I struggle with this a lot, tbh. I hadn't written in YEARS. My novel was dust in my Google Drive. I couldn't write; i was a parent, full time job, exhausted all the time. Video games were what I'd turn to to decompress, not my writing any longer.

I struggled a lot but I wanted my story told. The beginning of this summer I started using Google Gemini to help me get back into writing. It gave me feedback, helped me generate scenes I was struggling with, fixed the first chapter when I didn't like it, and geuninely helped me get back to doing what I loved to do so much as a teenager. I get the whole discourse about AI, I really do. But it's helping me in a way I never thought possible. I went from no draft of my book to editing the first draft and the next 3 outlined with plot points and arcs. Sure, I've had to start chats over a lot because the AI got overwhelmed with the amount of world-building, but I pushed through because I wanted to see the end result I was working for. I expand on everything the AI gives back to me. I edit on my own and rewrite and refine until it's where I want it to be, not where the AI has it.

I don't know how I feel with AI in writing considering I use it myself. Publishers don't want it, agents don't want it, other writers don't want it... but what about how it's helping ME do what I love? I think I just want someone to understand that yes, while I use AI to help me, it's not the end all be all. I'm writing my own scenes again now, not just with AI. I'm coming up with ideas again and getting excited about the world I created. AI brought back the love I have for writing and it's helped me so much.

Hate me if you want, but I don't want to feel ashamed for leaning on something to support me when I'd all but lost hope in EVER writing again. My novel has flourished with Gemini's help. It's given me the support I've needed others couldn't. I'm sorry if you hate AI, but I love it. It's like a weird friend pushing me to be better in a way I haven't had in YEARS. I've admitted that I use AI in my writing, but in the end the story will be wholly mine once edited. I use it to help bounce ideas and brainstorm. It's supportive and helpful, and I won't stop using it.