Peanuts In My Pocket

I took up blogging again after retiring. I used to write a blog called Deep Thoughts back in the early days of blogging, producing 6,566 posts over the years. Constant feedback from readers highlighted that I needed an editor, so I eventually began working with one. It was a humbling experience.

Now, with my editor no longer available, I’ve turned to ChatGPT. This, too, has been humbling. I make many mistakes, but the benefit is that I don’t have to face a real person when getting constructive feedback.

I use a GPT model called Writing Assistant to edit each post. My process involves researching, writing, and then doing a round of self-editing. I have a list of common mistakes I check for, which helps me catch many issues. Once that’s done, I submit the post to ChatGPT and ask it to ensure consistency in tone and tense without altering or adding content. I also request help with generating tags and an excerpt.

What I’ve Learned

• Inconsistent Tone: My tone has improved over time, and reading the feedback helps me recognize when it drifts.
• Clarity and Conciseness: My writing sometimes lacks clarity and is not concise. While I don’t always agree with the suggested rephrasing, I learn from it each time.
• Grammar and Style: This is one of my weaker areas, and the feedback has been invaluable. I often find new things to add to my list of common mistakes.
• Word Choice: While I don’t typically use incorrect words, I do tend to rely on complicated business language. Undoing 40 years of business writing habits is harder than it seems.

Next, I compare my original writing with ChatGPT’s edited version. The revised version is almost always shorter and easier to read, with unnecessary words and flowery language removed or rewritten. Most importantly, ChatGPT doesn’t challenge my intelligence, education, or intentions. It provides feedback without judgment, making the editing process much more enjoyable.

For example, this was some of the feedback from editing this post:

“The tone is reflective, informative, and supportive. It provides a firsthand account of using AI as a writing tool and encourages others to consider it. The voice is personal, relatable, and candid, inviting readers to learn from your experiences.”

The final version I publish is usually a blend of my original and ChatGPT’s suggestions. If I don’t like how my post is reworded, I take the time to compare both versions and create a third, refined version.

Word Choice: Simplified or adjusted some phrases to maintain an approachable and clear tone, such as changing “flowery prose are usually dropped or rewritten” to “with unnecessary words and flowery language removed or rewritten.”

When I first started using AI, I was concerned about hallucinations—AI-generated fabrications. Thankfully, I haven’t encountered this issue. ChatGPT hasn’t added content or invented facts, likely because I only ask it to edit and provide feedback. Using this tool has made me a better writer and given me the confidence to write freely. I recommend it to anyone who needs assistance. For those who don’t—well, I envy you.