Stop Writing With A.I. Use It for These 4 Things Instead.
How to properly use A.I. as a writer.
On November 30th, 2022, written content changed forever.
Much like the invention of the printing press, typewriter, and personal computer, ChatGPT brought on the dawn of A.I.
And, writers around the world shared the same thought,
“Uh oh.”
But, over the past few years, I’ve struggled to see any significant benefits to writing with A.I.
Here’s what I do instead. And, how you should be using A.I. as a writer…
The problem with A.I. writing.
For the past 7 years of writing online, I’ve lived and died by one motto,
“Keep the main thing the main thing.”
With so much pressure to create mass content, it’s easy to lose sight of why you set out to write in the first place — to actually write.
And, with so many new tools promising to make the art of writing obsolete, it’s tempting to embrace historical wisdom,
If you can’t beat them, join them.
So, when ChatGPT first came out, I embraced it. And, began experimenting with clever ways to expedite my writing process:
Writing drafts
Brainstorming ideas
Expanding on bulleted points
But, the more I outsourced work to ChatGPT, the less creative I became. And, my writing process became more of a math equation than a work of art.
So, I stopped using A.I. to write altogether. And, instead, started using it to support my art.
What you should do instead.
As A.I. develops, I’ve noticed one interesting phenomenon.
Its most popular use case is to… well, make art. Instead of programming code or automating basic tasks, as we predicted, the majority of the world is most interested in using it to create art.
Art is inherently human.
And, even with all the data in the world available at our fingertips, all we want to do is create something new. It gives us purpose, allows us to express our passions, and helps us understand the perplexities of life.
So, if your preferred art form is writing, don’t outsource your passion to A.I. Instead, use it to help you create your art better, faster, and in tandem with current trends.
#1. Editing:
It’s funny, the word ‘writing’ often gets lumped in with many semi-related skills:
Editing
Spelling
Grammar
One of the most famous authors in history, Ernest Hemingway, was notorious for poor spelling, using run-on sentences, and even making up words.
But, like many talented artists, knowing when to break the rules created his unique style. And, allowed him to win writing awards (including a Nobel Prize) despite these transgressions.
With that said, we can’t all be Hemingways.
And, the correctness of your writing creates an image of professionalism. So, use A.I. editing tools to ensure you’re writing clearly — while spending the lion’s share of your effort telling unique stories.
The Hemingway Editor can help you improve your readability score.
And, web extensions like Grammarly & ProWritingAid will help you catch errors in real time.
#2. Images:
My stance on images has always been a little controversial. Mainly because many writers feel as though images do not matter when writing online.
Personally, I disagree.
Although images aren’t nearly as important as captivating headlines or catchy hooks, they tie a bow on the package you’re selling to your readers.
And, creating unique images is a great way to spark intrigue.
If you pay for the pro version of ChatGPT, you can generate images with the Dall-E image generator. And, there are tons of free A.I. image generators available online.
Or, if you prefer old-fashioned imagery, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite free stock-image websites in my Writing Dashboard — along with hundreds of other writing resources.
#3. Research:
Perhaps the biggest time-saving tool currently available is the ability to absorb information quickly.
At the end of the day, writing is a process of learning, teaching, and broadcasting information to the world. So, your ability to absorb and convey information succinctly is a superpower.
The problem is, that wading through the vast sea of misinformation is exhausting.
Not to mention, time-consuming.
Personally, I’ve adopted a habit of passive research — where I write about topics I’m genuinely interested in. I take notes in my handy Notion workspace and wait until I have enough information before writing.
With that said, you don’t always have the luxury of time. And, when I need to hunker down and do real research, saving time is of the utmost importance.
Tools like ReadPartner are incredibly helpful for saving time, avoiding misinformation, and streamlining your research process.
Much like built-in web editors allow you to edit in real-time, ReadPartner has a built-in Google Chrome extension, allowing you to summarize websites, documents, and videos in a matter of seconds. Plus, it can summarize blocked content, such as Reddit threads, and content in different languages.
You can also use its digest feature to have specific information sent directly to you via email. Or, if you prefer a manual approach, you can copy and paste text, links, or documents directly into ReadPartner’s dashboard.
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#4. Bringing your words to life:
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this YouTube documentary — which perfectly illustrates how I believe writers should be using A.I.
The main creative force behind it is an unravelling story. And, the creator uses various A.I. tools to bring the story to life:
Language dubs
Custom images
Video transitions
As a writer, words are your superpower. So, stop trying to outsource what makes you special to a supercomputer. Instead, use A.I. to enhance your writing. Or, help it evolve into a different medium.
Final thoughts: A.I. is a tool. Use it as such.
As society continues to fiddle with the morality of A.I., it’s important to remember one thing:
You are still human.
And, as much as technology can benefit your life, you have very basic human needs. To:
Love
Survive
Create art
The desire to express oneself is inherently human. So, if you love words, don’t outsource your passion to A.I. Instead, let it do the boring stuff and focus on what you love.
Writing.
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A thoughtful reminder! AI is here to assist, not replace our unique human touch. Let it handle the routine, so we can focus on the creativity and passion that only we bring to the table. ✍️
"the majority of the world is most interested in using it to create art." I love this and am so glad that's how people use it. I generally use it for editing and research and content creation plans, but I'm only beginning to scratch the surface of what it's capable of.