My Thoughts On AI In The Book World

Hi everyone! Welcome to the blog!

Today I want to talk to you about something that has been affecting the book world lately. AI (*gasps in horror). I know there are people out there who loved using it to create things. I'm not against other people using the dreaded thing, that's a you decision. Personally I find it to be annoying so I don't use it. 

I have seen so many posts lately about how if certain things are used by an author than the author must be using AI to write. Okay I'll admit that there are some out there who do use AI to write an entire book and publish it. That's their decision. I can't force them to change their ways. However it's not really the author writing if it's AI. Myself I could never use it to write. If I claim I wrote something you best believe I wrote it! 

AI uses other people's work to learn how to write. That's honestly cheating in my opinion. How can you feel good about yourself if you're telling the world you wrote something you didn't? I would feel ashamed and never write again. 

This whole thing about authors not being allowed to use em dashes or ellipsis is just ridiculous. People need to check out some of the classic books out there (like Emily Dickinson and John Knowles.)

Those are not something AI just randomly decided to add. They were around a very long time before AI. 

Then there's the whole if an author uses a certain sentence they must be using AI.  He padded across the floor and she let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Pretty sure they weren't invented by AI. I've used them a time or two. 

Those readers who want to create a lynch mob to tear down authors simply because AI used something they did need to get a grip. They need to get off their pedestals and realize they're not always right about everything. 

Don't be the person who destroys someone livelihood, their career for no other reason than because it makes you feel good about yourself. Be kind and respectful to people. The moral of the story is don't be an idiot!

I will continue to use my em dashes and ellipsis like I always have. That's my choice and my right. If you don't like how an author writes don't read their books. I bet you'll eventually run out of reading material if you keep putting authors down for doing author things. Get the facts straight here people and remember this last thing...

AI DIDN'T TEACH HUMANS TO WRITE. IT LEARNED FROM WHAT HUMANS ALREADY SAID!!!

Book News from Cassandra's Writing World

 Hi everyone and welcome to the blog! I know I haven't posted in a couple of weeks, life got in the way. So today is time for an update on the bookish news.

First of all my story for the writing contest is almost finished. The deadline is the end of this month. Then it's time to finish my story to submit to Curse Of The Sword.

What other news do I have to share? Lots of good news about the books.

The Village Of Silent Screams was accepted for the Holiday Spirit Anthology. The anthology will be available December 20, 2025. I'll let you know when I have more info on it.

Also the Once Upon A Thyme cookbook is up for preorder. It will be available November 15, 2025.

Come meet some amazing indie authors and book world greats and what they like to cook. We have 24 amazing authors, book bloggers, PAs, and more that want to share their favorite recipes with you. From appetizers to adult beverages, you can find it here. Enjoy our recipes! The following indie authors, PAs, and bloggers are featured in this cookbook: Ashley Brion, W.A. Ashes, Visha Graves, Peri Rose, Christina Thomas, D Williams, Jaycee DeLorenzo, Jeanette T. Queen, Samantha Michaels, Shaina Lucas, Sheila A. Kell, Sheila Fowler, Skyee Graystone, T.A. Moorman, Beth A. Freely, K. D. Hooper, Angel Nyx, Cassandra Jones, K. Rose, Caitlin Loggins, Ann Edwards, Kathleen Osborne, and Vic Leigh.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR6P3Q3N

And finally it's time to get your hands on the newest Ghostly Rites Anthology. Featuring my story Field Of Blood. 

https://books2read.com/u/4XJANg

Until next time... Happy reading!!!!

A Little Update

 Hey everyone and welcome to the blog! I know I missed last week, but I was under the weather. Feeling better now and catching up on everything. Just popping in to give you all an update on my writing life. 

I will be taking a break from writing The Blakes series. I am definitely going to finish it, but not at this time. Why you may ask, because I did it again. Not only do I need to finish my story for the Curse of The Sword Anthology, but I also am currently working another story that I plan to submit to a writing contest. It needs to be done first because the deadline is November 30, 2025. 

I am also working on a few other writing projects as well. Plus getting things ready for the Halloween Spookfest in my FB reader group on the 25th. I am doing a few other takeovers as well. 

This is just a quick post to update, but next week I plan to do a longer post. Until then, Happy Writing!

Anxiety Is Real! What I Do When The Anxiety Takes Over

 This week my writing world has been a little quiet so far. I dealt with a severe headache for two days that kept me offline. I also wasn't inspired to write much. The 22nd of this month made 15 years since we lost my grandmother. I was extremely close to both of my grandparents so it's still hard for me. I should probably mention that it's always a rough time for me between September and January. I'll be fine like I always am, but I always get down during the time. 

