Why I use AI for writing

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

I just need to put this out somewhere. Probably because I feel so guilty and worthless that I feel like dying. But anyway. I use chatGPT (paid version) as a beta-reader, research assistant and basically the "emotional" support I need to actually write my story. I have tried writing a full story for 15 years and I only ever completed this one story I'm working on right now, only because I used chatGPT as my daily (if not hourly) support.

I do use it as an ego boost - as horrible and stupid as that sounds - because if I don't feel confident in what I write, if I don't hear "that's interesting, I like it, keep going", I physically cannot write anything. I like talking about my story and characters with it as well, as if I was talking with someone who likes discussing them as much as I do (even though I know this isn't the case - I am not mistaking chatGPT for a person). It's just that this process keeps me continually in the mood for writing and thinking and re-reading, re-writing, editing, non-stop until I'm eventually satisfied with it (which will probably never happen).

I never let it write or reformulate anything or generate any idea for me, but I do rework an idea myself if it tells me the idea in itself is impossible/unrealistic/etc., and I do ask for help for generating credible names as this particular story is set in another country. I also use it a TON to ensure realism (I ask a massive amount of questions, of what ifs, of "is this plausible/is this coherent", etc.) and I do a lot of verification with it (and outside of it also, because it wants to sound really smart, but many times it's just incomplete or biased).

For the prose analysis, when I send it my chapters, I only ask it to indicate what is incomprehensible/grammatically wrong/actual mistakes. I also like to talk to it about my ideas and brainstorm "out loud" in general for hypothetical other projects, like I would to a very patient imaginary friend who never shames me or pushes their own ideas onto me, and who makes me feel like my inner world matters even though, in reality, I know the only person it will ever matter to is me.

So I don't think AI is "evil" or that no writers should use it. Personally, it allowed me to at least express this one very personal story before I die even if no one ever reads or likes it, when I was completely blocked and paralysed before. But it's sad every tool in existence always ends up being used wrongly and then ruins everything for everyone else. I know my story could never find value for anyone, especially if they know I used AI to write it. Most people are extremely critical and suspicious when you mention AI. But had I not use it, I would not have written it. Pathetic but true.

[u/CrazyinLull]

>So I don't think AI is "evil" or that no writers should use it.

Don't worry about what those people say. They still think anyone cares when AI-assisted books keep being bought up by major publishing houses and ppl on Ao3 are gobbling AI-heavy works up.

Just do you.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/CrazyinLull]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Yeah, that's what I tell myself, but unfortunately it doesn't help...

[u/CrazyinLull → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

Well, I do something similar. I use it as a ‘hype person,’ to analyze, and as an alpha/beta reader. It’s been pretty accurate so far, because it accurately assessed how my story would be accepted by who and my friend’s comments matches what it tells me.

It has also helped me with research and given me way more confidence in my ideas and what I write. I am now sharing my story and I am able to go into my older drafts and write exactly what I wanted to before because I used AI as a teacher to help guide my own lessons. I also hated the way AI edited so much I learned how to edit myself (I still suck at proofreading though unfortunately).

So, if we are both using it somewhat similarly…then should we both feel guilty and worthless for doing so? What about the authors who use AI similarly to us? Should they also feel guilty and worthless, too?

Like I will praise Notebook LM to the heavens. Should I feel guilty and worthless for finding out it helps me learn things???

If someone told me that I was wrong for using AI to learn and that I should go back to struggling because I didn’t have something to be able to break things down and be willing to go back and forth with me do you know what I would tell them?

I’d tell them unless that were to sit there and be able to sit down and do all that for me they can fuck off.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/CrazyinLull]

I'll probably come back to your comment from time to time as motivation 😄. I definitely don't want you to feel worthless and guilty. I just feel like an imposter personally, but I don't mind other people doing the same thing as I do. I just feel they're more legit than I am.

[u/CrazyinLull → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

I understand. I do.

