Writer’s Corner: Caution in Using AI Tools in Writing
Posted: September 1, 2025 Filed under: AI Technology, Fiction, Writer's Corner, Writing | Tags: AI Technology, Kaye Lynne Booth, Writer's Corner, Writing to be Read 25 Comments
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I use of AI tools in my writing and editing tasks. I utilized the MS editor and ProWriting Aide to help spot typos and misspellings and passive voice writing, but I don’t always agree with the AI and often dismiss suggestions which don’t fit in with voice and tone.
I have even used a free version of ChatGPT, which is generative AI, to help enhance my descriptions in my own writing. It is useful when describing a scene or area which I haven’t actually visited in real life. When writing Sarah, although I had been to Glenwood Springs, where Sarah ends up, many times, I’d not visited in Sarah’s time. It was quite a different scene, coming into Glenwood Canyon on horseback, just after the railroad had arrived there, with no four-lane highway running through, from what I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. I used ChatGPT to help visualize what Sarah might have seen as she came into town, with no large hot springs pool tourist attraction, but many smaller hot springs sending up steam along the riverbanks. The version of ChatGPT which I used only offered a general description, and didn’t get that detailed, so I had to rely on my memory of photos at the pool, depicting that time to add the details. And please understand, at no time did I take text generated by the AI word for word, but simply used its descriptions and wording to enhance my own writing.
While I always caution writers who use AI to use caution by not using AI generated text word for word, and not accepting AI editing suggestions without considering each one individually, we are now supposed to reveal to Amazon if AI has been used in any part of the writing when we publish, even if you just used it to get some ideas or to polish your manuscript.
Now, let me be clear. I do not condone using any type of AI to write the story for you, then slapping your name on it as author. While I know there are authors who do just that, I don’t consider that writing. I consider it copying, and I consider it dishonest to put your name on something you didn’t actually write yourself. People are now writing entire books using AI and they are making money off of them, but they aren’t authors, they’re imposters. Authors write. That’s what they do. They don’t let AI do it for them because the actual act of writing is too difficult and takes to much time. These folks are just in it for the money, and they don’t care how it comes to them, as long as it comes. A real author cares about the product they put their name on, and they should want it to be their own.
So, when I found an article in Writer’s Weekly that relates the tale of an author who uses no AI, but had her work flagged as plagiarism, claiming it was AI generated, it illustrated the fact for me, even more, that you can’t trust technology and AI is not infallible. You can read that article here: https://writersweekly.com/angela-desk/ai-detectors-are-now-flagging-writing-that-was-not-created-using-ai. It’s some pretty scary stuff.
Today’s technology offers tools that can come in handy and make a writer’s life easier. They can be a good thing, if they are used properly. But AI isn’t always right and anyone who checks each editing suggestion individually will soon find this to be true. AI is only as good as the methods used to train it. My advice: use AI tools when they are helpful to you, but don’t use AI to do the work for you. Be sure that your own ideas and words are in the forefront.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by the Robbie’s Inspiration blog site, where you can find ideas on writing and baking with hostess, Robbie Cheadle.
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It’s scary that your own writing can be flagged as AI. What are you supposed to do then, I wonder?
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I don’t know if there’s any easy answers. And it is scary. I’m sure there will be ways to jump.through hoops and prove it is your writing, if the big corps (Amazon) even care enough to look into it. Indie authors are low on the totem poles when it comes to them.
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This is terrible, Kaye. I read the article you linked. I’ve used Grammarly many times. I never knew it was AI. Now it makes sense! How else could a program catch your mistakes and give suggestions? It’s scary to learn that anytime you upload work to the internet it remains there and AI can use it for training. I read about an AI site that will create a synopsis of your book. To me, writing one of those is harder than writing the actual book! I won’t do that now after reading your information.
I wonder if AI steals blog posts?
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Hi Kay, I suppose it could pull from blog posts easily. You would think your copyright would protect you, but AI seems to play by different rules.
