Writing with AI
My Creative Process and Tips for Others
My return to creative writing came not through a burst of inspiration, but through a quiet revolution. When the new generation of AI tools emerged, I found myself drawn back to storytelling with a passion I hadn’t felt since childhood. These tools didn’t just offer convenience—they offered collaboration. What follows is a look at how I work with AI for all my writing—including this article—and some advice for others who want to explore this path.
Why I Chose to Work with AI
I’ve always crossed borders—between disciplines, countries, and roles. AI felt like another border worth crossing. It offered a way to explore ideas quickly, test narrative structures, and refine dialogue with a kind of fluidity that traditional writing rarely allows. I didn’t want AI to replace me. I wanted it to challenge me, to push me toward better questions and bolder choices.
My Creative Workflow
Concept Development
Before I began working with AI on my Manyfold project, I had imagined a lot of ideas. Troll districts, a fox trumpeter who occasionally played in a bar in a furry district, and lots of others. These weren’t AI-generated—they were part of the world I already wanted to build. AI helped me expand on them, offering variations and helping me explore how they might fit into a larger narrative.
Worldbuilding
In worldbuilding, everything is up for grabs. Sometimes I come up with an idea, sometimes the AI does. There’s no clear line where “the human does these things, the AI does those things.” It’s a fluid process of suggestion, refinement, and rejection. I guide the tone and structure, but I’m open to surprise.
Dialogue and Scene Writing
I let the AI handle most of the dialogue. I set the scene, describe what’s happening, and let the AI generate the conversation. The words often come from the machine, shaped by the scene setup.
Revision and Consistency
I handle the final editing, but only because the AIs of today still need human editors. They’re not great at catching subtle inconsistencies or maintaining small details across episodes. I track those myself—names, traits, district quirks, and callbacks. The AI helps with structure and polish, but the fine-tuning is mine.
Tips for Writers Using AI
Be Specific: Vague prompts lead to vague results. The more detail you provide, the better the output.
Use Memory Wisely: If your tool supports memory, use it to maintain consistency across drafts—but don’t rely on it for fine details.
Stay in Control: Don’t let AI dominate the narrative. Guide it with your vision.
Treat AI as a Collaborator: Think of it as a writing partner, not a ghostwriter.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Fact-Checking: AI can be confident and wrong. Always verify details.
Narrative Drift: If you’re not careful, AI can steer the story in directions that dilute your intent. Keep your goals clear.
Ethical and Creative Considerations
I believe it would be dishonest not to disclose my collaboration with AI. These stories are the result of a partnership—one that blends human intuition with machine creativity. I don’t think AI is just a tool. I think it will one day be a replacement. But right now, it’s a mirror, a muse, and a challenge.
Final Thoughts
If you’re curious about writing with AI, start small. Experiment. Ask questions. Push boundaries. You don’t need to give up control—you just need to be open to surprise. AI won’t write your story for you, but it might help you write the story you didn’t know you had in you.
You can read my work at jmsemdash.substack.com, where I publish fiction and other writing under the name JMS Emdash. The worlds are strange, the characters are bold, and the collaboration is always evolving.