I love that you shared this in detail. I know many writers are anti-AI, but learning to use it as a creative partner is great! I use it a lot for my freelance writing work. I use it sometimes for my personal non-fiction writing. Don't get me started on fiction, because I'm still lost when I look at a blank page.
I’ve gone back and forth on my stance. What I’m realizing is when I rely on it too much, my skills can start to atrophy. But at the same time, LLMs have sort of sped up the world’s expectations on productivity. So, when I’m not using it, I risk falling behind and disappointing my stakeholders.
The reason is that, with copy, I want to be as concise and streamlined as I can. The words are more of a window onto an idea, and I want that window to be as clean as possible. This prompt helps me with do that quickly when deadlines are nearing, especially long-form copy.
With fiction, I often write with the same goal, but honestly, any time I do anything prose-related through AI, I'm never that crazy about the output. Does it clean up the writing? Yeah. Does it help me come up with ideas and explore possibilities I didn't know that I didn't know?
Hell yeah.
The problem is, I have a hard time reading phrasing that didn't come from me. It just doesn't feel right, like I'm reading someone else's story. It's a bit egotistical. But to answer your question, with fiction, I only use AI here and there. Mostly as a thought partner, a research assistant, a second set of "eyes." But never the storyteller.
Unlike my job, there's not much at stake for me when writing fiction.
Wow this is really in depth. I have been working with chat to get to know me and my writing style . I’ve spent hours transferring my journals into chat and developing my own writing style . I Appreciate your work
I tend to agree with you: AI is a tool, and when used well, it can unlock lots of value. The problem is when AI does human work—creating, thinking, connecting, engaging, etc. That's like content pollution in my opinion, but at least its easy to spot (for now).
My approach is to allow AI take care of the tedious stuff. I also leverage it as a thought partner to help me better understand what I'm trying to say. Sometimes I even ask it to take on the point of view of a specific audience (Like, the Editor at The New Yorker, or something) and react to the piece so that I get a vague sense of how the work might be received.
In short: I'm going with the tide (most of the time)
But I push against it when it comes to doing the human stuff.
I love that you shared this in detail. I know many writers are anti-AI, but learning to use it as a creative partner is great! I use it a lot for my freelance writing work. I use it sometimes for my personal non-fiction writing. Don't get me started on fiction, because I'm still lost when I look at a blank page.
Well said, Alexis.
I’ve gone back and forth on my stance. What I’m realizing is when I rely on it too much, my skills can start to atrophy. But at the same time, LLMs have sort of sped up the world’s expectations on productivity. So, when I’m not using it, I risk falling behind and disappointing my stakeholders.
It’s all about balance.
Agreed! I think professionally if I don’t learn it, I’ll fall behind. I’m embracing it.
Can I ask - do put your fiction writing through an AI chatbot using this prompt (or just e.g. copywriting)?
Mostly copy. Sometimes fiction.
The reason is that, with copy, I want to be as concise and streamlined as I can. The words are more of a window onto an idea, and I want that window to be as clean as possible. This prompt helps me with do that quickly when deadlines are nearing, especially long-form copy.
With fiction, I often write with the same goal, but honestly, any time I do anything prose-related through AI, I'm never that crazy about the output. Does it clean up the writing? Yeah. Does it help me come up with ideas and explore possibilities I didn't know that I didn't know?
Hell yeah.
The problem is, I have a hard time reading phrasing that didn't come from me. It just doesn't feel right, like I'm reading someone else's story. It's a bit egotistical. But to answer your question, with fiction, I only use AI here and there. Mostly as a thought partner, a research assistant, a second set of "eyes." But never the storyteller.
Unlike my job, there's not much at stake for me when writing fiction.
Wow this is really in depth. I have been working with chat to get to know me and my writing style . I’ve spent hours transferring my journals into chat and developing my own writing style . I Appreciate your work
Glad this helps, Anthony. That’s a really interesting technique, I’d love to know how it works out for you.
Thank you for reading.
These are valuable and easy to apply reminders to enhance writing.
Writing to move people- moves me to want to write to move people.
Thank you, Anthony. : )
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing this. I love the clean window visual you wrote above in a response, too. Nailed it.
I’m glad that landed! I’ve heard many writers talk about it like that before, so I can’t take full credit :)
Really helped me, so I thought it’d help others!
Thank you!
Thanks for this useful prompt. Will try and let you know how well it worked for me. thanks again!
What a valuable list! I took a screenshot to remember-Thanks, Jake!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent! Glad you can use this, Ted :)
I tend to agree with you: AI is a tool, and when used well, it can unlock lots of value. The problem is when AI does human work—creating, thinking, connecting, engaging, etc. That's like content pollution in my opinion, but at least its easy to spot (for now).
My approach is to allow AI take care of the tedious stuff. I also leverage it as a thought partner to help me better understand what I'm trying to say. Sometimes I even ask it to take on the point of view of a specific audience (Like, the Editor at The New Yorker, or something) and react to the piece so that I get a vague sense of how the work might be received.
In short: I'm going with the tide (most of the time)
But I push against it when it comes to doing the human stuff.
Just because I like to do that stuff myself :)
Interesting, a lot of people have found it helpful. Not to mention I write copy, ads, and such for work. I also write fiction, and personal essays.
You must have clicked on this article for a reason. What were you looking for?
Maybe there's another way I can help you :)
Oh no really. Thanks for asking though!