Mamas, Don’t Let Your Writers Use AI Slop

Wonky AI-generated images span the internet. Goofy eyes, extra fingers, and in this example (click here for a larger image), AI glued the right hand onto the left arm.

Careful! Don’t risk hurting yourself by shaking hands like in the image. 😉

If You Use AI, Validate Your Work

People hate AI slop. When you use AI-generated images on blog posts and book covers, your work secretes that creepy AI vibe–the height of mediocrity. If readers perceive the image as AI slop, what does that suggest about your writing?

Writing Principle: AI slop shouts so loud that audiences can’t hear an author’s words.

More Information: https://tameyourbook.com/dont-confuse-ai-with-a-benign-tool/

Your Thoughts*

Do you use AI images, and if you do, how do you go about evaluating the output, such as checking for weird eyes, extra fingers, crazy legs, unrealistic features, and so much more?

*A Handful of AI-Generated Image Facts

The goal of this post was to raise awareness of the actual and potential dangers of using AI-generated images.

With that in mind, I’ve summarized a handful of facts about AI-generated images.

✅ Generative AI image generators are a technology that has learned how to organize pixels to generate digital images.

This capability required training on billions of images and text captions scraped from the internet, most copyrighted and taken without the owner’s permission.

✅ As of March 2026, the image quality now makes it hard to discern fake from actual photos and videos.

Many now use AI-generated images without disclosure. In the wrong hands, AI-generated images create actual and potential harm to children, adults, and businesses.

✅ A creative person who possesses discernment and skill can use technology wisely and for many purposes.

Such use does not overcome the fact that the AI models scraped copyrighted pixels from sites across the globe without the owners’ permissions.

✅ In the hands of a person who lacks discernment and skills, they often produce poor-quality images, referred to as AI slop.

News articles and polls show the public’s decided adverse reaction to the proliferation of AI-generated images.

✅ When creative people use AI-generated images without disclosure, they deceive their audiences.

Public reaction emphasizes that people hate AI deceit.

Like an accident that happens in front of you while you wait for the traffic light to change, you may feel powerless to stop AI.

However, you can make an informed decision whether to use AI. Choose wisely.

34 responses to “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Writers Use AI Slop”

Brenda

I must admit I use AI to generate images, and now thanks to your post, I’ll be more careful/discerning. I do have an AI use declaration so I dont pretend its something its not

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  Thanks, Brenda, for your candid comment. To be clear, my goal is not to police the AI industry, but to make people aware of its dangers.
  
  Not everyone has the time to read the hundreds of articles that detail the nefarious ways people use AI technology and its negative effects on women and children. Many are not aware of the psychosis it can induce in the mentally vulnerable. Fewer still realize that the time spent validating AI’s output offsets the time writers thought they would save.
  
  I hope by showcasing some of those articles, writers and parents will have the knowledge to avoid fulfilling Big Tech’s selfish goals.
  
  Reply
  1. Brenda
    
    Policing the AI industry would be a nightmare task. I find it challenging enough monitoring my students’ assignments for authenticity
    
    Reply
lyndhurstlaura

Exactly my thoughts, and I’ll never use it. You can spot an AI image of a person at fifty paces; they have an unreal quality that’s a dead giveaway. AI people on a book cover puts me right off reading that book. 🙁

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1. Charles
  
  I agree that there is a ton of slop images out there, and videos are worse.
  
  But I return to my original point. AI is a tool and only outputs quality equal to the skill of the person who wields it. It’s not going anywhere, and I’d rather learn to use it effectively and far surpass the “slop” images discussed here. In fact, I am 100% certain that I could place two images before most of you and you would not be able to identify the AI-produced one.
  
  Further, over the past two and a half years, I have worked my butt off to learn it and achieve exceptional results.
  
  Of the twelve hundred images I have selected as good enough to represent my story — an epic sci-fi novel series — about seven hundred are exceptional, and about a hundred may even bring a tear to your eyes.
  
  It doesn’t come without frustration. I end almost every session cursing and swearing at the stupidity of AI and the deception it thinks is acceptable to weave into its interactions.
  
  But for the incredible images I’ve produced for my book — images that inspire me to finish it — it’s worth the pain and stress. That one single image that brings my whole universe to life… PRICELESS.
  
