media would have us believe.
What have we got? We’ve got people with a collective longing and capacity for connection and authenticity. People with big hearts, generous spirits and overflowing creativity. People who take the time to drop into your arms, not just your inbox. But is real connection, trust and genuineness (is that a word?!) harder to find these days?
I would argue that it’s not. It’s just as easy as it ever was – if we put our phones down and just look around.
Time, togetherness and trust in the creative process
So here comes my antidote to all this AI noise and the world’s apparent readiness to hand over our creativity to an ‘enter’ key on a chatbot text box. Hands up, it’s a shameless plug for our signature writing programme. Sorry, not sorry! But hear me out, pretty please.
When Kate and I formed the Booksmith Academy in 2023, we knew we had to be true to ourselves and our values in what we offered and how we ran our business together.
Our vision was to create a small, friendly community of budding and blossoming authors whom we could pour our bookish and wellbeing know-how into, and watch them grow.
Our focus has always been on writing with:
Intention
Slowness
Connection
Care
Community
Authenticity
And even though the first cohort on our Book Forge nonfiction writing programme began their Booksmith adventure just three years ago, the world felt very different then. Little did we know how quickly AI would be relied upon to fill our bookshelves, teach our children and beguile our scrolling eyes.
Our values and intentions have only strengthened since, as our need for connection and authenticity deepens to counteract the fakery and fastness of the online world.
And we’re proud to say that our hopes for what our writing community would bring have been realised. And we can’t wait to bring it to more writers when we open our doors again in March.
Join us if you feel the pull towards a calm, compassionate, creative space to learn and develop as a writer. We’d love to see where it takes you.
Find out more about The Book Forge and join us in March.
What our members say about The Book Forge:
“Feels like a cliche to say the Book Forge was life changing, but for me it actually was. This led to me leaving a 20-year career … and embarking on a life where I have more time to pursue my writing passion.”
Leona Brown
“Kate and Jen offer something so unique that I truly believe you can’t find it in any other book-writing membership.
Their warmth and wisdom have changed me as a writer. I cannot recommend the Book Forge enough.”
Jess Louise
“I highly recommend The Book Forge to anyone who is looking for support on their writing journey. Jen’s wealth of copywriting knowledge paired with Kate’s well-being tools provide the perfect balance of technical advice and “woo” tips for writers .
Thanks to everyone I have met through Booksmith Academy, I can now proudly call myself a writer!”
Leander Hollings
Find out more about The Book Forge and join us in March.
For more nonfiction writing and wellbeing tips, check out our other blogs or sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter to get writing inspiration straight to your inbox.