This image compares the importance of refinement in cooking and writing, showing Sandra Lee's Kwanzaa cake alongside a humorous social media debate about AI.

Papa’s Guide to Writing With AI: How to Keep Your Vision (and Avoid the Kwanzaa Cake of Writing)

Let me start by saying, despite Mrs. Sandemano’s objections, I’ve spent far too much time recently arguing with strangers about AI. So instead, I decided to make this post to highlight a decent point—and to disclose that I absolutely have a sous chef (ChatGPT) in my writing process. But let’s be clear: the writing is mine.

AI as a Writing Tool, Not a Crutch

Here’s the thing: AI helps facilitate the writing process, but you still need to have something first. It’s like you need to know how to cook when you’re the head chef—or else you’re running a kitchen like Food Network in the 2000s. (Sandra Lee’s Kwanzaa cake, anyone?)

AI is the same. If you don’t know how to write, it’s going to churn out bland, generic prose that looks like everyone else’s. Your voice and vision as a chef—or an author—are what matter. AI can’t create that.

How Papa Uses His Sous Chef

  1. The Dump: Papa starts with his brain in chaos—a first draft that looks like a crime scene. Typos, ramblings, and all.
  2. The Sous Chef’s Cleanup: AI steps in to point out weak spots, suggest edits, and ask, “Papa-Are you sure that’s what you mean?”
  3. The Refinement: Papa and his sous chef go back and forth, refining the flavor. Just like reducing a sauce for your beef tenderloin—it’s all about balance and consistency.
  4. The Plating: Papa writes the final draft, but the sous chef doesn’t clock out yet. AI helps format the post for production, ensuring it’s polished and optimized for mobile (thanks, Jetpack!).
  5. Serving the Dish: The final product is unmistakably Papa’s, served fresh to the readers with bold flavors, a clear voice, and a touch of flair.

The Takeaway

AI isn’t a shortcut. It’s a tool. Like a sharp knife or a mandoline in the kitchen, you still have to know what to do with it. If you rely on it entirely, you’ll serve up something that looks like everyone else’s—a ready-made, store-brand version of what could’ve been a five-star dish.

So yeah, Papa uses ChatGPT. But the vision? The voice? The storytelling? That’s all mine. AI just helps clean up the chaos and prep the dish for service.

What’s Your Process?

How do you balance tools and creativity in your work? Whether you use AI, spellcheck, or a trusty thesaurus, I’d love to hear how you tackle your creative process. Drop a comment and let’s talk shop!

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