Honestly, I'm not sure if this is a lot or a little, but with my writing process, it takes me about one hour to write what Substack calculates as four minutes of reading time, about 870 words. Keep in mind as I write that that I don't have to write my own stories. My stories are non-fiction, so the events have already happened. All I have to do is research and put these events into a nice format that's fun to read.
In addition, everything I publish remains in the 'Shitty first draft' stage, meaning the stage of the piece after human editing but before AI editing. I've never had a piece get past that stage before. Occasionally, when I struggle to get the narrative formatted correctly, and publish a piece that's about 87% as good as it could've been, I get some FOMO. Could some AI assistance have helped it over the hump? Probably, but at what cost? I'm not sure I'm willing to take the plunge the first time, for fear of feeling the need to take the plunge every time.
In my opinion, AI writing sucks. That's strictly an opinion of mine. It isn't a universal truth, but unless the thing I'm reading is either really well done or mainly human I'm not sure I in particular will enjoy it. However, on the business side of this thing, there are visible benefits to doing less of your work yourself, but again, at what cost?
Part of me wonders about the personal fulfillment of those who write using heavy AI assistance. Is it as much as mine when I press the publish button? I can't imagine it would be, but what if it is? At that point, what have I done all this work for, and then the FOMO comes back.
This is a good piece. I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure it made me feel good.
Hey Robbie - AI DOESNT CARE ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS… jk man, in all seriousness your raw-dogged writing is of extreme quality. Don’t think you should switch anything up, just keep at it!
I love all the perspective that AI is bringing to all the writings and discussions. I am in Level 2 - The hybrid approach because there are contractors out there hiring for AI-generated contents. As a freelancer, I see things I use to frown it raking $$$$$$ for others and I have learnt to keep shut. someone once said someone that knows how to use AI will replace you before AI does and it has stuck with me specifically because I know how to use AI. I hope we don't get to all is lost phase because I am sick of people reading articles I wrote and thinking it's AI that wrote it because they are aliened to some words. That's my real fear.
AI can mimic tone, depth, and cadence with remarkable accuracy—but it’s still no substitute for the real human experience. The All-Hope-Is-Lost Approach, where AI is overly relied on for content creation, lacks that emotional nuance and depth that readers crave. AI may be improving, but it’s not yet capable of capturing the true essence of humanity in writing.
In the end, how much you involve AI in your creative process is a personal choice. The key is to be intentional with its use—whether you’re using AI to assist your workflow or writing completely by hand. For newer writers, leaning into the discomfort of developing your voice without too much AI involvement can lead to a more genuine and powerful expression. What resonates with readers isn’t perfection but the real, flawed, and messy aspects of the human experience. So, whether you’re experimenting with AI or keeping it at arm’s length, remember that your unique perspective is what will ultimately connect with your audience. Creativity lives in the spaces AI can’t reach.
I'm proud to say I raw dog my creative and personal writing. But I'm also a freelance copywriter for brands and businesses, and I do use a bit of AI for that on a level 2 basis. You made some interesting points that made me think. When I'm doing my own thing the words just flow out, but when I'm writing copy and I have to think of business and marketing principles that robotic eye does help.
Fascinating. I haven’t considered what it would be like when I’m writing for a gig versus now, where I’m writing for myself. Hope to find out just what that’s like some day! At any rate, I’m definitely going to wholly raw dog my next post and see how it turns out. I have a feeling living in the Level 1 zone is much more fulfilling, and the writing will probably resonate more heavily. This is a fun little experiment :)
Interesting way to put it! I've definitely had that same experience, where the AI output is absolute trash so you go back to the draft and double down on your own creativity... iterative, no doubt. I think for each individual, they need to find a method to their own madness.
Honestly, I'm not sure if this is a lot or a little, but with my writing process, it takes me about one hour to write what Substack calculates as four minutes of reading time, about 870 words. Keep in mind as I write that that I don't have to write my own stories. My stories are non-fiction, so the events have already happened. All I have to do is research and put these events into a nice format that's fun to read.
In addition, everything I publish remains in the 'Shitty first draft' stage, meaning the stage of the piece after human editing but before AI editing. I've never had a piece get past that stage before. Occasionally, when I struggle to get the narrative formatted correctly, and publish a piece that's about 87% as good as it could've been, I get some FOMO. Could some AI assistance have helped it over the hump? Probably, but at what cost? I'm not sure I'm willing to take the plunge the first time, for fear of feeling the need to take the plunge every time.
