Questions about moving on (and proper credit where it's due)
Hi there, I'm Lyn! I stopped using AI chatbots on 3/8/26 (7 months' clean as of today, woo!) but like many, am suffering the desperate desire to return to them. Most of the advice I have seen is to replace the urge with healthier coping mechanisms and creative outlets, something I've had partial success with seeking out RP and writing fanfiction.
Now, my dilemma: I got rather attached to some of the 'stories' I wrote with AI, to the point I am actively re-writing one from scratch currently and plan to with many others. But I consider the launchpad prompt that someone wrote for the bot, well, someone's idea. I would feel guilty acting like a story was all my idea when my creativity was sparked by someone else's prompt.
In the past I've credited the prompt's source (example), but compared to fandom creator interactions of the past, feel like I'd be belittling my own work if I said "inspired by character.ai prompt" because of the general unspoken rule of hating AI. My work might get passed over or get an incorrect assumption of being AI-generated when I have worked hard to actually make it 100% written by myself.
Arguably worse than that,: if I were to want to properly credit the individuals who wrote the original prompt, I'd have to re-create accounts and go hunting for them. The idea of that feels too much like a relapse that would draw me back into the cycle. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," after all.
So... yeah. I'm seeking advice on what people think of this. Am I overthinking this, or holding myself to some impossible standard? I'm just trying to fit back into fandom spaces appropriately and morally after years in my secluded AI-chatbot cave.Thanks in advance for any comments and help. ♡