AI Writing in 2025: Your Complete Guide to Staying Creative, Authentic, & Informed

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENT

• Introduction. Navigating the AI writing landscape in 2025
• Chapter 1. What is AI writing?
• Chapter 2. Ethics of AI writing
• Chapter 3. Using AI to write: what you gain and lose
• Chapter 4. AI prompt writing: best practices
• Chapter 5. AI writing tools 
• Chapter 6. AI writing events
• Chapter 7. AI in book publishing: industry news and trends 
• Chapter 8. How I use AI to write: my dos and don'ts
• Chapter 9. How to establish your own AI writing practice

Introduction. Navigating the AI writing landscape in 2025 

By 2025, most of us are using generative AI for a variety of writing tasks or at least experimenting with AI to see what it can do, from automating content or generating pages of material in a matter of seconds. As this technology changes how writers tell stories, compose emails, conduct research, and even publish books, it's important to think critically about what AI means for human expression.

That's where I come in.

As a lifelong creative writer, author, blogger, course creator, and book coach with a vested interest in the future of storytelling, I've designed this article to guide you through the philosophical and practical aspects of AI writing, including:

• The ethics of using it
• Using AI to write: what you gain and lose
• How to prompt AI effectively to get the output you want 
• Popular AI tools and events
• AI in publishing

I’ll also share my personal and professional views on AI in writing, where AI fits into my writing process and where it doesn’t, and my recommendations for anyone who wants to write creatively or professionally in 2025 and beyond. That way you can navigate the growing influence of AI in our craft and forge a path that aligns with your writing dream.

Chapter 1. What is AI writing?

At its core, AI writing refers to the generation of written content—sentences, paragraphs, articles, stories, scripts, or even entire books—using tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's CoPilot, or other generative AI technologies. How it works: you give an AI tool a set of instructions or a series of prompts and the tool produces text, based on patterns and data it has learned from information and content that's available on the internet. This mechanism allows you to generate tons of content in a matter of seconds, in any format or style you like, from business communication to creative expression.

Chapter 2. Ethics of AI writing

Along with the speed, efficiency, and creative control AI technology offers, they also introduce complex ethical dilemmas. What does it mean for human creativity when machines assist—or even take over—the writing process? How do we ensure that AI-generated content upholds standards of originality, fairness, and integrity? 

Let's explore specific ethical concerns around AI:

1. The rise of AI slop

The ease of AI-generated content has led to an influx of low-quality, formulaic writing that lacks depth, originality, and the human touch. As Fast Company highlighted in a March 2025 article, AI-generated "slop" can harm the overall quality of written content, leading to a culture of mediocrity that undermines authentic, thought-provoking work [1].

• How can writers ensure that AI enhances rather than diminishes the quality of content?

• Should AI-generated work be labeled so readers can make informed choices?

2. Plagiarism and attribution

AI tools generate content by analyzing vast amounts of existing material, sometimes producing outputs that closely resemble copyrighted works or other people's writing.

• Who is responsible when AI-generated content unintentionally mirrors someone else’s work?

• Should AI-assisted writing require disclosure or attribution?

3. The use of others' material in AI training

Many AI models are trained on publicly available content, including material protected by copyright. This raises concerns about whether AI-generated text is fair use or an unauthorized derivative of human-created works.

• Should AI companies be required to compensate or credit original creators?

• How can writers ensure their work isn’t unknowingly contributing to AI training without consent?

4. Diminished human creativity and critical thinking

When writers rely too heavily on AI, they may bypass critical thinking, deep reflection, and the personal creative journey that makes writing meaningful.

• Is AI a tool for enhancing creativity, or does it risk replacing human ingenuity?

• How can writers strike a balance between AI assistance and their own creative instincts?

5. Bias in AI-generated content

AI models inherit biases from the developers coding them and the data they’re trained on, which can lead to outputs that may not be completely objective or factual. In the worst cases, bias in AI-generated content may perpetuate harmful stereotypes, spread misinformation, or promote unbalanced perspectives.

• How can writers critically assess AI-generated content for bias and accuracy?

• What responsibility do writers have to fact-check AI-assisted work?

6. Displacement of jobs, including writing career

AI-generated content is already being used in journalism, marketing, and creative writing, raising concerns about whether human writers will be replaced across industries.

• How can writers adapt to a world where AI is increasingly used for content creation?

• Is it possible for writers to future-proof their careers?

• What ethical considerations should businesses take into account when using AI instead of human writers?

Read about writing side hustles HERE and how much writers make HERE.

