I love this, James. I love that you’re raising the question of authenticity and already thinking through how we might define it. I agree with your perspective, but I think there’s a key element missing.
Authenticity isn’t just about how we present ourselves to the world—it’s also about our connection to ourselves. It’s about being aligned with our real, inner selves rather than the many masks we wear throughout our lives, trying to fit into expectations—what we think we should do, say, or believe.
True authenticity happens when we’re at rest, when we’re not performing or striving, but simply being. We all have an intuitive sense of it. We recognize it in others, even if we can’t always put it into words.
Authentic writing taps into that. It allows us to connect with something real, something words alone can’t disguise. That’s why AI, no matter how advanced, can’t replace it or threaten it. AI can help us articulate our thoughts, but it can’t replicate the depth of genuine human presence shining through the words. (Also this is good, maybe I should turn this into its own essay).
You definitely should! It's an awesome idea. But yes, I agree -- authenticity is also in alignment to ourselves.
I was thinking more about writing for an external purpose when I wrote this, like building a brand, which has to be aligned to a greater mission. In that sense, your mission should be something aligned with your internal being, too.
Authenticity is really a great topic, the more I think on it the more nuances I uncover.
I think you did a really good job. And the most important thing you are doing is raising the questions, and investigating the various definitions. this by itself allows us to reflect. If you hadn't raised the question, this conversation would not be happening. I did end up doing a little post, nothing much, just this idea, a bit elaborated. I mentioned your name and post title, I will tag you, I thought it will automatically show when I mention you but i guess it didn't.
Thanks, Zeina! :D but yeah, that's my goal. Encouraging the important conversations. I don't think any one person has the answer, it has to be from all of us
This is amazing, James^^ the fact that you're not only explaining about how to be an authentic writer, but you exemplify it in your writing!
I agree with your statement that "It’s a commitment to showing up truthfully and serving your audience with integrity."
Which means, being a wordsmith doesn't mean our writing is already authentic if there is no value to lead the readers to be better in their life. Oh I want to add something here... Leading the readers to be better in their life is not always about calling them to change their behavior towards something immediately, but it can start with something small like how they see something differently after reading our works😁
This article resonates with my favorite violinist statement, Hilary Hahn🌟 she once said that "performing is like giving a gift to the audience."
The same thing happens in writing by serving our readers with generosity and valuable insights🙌
That's the perfect example, Esther :) I think the arts in general is always a labor of love for your audience.
Yes, it's not just enough for it to be your own works. If you're putting your own needs first, it's not very authentic at all. In physical gift giving terms, that's like giving someone a gift that YOU would have liked to receive. That doesn't feel so good when you're on the receiving end.
Rather, we feel good receiving gifts that are made exactly for us, keeping our wants and needs in mind, while also showing us the unique mind and personality of the gift giver.
And yes, this gift can be simple changes in perspective 😊
This is great. (I am publishing a book soon called Authentic that discusses many of these points). I never thought about the tools or services you use being considered as authentic. I guess I approached the topic from a core values type of process. Who do other people say you are when you leave the room? That to me would be a good start.
Even after writing that book, I struggle with what should I share? Is it ok to say my day sucked? Or should I just stick to looking like I have my shit together? Should I stick to static topics and know how or dive into beliefs even if it makes me look critical?
These are tough to answer at times. I’m also starting to unfollow people that give too much unsolicited advice. Advice like “you need to comment 30-60 minutes a day” or “write 5 notes a day” or here’s how you should format every post. Although it’s somewhat interesting how these people formulate everything down to these how-to’s I just want to tell them to STFU. I don’t live for the Substack algo.
One other thing. Content that’s free…do you ever feel like people expect a lot when you give away your content? I had some guy harass me on YouTube for not telling him exactly everything he needed to do on Pinterest. He kept badgering me even after I said I’d create another video. He said I should have done XYZ. I asked him if he wanted his money back. Made me mad!
