Great framework! Actually wrote about a similar but slightly different path to acceperate creation with AI without the result turning into AI slop. Consider checking out:
Love the post. So critical that writers understand the prompting and dialogue that they need to generate with their AI as they’re developing their work. I’ve spent quite a bit of time developing clear research prompt methodologies vs. actual drafting and editing methods.
For me the final product is still given a full edit without AI, but I’d image this will change as the tools become further embedded across platforms and software suites.
True. The more you use AI for writing and research, the more you realize it's not really a shortcut for anything. But it's a very good amplifier, when you have a method like you and daria. She really gave great insights here :)
Totally agree. There's a big difference between prompts for research vs. prompts for drafting/editing, and the clearer I separate those, the better the results. I’m with you on keeping the final edit human-led!
Brilliant! I’ve been using AI since the end of last year. I’ve struggled with all the issues u surface. What you have learned resonates with my own experience. I now have many of the same parts to the writing process that u identify. AI is now more of a collaborator than some outside force dictating my work. I go through each step of the creative process to produce a final produce that is mine. I’ve taken pains to teach AI the very voice I wish to speak in, the quality research I demand, the essay structures I prefer, etc. I’ve even directed AI to evaluate my essays with specific criteria. It’s becoming a true collaboration. Thanks so much for this amazing and helpful article. You are forward looking in the best possible way. You can find my work at:
Love hearing about your experience! Thanks so much for your words. It is indeed painful till you get to really teach it you voice, criteria, standards, taste etc.
Yes, I have become more productive. I’m less intimidated by taking on newer and bigger projects. My relationship with AI is now more collaborative. I’ve taught it exactly how I want research done and verified. I’ve even taught it to write in my preferred voice. I review everything AI produces and AI reviews everything I produce. We collaborate back and forth until I feel the product is what I want it to be. It is exciting.
I found this very helpful. I have struggled with issues you mentioned in the beginning. This article clarifies a lot of what many writers and professionals in other fields to which critical thinking and creativity is central might grapple with.
Thank you! Tbh I think we’ve all been there up to some extent. There’s no single ‘right’ way to get involved AI in the process, but it's important that we do. What actually matters is being invested enough in the process to make it your own.
Yeah. Excellent articles like this serve as great guides to inspire us to find our own solution. That's why I started with this article series on Substack :)
For me, it usually takes anywhere between 8 and 40 hours. That’s because each article includes not just the writing, but also experiments and practical builds. I end up testing things, hitting bumps, fixing them, and then diving into research to see how others approach it. It really depends on the piece.
It’s more of a learning experience than it is a writing one.
For me, working on an article takes about 3 - 5 hours, and that's already a pretty involved process. As in, 2000 words, with visuals and all. On the other hand, I do have lots of training as a freelance writer (I can crank out wooords upon words), I'm sure it varies too.
Taking more than 24 hours is not a big deal, especially if you're just starting out. When writing with AI, you've got to remember that you're practicing two skills at once really: writing (+ all the mental process behind it) and prompting. That's no small feat.
The upside is, it's still faster than manually writing in most cases, plus once you master both the benefit is exponential. Just take it one article at a time!
This one, for example, took way less than 8h since it didn’t involve experiments or building anything new, as I was just presenting my own system, which I already know well, so it came together quickly.
Tough to make that assumption, since everyone’s process is different. The riskiest shortcut though is letting AI generate all the content without bringing your own ideas and perspective into it. As long as you’re the one providing the real value behind the words, the exact phases matter less.
+ this process isn’t "the best one", it’s just what works for me when writing articles
Was just going to say that. I find that most beginner writers skip the ideation/outlining part of writing and outsource it entirely, even though it's the pillar for the entire piece. It's essentially all the thought behind it.
This often results in the all too common AI slop, because there's nothing unique behind it.
Thanks James and Daria. There are some really helpful and implementable tips here. I always worry myself that my academic writing sounds AI-written because it is quite formal...
Don't think you have to worry about that! Besides, having a more distinctive "voice" is a matter of practice. As long as you communicate the ideas clearly, in your own authentic way, you're doing great.
Great framework! Actually wrote about a similar but slightly different path to acceperate creation with AI without the result turning into AI slop. Consider checking out:
https://open.substack.com/pub/omerfeinholtz/p/how-to-create-with-ai-in-a-way-that?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3p857c
Thank you for reading, Omer!
Love the post. So critical that writers understand the prompting and dialogue that they need to generate with their AI as they’re developing their work. I’ve spent quite a bit of time developing clear research prompt methodologies vs. actual drafting and editing methods.