7. The use of AI in education 

AI can generate essays, research summaries, and even creative writing pieces, posing challenges for academic integrity and original thought.

• Should students be allowed to use AI in writing assignments, and if so, how?

• How can educators foster genuine critical thinking while acknowledging the role of AI?

8. Reader expectations and transparency

Readers may not always be aware when they’re consuming AI-generated content, which raises questions about authenticity and trust.

• Should author even consider using AI to write a book?  

• Should authors of AI-generated books, articles, or scripts disclose their use of this technology?

• Does AI-assisted writing change the way readers connect with a piece of work? 

Chapter 3. Using AI to write: what you gain and lose

AI writing tools offer undeniable benefits: 

• Speed and scalability: AI can produce content in minutes that might take a human writer hours or even days. This makes it easier to meet tight deadlines or explore multiple versions of an idea quickly. 
• Error detection and readability improvements: AI tools can flag grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, and structural weaknesses, making it easier to produce polished, professional writing. 
• Generating ideas and overcoming writer’s block: AI can suggest ideas, outlines, and even entire passages, helping writers break through creative blocks and find new angles on a topic. 
• Consistency in tone and style: AI can help maintain a consistent voice, particularly useful in business or content marketing. 

With these advantages come trade-offs. The writing process is more than just putting words on a page; it’s a journey of discovery, reflection, and refinement. When we offload too much of the heavy lifting onto AI, something essential is lost:

• The depth of the writing process: Traditional writing involves brainstorming, trial and error, rewriting, and deep reflection. These steps help writers develop their critical thinking, storytelling instincts, and self-awareness. AI speeds past these phases, potentially shortchanging growth and critical thinking.

• Intuitive discovery and creativity: Writing is often a process of finding meaning through exploration. Generating content with AI is efficient, but doing so may mean you sidestep the organic, unpredictable nature of human inspiration and miss out on the experience of intuitive leaps and creative connections.

• Personal investment and emotional depth: Writing is more than just conveying information. It's a way to explore the human condition, through your unique voice, perspective, and lived experience. Over-reliance on AI may mean losing touch with the wealth of insight you have inside. 

• Discernment: Struggling with words, revising passages, and making tough creative choices are part of what shapes a skilled writer. Outsourcing to AI the struggles and decision-making inherent to the writing process potentially weakening a writer’s ability to evaluate and improve their own work.

• The organic development of ideas: AI presents fully formed sentences instantly, but real thinking happens through iteration. When you wrestle with ideas, challenge them, and refine them over time, they mature and reflect your highest potential. Rushing toward AI-assisted conclusions and outcomes may rob you of the experience of witnessing how your skills and ideas evolve. 

Chapter 4. AI prompt writing: best practices

As I've suggested throughout this article, using AI as a writing assistant should enhance your creative process, not replace it. To maintain control over your work and avoid offloading too much thinking, reflecting, and discovering onto a machine, it's crucial to craft strong, intentional prompts. AI-generated content is only as good as the input you provide, so the more detailed and strategic your instructions, the better the output will align with your vision.

Let's look at some best practices: 

1. Start with a clear goal.

Before turning to AI, take time to reflect on what you want to create. What’s the purpose of the piece? What tone, structure, or style do you envision? AI works best when you tell it your goal and give it a direction rather than vague instructions.

Examples:

• Vague: "Help me write a blog post about writing villains." 

• Clear: "I’d like help writing a blog post for fiction writers about how to craft compelling villains. The audience is intermediate to advanced writers. The tone should be engaging and insightful, avoiding clichés. The piece should cover psychological depth, motivation, and how to avoid one-dimensional villains."

2. Provide context.

AI works best when you give it more information about the bigger picture. Without context, it may generate generic or misaligned responses.

Examples:

• Without context: "Suggest dialogue for a tense scene."
• With context: "In my novel, two longtime friends are having an argument after one betrays the other. The betrayed friend is trying to stay composed but is deeply hurt. The other character is defensive but also ashamed. Their argument takes place in a quiet bar, and the tension is subtle but charged. Based on this, suggest three lines of emotionally layered dialogue."

3. Set clear boundaries.

AI can easily generate large amounts of text, but that doesn’t mean every word it produces is useful or that you even want it to complete every task related to a given writing project. Be explicit about what you do and don't want AI to do.

Examples:

• Without boundaries: "Write a blog post about writing villains." (AI might generate a full article that lacks originality.)
• With boundaries: "Suggest three different approaches I could take for this blog post. For example, should I focus on psychology, narrative function, or common mistakes? List pros and cons for each." 

