Beyond the Flattery

Using AI as a Filter for “Too Good to Be True” Offers

Recently, I received a message on Medium that would make any writer’s heart skip a beat.

It was from someone named Elowen, claiming to be a professional comic and Webtoon artist. The praise was lavish:

“Your storytelling is truly impressive… the characters feel alive… I can see huge potential in turning your story into a high-quality Webtoon…”

For a split second, I felt that rush of excitement. Could this be it? My “big break” into a new medium?

But as the initial high faded, a small voice of doubt kicked in. It felt a little too polished, a little too “ready-made.” Instead of diving headfirst into a reply, I decided to consult my silent collaborator: Gemini (AI).

I fed the message to the AI and asked for its take. The response was swift and sobering: “This is highly likely a templated marketing message (a form of spam) being sent to numerous creators simultaneously.”

Just like that, the illusion shattered. But I wasn’t disappointed; I was relieved. If I had navigated this alone, I might have wasted days in a cycle of hope and anxiety, or worse, fallen for a potential scam.

With the AI’s help, I drafted a polite but firm “No” to close the door without burning bridges:

The Response:

“Thank you for your kind words and the proposal. I’m honored that you enjoyed my storytelling. However, I have no plans to adapt my stories into Webtoons or comics at this time. I wish you the best of luck with your studio’s projects.”

This experience taught me that AI is far more than just a translation tool or a writing assistant. It is an objective “reality filter.”

As creators, we are naturally emotional about our work. When someone praises our “alive characters,” our defenses go down. This is exactly where AI shines — it doesn’t have an ego. It analyzes the patterns, checks the red flags, and provides a level-headed perspective when we are too close to the situation to see clearly.

It also takes the mental load out of saying “No.” Instead of agonizing over how to decline a “professional” offer, I had a perfect, polite response ready in seconds.

If you ever receive an offer that feels like a dream come true, I highly recommend running it by an AI first. Ask it, “What do you think of this?”

The world of digital creation is full of noise and distractions. Let’s use the tools at our disposal to filter out the fluff, protect our mental energy, and get back to what really matters: telling our stories.

Thank you for reading.