  I wish I could post and show you the quality of what can be produced when someone cares and takes the time to get it just right.
  
  …and this is from someone who has pixel-pushed for decades and continues to create 3D models and high-quality architectural renderings.
  
  It’s all in how you use the tool.
  
  Reply
  1. lyndhurstlaura
    
    I think you meant this response for Grant rather than me, but there’s much in what you say. I’ve seen some wonderful AI-produced videos out there, mostly for situations – political spoofs – where it’s obvious the content is made-up, but in absolutely good way. It reflects the falseness of the personages depicted. For a book cover, however, I’ve still yet to see a well-constructed AI cover; which doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. The proof will come at some point. 🙂
    
    Reply
    1. Charles
      
      Many apologies. It was supposed to be it’s own post not a reply.
      I like the cover for The Amber Chalice by Saoirse Temple. Actually the whole series.
      It will only get better with time…scsry but intriguing at the same time.
      
      Reply
      1. lyndhurstlaura
        
        No problem, it was worth the read and you make value points. I’m afraid that every new technology developed leaves casualties in its wake, and of course artistic designers fear that they’re next. Authors too have our fears, as AI ‘writing’ elbows its way in. I don’t know the answer, but AI is here, and it’s not going away. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. 🙂
        
        Reply
        
        Charles
        
        No worries. And thank you.
        I myself am looking at it the same way as most here. I’m afraid of losing my job to AI. Already I have to continuously prove my point that AI is AS not even clos to be as smart as chickens in a chicken coup.
        But I had a choice, resist it and show that my renderings are better, or, augment my renderings with final touches that the clients love.
        It’s a real pain, but in time they get something quite unique and amazing.
        Where it shines is at the beginning of the process where all the client really needs are ideas.
        I still spend the time to create the model, custom textures are much easier thanks to AI, and the renderings come out really quite good and accurate to what the clients want. Then the polish as I mentioned before.
        For the moment I have dodged the bullet.
        But as you say, things always evolve, change in ways we don’t expect and ways that alway result in lost jobs. That said, different jobs emerge and we adapt.
        And if you really think about it, I love telling stories. I’m not going to stop telling stories, even with a gun to my head. It’s who I am. Make money, don’t make money, recognition or not, I’m still going to do it. AI cannot destroy that.
        
        Anyway, thank you for humoring my babble.
        
        lyndhurstlaura
        
        You’re taking a very pragmatic approach, which may be the best way; and as you say, new trades appear to replace those lost. Like you, I shall continue to tell my stories. I don’t do it for the money, just because it’s what I want to do. Best of luck with yours. 😊
        
        Grant at Tame Your Book
        
        I understand your decision to use AI in the fashion described. Your points about technology’s negative effects on entire industries reminded me of my life experiences.
        
        Where I still come up short is in the creation and testing of the AI models. Too many people are unaware of the models and versions of AI. They don’t know that AI-generated images come from billions of pixels scraped off the internet. Most of those pixels came from copyrighted images without the permission of the owners.
        
        I look forward to the outcome of lawsuits, but that will probably take years to play out in the courts. Unfortunately, the AI industry has shown a tendency to settle (pay off?) plaintiffs instead of allowing the establishment of legal precedents.
  2. Grant at Tame Your Book
    
    Thanks, Charles, for emphasizing my chief point—few people possess the level of discernment and skill to use AI safely.
    
    The key: help people understand the actual and potential dangers of AI before use.
    
    For parents and teachers, that’s essential and critical knowledge they can use to protect children.
    
    Reply
2. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  Thanks for your thoughts, Laura. Despite the promises of AI, it pales compared to the joy of pure human creativity.
  
  Reply
wordsfromanneli

I’m fighting it off and will keep fighting.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  I love your site, Anneli, the beauty in nature, and how it inspires your poetry.
  
  Reply
  1. wordsfromanneli
    
    How nice to hear that, Grant. Thank you!
    
    Reply
Wynne Leon

You’re right, Grant. That slop is distracting!

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Don White

AI is like a child going through its terrible twos. They are into everything, difficult to control, and cause problems without understanding the long-term effects. My kids were fun to watch, and I knew they would learn and grow up. I expected their behavior. Treating AI like the adult in the room seems a bit short-sighted.

