How I Write: The Thinking, the Talking and the AI

I use AI to help with my articles, including this one. It helps me research, explore ideas, draft and edit. I'm quite open about that, although I sometimes wonder what people imagine happens when I say I write with AI.

Do they picture me typing a subject into an AI bot, receiving a beautifully finished article and pressing Publish?

If only it were that straightforward!

From the first little thought to the final click of Publish — a creative journey of ideas, conversations, questions and revisions, with a little help from AI along the way

It Usually Starts With a Thought

Sometimes it's something I've read, an observation about everyday life or a question that's been wandering around in my head for years. Other times, a passing thought turns into a conversation that takes us somewhere entirely unexpected.

I talk through the idea with AI, ask questions, explore different perspectives and occasionally challenge the answers. If we're discussing factual information, I want to know where it came from and whether it can be verified.

Once I've explored the subject, AI helps organise our discussion into a draft.

And then the editing begins.

How I Write With AI Before Pressing Publish

I read through the draft and decide what works. I might change the direction, remove a paragraph, question a claim or ask for a different way of expressing something.

Sometimes the writing is perfectly good, but it doesn't quite capture what I meant. Other times, I've thought of another angle halfway through reading it.

Back we go.

AI contributes substantially to the wording of my articles, and I don't pretend otherwise. But the experiences, opinions, creative direction and final editorial decisions are mine.

I also spend time checking how the article reads, whether the information is accurate and whether I've repeated myself. That last one is particularly important. Left to my own devices, I can explore the same thought from six different directions and convince myself I've discovered six entirely new ideas.

Apparently, that's where a good editing assistant comes in handy.

And What About Deb Eternal?

I've heard people say AI created their websites, so I should make one distinction clear.

AI has generated many of the images on Deb Eternal, suggested design ideas and helped me work through technical questions. I've appreciated that assistance enormously.

But the website itself? That was painstakingly me.

Every page, every adjustment, every collection of books, printables, and little thoughts, every mobile layout that looked wonderful on the computer and then decided to misbehave on my phone.

I've spent more hours inside Wix than I care to count. AI could suggest what might work, but I still had to build it, test it, change it and occasionally wonder why I'd started in the first place.

Thankfully, I rather enjoy the finished result.

Does That Still Make Me a Writer?

I know there are differing opinions about AI-assisted writing, and I understand some of the concerns about originality, quality and transparency. I share the frustration with mass-produced content that offers readers very little.

But I think there's a meaningful difference between generating something without much thought and using technology to help express ideas you've spent a mountain of time developing.

I've always admired writers who devote years to perfecting their work, and I respect those who prefer to write every sentence themselves. There are many ways to approach writing, and each comes with its own challenges and rewards.

Like many people, I balance wage work, family life and everyday responsibilities with the things I love doing. Writing is one of those things, and right now, I've found a process that works for me. I'm enjoying it, learning as I go, and looking forward to seeing where it takes me.

Whether someone considers that writing, AI-assisted authorship or something else entirely is a question I'm happy to leave open.

What matters to me is that I stand behind what I publish.

And after years of struggling to get my thoughts onto the page, I'm enjoying the process again.

Namaste

Deb xx

Thoughtful writing across life, mind, and meaning.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Do you use AI in your writing or creative projects, prefer to work without it, or find yourself somewhere in between? I'm always interested in hearing different perspectives, so feel free to share yours in the comments.

A Little More About Me

Curious about the person behind Deb Eternal and this little corner of the internet? You can get to know me a little better on my About Me page.