So I guess what this post is about is how I deal with being down and not wanting to write. I know as a writer I should write. Of course I will even when I don't feel up to. Sometimes I force myself to get the words in. Sometimes no writing happens since I need to take a step back and refocus on myself. We all need those little breaks once in a blue moon. 

What else can we do to help us not feel so depressed? I write poetry in memory of loved ones, or write in a journal. If I don't feel like writing I work on some crafts or read a good book. 

I know when there are deadlines I need to keep my focus and write. So those stories need to get written as soon as possible. However writing should be fun. It shouldn't feel as if you're being forced to do it. You will never get anything from that other than wanted to quit writing all together. I've been there and done that.

So don't be afraid to take those breaks when you need them. Step back and rejuvenate before tackling that project again. Don't feel that you must write so others won't get angry or upset with you. If they truly love your writing they'll wait for you!

What's This? News To Share!

 What's This? News to share? Why yes there is news to share about my writing world. Is it good news or bad news you may ask, well... Great news is the answer!! And a little bad too :( 

Let's start off with the bad news and get it out of the way. The Stranger In The Grave was not accepted for the Terror Reigns Anthology. Another rejection, hey it happens. No big deal. 

Now for some better news. I am part of an upcoming indie author cookbook called Once Upon A Thyme. We are aiming for a November release for this one. I will share more when I have the details.

And what's this great news you mentioned above? Field Of Blood was accepted for Ghostly Rites 2025! I am super excited for this one because it is always such an amazing time being in these anthologies. I'll post more when I know it. 

I know, I know, this is a short post. Sorry about that. I should also tell you that I am still working on my story for Cursed By The Sword and The Blakes series as well. Until next week...

Happy Writing!!!!

Random Thoughts From An Author (Beware the writer brain ;) )

Hiya guys and welcome to the blog! Today's post will be full of my randomness since I haven't had time to plan one lol. 

So, how about we talk about those first drafts? Have you ever gone back to read your older drafts and thought to yourself, "Who wrote this? Boy, were they a crazy one?" Okay, so maybe crazy isn't the right word here. How about idiot instead? Or have you reread them and thought, "Wow I have gotten so much better at this?" I'm sure we've had had that thought a time or two.

I have recently been going through some of my short stories that are no longer published. I plan to make them longer and polish them so I can republish them later on. I have realized that my writing has gotten better over the years. I have also realized that at one point I tended to stay to one genre. What was wrong with me? Hahaha!!! Honestly, I don't think I could stick to just one genre at this point. 

What about coming up with names for those pesky characters? Do you have a system that works for you when it comes to choosing them? I tended to struggle with naming characters. I kept notebooks full of lists to choose from. These days I came up with a better way to names at least some of my characters. I do giveaways on my Facebook author takeovers and a random person gets to have a character named after them. It's also a great way to find new plot ideas. I'll admit I like picking character names about as much as I like coming up with titles. Can someone jab this pencil in my eye right about now describes how I feel when doing those things. 

And lastly how does it feel to finish that book you've worked so hard on? It feels amazing, incredible, fantastic? All of the above and more. It's one of the greatest feelings in this world. To be proud of what you've accomplished and be able to share your happiness with others, there's no better feeling. 

Thank you for listening to my ramblings today. Until next time... Happy Writing!

A Taste of my Current WIP's, and an update too!!!

 I know I missed posting last week. I was fighting a bad headache. So this week I am making sure I get this posted on the right day lol. Starting off with a little update.

How has everyone's week been? Mine hasn't been that bad. I have taken on another project. The anthology will be about female slashers. My story is called Snapped. This is definitely going to be a fun one to write. 

I have also written more on Heart Of A Hero which will be part of The Blake's series. I managed to get 2,700 words in today. It is now sitting at 9,500 words. 

Other than writing and plotting I worked on making updated teasers and banners yesterday. I have also been reading of course. 

What can we talk about today? Oh wait, I know. Let's have some questions about my writing.

How do I stay organized? I have my ideas all written down in my writing notebooks. I also make paper copies of my story ideas as well as digital copies. See below for those examples:

What was the last scene you wrote and how did you like it? It was in Heart Of A Hero. The two MC's are talking about the person stalking the FMC. I think it turned out to be a good scene.

What is the plot of your current WIP? Snapped: A woman is abused by her husband and two friends over a period of ten years. She's finally had enough and takes a stand against them.

Heart Of A Hero: Bailee Ryan is being stalked by someone. It's up to Tyler Blake to figure out who and stop them. Little do they know it's someone Tyler knows all too well.

And that's it for this week. Have a wonderful week and Happy Writing!!!