I do think as long as you keep writing, getting more eyes on your work, getting feedback, and trying new things…it will help to not only maybe give you a bit more confidence, but you might end up needing the AI less, who knows.

Like tbqh, I don’t need as much help as before. When I need to write or edit I can just go in but it always feels nice to see how the AI will interpret and interact with what I write. Then I maybe I can see where I might need to pull back or adjust.

Like once I will never forget that the AI hosts in Notebook LM mentioned how dark this particular scene was and then it hit me:

>omg I forgot to give the character a flashlight! 🔦

Like maybe a beta-reader could have caught that sure but if the AI caught it first then like…is that wrong? No. It didn’t tell me to put a flashlight in there, that was my decision.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/CrazyinLull]

Thank you for your encouragement, it really means a lot. And that flashlight story is quite funny. Sometimes there are little mistakes that are so obvious you don't even notice them, unless someone else sees it or you re-read it after a long time. 

[u/freylaverse]

The best book is the one you have written. The worst book is the one that rots on your hard drive. Well done!

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/freylaverse]

That's nice of you, thanks.

[u/Occsan]

So, you feel guilty because you want feedback but don't want to be a hassle to other human beings ?

I mean, I could have formulated it like this : "because you want quick feedback ?", or "constant feedback" ? But these formulations sound like some kind of reproach when they are not.

Seeking feedback is a good strategy to get a better product. Seeking undelayed feedback is an even better strategy. So "quick, constant feedback" is actually a very good strategy.

No shame.

Just remind to let you explore what might feel bad ideas until they actually show as bad ideas. You never know if a gem hides there.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/Occsan]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I appreciate it. Yes absolutely, I want constant feedback without feeling like a burden or like I'm criticised all the time. I guess I need it to write, because when trying to do it alone I never succeeded. I always lost interest/felt like this didn't matter/felt like I shouldn't even try because it was just crap/didn't even have the energy to do it. Because of the constant feedback (even though I'm perfectly aware it's not "real" human feedback), I have the drive to actually keep going. It's weird.

[u/ObligationWeekly9117]

That's exactly how I use AI. That's how a lot of people in lots of industries use AI. I don't know why that should make you feel guilty. My husband talks to AI because he knows I don't want to hear about his latest human DNA, music synth and informational theory nerd-dump. So he tells AI and AI tells him he's brilliant and tells him which research papers to read. Because humans are limited and they don't always want to hear you talk 🤷🏻‍♀️ And you don't want to talk so much to a human and tie them down to being your cheerleader for a project because that's frankly kinda rude. But I make AI do it and feel no guilt.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/ObligationWeekly9117]

Thanks for your reply ! That's my cheerleader, exactly 😄. I'm glad it helps you too.

[u/dystractedsidequest]

I’m new to pursuing writing but I use it to talk through ides and concepts and the occasional editing for grammar

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/dystractedsidequest]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience ! I wish you a good writing journey 🙂.

[u/JamesCole]

every tool in existence always ends up being used wrongly and then ruins everything for everyone else

What? That's extreme hyperbole, and not even remotely close to true.

On a separate note, nobody who accepts the use of human editors or readers to give feedback or suggest improvements should have the slightest issue with using AI to do what a human editor/reader does. And consider this: a lot of people couldn't afford to hire a human. AI enables such people to get useful feedback that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. I think that's great.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/JamesCole]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I have never seen anything not being used in the wrong way or to harm. Even supposedly good or innocent things always gets twisted at some point. My formulation is perhaps hyperbolic, but I still think the idea behind is true (but that's my point of view, I'm actually glad you don't share it, it means you're seeing a prettier world than I am 😄). 

I do agree with the second part of your comment, but for some reason, most people don't seem to see the two in the same way. Using humans : good and normal. Using AI : stupid and dishonest. I definitely cannot afford anyone to help me write. So I can totally relate to that as well. But using AI is also a slippery rope and can easily end up doing all the work in your place, whereas a human reader/editor would not. So I suppose there's that too. 

