The future of AI writing is...pen and paper?

AI writing software (for better or worse) has found product-market fit.

Many writers are excited about AI long-term, but they're also worried.?

“Will my writing still sound like me even if I experiment with some of these tools?” is a valid concern.

I'm all for practical solutions, so here's one that works every single time:?

Edit on paper.?

Do this regularly and you'll sharpen your skills while keeping your voice distinct.

Let's break this down using a framework from the late Daniel Kahneman's book Thinking, Fast and Slow.

Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel laureate, describes two modes of thought: System 1 thinking & System 2 thinking.

Fast thinking with AI (System 1):

AI puts this of your brain on anabolic steroids.

It's rapid-fire ideas at 100mph, great for scale. But it's also where many AI startups miss the mark by pushing "100x speed" as the selling point. That's short-sighted.

I'll admit, sometimes I feel like a "word factory" (as my friend Lauren Lang puts it). For anything substantial, though, I don't edit on my laptop. It's simply the wrong environment for focused work.

AI tools are fantastic for brainstorming and quick iterations. They tap into our System 1 thinking - fast, intuitive, and efficient. But that's only half the equation.

Slow thinking without AI (System 2):

This is the more analytical, logical mode of thought that Kahneman describes.

Unlike the automatic nature of System 1, System 2 requires conscious effort and attention.?

For writers, it's crucial.

Print your draft, grab a red pen, and edit on paper.

This method forces you to slow down and consider each word carefully. It guarantees you won't over-rely on AI and preserves the human touch in your writing.

Why it works:

• It's visceral. Holding paper and marking with a pen engages your senses more deeply.
• It's meditative. Read, think, mark. You enter a flow state more easily.
• It's focused. No browser tabs or phone distractions.
• It's timeless. Writers like Pat Conroy wrote entire novels by hand on legal pads.

This approach reverses the "speed at all costs" mindset. It's not an assembly line - it's a flowing river.

There's a big difference between writing and "generating".?

Writing feels good, and if you're in this for the long haul, you need to enjoy the process. This method ensures that no matter how much AI I use, my writing always sounds like me. It's how I avoid becoming just a curator of AI outputs.

The balancing act:

Using both System 1 (AI-assisted) and System 2 (human-focused) thinking isn't just about nostalgia. It's a financial necessity.

People who rely solely on AI for writing (and thinking) will face serious long-term consequences - both to their brain and their revenue.

Being uniquely you on the internet is more valuable than ever.?

Don't let your kinesthetic sense atrophy.

Close the screen and pick up a pen.