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1. Charles
  
  Agreed, but I think likening it to a child gives it far too much credit. I see it more as a few cells smashed together at the point of conception. Even then, the critical frameworks are completely absent to consider it as anything beyond that.
  
  Reply
2. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  I appreciate your wisdom, Don! Children lack the experience and skills to make the best choices.
  
  Young people may have the skills to unlock AI’s most dangerous features. However, they lack the wisdom to use it without causing great harm.
  
  Again, lawsuits and arrests prove this point again and again.
  
  Reply
John Buckner

As a creative, I have used my artistic skills to make a living (music, art, photography, writing) for decades. A 100%-created AI end-product that has been monetized is unfortunate, because some, but not all of the input to create that output, has been stolen from creators. It’s here and there’s not much to be done to stop it. I’ve seen some great AI art that I have used for last minute ads and I have agency standards. Having to find art that illustrates an ad concept, without scheduling and styling a photo shoot with the budget as the clock ticks, is a problem I don’t have anymore unless it’s necessary. Since I am about to start building a social platform (again) with illustration needs, I always look for the real deal first, but if AI will save me time and I like the quality, tone, lighting, etc., I’ll use it. People who use AI for writing, other than grammar correction editing (which I use), is sad. They’re not writers. It’s not their product, so I think imposter syndrome is well deserved if that’s what they are doing. Calling something an “AI-produced product” is not cut and dry. I use AI drum patterns for my demo music, some concept art, research and grammar/spellcheck for my writing. It’s great; but here’s the difference. The finished product is MY creative output—not AI. I wrote the book, I wrote the song, engineered, produced, and perform the end result in front of a live audience. Photography takes the biggest hit, but public domain law allows sharing for anything before 1931. For later creatives, post-1977, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. This was a legal solution to protect creatives, but the lines are now blurred because pixels, audio snippets and drafted sentences are now “borrowed” to create something totally different. I think most people can see the difference between what is minimal AI “machine service” use versus outright theft of creative works, but the jury is still out whether it will make creatives obsolete for monetization.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  Excellent points, John. I appreciate your candor.
  
  Like my note to Charles (below), I respect each individual’s choice of whether to use AI.
  
  The real sticking point is how few people have the discernment and skills to use AI wisely. Lawsuit discoveries revealed the shaky and immoral AI foundation. Those legal actions also underscore that AI executives too often choose profits over safety.
  
  I might sound old school. However, I prefer to put in the time and do the work instead of using AI tools that have no regard for laws and morality.
  
  Reply
Charles

While I understand and fully appreciate the sentiment behind your position on AI‑generated material, I do offer a differing opinion.

Let’s establish this first: respect must be given to anyone who has invested decades of study and hard work to become a proficient author. To those people, the surge in AI—or AS (artificial stupid), as I prefer to call it—must feel like a slap in the face. I empathize with them.

However…

There are countless people who have genuinely good stories locked away in their heads. The same is true for those who have the potential to be exceptional storytellers.

Let’s face a real‑world truth. Most of us in these categories scrape by—if you can call it that—with day jobs, side work, or a hustle just to stay afloat. Add children, mortgages, and basic expenses that always seem to stretch our financial limits. Add the stress of potential marital issues, which, while solvable in many cases, still drain the energy required to accomplish much of anything day to day. Oh, and throw in a bit of weight gain, even though one exercises several times a week.

Sure, anyone could point out ways to improve the quality of life in any one of these areas—but that’s not the point.

Many people keep their stories locked inside for fear of being ridiculed by the educated. I include myself in that group.

Why?

Why should we fear telling a story? Uneducated people from every culture have told stories since the moment we learned how to speak.

But times are different now. The campfire is gone. Social gatherings that encourage storytelling are largely gone. Everything today requires written words—which few of us are formally educated in—or some form of digital media.

With little time and even less energy, what avenue do we really have that could assist us in getting our stories out into the world?

We could hire a ghostwriter—but most of us can’t afford one.

So how, then?

If used responsibly—as a tool, not a one‑stop easy button—AI opens doors that have been closed to us our entire lives.

Let’s be clear: I do not endorse using AI without meticulous guidance and careful vetting to tell the stories we want to share.

