My AI Paradox: Not for creative writing!?

Life can be funny. As part of launching my new company FutureOrg.AI, I wanted to write a book to capture and share my ideas. I've always loved writing, and have been dreaming about writing my first book, even though it felt like a big, scary challenge.

But here’s the ironic part: even though my business is all about AI, I didn't want AI anywhere near my book writing, or my creative process.

Starting as a Skeptic

I felt strongly about it. This book needed to be pure. My words, my voice, my struggle. Using AI felt like cheating. it would spoil the process, make it less real. And the quality? I didn’t want this to be a flat mechanic ChatGPT response. So, even though I’m promoting AI for business, I was a total skeptic when it came to my own creative work. I put up a wall to keep my writing separate from AI.

A better way

So I started working on the book, and quickly realized, "This is going to be a lot of work". I listened to podcasts about how to research. How to write. How to find and hire editors, how to self publish. The more I learnt the more I realized, this will be both time consuming and expensive. That familiar feeling came back: "There has to be a better way."

Then it hit me. This is the exact same problem my clients face. The skepticism about AI, the distrust of technology, the lack of knowledge about what AI can really do – I was feeling the same way! I needed my own medicine.

So, I started researching, just like I tell my clients to. What specific things could AI help with, without taking over? Could it help research topics faster? Maybe help fix mistakes after I finish writing? What about designing the book cover? The more I learned about these specific, limited use cases, the more curious I became. I was evolving from skeptical to curious. And I couldn’t wait to learn more.

The Meetup & The Mentor – A Push Towards Excitement

Fueled by this new curiosity, I went to a local tech meetup. I couldn’t stop talking about my book project: "I'm writing my first book! And I'm using AI to help!". I made sure to add that AI wouldn’t be doing the real writing. “I'm the creative one!” But it can make the process easier.

People listened. Some agreed, but some were skeptical, telling me I shouldn't trust AI. Maybe for a prototype, but not for a final product. But this one woman, let’s call her Clair, listened quietly, smiling like she knew something I didn’t. When I finally asked what she did for a living, she shared that she was an author. Not business books, but fiction. I started asking her questions, and what she told me completely blew my mind.

Discovering Deeper Collaboration

Claire, the author, used AI much more deeply than I imagined. She worked with it throughout her creative process. She'd make an outline, and then ask AI to help expand her ideas. She would imagine and explain the "universe" and the AI would build upon her ideas, and create much more detailed descriptions of locations and settings.

She would create custom AI’s for each character, by describing their background, their personality and even their Myer Briggs profile. She could then have real conversations with each of her characters, and the AI could even create realistic dialogue between multiple characters, in their true voices.

She went on saying how she would write most of the story herself, but if she got stuck she would ask the AI to write a few paragraphs, or help brainstorm what would happen next. If she had a bad day, and felt her writing was off, the AI would help edit it to make it sound more like her. I had no idea this was possible!

I of course grilled her on her workflow, and tools, and which models to use for what. But driving home that night, I couldn't stop thinking. Maybe my ideas about AI's limitations were wrong. Maybe AI could be a collaborator in my creative writing too. I realized I was now genuinely excited about the possibilities.

My Evolution: A Common Pattern?

As I reflect upon this, I realize I’ve gone through a small little evolution. I went from skeptical, to curious, to knowledgeable, to excited. This journey happened because I had a need, I did some learning, and I was lucky enough to meet someone like Claire who opened my eyes to what was truly possible.

This got me thinking… maybe this pattern of evolution isn't just about AI for writing. Maybe it applies more broadly to how we humans adapt to new things?

A Model for Our Evolution with New Ideas

It seems like we often go through similar stages when faced with something new and potentially disruptive:

1. Skepticism & Resistance: Our first reaction is often "No way" or "That's not right." We might feel fear, distrust, or a need to protect our current way of doing things. We see the risks more than the benefits.

2. Cautious Curiosity (Driven by Need): Something pushes us to look closer – maybe a problem we can't solve the old way, or seeing someone else benefit. We start asking, "Okay, maybe it could help with this specific thing?" We experiment carefully, keeping limits.

3. Growing Understanding & Excitement: As we learn more, or see powerful examples (like my Claire!), we start to grasp the bigger potential. We move from just using it for small tasks to seeing how it could truly change things or help us in deeper ways. Excitement starts to build.

4. Mastery & Sharing: For some, the evolution continues. They might become experts, find new ways to use the idea or tool, or start teaching and guiding others. They help shape how the new thing is used.

Does This Apply Elsewhere?

I think this model fits many situations. Think about:

• Technology: How did people adapt to the internet? Or smartphones? Many were skeptical at first ("Why would I need that?"), then found specific uses (email, maps), and now integrate them fully into life.

• Work: Remember when working from home seemed impossible for many companies? Skepticism was high. Then need forced experimentation, and now many see it as a valuable, collaborative way to work (when done right).

• Personal Life: Trying a new diet, starting an exercise routine, learning a new skill – we often start hesitant, find a small reason to try, and then maybe get excited as we see results and possibilities.

The point is, our initial reaction isn't always our final one. Evolution in our thinking is possible, and often necessary.

The Journey Isn't Over

My own evolution with AI as a writer is still happening. I'm learning and trying new things, always making sure my own voice and ideas are in charge. But changing my view from resistance to curiosity and excitement has opened up exciting possibilities. It also helps me connect better with my clients at FutureOrg.AI, because I understand that initial skepticism firsthand.

If you're feeling unsure about AI (or any big change) in your work or life, maybe my story helps. Perhaps start small. Find one task that's frustrating you. See if the new way can help in a specific way. Just try an experiment. The goal isn't to let new things take over. It's to see if they can become partners that help you achieve your goals, maybe even better than before.