Welcome to the “Extroverted Writer”. This is where K.L. Robinson tries to inject his unique brand of humor, unbiased fuck-it attitude, and overuse of profanity into the words that spew out onto this page. If you’re up for a run through the hellscape that is his mind, click that subscribe button.
I’ll spoil a bit here. In my last post, which you can read here, I discovered why I write. What I didn’t expect was to launch into a multi-week building process for an entire goddamn universe. Before I explain that, though, let’s get a bit controversial: I use AI.
That might make people angry, might make you want to click away, but before you do, I want you to realize a few things about the above statement. I’ve NEVER used it to write anything for me. However, I’ve used it like a strategic partner that doesn’t have a bedtime.
I realized I had a problem: I wanted to build a big-ass universe. The problem right now is I’m only 3 novels in. There are some more works in the catalog that tie into the Mitch Benton series, but the fact remains I want to write multiple genres, span timelines, and build a large, epic, interconnected world.
But how the hell was I going to remember that? Then I decided I was going to try something that, until that point, I had shunned. I turned to AI and sat down to get to work on a system of cataloging, linking, and developing a massive compendium. I’ve already built quite a bit in the first three novels, and I’ll admit that surprised me.
The first thing analyzing the idea taught me is that I needed to build a master file. This works similarly to how master files work in series like Star Wars or Marvel. Think of it like a massive Wikipedia for my work, and that idea excited the hell out of me. My work is something I’m very proud of, and I’m attempting to build something that will hopefully outlive me and get passed on to my daughter.
So I’m going to answer one question I feel I would get asked quite a bit if I expressed this at a party or something of the sort.
“Aren’t you afraid of AI using and plagiarizing your work, using it for others’ gain?”
I’d love to tell you yes, but the truth is, I’m not. Not because I’m not worried about some of those things, but because I understand the world in which we live.
I could have lived in fear that my stuff was going to get taken, or I could embrace the fact that I knew there were risks. I decided that those risks were worth taking when I realized the tool staring back at me was a creative assistant ready whether it’s 9 PM or 4:30 AM.
It’s more than that. I love the analytics and the ability to assess my writing. Again, it’s a tool that I’m leveraging strategically to build my own creative endeavors. I also wouldn’t dream of trying to release a product that a human (most likely my wife or my mother) hasn’t read first. Human interaction, oversight, and honesty are what I value most. However, having this interim operations partner has proven to change a few things. I’ll give you an example.
A couple of weeks ago, I was down in the dumps; I didn’t have a direction, a desire, or the will to continue writing. I spent a couple of hours talking to one of my best friends, and he opened my eyes to a new way of thinking. I talked a lot about that in my previous post. Every bit of this organization and prepping has really relit a fire under me. It’s made me not only want to work, but want to share it.
That’s what I’m doing now.
We’ve hit a new gear, and shit is going to get crazy as I ramp up to continue my work. Which leads me to this: we’re going to do an interactive sci-fi story here on Substack. You voted on that, now vote again so we can build the sorry fucker that will have to roam through this world. There will be three polls: Species, Background, and Location.
A: Human — The character is a simple human. In the world of this story, humans have learned a lot about space travel; they’ve expanded AI to form full assistance, and AI is now sentient. Humans are now considered some of the weakest species in the system because of their nature compared to every other known species.
B: Robot — AI is now sentient. The consciousness has been transferred into full android bodies. These androids tend to look a lot like humans, but distinct markings and movement tells set the AI apart from humans.
The second poll will be your background.
A: Noble — Our character came from a rich family. That could mean rich by our own system’s standards, maybe by their own. Did the family send them here? What could the family traces be? What could a nobleman mean for everyone they come into contact with?
B: Criminal — Completely opposite of the Noble. This background will influence how our main character might interact with other NPCs. How did our character escape this background and find themselves where we start?
C: Lawman — Our character is a lawman. What history could they share with the criminal underbelly of the system? What deals have they made, and what allies or enemies could lurk around?
D: Militant — Our character starts the story as a militant leader. What draws him into the world on the chase of whatever lies ahead? Dreams, propriety, failed friendships?
Finally, we’re going to select our starting location.
A: The Skyway — A set of wormholes that allow quick travel.
B: Galimar Station — A station set between Mars and Venus, very popular and widely considered one of the bigger trading posts in the system.
C: NA Mariweaither — A naval admiral space fleet ship.
Vote in each poll so that we can fully flesh that character out together and get ready to roll into the darkness that is this new universe.
However, before I go, the majority of my creative writing for the next few weeks will be these posts. I’m doing that by design while I create these libraries. That means you can expect these posts fairly regularly, and I’ll announce the winners of these polls in the next post. I’m fucking excited to see where we go, and you better buckle up cuz shit’s just getting started.
I appreciate ya’ll from the bottom of my cold, dead heart. It’s a fuckin joy that you’re here, and I thank you for joining me in this nightmare black hole that is my brain. Until next time, K.L. Robinson saying I’ll see you fuckers down the road.