In my opinion, AI writing sucks. That's strictly an opinion of mine. It isn't a universal truth, but unless the thing I'm reading is either really well done or mainly human I'm not sure I in particular will enjoy it. However, on the business side of this thing, there are visible benefits to doing less of your work yourself, but again, at what cost?
Part of me wonders about the personal fulfillment of those who write using heavy AI assistance. Is it as much as mine when I press the publish button? I can't imagine it would be, but what if it is? At that point, what have I done all this work for, and then the FOMO comes back.
This is a good piece. I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure it made me feel good.
Hey Robbie - AI DOESNT CARE ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS… jk man, in all seriousness your raw-dogged writing is of extreme quality. Don’t think you should switch anything up, just keep at it!
I love all the perspective that AI is bringing to all the writings and discussions. I am in Level 2 - The hybrid approach because there are contractors out there hiring for AI-generated contents. As a freelancer, I see things I use to frown it raking $$$$$$ for others and I have learnt to keep shut. someone once said someone that knows how to use AI will replace you before AI does and it has stuck with me specifically because I know how to use AI. I hope we don't get to all is lost phase because I am sick of people reading articles I wrote and thinking it's AI that wrote it because they are aliened to some words. That's my real fear.
I tried to believe that I don’t use AI in my writing.
But, that begged the question: is Googling a question considered using AI now?
Hmmm… I think I draw the line at there being a two-way dialogue between you and the tool you’re using. What do you think?
It’s hard for me to define! I think googling something IS using AI.
But the distinction between using AI’s writing and using AI FOR your writing is important.
Yes it does, though like many, I've also come to realize that we must learn to use these tools or perish.
I use copilot (I know copilot is running joke in the ai realm) but I like it because:
1) it's built right into the Edge browser and doesn't require a separate app. Minimalist prevails.
2) Its free
3) It cites it's sources so I can check to see if it is hallucinating
I don't not use it for writing, but I do find it helpful for research that underlies that writing.
AI can mimic tone, depth, and cadence with remarkable accuracy—but it’s still no substitute for the real human experience. The All-Hope-Is-Lost Approach, where AI is overly relied on for content creation, lacks that emotional nuance and depth that readers crave. AI may be improving, but it’s not yet capable of capturing the true essence of humanity in writing.
In the end, how much you involve AI in your creative process is a personal choice. The key is to be intentional with its use—whether you’re using AI to assist your workflow or writing completely by hand. For newer writers, leaning into the discomfort of developing your voice without too much AI involvement can lead to a more genuine and powerful expression. What resonates with readers isn’t perfection but the real, flawed, and messy aspects of the human experience. So, whether you’re experimenting with AI or keeping it at arm’s length, remember that your unique perspective is what will ultimately connect with your audience. Creativity lives in the spaces AI can’t reach.
Did you just ask GPT to reword my article? Not sure if I should feel complimented or insulted, lol
I'm proud to say I raw dog my creative and personal writing. But I'm also a freelance copywriter for brands and businesses, and I do use a bit of AI for that on a level 2 basis. You made some interesting points that made me think. When I'm doing my own thing the words just flow out, but when I'm writing copy and I have to think of business and marketing principles that robotic eye does help.
Fascinating. I haven’t considered what it would be like when I’m writing for a gig versus now, where I’m writing for myself. Hope to find out just what that’s like some day! At any rate, I’m definitely going to wholly raw dog my next post and see how it turns out. I have a feeling living in the Level 1 zone is much more fulfilling, and the writing will probably resonate more heavily. This is a fun little experiment :)
A lot of interesting insights here!
The one that caught my attention the most is the fact of you sticking to the SDF.
I agree and disagree.
Iteration is how you get clear on your thoughts
But I found that AI can give you that round of iterations by prompting it with your raw idea - get pissed by the results and then refining it - haha
Interesting way to put it! I've definitely had that same experience, where the AI output is absolute trash so you go back to the draft and double down on your own creativity... iterative, no doubt. I think for each individual, they need to find a method to their own madness.
Great input, and thanks for reading!
Sometimes having stuff you don’t agree with is a great way to get creative lol