Creative Writing with an AI-Powered Writing Assistant: Perspectives from Professional Writers

It was generally agreed that a co-writing AI, like a human co-writer, is most useful when it complements a writer’s own skillset. If a writer already knows how to develop eloquent prose, the AI’s ability to suggest interesting ideas is more crucial than the exact language it chooses. Conversely, if a writer already has a clear story arc in mind, an

Writers who use AI as a drafting tool might be seen as intentionality remixers, drawing copy from ChatGPT as raw material and weaving purpose into the syntax and language. But so far, the chatbot on its own, or even with the support of savvy prompt engineering, does not excel at this particular task.

Perhaps the most common desire was for a brainstorming partner; participants envisioned a tool that provided ideas a writer could riff off or helped with overcoming writer’s block. DH noted how brainstorming functionality would be especially useful for novice writers. Multiple participants described to us their process for working with human writin

- Perhaps the most common desire was for a brainstorming partner; participants envisioned a tool that provided ideas a writer could riff off or helped with overcoming writer’s block. DH noted how brainstorming functionality would be especially useful for novice writers. Multiple participants described to us their process for working with human wri

Writing in dialogue with an artificial companion was unexpected, inspiring and exciting. Using AI in dialog over a writing task was a truly new experience. Using AI as a dialogue partner during preparation, when stuck, and in editing proved surprisingly useful.