Author/publisher, doing "whatever" to pay the bills and build the creative life of my dreams.
So while most authors are confirming they aren’t using AI to write their books, I seem to know a lot in my chat groups who are playing with AI for fun. One of our groups newest challenges is to ask AI to make a caricature portrait of oneself based on the conversations you’ve had with AI. Thought I would give it a try, can you guess what my topics have been?
Or however that creepy line from the 80’s used to go about the “caller is inside the house.” Creepy though it may be, it was always correct, the biggest impacts come from the inside out.
I recently read “12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women” by Gail McMeeken and felt the kind of connection I needed when I picked it up. Wise words from women who’ve been in the position before of trying to carve out a creative path for themselves while at the same time trying to meet too many expectations from the outside (i.e.-social obligations, family & friends, even fans)
I really recommend you take a glance at this book. Lots of interactive journal prompts to set you on the right path, a varying degree of artists in different fields (not just authors). This book is both inspiring and challenges you to commit to your own desire to create. This is a book every creative will want to keep on their shelves to return to again and again.
I don’t understand the logic, really I don’t. Okay, you want to see how far we can get this AI tech to go. Companies want to see how much it can earn for shareholders, But PEOPLE who become unemployed based on the technology won’t have money to spend, right?
So how do you EARN from that you freakin’ morons? From people with no money? If you brag about increasing unemployment by 20-30%, so how does that not negatively impact your earnings 20%-30%?
If you’ve been looking for a job recently you will find that the majority of roles are now flat out telling you “we want you to help us train AI in your area of expertise”. What, AI can fix a roof? Or fix your plumbing? Not everyone will be capable of career changing to manual labor. This is creating a class divide like we’ve never seen before in this country and no one is concerned?
No bootstraps ever created will get some folks out of permanent, GENERATIONAL poverty. And no amount of billionaire funds you may have access to will buy the labor of people you are crushing beneath you.
Everyone of us below them now, raise your going rates for whatever you do to $1000/hour. See how they like it.
So as you know (or should) I like books. Collect them from everywhere, various formats as well (i.e.-physical, digital, audio, etc.) The only problem I often have is I get overwhelmed with what to choose to read next. I follow this funny guy on Instagram who has the same issue and uses a spinning wheel decider app to help him out. I have been cleaning out, rearranging and generally going through my writing books specifically. I found I currently have 125 I have not read yet. 😳 Again, just on the subject of writing.
So here’s the challenge, I’ve creating a spinner wheel to help me decide my next read and hopefully clean up my TBR. I’m giving myself one year to complete it starting today and will be posting regularly on here to be accountable. (Feel free to scroll by or unfriend if you like). The first pic is where we are starting, used fall colors for inspiration but will update along the way. And here is the first book to be selected 👇. Wish me luck!
Step 1: Find job to apply for.
Step 2: Fill out application that asks for your Indeed/LinkedIn links (5 min to complete) and copy of your resume and cover letter.
Step 3: Receive email within 7 days, asking to fill out second application on company website. Asks for second copy of resume and cover letter. (30-45 min to complete.)
Step 4: Wait to hear back, (usually 7 days, some longer.) If approved asked via email to complete an assessment test. (45-60 min for assessment.)
Step 5: After completing assessment, wait another 7 days. Asked via email to do interview with HR rep, who in reality is a recruiter vetting you, saving company time. (Apprx 30 min interview).
Step 6: Wait 7-10 days to hear from recruiter who emails you to say you’ve been approved for an interview and schedules you for pre-recorded video interview. (45-60 min for prerecorded interview taping and 72 hours before you will be sent link for actual video interview.)
Step 7: You meet with one or two supervisors in Zoom/Teams meeting and spend about 45-60 being asked the exact same questions you were given for recorded interview. They read the questions for a list, rarely being polite enough to look directly at you in Zoom. They advise you are in a pool of candidates and it will take them 7-10 days to make a determination.
Step 8: You are sent an email advised they are passing on you, but will keep your information on file for future consideration.
Step 9: (NO REALLY! A STEP 9): Within 72 hours either the recruiters office or company will contact you via email asked you to complete a second video interview for them to “keep on file”, advising, YOU GUESSED IT, 45-60 minutes to complete. (I don’t know if its a new set of questions or not, now they are just wasting my time so I don’t do them.)
Results:
Time spent by applicant trying to get job: (low side) 2 hours/3 hours (add 45 min if doing second non-offer, follow up video)
Time spent with live people speaking to you: 1 hour
Length of time during interview process: 3 weeks for each application
Dian Burns 