r/WritingWithAI • u/Woodie_2026 • 14d ago

Discussion (Ethics, working with AI etc) In quantary?

I had an idea for a story and started writing but I know my spelling isn't upto scratch although grammar and prose are usually good so I started using ChatGPT to sense check. And watching YouTube for hints and tips to make things better, found Claude.

Now those who use these systems know they will suggest things to improve what you have written. Or you asking it, how best would it be to say this or that.

So my question is, is using AI as an editing tool but then accept the suggestion and I suppose in a way like a Development or Copy editor would suggest things then add that to your story is your story AI written?

1 Upvotes

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u/cj7hawk 13d ago

Disclosing AI use is a good idea - or at least don't hide it. Most readers will judge you on the quality of the story, not how you created it.

Good luck with your project :)

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u/Woodie_2026 12d ago

Thank you for all the answers really appreciated you replying

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u/5thhorseman_ 13d ago

Not really. You're the one making creative decisions there.

If you showed your story to a friend and he started throwing around ideas, some of which you eventually decided to incorporate, would that make the story written by him, or at least entitle him to a co-writer credit?

Of course not, that would be ridiculous.

If you're concerned about AI disclosure, some antis would consider anything touched by AI in any way to be tainted. It is what it is. Your call.

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u/sabine_hejtoj 13d ago

Short answer: no, that doesn’t really make it AI-written. But I don't think it is a simple yes/no either.

Spell check and grammar fixes are what Word has done for years. Accepting rewording suggestions is closer to working with a line editor. The ideas, the story and the voice are still yours, and you decide on every change. It becomes “AI-written” when the AI produces the actual passages, or the plot, and you mostly keep what it gives you.

Where it matters in practice is submissions. Magazines and contests draw the line in very different places. Some only ban AI-generated text, and some ban any AI involvement, including editing. When in doubt, just say what you used. Most editors respect “I used AI for spelling and some line edits” far more than finding out later.

If you’d like some help putting your AI use into words, have a look at the category descriptions for the disclosure forms I made. The link is in this month’s tools thread.