Since I wrote a post last month musing about AI writing software, I was finally able to use it for myself – although ChatGPT still won’t let me in. I got past the “the server’s full” page this time, it checked I was human (which I find hilarious), and then it loaded. And then it stopped.

So, since ChatGPT hates me, I turned to copy.ai. This is what I fed it:

I kept it short and simple to see what it would do with minimum input, and actually, I was surprised by the result. Here’s the unedited version with my commentary in italics and parentheses:

“Writing a novel is hard (haven’t I written this exact first sentence before? A bit creeped out…). It’s one of the hardest things most of us will ever do (true), and it requires writing hundreds if not thousands of pages (goodness gracious, we’re not all Brandon Sanderson, thank you). Thankfully, there are some tricks that can make the process easier, and I’ve put together a list of my 10 favorites that I’ve learned over the years working as a writer, editing manuscripts, teaching writing workshops and talking to other authors (wow, thanks for adding writing workshops to my resume, copy.ai. Did you hear that? I teach writing workshops! You are all now obligated to pay me $400 just for reading this article full of my sage advice. Just kidding. But if you have $400 to spare…). (Wait a second. It doesn’t use the Oxford comma. *hatred intensifies*)

1. Lock yourself away in the quietest place possible and write every day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Just get your butt in that chair and start typing. If you’re having trouble getting started, try starting with an outline or planning document or character list. (The ending is a bit awkward but wow, this is actually really solid advice.)

2. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t worry about making your prose beautiful—just get the story down on paper (or computer screen). You can always go back later and edit it into shape. (Yep. Good, though the voice is a bit lackluster.)

3. Plot out your general idea ahead of time so you don’t waste time on details that won’t work out anyway. Map out enough of your plot so you know where you’re going, but leave yourself room to improvise along the way without getting lost in the weeds or forgetting why you wrote what you wrote. (This is literally just being a pantser. How does copy.ai understand me so well? Y’all, I’m very concerned.)

4. Write what you want to write. Don’t worry about what’s popular or what everyone else is doing. Write what you love, and let readers come to you in their own time. (Actually kinda surprised it went this route because the “write what you love” vs. “write what they want” debate is very controversial, but I overall agree. However, I’d add the caveat that it’s good to balance what people want to read, too. You can’t write a portal fantasy without the portal.)

5. Get feedback on your work, but don’t let it get in the way of your creativity. (Yes, I love this. copy.ai…grr. I have to grudgingly admit you know what you’re talking about.)“

Here’s all of that again without my snarkiness:

Writing a novel is hard. It’s one of the hardest things most of us will ever do, and it requires writing hundreds if not thousands of pages. Thankfully, there are some tricks that can make the process easier, and I’ve put together a list of my 10 favorites that I’ve learned over the years working as a writer, editing manuscripts, teaching writing workshops and talking to other authors.

1. Lock yourself away in the quietest place possible and write every day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Just get your butt in that chair and start typing. If you’re having trouble getting started, try starting with an outline or planning document or character list.

2. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t worry about making your prose beautiful—just get the story down on paper (or computer screen). You can always go back later and edit it into shape.

3. Plot out your general idea ahead of time so you don’t waste time on details that won’t work out anyway. Map out enough of your plot so you know where you’re going, but leave yourself room to improvise along the way without getting lost in the weeds or forgetting why you wrote what you wrote.

4. Write what you want to write. Don’t worry about what’s popular or what everyone else is doing. Write what you love, and let readers come to you in their own time. 

5. Get feedback on your work, but don’t let it get in the way of your creativity.

So there you have it, the top 5 writing tips every writer should know according to AI. Honestly, it’s pretty good advice, but it could use a bit of work when it comes to voice and some sentence structure. Maybe I should have the AI attend one of my writing workshops. 😉

Happy writing!
-E.J.

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