WORKING WITH AI

I am having a significant struggle with AI (Artificial Intelligence).

I want to write this book, with my own style, my own vocabulary, my own thoughts, …

I don’t want AI to write it for me.

And yet, AI can be so helpful.  It can spell check.  It can suggest ways to improve the story.  If I let it, it can write some or most of the book.  That would be easier, but…

Over the years, I have used resources such as dictionaries and thesauruses.  I have a huge library of books.  When I prepare a sermon, I consult Bible commentaries and concordances and other resources, as part of my research.  AI is similar, a resource that is online and at my fingertips, a lot faster.  But…

When I have a first full draft of the book, I intend to hire a “developmental editor” to work alongside me, using their expertise to help me sharpen the story.  I expect they will point out both the strengths and weaknesses of my writing and suggest improvements.  I can actually ask AI to be a developmental editor right now and get feedback immediately, but…

When I wrote a chapter in a book with other people several years ago, we had a developmental editor who was so helpful.  She was tough and pointed out a number of things I was unaware of but would have gotten in the way of the reader hearing what I was saying.  The chapter was my own, in my own words, and yet her help made it so much better.  AI seems to be able to do some of the same, but.

BUT, I want to write this book myself.

I struggle with how to use AI appropriately and with integrity.