The people that pay aren’t a bunch of free loaders but I think there is a balance. I’m not a doormat. I am generous but I’m not here to fix everyone’s problems. Another place that I feel conversations should be had.
Man, that sucks. I've never had someone outright harass me, just a couple of heated opinions here and there. But yes, that's definitely true. There has to be a balance of course, free value only insomuch as it feels good for you. While you should do as much of that as possible, no one has any right to demand it from you.
And awesome! Good luck on your book. Those are definitely great questions all creatives should ask themselves, but I think there comes a point when the answer becomes subjective.
If authenticity is feeling aligned with your core values, then what you share should feel good to you, and reaffirms your values. I'd say try a lot of things once, see what resonates with you, and do that.
I like how you solved what authenticity means and how you can use this place of alignment as a personal test for your own writing. This is vital as a tool to check your motivations.
The word alignment is so important when assessing yourself (values and actions) or your work (values/actions and content). Great expansion on this concept encouraging guided questioning to lead toward that authenticity through alignment
Thank you! Alignment definitely is important. It's critical to me to know what I stand for, and that I'm doing things that align with it :) otherwise, what's the point?
You've got a lot packed into this article that touches on the challenges of AI and authenticity.
Until I came across your writing and subscribed to your tips and prompts I was a bit unclear on using AI.
However, once again you offer a fresh perspective on AI.
Most importantly, you convinced me that effective AI is about the quality of your prompts something you're expert in. I actually think now that the prompts are a writer's first act in research for their authenticity.
It reminded me how in university we sourced journals, books and articles for references and quotes and a bibliography or your essay no matter how brilliant would be graded with an F.
Also, AI with caution for correct up to date facts can give a writer a fuller, more balanced viewpoint for consideration, then you show and demonstrate your authentic take on these issues.
The value add is in our thinking on known issues much like your entire article demonstrates.
Thanks, Greg!! Always awesome to know these help you 😄 and yes, using AI to identify current news and answer them with your own perspective is a great way to make content. Some day I'll write about that.
I love this, James. I love that you’re raising the question of authenticity and already thinking through how we might define it. I agree with your perspective, but I think there’s a key element missing.
Authenticity isn’t just about how we present ourselves to the world—it’s also about our connection to ourselves. It’s about being aligned with our real, inner selves rather than the many masks we wear throughout our lives, trying to fit into expectations—what we think we should do, say, or believe.
True authenticity happens when we’re at rest, when we’re not performing or striving, but simply being. We all have an intuitive sense of it. We recognize it in others, even if we can’t always put it into words.
Authentic writing taps into that. It allows us to connect with something real, something words alone can’t disguise. That’s why AI, no matter how advanced, can’t replace it or threaten it. AI can help us articulate our thoughts, but it can’t replicate the depth of genuine human presence shining through the words. (Also this is good, maybe I should turn this into its own essay).
You definitely should! It's an awesome idea. But yes, I agree -- authenticity is also in alignment to ourselves.
I was thinking more about writing for an external purpose when I wrote this, like building a brand, which has to be aligned to a greater mission. In that sense, your mission should be something aligned with your internal being, too.
Authenticity is really a great topic, the more I think on it the more nuances I uncover.
I think you did a really good job. And the most important thing you are doing is raising the questions, and investigating the various definitions. this by itself allows us to reflect. If you hadn't raised the question, this conversation would not be happening. I did end up doing a little post, nothing much, just this idea, a bit elaborated. I mentioned your name and post title, I will tag you, I thought it will automatically show when I mention you but i guess it didn't.
Thanks, Zeina! :D but yeah, that's my goal. Encouraging the important conversations. I don't think any one person has the answer, it has to be from all of us
This is amazing, James^^ the fact that you're not only explaining about how to be an authentic writer, but you exemplify it in your writing!
I agree with your statement that "It’s a commitment to showing up truthfully and serving your audience with integrity."
