How to Supercharge Your Writing With AI Tools - Ep. 33 with Evan Armstrong

Creative Processes

Dan Shipper and Evan Armstrong discuss how AI can aid in brainstorming and generating creative writing ideas. Evan shares his unique approach to idea generation, which involves spending time in a sauna to let ideas naturally surface. He finds that this method allows him to tap into his subconscious, resulting in more authentic and compelling topics 1. Dan, on the other hand, uses AI tools like ChatGPT to transcribe voice memos and identify interesting topics from his thoughts 2. He explains, "I think really well if I'm walking and talking, and so what I'll often do is I'll either just get up, take a walk, and record a voice memo, and then I'll go transcribe the voice memo with whisper" 2.

   

Writing Techniques

AI writing techniques are revolutionizing how writers craft their work. Dan uses Claude to create metaphors and analogies, enhancing the depth and engagement of his writing 3. Evan prefers using AI tools like Lex for in-line editing, which helps him maintain focus and streamline his writing process 4. "I found that over time I'm trying to shift more and more of my AI labor out of like the Claude chat bot and the chat JBT chatbot because it's distracting," Evan notes 4.

   

Reflect & Rewrite

Reflecting and rewriting with AI involves iterative improvements to writing. Dan emphasizes the importance of using AI to critique and refine thesis statements, allowing for a more polished final product 5. He describes his process of daily thesis refinement, where AI helps distill his thoughts into a coherent statement 6. "Every time I ask it, it's a little bit of a kaleidoscope where I get to look at all my notes from a different perspective," Dan explains 7.

   

Literary Taste

AI tools also assist in articulating and refining personal literary taste. Dan uses AI to synthesize the vibes of his favorite writers, which helps him understand and express his own literary preferences 8. This process not only enhances his writing but also provides a framework for evaluating others' work 9. "When I first did it, it was like looking in the mirror for the first time, and I was like, holy shit, this is what I look like, and I like it," Dan reflects 10.