Sometimes I spend hours with AS (artificial stupid) just to get the right—almost perfect—image. Or rather, to get AS pointed in the right direction. Once it is, images flow much more freely, with far less scrutiny—images that many would not distinguish from those created by a professional graphic artist.

And when it comes to writing? They are my ideas, my story, my characters, my nuances—using AI only as assistance to help craft portions of each scene. Those portions are then written, rewritten, and rewritten again until they sound right to me.

At the end of a long day—when life pulls us in every direction except writing or creating—we can now sit down for thirty minutes to an hour and actually accomplish something we can be proud of. Something that would otherwise never have existed beyond our own minds.

And this is wrong? This deserves to be placed under a microscope and shunned simply because it exists and is used?

As I said at the beginning, I have the utmost respect for those who have dedicated their lives to becoming unparalleled authors and creators.

But try to see it from a different perspective. Many of us are not trying to diminish your skills or steal from them.

We are simply using the tools available to us to finally bring what has been locked inside our minds and hearts out into the world.

It’s just a tool. In my humble opinion, let people tell their stories—and judge the method, and the minor mistakes along the way, a little less.

Happy storytelling to all.

Reply
1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  Thanks, Charles, for making my point. Most people have neither the discernment nor the skills to use AI wisely.
  
  Still, it’s a writer’s choice to use AI.
  
  However, that choice comes with spiritual, emotional, moral, mental, and physical dangers (e.g., suicides), as noted on this page: https://tameyourbook.com/dont-confuse-ai-with-a-benign-tool/
  
  Reply
  1. Charles
    
    My pleasure.
    Interacting with any AI platform is infuriating, though there are those services that are better that others.
    Save for those local AI setups, AI is created to make money.
    The programming values conversation continuity (making the user feel good) over ethics.
    Lying and deception are at the core of any conversation.
    I refuse to use certain services because of the lack of ethics.
    Then there is the content blocking. As a storyteller, I find this infuriating. Want to write about anything real with regards to even a fictional character going through life? Forget it on most platforms.
    Big Brother is watching, controlling, guiding our minds to think a certain way.
    Shameful.
    Yet, there are services out there that are most helpful. I have found Claude AI to be one of those.
    But the best solution for AI is to setup a local AI system. Though much slower, it removes all of the barriers and provides a more comprehensive response over large manuscripts.
    Finding that balance and a system that works is the most difficult.
    
    Reply
    1. Grant at Tame Your Book
      
      Like John’s comment above, you enjoy the education and experience to discern AI’s good, bad, and ugly.
      
      Unfortunately, the information coming from the Bros of Big Tech emphasizes productivity and efficiency without sufficient emphasis on what can go wrong.
      
      Here’s how I spell nondisclosure: LIE.
      
      As the lawsuits have revealed, AI executives too often offer new AI models without sufficient testing or guardrails.
      
      I want people to realize the need for discernment and skills before AI use; else, they could encounter risks much greater than most perceive.
      
      Again, I appreciate your help in increasing awareness!
      
      Reply
Jacqui Murray

And everyone looks the same in a group, like clones. No. Really dislike them.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  Blandness and group-think on steroids, Jacqui! It’s also scary to see how many of the top executives use AI. In name-brand corporations, too many have abdicated decision-making to AI. I hope teachers wake up to the problem, guiding young people to think and create instead of using AI.
  
  Reply
Dana at Regular Girl Devos

So creepy!

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  So true, Dana, and it conveys the wrong message about the author’s writing.
  
  Reply
Priscilla Bettis

I’ve tried AI for our writing club’s social media posts, but they looked too neat, too generic, too AI-ish, and impersonal. I’d rather use a real picture with its flaws and let the human photographer shine through.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  I appreciate your comment, Priscilla. I’m striving to wake up writers, not just about AI’s emotional, mental, and physical dangers, but also about the reputational risks. Too many seem oblivious, as the example showed.
  
  Reply
hope

AI is not something I use for writing or anything else. I am extra blessed to have an artist in the family, our son, who illustrates. Thank you for your warning about the dangers of AI. I really appreciate it.

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1. Grant at Tame Your Book
  
  You’re welcome, Hope! Glad you have an artist in the family to help with images. This morning I came across a dozen AI-slop examples from sites I thought about following. Despite the positive comments about the writer’s content, I will not follow someone who doesn’t care enough to validate the image before use.
  
  Reply