Xennial Warrior Princess

How I use it during drafting

Sometimes I don’t know how to write a scene yet.

So I’ll describe the scene in detail, what needs to happen, the tone, the characters involved.

Then I explore different ways to approach it.

From there, I:

pick what fits my vision

adjust it

or write my own version based on the ideas

It’s a back-and-forth process until the scene feels right.

Bridging scenes

I also use it when I’m stuck between two scenes.

If I’m not sure how to get from point A to point B, I explore different options.

Sometimes I pick one and rewrite it. Sometimes it gives me a completely new idea.

Either way, I’m the one deciding what stays.

Editing and readability

I also use AI during editing and revision.

It helps me:

break down overly long paragraphs

simplify sentences that try to do too many things at once

reduce heavy exposition

improve clarity and flow

I tend to write very dense passages, so this helps give the reader breathing room and makes the story easier to follow.

Accessibility

Part of why I use these tools is accessibility.

Not just for screen readers, but for readability in general.

Clearer structure, shorter paragraphs, and better flow make the story easier to engage with.

Example

Sometimes I’ll have a line that works, but doesn’t sound quite right for the character.

So I adjust it.

For example, making a character sound more like a military officer, or another more formal, rigid, or… just a bit of a pompous arse.

It’s not about generating the scene. It’s about making the dialogue feel right.

What it is not

I don’t rely on AI to write my story for me

I don’t use generated text without revising and adapting it to fit my voice

Everything that ends up in the fic is something I’ve shaped and decided to keep

Support and motivation

I also use AI as a kind of sounding board.

I can talk through ideas, test directions, and work things out step by step.

It’s always available, doesn’t get tired of long discussions, and helps me stay focused when I’m stuck.

It’s also been helpful on days where I feel like giving up.

Sometimes just talking things through is enough to get me back to writing.

Final note

I chose to be open about this.

I’m probably not the only writer using AI this way. Surveys of published authors show many use it for things like research, brainstorming, outlining, editing, and refining language, and most of those who use it do not disclose it to readers.

At the end of the day, I’m the one writing the story.

If you’d like to see how this actually looks in practice, you can read my work here.