4. Treat AI as merely a collaborator.

Treat AI like an idea generator or an editorial assistant, not the primary author. If you find yourself copying and pasting without revision or critical thought, you’re likely missing out on key parts of the writing process.

Examples:

• AI as primary author: Using AI to generate a complete draft and publishing it without changes. 
• AI as collaborator: Using AI to create a rough outline, then refining it based on personal insights and experience before drafting the full post on your own.

5. Refine and iterate.

The first AI-generated response may not be the best one. When the output isn’t quite what you've envisioned, keep prompting AI with follow-up prompts—specifying a different angle, tone, or level of detail—until you get results that match your vision.

Examples:

• First attempt: "Give me 10 blog titles about how to write good villains."

• AI response: "How to Write a Great Villain," "Why Villains Matter," "Making Your Villain Believable." 

• Revised prompt: "Suggest 10 fresh blog titles for an article on crafting villains. Avoid generic phrasing. Make them intriguing and thought-provoking."

• AI response: "The Villain’s Dilemma: Making Readers Sympathize with Your Antagonist" and "From Evil to Iconic: The Art of Crafting a Memorable Villain." 

6. Reflect on your own role.

Writing effective AI prompts means you need to take on a leadership role in the creative process. When you craft thoughtful instructions, you’re acting as:

• A visionary, defining the overarching concept and purpose of your writing. Before using AI, you outline what you want to achieve, ensuring that AI serves your vision instead of dictating it.

• An editorial manager, setting expectations, refining ideas, and maintaining quality control. Always revise AI-generated outputs, improving clarity, tone, and originality before using them in your work.

• A content strategist, deciding how AI fits into your creative workflow, ensuring that it serves your goals rather than dictates them. Use AI for brainstorming and outlining and sign off only on the final outputs that reflect your unique voice and perspective.

By approaching AI with this mindset, you stay in control of your creative process while making the most of what this technology has to offer.

Chapter 5. AI writing tools 

New AI writing tools emerge constantly, making it difficult to keep up with every innovation. In this section, we'll explore different categories of tools based on what they can do and how you can use them in the writing process:

AI for content generation

AI writing tools can quickly generate everything from blog posts and marketing copy to fiction and technical writing. While they can help overcome writer’s block and produce drafts efficiently, they work best when guided by clear instructions and thoughtful refinement.

Popular tools:

• ChatGPT: Versatile AI that can generate drafts, brainstorm ideas, and refine content.

• Jasper: AI-powered marketing copywriter designed for ad copy, blog posts, and sales content.

• Copy.ai: Focused on short-form marketing copy and social media content.

• Writesonic: AI writing tool for SEO-friendly articles, ads, and landing pages.

AI for editing and enhancements

AI-powered editing tools help improve grammar, style, clarity, and even tone. They can also provide structural suggestions, making them valuable for refining content and ensuring readability.

Popular tools:

• Grammarly: Advanced grammar, spelling, and style checker with AI-powered clarity suggestions.

• Hemingway Editor: Highlights complex sentences and readability issues for more concise writing.

• ProWritingAid: A comprehensive writing assistant with in-depth grammar and style analysis.

• Wordtune: AI-powered rewriter that suggests alternative phrasing for improved clarity and tone.

AI for research and generating ideas

AI tools can assist in gathering information, summarizing complex topics, and brainstorming creative ideas. However, they require fact-checking, as AI-generated research may sometimes be inaccurate or outdated.

Popular tools:

• Perplexity AI: AI-powered research assistant that finds and summarizes relevant sources.

• Elicit: AI tool for academic research that retrieves papers and summarizes key findings.

• ChatGPT (with web browsing): Can assist in pulling in recent information from the web.

• Claude: Provides well-structured responses for brainstorming and outlining.

AI for personalization

Some AI tools allow users to create custom versions that align with their unique writing style, audience, or workflow. Personalization ensures that AI assists rather than replaces the writer’s voice.

Personalization features:

• Custom GPTs (via OpenAI): Users can create tailored AI models to respond in a specific voice or follow particular content guidelines.

• Notion AI: AI embedded in Notion for personalized productivity and note-taking.

• HyperWrite: AI that adapts to a user’s writing style and offers contextual suggestions.

AI agents and custom GPTs (generative pretrained transformer)

AI agents represent the next step in AI writing, going beyond simple text generation to handle multi-step, goal-oriented tasks. These tools act more like autonomous assistants, performing research, refining drafts, and even suggesting improvements without requiring constant human input.

How do AI agents work? Unlike traditional AI tools that respond to single prompts, AI agents can: 

• Break down complex tasks, such as research, outlining, and drafting, into smaller steps. 
• Iterate on responses without needing humans to intervene.  
• Connect with external tools to pull in information or refine their work. 