Which means, being a wordsmith doesn't mean our writing is already authentic if there is no value to lead the readers to be better in their life. Oh I want to add something here... Leading the readers to be better in their life is not always about calling them to change their behavior towards something immediately, but it can start with something small like how they see something differently after reading our works😁
This article resonates with my favorite violinist statement, Hilary Hahn🌟 she once said that "performing is like giving a gift to the audience."
The same thing happens in writing by serving our readers with generosity and valuable insights🙌
That's the perfect example, Esther :) I think the arts in general is always a labor of love for your audience.
Yes, it's not just enough for it to be your own works. If you're putting your own needs first, it's not very authentic at all. In physical gift giving terms, that's like giving someone a gift that YOU would have liked to receive. That doesn't feel so good when you're on the receiving end.
Rather, we feel good receiving gifts that are made exactly for us, keeping our wants and needs in mind, while also showing us the unique mind and personality of the gift giver.
And yes, this gift can be simple changes in perspective 😊
This is great. (I am publishing a book soon called Authentic that discusses many of these points). I never thought about the tools or services you use being considered as authentic. I guess I approached the topic from a core values type of process. Who do other people say you are when you leave the room? That to me would be a good start.
Even after writing that book, I struggle with what should I share? Is it ok to say my day sucked? Or should I just stick to looking like I have my shit together? Should I stick to static topics and know how or dive into beliefs even if it makes me look critical?
These are tough to answer at times. I’m also starting to unfollow people that give too much unsolicited advice. Advice like “you need to comment 30-60 minutes a day” or “write 5 notes a day” or here’s how you should format every post. Although it’s somewhat interesting how these people formulate everything down to these how-to’s I just want to tell them to STFU. I don’t live for the Substack algo.
One other thing. Content that’s free…do you ever feel like people expect a lot when you give away your content? I had some guy harass me on YouTube for not telling him exactly everything he needed to do on Pinterest. He kept badgering me even after I said I’d create another video. He said I should have done XYZ. I asked him if he wanted his money back. Made me mad!
The people that pay aren’t a bunch of free loaders but I think there is a balance. I’m not a doormat. I am generous but I’m not here to fix everyone’s problems. Another place that I feel conversations should be had.
Man, that sucks. I've never had someone outright harass me, just a couple of heated opinions here and there. But yes, that's definitely true. There has to be a balance of course, free value only insomuch as it feels good for you. While you should do as much of that as possible, no one has any right to demand it from you.
And awesome! Good luck on your book. Those are definitely great questions all creatives should ask themselves, but I think there comes a point when the answer becomes subjective.
If authenticity is feeling aligned with your core values, then what you share should feel good to you, and reaffirms your values. I'd say try a lot of things once, see what resonates with you, and do that.
I like how you solved what authenticity means and how you can use this place of alignment as a personal test for your own writing. This is vital as a tool to check your motivations.
Thanks!! I really think it is. It helps us answer a lot of things about our alignment. Thanks for reading :)
I agree 💯 you're welcome 😁
The word alignment is so important when assessing yourself (values and actions) or your work (values/actions and content). Great expansion on this concept encouraging guided questioning to lead toward that authenticity through alignment
Thank you! Alignment definitely is important. It's critical to me to know what I stand for, and that I'm doing things that align with it :) otherwise, what's the point?
You've got a lot packed into this article that touches on the challenges of AI and authenticity.
Until I came across your writing and subscribed to your tips and prompts I was a bit unclear on using AI.
However, once again you offer a fresh perspective on AI.
Most importantly, you convinced me that effective AI is about the quality of your prompts something you're expert in. I actually think now that the prompts are a writer's first act in research for their authenticity.
It reminded me how in university we sourced journals, books and articles for references and quotes and a bibliography or your essay no matter how brilliant would be graded with an F.
Also, AI with caution for correct up to date facts can give a writer a fuller, more balanced viewpoint for consideration, then you show and demonstrate your authentic take on these issues.
The value add is in our thinking on known issues much like your entire article demonstrates.
Thanks, Greg!! Always awesome to know these help you 😄 and yes, using AI to identify current news and answer them with your own perspective is a great way to make content. Some day I'll write about that.