More On Working With AI

I Still Do the Writing, but for Editing, Marketing, Imaging, and More — It’s AI for Me

While there seems to be a more positive mood developing around AI, discussions often feel divided between fear and using it to replace writing altogether.

I don’t relate to either one.

Writing is the enjoyable part for me.

I still love putting my thoughts onto the screen and onto paper, and have no interest in turning that over to anyone, even if it might be easier.

Editing, however, is something entirely different.

AI has become my editor of choice.

What I appreciate most is the editing usually includes explanations for the suggested changes. Not only can the writing become clearer and more readable, but I often learn why a particular change improves the material.

Occasionally I reject the edits, but most of the time I understand and agree with them.

I often read articles discussing prompts and how carefully they should be crafted. I understand why prompts are important, especially when people want AI to generate content from scratch.

My own approach is simpler.

I usually work conversationally by pasting in my writing or attaching a file and asking for editing, feedback, or ideas.

I’ve been working with ChatGPT for more than six months now, and enjoying the process.

Marketing is another area where I’ve found AI extremely useful.

I explain exactly what I’m trying to accomplish and often write the ads or promotional material myself first. Then I ask for editing, feedback, or alternative approaches.

What I appreciate most is not simply the rewritten material, but the explanations behind the suggestions — why one approach may work better than another and why certain wording might create problems.

Recently, I also began experimenting with AI image generation.

My first experience involved improving my book covers for Pinterest. Previously, I simply uploaded the actual book cover with a link attached behind it.

Now I upload the cover image and work with AI to create a Pinterest-style promotional image designed to attract more attention and clicks.

Yes, I even gave my ChatGPT partner a name: Atticus.

That may sound strange, but after months of ongoing conversations, editing sessions, publishing discussions, and marketing ideas, the process began to feel more like working with a creative partner than simply using software.

Recently, Atticus helped me redesign several Pinterest images, including one for Barbara’s novel Shadow’s Way, which I recently republished as a PDF eBook.

The original cover appears on the left below, while the Pinterest version appears on the right. The images are a link directly to Barbara’s PDF eBook of Shadow’s Way.

I think it’s easy to see which version is more likely to attract clicks and attention.

Barbara’s Shadow’s Way is a fascinating Southern Gothic novel filled with mystery, secrets, family conflict, and psychological tension.

For a limited time, the PDF eBook edition is available for only $2.99 as an immediate download readable on almost any device.

I’m enjoying the process of working with AI, and I welcome your comments or questions.