Brave New Bookshelf Episode 29: Writing Spicy With AI, With Erica Bobrik

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite welcomed Erica Bobrik, a prolific author with nearly 190 published titles across ten pen names. Erica is widely known for her expertise in leveraging AI tools for writing, editing, and publishing. The discussion was packed with valuable insights, especially on the nuances of writing spicy content with AI.

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Meet Erica Bobrik: A Prolific Author and AI Innovator

With over a decade of experience spanning traditional and indie publishing, Erica has mastered the art of diversification. Since 2012, she has written under multiple pen names across genres ranging from science fiction to cozy romance to dark dubcon (dubious consent) stories.

Currently, she publishes exclusively through Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program, capitalizing on KU royalties while also experimenting with AI for translations, audio production, and more. Erica sees AI as an essential co-author in her creative workflow, whether she’s brainstorming ideas or fine-tuning drafts. 

Navigating Boundaries: Writing Spicy Content with AI

One of the most compelling takeaways from our discussion was Erica’s approach to crafting spicy scenes using AI. She likened respecting an AI model’s boundaries to respecting a friend’s comfort levels in conversation. Instead of pushing a model beyond its programmed limits, she switches tools to get the job done.

For example:

• Claude Projects: Excellent for scene breakdowns and prose but only allows light affection or kissing.
• OpenRouter Models (like Mistral or Cohere): Can generate spicier content but require substantial editing.
• NovelAI: The go-to for darker or kinkier content due to its greater flexibility.

By understanding each tool’s capabilities, Erica seamlessly weaves together content, outlining with Claude Projects, filling in spicy details with Mistral or Cohere, and refining everything with meticulous editing. Her golden rule? “For every hour I spend generating content with AI, I spend two hours editing.”

Treating AI as a Writers' Room

Erica views her AI tools as a team of junior collaborators, each with its own strengths:

• Claude Projects: Best for brainstorming, outlining, and structuring chapters.
• Raptor Write: Works well with OpenRouter, providing excellent scene continuations.
• NovelCrafter: A solid option for standard genre writing.
• OpenRouter: Offers flexibility across both free and paid models like Mistral.

She organizes her workflow much like a TV writers’ room, where each tool contributes its strengths under the guidance of a lead writer—herself.

Managing Multiple Pen Names Across Genres

With ten pen names spanning vastly different genres—from fluffy romance to horror flash fiction—organization is key. Erica strategically structures her work schedule, dedicating different days to different pen names unless inspiration dictates otherwise.

Her marketing strategy is equally structured:

• 100K KU page reads: A dedicated Facebook page.
• 500K KU page reads: Targeted advertising campaigns.
• 1 million KU page reads: Increased promotional efforts, including translations and audio production.

By treating writing both as a craft and a business, Erica balances creative passion with commercial viability.

Using AI for Genre Tropes and Character Vibes

One of the most intriguing aspects of our conversation was Erica’s method of using AI to capture specific character vibes and genre tropes without crossing into plagiarism territory.

For instance:

• She might prompt an AI model with: “I need Brian Kinney energy from Queer as Folk—angst-filled, commanding presence.”
• Or she might describe a scene’s atmosphere by referencing an Ed Sheeran song at a dorm party.

This technique helps AI generate content that aligns with her creative vision while ensuring originality.

Debunking the Myth of 'Push-Button Publishing'

A recurring theme in our discussion was dispelling the myth that AI makes publishing effortless. Erica emphasized that:

• Writing with AI requires significant oversight and direction.
• Editing is crucial, especially when using multiple AI models.
• “AI isn’t about pressing a button and getting a book,” she noted. “It’s about having junior collaborators who help you execute your vision.”

Our conversation with Erica Bobrik was an eye-opening look at the evolving role of AI in publishing. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an established writer, her insights offer a roadmap for integrating AI into your workflow while maintaining creative integrity.

Explore Erica’s tutorials and tips: Writing with AI Made Easy YouTube Channel.

For more insights from this episode, visit the podcast website.