How I Use AI to Turbocharge My Writing

AI has revolutionized my writing process, but learning to use it well has been a challenge. As a technical writer, I've spent the past year integrating AI language models into my workflow. While it's easy to get an AI to generate text, using it to write well takes practice. Through trial and error, I've worked out how to use AI as a collaborative tool and have significantly boosted my efficiency and creativity. Here's how you can do the same:

Local version control is crucial. Maintaining a working copy locally ensures I have a consistent version, even as the AI modifies and rewrites sections. I use a Markdown-friendly text editor like Obsidian to keep everything organized. Writage, a Word plugin, also handles Markdown well for those who prefer Microsoft's ecosystem. Claude's Artifact feature is a game-changer, allowing both the AI and me to see and work on the same document within the chat interface. However, this doesn't replace keeping your own working copy.

Different AIs have different strengths. Not all language models are created equal - I mix and match based on my needs. I lean on Anthropic's Claude for stellar writing quality, but OpenAI's ChatGPT excels at analysis and ideation. Claude is making great advances in UI, transforming the AI into a real assistant that can understand and manipulate complex document structures. A word of caution: don't let the AI fully take the wheel. These models can unintentionally veer you off course, so I make sure to firmly steer things back when needed.

Short-form writing has a streamlined process. For pieces like emails or posts, I follow these steps:

1. Give the AI key points to cover and have it offer suggestions.
2. Tell it which ideas you want to keep and have it draft the full text.
3. Edit the draft, remove what you don't like, and suggest changes.
4. Once you have something you're happy with, run the working copy back through the model and have it revise for consistency.
5. Finally, ask the AI to rewrite the opening sentence for a strong start.

Long-form articles require deeper involvement. I begin by outlining with the AI, starting broad and having it flesh out details. With a finalized outline, the AI generates the piece section-by-section while I review and refine each part before moving forward. Any edits get sent back through the model to maintain version control.

The final polish is crucial. Once I have a complete draft, I pass it through the AI time to enhance flow and continuity. After that, I have it rewrite the introduction to accurately frame the full narrative.

AI has been a game-changer for my writing. While it isn't the right tool for all writing, leveraging AI has significantly boosted my efficiency and creativity. If you're looking to supercharge your own writing process, here are some key takeaways:

• Use AI as a collaboration tool, not a complete handoff.
• Maintain your own working file and version control.
• Let different AIs tackle what they're best at.
• Don't be afraid to push back if an AI goes off the rails.
• Lean on AI for consistency, flow, and reframing intros

Experimentation is key to success. With some trial and error, you too can harness AI's potential while still staying in the driver's seat. AI can truly turbocharge your technical writing abilities.

What's your experience with AI in your writing process? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!