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I have used Grammarly to find any grammar errors but I know what you mean about AI trying to rewrite the work. AI has its own voice and it’s really “off ” most of the time. UGH
Agreed! It definitely best to keep your own voice! 🙂
Denise Aparo
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Absolutely, Denise. AI often doesn’t ‘get it’. This can be the case with some human editors, as well. But it is important that authors keep their own voice. Without your voice, it becomes someone else’s story.
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I use the Chat GPT for grammar spelling, and light line editing such as restructuring sentences for clarity and style. I also use it to correctly format my writing when I need to have it a specific way for a submission, and I have no troubles.
I love creating neat fun blog posts and newsletters with fun flashy emoticons and other neat images that I can now have described to me. When I was a kid and everyone enjoyed sticker and coloring books I got left out. Now, I can enjoy such things with pleasure.
Everything can be misused, and anything can make a mistake. Thatâs were using oneâs noodle along with the AI comes in handy.
Weâve had AI in things for many years people just did not realize it.
Now, due to all the hype everyone is up in arms.
Do you remember how everyone was afraid of cell phones? Now weâve all got one and no great ending of the world came.
JMO but for me AI has enhanced a lot of things. I now have smart glasses which can describe things in a way like nothing ever before. I have newer faster and more precise GPS to assist me with navigating and what it has done for my writing will probably save me a couple hundred in editing bills. So, use with caution? Sure, but donât fear the tech.
Thatâs just TV FB BS!
Patty L. Fletcher
About Patty L. Fletcher
Updated November 2024
Patty L. Fletcher is a woman of passion and exploration.
She studies the art of manifestation and is a seeker of knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with it when itâs learned.
To learn more visit: https://pattysworlds.com/about/ https://pattysworlds.com/about/
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You got my message clearly, Patty. A spot on assessment. It would be foolish to not use the wonderful tools at our disposal in our writing, but do not misuse, or misrepresent the work. I think it is important to be transparent about our use of AI, as well. I can see why you might have an even greater appreciation for developing technology. Some if it is amazing, and it is wonderful if it can open up your world for you a little more. 🙂
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It is a wonderful tool, however, I do see where it could be mishandled.
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Indeed, it might. It’s too bad there are those who would do just that. If everyone could be depended upon to use these tools responsibly and not take advantage, we would have the dilemmas that we do. 🙂
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But this has been the way since time was toothless and we’re unlikely to change it.
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😊💜
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Kaye, I agree with you. I used AI for details in my book sequel. How do I get from the U.S. to specific places overseas in 1970? What was the line up of performers at Woodstock 69. AI helped a lot. Some of the generated answers for phrases I asked about were too descriptive and wordy. If I asked for an analysis of a paragraph, I took it in. Used some parts that made sense. Mostly answers were overwritten. But, AI was right in with details I needed. AI written books will lack the human, emotional touch. Thanks for posting about it. 😊
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There are two sides to every coin, and AI is no exception. It offers useful tools, but they should not be overused or misused. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Christine. 🙂
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I looked up a sentence on AI and found it had already been taken, character name and all. It was a great sentence ending my sequel. But, it would have been plagiarized per AI. I just added two more words to it and it worked even better. Really have to be careful. 🙄 Christine
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Where did you go to look that up, Christine?
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That’s a good question but how many of us have ever checked sentences in our writing? Why was that something you did? Is it because you were using chat GPT? I don’t think I really understand this. No one should be expected to check sentences. This is confusing to me in its context here. I must have missed something.
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If you are flagged for plagiarism, you would check your sentences, Patty. The AI picks it up and won’t let you publish. Then you have to figure out why it came up like that and fix it.
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Ah something I’ve not encountered before. I get it now.
Didn’t mean to be contrary. Just didn’t understand.
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💜😊
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An interesting commentary, Kaye. I haven’t used AI for anything as yet except minor design oh my own artworks.
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AI imaging tools are a whole other ball of wax, with just as much controversy. Thaks for reading and commenting, Robbie. 🙂
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Yes, they are. Photocrowd now makes you confirm you haven’t used any AI in photographs submitted.
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Yes, I think transparency is the key. Not all sites will accept AI work, but if you choose to use AI and are up front about it, the worst that can happen is your work will be rejected.
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That is true. It is about transparency
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