Category: Writing

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AI Transparency Statement

Background:

Creating the included banner with AI was an interesting experience. I asked it to create a banner for my Buy Me A Coffee page with no further information except for what it already knows about my mission. It did so with a placeholder “person” (perhaps she never existed; I didn’t ask), so I uploaded two photos of myself: I was wearing sunglasses in the photo with the outfit you see in the banner, and a second photo wearing the glasses you see above.

AI combined the two photos and presented me with an untouched version I only liked until I saw a retouched version. (This exercise enlightened me, as I immediately understood why AI filters are a problem for young girls and women in particular. I rarely use filters on social media, but I wanted to use the heavily edited AI version of my face. Though the included version is gently retouched, it is not the AI version I am referencing; the clearly human flaws serve as proof of the matter.)

The above has nothing to do with my mission, but I felt compelled to share, as I seek to be transparent.

Opting for speed, I asked AI to draft my 2026: Start Here post, the content on my Home page, and my Contact Me page. Those drafts were subsequently edited and approved by myself before publication, but once I start publishing the content I love (such as my weekly updates), rest assured that I am excited to write and publish them the old-fashioned way- on my own.

As a writer who values transparency, I thought it humorous to ask AI to draft the following AI Transparency Statement.

Here’s what it wrote:

I believe in being transparent about how I use artificial intelligence (AI) in my work.

I may use AI tools to assist with research, summarize lengthy documents, brainstorm ideas, generate images or graphics, improve workflows, and support marketing and administrative tasks.

However, all articles and opinion pieces published under my name are written, edited, and fact-checked by me. AI does not write or publish my journalism, analysis, or advocacy content.

I review source materials, verify information, and remain responsible for the accuracy, context, and opinions expressed in my work.

AI is a tool that helps me work more efficiently. It does not replace my judgment, experience, or editorial decision-making.

— Amber Green

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The Personality Of Pets

Sleeping Beauty, Shyla the Puggle

I was delighted to spend some time with my brother’s family’s dog this past weekend. Shyla is a sweet, little puggle. Even though she has aged (you can see the white fur on her face), she still chases the tennis ball with the vigour of a dog half her age and no obvious regard for her own wellbeing (her little legs careened around corners, and her face came too close to hitting objects for my liking). 

Within hours of her arrival, my mom and I were creating cheeky dialogue for the dog who is beloved by many. Others would’ve gladly cared for her, so we joked about her inner monologue.

What you’re cooking better be for me.

I thought my dad told you I preferred beef over chicken. 

Yes, cheese is a food group.

I will be reporting back to my family. Be warned that all I have to do is act listless and feign throwing up once, and you’re done for. 

We enjoyed this ridiculous banter and it was made all the better when she whined for an endless array of snacks.

Character Development 

Though we were playing around, I couldn’t help but think of the process of creating fictional characters as we guessed what Shyla was thinking.

In one of my favourite interviews with Dan Levy, co-creator of Schitt’s Creek, he said that they workshopped their characters for many weeks before they started writing the pilot of what would become their award-winning, internationally acclaimed show. Celebrated Canadian film star, his father and co-creator, Eugene Levy, insisted that they needed to make sure they knew how their characters would react in every situation. 

While it’s easy to ad-lib lines for a beloved pet, as a writer, I’ve taken Eugene Levy’s advice to heart. I am sure that my writing (and more importantly, my readers’ experience) will be greatly enriched because of it.  

*If you’re a dog-lover too, issue 7 of Second Draft Journals: Love Notes & Paw Prints is the perfect journal for you.

This post also appears on The Write Results.