Examples of AI Agents

• Auto-GPT: Runs autonomously to complete complex writing or research tasks.

• AgentGPT: AI agent that automates different workflows for businesses, such as customer service, sales, and marketing.

• Custom GPTs (via OpenAI): Personalized AI models tailored for specific writing styles or purposes.

In the future, AI agents may become full-fledged writing collaborators, capable of handling research, idea development, and iterative drafting, while still requiring human oversight for creativity, originality, and authenticity.

Chapter 6. AI writing events

AI is transforming writing and publishing, and the best way to stay informed—and have a say in how it unfolds—is to join the conversation. AI-focused writing events bring together authors, editors, publishers, and industry experts to explore both the opportunities and challenges of AI in content creation, marketing, and publishing.

Attending these events is more than just an opportunity to learn; it’s a chance to make your voice heard. You don’t need to be an AI expert to contribute ideas. Writers of all levels should be part of shaping how these tools are used. Whether you’re excited about AI or deeply concerned about its implications, your perspective matters. By participating, you help influence the direction of AI in writing, ensuring that creativity, originality, and ethical storytelling remain at the forefront.

Many AI writing events have already taken place in 2025, but more are on the horizon. To stay involved, follow these organizations and sign up for upcoming discussions.

AI specific writing conferences 

• AI Writing Summit: A multi-day online event, hosted by Infostack, featuring expert panels, discussions, and workshops on AI’s role in writing. (User was a panelist for two years in a row.)

• AI for Writers Summit: An online event, hosted by Marketing AI Institute, focusing on how AI can enhance writing productivity, creativity, and storytelling for marketers.

• The AI Copywriting Intensive: A multi-week online event, hosted by the American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI), exploring AI’s future in copywriting.

• AI in Writing: A virtual summit equipping writers with actionable strategies, expert insights, and a powerful community to transform AI from a distant innovation into a practical tool for creativity, career growth, and industry impact.

Traditional writing conferences featuring AI discussions

Even at traditional writing conferences and book fairs, AI is becoming a major topic of discussion. If you attend a writing or publishing event, check the schedule for AI-related panels, workshops, or keynotes. These sessions often explore AI’s role in storytelling, marketing, publishing, and ethics, giving you the chance to learn from industry experts and contribute to the conversation. 

Chapter 7. AI in book publishing: industry shifts 

Chapter 8. How I use AI to write: my dos and don'ts 

In this chapter, I want to be transparent about my own use of AI. Throughout this article, you’ve likely picked up on my approach, but I’ll be more direct here in case it helps you establish your own standards and rules of engagement with generative AI technology. The reality is, I use AI for almost every writing project, including this very article on AI writing (yes, I recognize the irony). But I also adhere to the best practices I listed in Chapter 4 to ensure that AI remains a collaborator, not the creator.

My role as visionary, editor, and storyteller

Before turning to AI, I define my goals, outline a clear direction, and provide detailed context to improve the output. But at its core, my writing is driven by my own mastery of craft. I write extensively without AI input, developing characters, dialogue, and plot for fiction, and drawing on my expertise in nonfiction topics like nutrition and writing craft to inform and empower audiences. This foundation allows me to prompt AI effectively and critically assess its outputs. I never take AI’s first response as is. I refine, iterate, and ensure that every piece reflects my own insights, experience, and creative voice.

AI as collaborator

I often have lengthy “conversations” with ChatGPT, using it as a way to record and explore my thoughts. I ask it to outline the pros and cons of a particular approach to a project and suggest alternative angles I might consider. I've even asked AI to pose deep reflective questions that help me clarify my vision, such as. "What questions should I ask myself about this approach to ensure I’m in alignment?"

I often feed it passages of my work to identify content gaps and explore ways to craft stronger content than what already exists.

AI-generated responses in conversations never dictate my writing but often spark new ideas that I develop further. This process helps me refine my work, but never replaces the creative thinking required to write compelling content.

Speeding up tedious tasks

While I don't use AI to generate original content, I do use it to streamline parts of my workflow. For example, it helps me consolidate paragraphs, tighten sentences, and adjust tone to improve clarity. When researching, I use AI to summarize articles, pull key insights, and organize information so I can focus on analysis rather than data gathering. These efficiencies free up more time for the deeper, more creative aspects of writing. 

