I first started blogging and writing in 2011, and very few writing tools existed beyond checking spelling. While I am not opposed to using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, I want you to know that I do not rely on them as a crutch. You are getting my authentic words, pictures, opinions, and passion.

AI and Writing

I self-published a book, a collection of weekly articles from the first year of a now offline blog, using Amazon’s CreateSpace service. One book review stood out due to the praise and constructive feedback it provided.

The customer said it was a fantastic book and that I knew my craft. They typically read a book like mine and passed it along. Instead, they kept it, highlighting key content and earmarking pages for future reference. However, they said I needed an editor. I recently put those 52 articles through a modern tool like Grammarly, and wow, was I embarrassed. It required quite a bit of help, and I wish I had had those tools to create a better product back then.

With that feedback in mind, I utilize two AI tools in my writing. First, I use ChatGPT to generate high-level ideas and conduct customer research. It doesn’t write for me, nor does it even provide article outlines. However, ChatGPT has given me ideas about the types of content to create, how to connect them into one interwoven story, and how to best monetize the content.

Secondly, I use Grammarly to assist with my actual writing. Yet, I regularly disagree with its suggestions. I know that I sometimes use too many words. I may seem overly personal or aloof with technical terms. But I like how it refines my grammar, corrects spelling mistakes, and offers simple rephrasing.

AI and Images

As for visual content, like photos and images, I am even more restrictive. All of the photos on this website are my own, taken by me or someone on the trip with me. I resize, crop, and adjust the color balance of photos using an old version of Adobe Photoshop. No generative AI tools are used in any of my pictures. What I see is what you get. Period.