As someone diagnosed with ADHD later in life, I've always known that my brain works a little differently. Writing my first two self-help books was a challenge - I struggled to think linearly and organize my thoughts. I relied heavily on a writing partner who would interview me, capture my ideas, and structure them into coherent chapters. But when it came to writing my debut novel, "Your New York Is Showing," I decided to try something different: artificial intelligence.
My background in IT has always drawn me to cutting-edge technology, and I was curious about how AI could streamline the writing process. I wanted more control over my work and the flexibility to write whenever inspiration struck. What I discovered was a game-changer for my creative process.
AI became my 24/7 writing partner. I could bounce ideas off it at any time, engage in brainstorming sessions, and even get help with editing. It became a research partner too, helping me understand the elements of good storytelling. I used AI to outline my story using the "Save the Cat" beat structure, a method that breaks down storytelling into specific elements within a three-act structure. This helped me learn how to craft a compelling narrative and keep readers engaged.
One of the biggest advantages of using AI with my ADHD brain is the freedom it provides. I can let my creativity flow without worrying about losing ideas. Every conversation with AI is recorded verbatim, so I can always go back and review our discussions. This is invaluable for those middle-of-the-night bursts of inspiration that might otherwise be lost by morning.
What surprised me most was how quickly I could translate the story in my head onto paper. Using AI, I wrote my full-length novel in half the time it took to write a 120-page self-help book with a human partner. The level of control I had over the process was unprecedented.
But let me be clear: AI doesn't write the story for you. Every word in my novel came from me. I use AI primarily for brainstorming and organizing. Anything the AI suggests is critically evaluated and rewritten to maintain my unique voice. If I had simply asked AI to write a 24-chapter story based on my basic premise, the result would have been vastly different from the story I wanted to tell - and likely not very good.
AI has been particularly helpful in moments of self-doubt or when I've written myself into a corner. It acts as a coach, offering encouragement and helping brainstorm solutions. Perhaps most importantly, it's taught me to be a better writer by emphasizing the importance of structure, pacing, and creating unique voices for each character.
My perspective on AI in creative writing has evolved significantly. I initially thought it might be a 'done for you' solution, but I now understand it's very much a 'done with you' process. It requires substantial human interaction to craft a well-written story.
To my fellow neurodivergent authors considering AI, I say: give it a try. It might seem intimidating at first, especially if you're not tech-savvy. But even using AI for simple brainstorming can save time and frustration. Being able to ask for "10 ways I can show that my character..." and fill in the blank with any question about your character can make writing more enjoyable.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue using AI as a writing partner, editor, and tool for crafting dialogue and organizing my thoughts. I've even trained my own AI model to write in my style, tone, and pacing, making the process even more efficient.
AI hasn't replaced my creativity - it's enhanced it. It's given me the tools to wrangle my ADHD brain into producing a novel I'm truly proud of. For me, AI isn't the future of writing - it's very much the present.
I loved your book! I haven’t read a book in a long time and I enjoyed it!! Great job!!