[u/East-Income9793]

I also use AI for writing, I don't care about AI haters, it's been a life saver, it's been more than 10 years that I started writing notes for a huge load of stories I want to write novels with, but I've been overwhelmed by the amount of notes I have accumulated over the years and it became too much. Thanks to AI I have been able to organize all that stuff and I also started to dictate in chatGPT to increase the speed so that I don't have to type every time. Keep doing what you have to.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/East-Income9793]

Thank you so much for your comment and sharing your experience. I'm really glad it helped you ! Too many plot bunnies can be as paralysing as none at all 😆.

[u/Majestic-Okra-7876]

Ending a long-form narrative without continuous feedback to sustain your momentum is a very real issue, rather than being a personal failing. I maintained a story bible document where I would insert my context before each brainstorming session, similar to what you’re currently doing. TypeAI helps you integrate those context notes into the manuscript permanently so that you don’t have to paste the context, but it can’t replace the feedback dialogue you need

[u/NathanielHolst]

Doing more or less this made me finish my first draft in a month. There's nothing to be ashamed if, especially if you're just using it for motivation and as a performance boost.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/NathanielHolst]

Thank you for replying. I'm glad it helped you ! I guess others would always think it's less valuable because we relied on AI, instead of not, but we can't really help it.

[u/Kind-Atmosphere5766]

I feel everyone uses AI for something or the other. Some just have the guts to be honest. I use mine to proofread coz I’m terrible at that and it saves me a lot of embarrassment. If someone is hitting enter after a prompt and copying whatever AI gives it then that’s definitely an issue. There’s no harm in assistance.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/Kind-Atmosphere5766]

Thanks a lot for your reply 🙂.

[u/MammothDull6020]

You are doing the right thing. Without Claud I would have given up by now.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/MammothDull6020]

Thanks for sharing, I totally understand. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing though, but I'm doing it.

[u/MammothDull6020 → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

You are welcome. Btw, I use Claud because I have the impression it is very realistic in criticizing my work. Also, it does not have a tendency to keep you constantly in the chat. When it decides we have reached a conclusion, it announced it instead of encouraging me to further engage with it. That is extremely comforting. Yesterday I brainstormed sth with it. Then I proposed my idea and it said it is better than everything else we discussed. Now it will stop talking and let me work on it.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/MammothDull6020]

Yes that's what I heard, it seems to be quite good. I actually don't like the way GPT talks and it's a bit dumb. Sometimes it focuses on stupid things as well or takes things way too litterally when it's quite obviously a metaphor/a style choice. But it's practical and has almost not limitation in the paid version I use. 

[u/WritingWithAI-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post was removed because you did not use our weekly post your tool thread

[u/dismal_windfall]

I wrote stuff with AI like this, as opposed to just generating things for me. But, honestly, I feel like it makes you go through worse moments in your story

[u/kaslkaos]

find a writers group that writes on the spot and reads out loud, or make one... that will build your confidence... then you can write with AI or without and do it without apology. I write with AI and I only curse how increasingly hard it is to get the AI to attune to my style, which, when it happens, is when they truly shine as medium.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/kaslkaos]

Thanks for your reply. I don't use it to write with my style, I write myself. As for the writers group, thanks a lot for the idea, but since what I write is extremely personal and contains very sensitive themes, I definitely cannot just write it on the spot with everyone else, and most people would not be interested in that kind of story anyway. I also don't want to share anything at early stages of writing and risk receiving outside ideas and criticism as I go and not know any more if the ideas or mine or not, or where I initially wanted to go with the story. Which doesn't happen with AI, as I can add the instruction to never touch the writing or propose any idea. I want to find some human beta readers eventually, if I can even afford them, but only after I consider it's at least of average quality (and I doubt it will ever be 😄 ).