For me the final product is still given a full edit without AI, but I’d image this will change as the tools become further embedded across platforms and software suites.
True. The more you use AI for writing and research, the more you realize it's not really a shortcut for anything. But it's a very good amplifier, when you have a method like you and daria. She really gave great insights here :)
Totally agree. There's a big difference between prompts for research vs. prompts for drafting/editing, and the clearer I separate those, the better the results. I’m with you on keeping the final edit human-led!
Brilliant! I’ve been using AI since the end of last year. I’ve struggled with all the issues u surface. What you have learned resonates with my own experience. I now have many of the same parts to the writing process that u identify. AI is now more of a collaborator than some outside force dictating my work. I go through each step of the creative process to produce a final produce that is mine. I’ve taken pains to teach AI the very voice I wish to speak in, the quality research I demand, the essay structures I prefer, etc. I’ve even directed AI to evaluate my essays with specific criteria. It’s becoming a true collaboration. Thanks so much for this amazing and helpful article. You are forward looking in the best possible way. You can find my work at:
https://vitalityvibes48.substack.com
Love hearing about your experience! Thanks so much for your words. It is indeed painful till you get to really teach it you voice, criteria, standards, taste etc.
That's the best way to use AI to write, Robert! Automate and amplify. Have you determined specific gains in using it?
Yes, I have become more productive. I’m less intimidated by taking on newer and bigger projects. My relationship with AI is now more collaborative. I’ve taught it exactly how I want research done and verified. I’ve even taught it to write in my preferred voice. I review everything AI produces and AI reviews everything I produce. We collaborate back and forth until I feel the product is what I want it to be. It is exciting.
I know exactly what you mean, Robert!! That's the best method to make the most of AI -- collaborative and deeply creative.
I found this very helpful. I have struggled with issues you mentioned in the beginning. This article clarifies a lot of what many writers and professionals in other fields to which critical thinking and creativity is central might grapple with.
Thank you! Tbh I think we’ve all been there up to some extent. There’s no single ‘right’ way to get involved AI in the process, but it's important that we do. What actually matters is being invested enough in the process to make it your own.
I agree! There's no right answer, but what's important is that you have your own.
Yeah. Excellent articles like this serve as great guides to inspire us to find our own solution. That's why I started with this article series on Substack :)
How long does your collaborative process take from start to finish?
I’m struggling with beating myself up if mine takes more than 24 hours. It usually does
For me, it usually takes anywhere between 8 and 40 hours. That’s because each article includes not just the writing, but also experiments and practical builds. I end up testing things, hitting bumps, fixing them, and then diving into research to see how others approach it. It really depends on the piece.
It’s more of a learning experience than it is a writing one.
For me, working on an article takes about 3 - 5 hours, and that's already a pretty involved process. As in, 2000 words, with visuals and all. On the other hand, I do have lots of training as a freelance writer (I can crank out wooords upon words), I'm sure it varies too.
Taking more than 24 hours is not a big deal, especially if you're just starting out. When writing with AI, you've got to remember that you're practicing two skills at once really: writing (+ all the mental process behind it) and prompting. That's no small feat.
The upside is, it's still faster than manually writing in most cases, plus once you master both the benefit is exponential. Just take it one article at a time!
This one, for example, took way less than 8h since it didn’t involve experiments or building anything new, as I was just presenting my own system, which I already know well, so it came together quickly.
Yeahh — the more you know the topic, the faster you tend to write!
Which part of your five-phase process do you think most people skip - but shouldn’t?
Tough to make that assumption, since everyone’s process is different. The riskiest shortcut though is letting AI generate all the content without bringing your own ideas and perspective into it. As long as you’re the one providing the real value behind the words, the exact phases matter less.
+ this process isn’t "the best one", it’s just what works for me when writing articles
Was just going to say that. I find that most beginner writers skip the ideation/outlining part of writing and outsource it entirely, even though it's the pillar for the entire piece. It's essentially all the thought behind it.
This often results in the all too common AI slop, because there's nothing unique behind it.
Cough mixture for AI sore throat 🤓
Hahah, one spoonful of AI syrup a day keeps the blank page away!
Thanks James and Daria. There are some really helpful and implementable tips here. I always worry myself that my academic writing sounds AI-written because it is quite formal...
Don't think you have to worry about that! Besides, having a more distinctive "voice" is a matter of practice. As long as you communicate the ideas clearly, in your own authentic way, you're doing great.
Thanks James. I'll keep on trying. 🙏