Boundaries I've set

Chapter 9. How to establish your own AI writing practice 

As I reflected on my own practice of using AI in writing, and what I discuss with the writers I work with, I’ve become more aware of the delicate balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving the core of what it means to be a writer. I’m deeply invested in upholding human expression, creativity, and originality—values that shape every project I work on. I also think about the tension between speed and quality, particularly as AI can speed up writing processes but also risks undermining thoughtful, intentional work.

What readers expect from us as writers is an authentic, compelling experience—one that reflects our unique voices, not just the efficiency of an algorithm.

In this chapter, I’ll share some of the advice I would offer to writers navigating this new landscape, along with sincere recommendations for establishing a mindful, responsible approach to using AI in your writing. 

1. Take an active role in shaping AI in publishing.

2. Master your craft.

While AI can enhance your writing, it can never replace mastery of the craft. Invest in learning from experts, including:

• Taking creative writing courses
• Hiring a mentor, such as a coach or developmental editor
• Seeking feedback from fellow writers

Regularly investigate your genre to understand what makes good writing in that space. For example, if you're writing thrillers, explore what builds suspense and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. If you're crafting nonfiction, study how to establish an approachable yet authoritative voice. By constantly honing your craft, you position yourself as a writer who is both skilled and knowledgeable, allowing you to make the most of AI's potential.

3. Maintain transparency and ownership of your work.

As you incorporate AI into your writing process, it's important to be transparent about your methods, so your readers trust that your voice remains authentic. Consider stating on your author website how you use AI, whether it's for brainstorming, refining ideas, or speeding up time-consuming tasks. Be clear on social media about how AI supports your process, ensuring your audience knows that every word has been written by you or gone through a significant review. This level of transparency builds trust and ensures that readers understand and appreciate the effort behind your work.

4. Balance technology and traditional writing methods.

AI can speed up tedious tasks, allowing you to focus on the creative, reflective aspects of writing. However, it’s crucial to remember the value of traditional writing practices. Make space for deep thinking and reflection by switching up how you write. Stepping away from the keyboard to handwrite—whether a paper or digital notepad—engages your mind differently, often sparking fresh ideas and deeper connections with your creativity.

Keep a regular journaling practice or use creative writing prompts to tap into your inspiration, even if writing your reflections takes longer than relying on AI. Once you’ve explored your ideas, you can bring them to AI for feedback and additional angles, but always prioritize the time spent exploring your creativity away from the screen.

Read more: "How to Write Creatively: A Guide to Turning Ideas into Masterpieces."

5. Establish boundaries and prioritize originality.

It’s important to set clear boundaries when using AI in your writing process. Establishing limits and guardrails not only ensures that your work remains original but also helps you navigate the publishing industry confidently. When pitching or negotiating deals, be clear about how you want your work to be used (or not used) by AI after it’s published. Your creativity and voice should always be at the forefront, and being transparent with publishers about your use of AI ensures that you have control over how your work is handled in the future. Prioritize originality in your work and make it clear that while AI may assist in certain tasks, it does not replace your unique contribution as a writer.

Sources 

1. Fast Company. "AI Slop is Suffocating the Web, Says a New Study," https://www.fastcompany.com/91293162/ai-slop-is-suffocating-the-web. 
2. Publisher's Lunch. "Wiley Offers AI Guidelines for Writers," https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/03/wiley-offers-ai-guidelines-for-writers/. 
3. Fast Company. "How AI is Accelerating—and Devaluing—Book Publishing," https://www.fastcompany.com/91236515/how-ai-is-accelerating-and-devaluing-book-publishing. 
4. The Bookseller. "Penguin Random House Underscores Copyright Protection in AI Rebuff," https://www.thebookseller.com/news/penguin-random-house-underscores-copyright-protection-in-ai-rebuff. 
5. eWeek. "Literary World Divided as Simon & Schuster's Dutch Arm Spends Millions on AI Translation for Up to 10 Book Titles," https://www.eweek.com/news/dutch-publisher-bets-millions-on-ai-translation/. 
6. Publisher's Lunch. "Spotify Adds More AI Audiobooks, As We Look at Their Payment Terms," https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/02/spotify-adds-more-ai-audiobooks-as-we-look-at-their-payment-terms/. 
7. Publisher's Lunch. "AAP Calls for AI Companies to Respect Copyright at Paris Summit," https://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2025/02/aap-calls-for-ai-companies-to-respect-copyright-at-paris-summit/. 

Stay ahead in the AI writing revolution. 

Subscribe now to stay updated on the latest in AI writing, from ethical insights to best practices and exclusive event announcements. As a subscriber, you'll also receive special discounts, bonuses, and access to content that helps you navigate the ever-evolving publishing landscape with confidence and integrity.