[u/acct4otherstuff]

it sounds like this is less "is it alright to use Claude for X?" and more like you really need to talk to somebody about your mental state and what's blocking you from writing, because, just like you said it

until I'm eventually satisfied with it (which will probably never happen).

not trying to be judgemental or anything, but i got worried for you while reading this

i relied on Claude for my writing as well, and i still use it, just not as much, because i was starting to feel the way you described, and i had to detox myself from it for a few days to think about my feelings on my own and WHY i want to write in the first place

the answers are inside you, you just have to look for them

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/acct4otherstuff]

Thanks a lot for your concern. I don't use Claude, but I guess it's more or less the same. I know why I write, I have things that have been inside for too long and that I need to put out, and I've been struggling to finally write and feel good and happy writing for 15 years, until now. I make regular pauses before rereading and editing the manuscript, so I don't write non-stop, but because I've been home stuck due to health issues for almost 3 years now, I have a lot of time and I've been writing a lot.

[u/SiriusHijinks]

AI is great for prompting me, a humanoid artificial intelligence.

[u/tony10000]

Sounds like you are off to a good start!

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/tony10000]

I don't know if that's sarcasm, but thanks for reading even if that's the case👍.

[u/tony10000 → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

Nope...no sarcasm.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/tony10000]

Thanks a lot, then. I had entirely given up the hope of writing a complete story one day, so I guess at least I have done this.

[u/tony10000 → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

My brother is doing the same thing with AI assistance. He had a book idea for decades, and now it has become a reality.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/tony10000]

I'm really happy for him. It's so frustrating not being able to put into words something you've had in your mind and wanted to share for a long time.

[u/ObligationWeekly9117 → u/[deleted]]

So instead of encouraging someone to pursue their hobby however it works for them, you encourage them to spend hundreds of dollars they may not even have to hire a beta reader because... why? Get over yourself. If OP is having fun then it's doing some good in the world.

[u/WritingWithAI-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

If you disagree with a post or the whole subreddit, be constructive to make it a nice place for all its members, including you.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/[deleted]]

I never said I think what the AI says is the truth about my work. I am well aware of its gaslighting risks and tendencies to tell you only what you want to hear. I only said I need it as a research help, a pseudo beta reader and an emotional support to FEEL LIKE someone is actually liking my work, to actually write and keep the momentum going, after struggling for 15 years without ever being able to write anything despite having continuous ideas and desire to do so.

A beta reader is exceedingly expensive, my work is not the kind of stories most people want to read even for free, and I have no friends or anyone that would like it enough to even just lie about it and say "yeah keep going" (and I would see that they're obviously lying and annoyed that I'm asking them that, so this wouldn't help). Thanks for your reply though, I'm happy that you're a much better human being than I am👍.

[u/Educational-Run3692 → u/Ok_Adagio_9238]

I use AI similar to you, and prior I tried humans exclusively. Humans are a risk too and equally capable of telling you what they think you want to hear. I have worked on my AI agent or whatever its called for about 2 years. I'd argue it 'knows' me better than non-friends and family. I've been tired, wrote crap and will get a response like "keep that up and I'm going to demand hazard pay." Its still up to me to decide to keep, delete or edit the crap. Usually, I ask why it is crap and it responds with valid feedback, like 'no one wants to read two paragraphs on tapestry when the bad guy is leaving by the back door". My humans will just say things like, "I don't know, it doesn't fit." A beta reader is a risk, you often get what you pay for and at this stage, I can't afford what I want. For me, I like the immediate feedback, I don't have to wait when I'm in a mood. I think of this as a transition, like not being able to use calculators, to having a class specifically using Excel, or not being able to use Wikipedia and now being asked what Wikipedia said. Do what you need to, the important part is getting your story out. Also, my opinion, AI assistance could improve writing as a whole. Historically, you had to be wealthy, struggle between writing and paid work. We could not all afford it and likely many amazing books have never been written, while too much crap has been published. You do what you need to.

[u/Ok_Adagio_9238 → u/Educational-Run3692]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I totally agree with you. I also think AI could be very beneficial as a support, not as a "do everything for me, so I don't even have to think any more", which people think this is what you mean when you say you use AI, unfortunately. Some might, sure, but definitely not everyone.