how chatgpt became my writing partner and boosted my writing skills
“Yes, I remember it very well. It was November 2022. The month the world changed again forever. But before everybody was revving up about it, I was already using it and intensifying the use of it each day, until it became one of my most important daily tools. It wasn’t even integrated in our phones yet, nor in any device. Oh boy, we didn’t even have any androids at home then.”
THAT’S the answer I’m going to give my grandchildren when they ask me about the first days with ChatGPT. And then I’ll lecture them about not being lazy despite having a machine that can write and answer things for you. I’ll say, “a wise guy once said that computers are like bicycles to the mind, they serve to boost our skills not to make them weak.”
We can talk about that later, though. What I’m proud to say is that I started using ChatGPT since the very first day of its launch and despite many people hating it today, it really changed the world for me. Like I mentioned, I do not use it for it to work for me, but rather to improve myself and optimize my work and life. And ever since I began using ChatGPT, it did significantly improved a lot of areas in my life, including my writing and my language skills.
I’ll tell you how.
We all know ChatGPT can do whatever we ask it to do. You ask for something, and it delivers, you ask a question, and it responds. Simple as that. For us writers, we can ask it to proofread or improve a text, and it will rewrite it with the corrections already made. It can deliver the edited text for us in seconds. We can also use it for more than just a proofreading tool. We can ask it to improve the clarity and coherence of our writing, adjust the tone and impact, correct grammar and punctuation, and even fine-tune our language use. And when our ideas feel scattered, we can ask for suggestions on structure or flow.
But I didn’t want to use ChatGPT in a passive and lazy way. As a writer, I value keeping my voice intact, with all the quirks and nuances of my train of thought, my fluency, my diction. At the same time, I thought it would be interesting to have a “small stuff” editor available 24/7 for feedback and conversation in the process. Something like having a language or writing coach right here with me, always ready to help, so I can leave just the important stuff to a real editor.
Using ChatGPT this way has been a game changer for me. And one of the most exciting features I found was asking ChatGPT to “roast” a post or article I write and “explain the rationale”. So, let’s talk about that.
the key prompt that changed my writing
Like I said, most people ask ChatGPT for corrections and just accept the improved version. But if you want to take your writing improvement to another level, ask ChatGPT to explain the rationale behind its suggestions.
When you do this, ChatGPT doesn’t just make changes—it starts a conversation about why certain corrections or adjustments were made. This approach turns this crazy machine from a passive tool into an active tutor, giving you insights into your mistakes and teaching you how to avoid them in the future.
But the trick here is that you can always disagree. I asked it to proofread the previous paragraph and it brought me these suggestions:
“This crazy machine” → “ChatGPT”: While “crazy machine” is playful, it can come across as informal or less precise. Since the overall tone of the text is instructional and clear, using “ChatGPT” maintains consistency and professionalism.
“Turns” → “Transforms”: “Transforms” adds a sense of greater impact and change than “turns,” enhancing the perception that ChatGPT evolves from a simple tool into a valuable teaching aid. It emphasizes a deeper shift in how the tool is used.
“Giving you insights” → “Offering insight”: “Offering insight” is more concise and formal. The original phrase “giving you insights” is grammatically fine, but “offering” sounds smoother and slightly more refined in this context.
You may have noticed that I kept the paragraph as it is. First, I thought that number one was more like ChatGPT not wanting to be called a “crazy machine”, but I used as a compliment, in a positive and enthusiastic way. And the other two suggestions imply that I’m writing formally. Which I’m not. So… this is where things gain another perspective.
By understanding the why behind the changes, you gain a deeper understanding of language and writing techniques. That’s for sure. It’s like learning from an experienced editor in real time and at any time. This process has helped me refine my voice, improve my grammar, and develop a sharper eye for editing.
However, it’s important to remember that you don’t always have to agree with the suggestions. Sometimes, the edits might not align with your intended tone or style. As with any feedback, it’s essential to evaluate whether the changes truly enhance your message or if they steer it in a direction that doesn’t feel authentic to your voice. Always keep this in your mind: it’s your writing, and you have the final say.
also, that’s when chatting comes into play
So, ChatGPT isn’t just a tool that hands you polished, corrected text on a silver platter. It can be an interactive partner if you want it. By engaging in a conversation–and that’s what it’s made for—, you can dig deeper into why certain suggestions are made, ask for alternatives, or clarify your own thoughts.
For example, if you don’t agree with a suggestion—like I showed above—, you can ask for another way to phrase it. Explain your tone, say you’re looking for something this or that way. For instance, “I’m using a conversational tone and it can be informal, now reconsider your suggestions”. This will change the way ChatGPT will correct your text. And it’s not just about getting answers—it’s about exploring different perspectives until you reach common ground, or it’s about understanding nuances and finding a balance between what’s grammatically correct and what suits your style.
Also, in my case, I use it to improve the way I express myself in a language that is not my native one. ChatGPT helps me refine my phrasing, correct subtle grammar mistakes, and I learn more natural expressions that might not come as easily to a non-native speaker. It’s like also having a language tutor who can point out nuances, suggest alternatives, and explain the cultural context behind certain phrases.
Sometimes I even ask it, “What do you understand from this sentence…?” Over time, this has boosted my confidence in writing and speaking, it helped me sound better in English, and it helps me check if what I’m saying really makes any sense.
so, yeah…
So, yeah, when you actively chat with ChatGPT—duh—, you’re not just passively receiving feedback; you’re part of the process. You can ask for explanations, push back on suggestions, and even request adjustments to match your preferred tone or message. This back-and-forth is especially helpful for those moments when your writing feels off but you’re not exactly sure why. Instead of accepting the first suggestion, you can ask follow-up questions and work together to get it just right. It’s this interactive dynamic that turns ChatGPT from just another proofreading tool into a personalized writing mentor.
I think I covered it already in some way, but I’ll save the lecture about laziness for my future grandkids, yet I doubt my kids will ever let their kids become lazy machine-dependent inviduals. And for now, I’ll tell you this: the best part of AI isn’t that it can write for you — it’s that it can help you write better by yourself.
Any thoughts on that?