How I use AI to write

I’m from the Netherlands. And aside from the fact that that means I do, in fact, enjoy stroopwafels, it also means that I’m proficient — but not native — in English.

When I went to secondary school, I enrolled in a bilingual programme. That meant most of our subjects were taught in English (except for Dutch, French and German), that we went on a trip to London, and that a lot of our school activities were in English. And I learned a lot from it.

As a programmer, I’ve also simply had to learn English — just to understand documentation, tutorials and error messages. That probably played an even bigger role in how my English developed.

All of that is to say: I can understand English very well, and I write and speak it proficiently. But I’m not a native speaker. And even though I write my blog, most of my communication, and all my code (comments, reviews, documentation) in English, there’s still a noticeable gap between being proficient in a language and being native.

Why I write

I write to communicate. Whether it’s a professional email, a piece of documentation, or something more personal like this post — it usually starts with a thought or feeling that I want to get across.

In professional settings, writing tends to have a clear goal. You’re requesting something (from a client, a supplier), or you’re convincing someone (like a potential partner), or you’re just trying to clearly explain something. You start from the intention and work backwards until you’ve got a message that supports it.

But when I’m writing a blog, it’s different. Then, I write simply because I enjoy it. An idea pops up — something I’ve been thinking about, or something I find curious — and I’ll think: I want to write this down.

I’ve always enjoyed writing. Even when I was too young to actually write, I’d tell my parents my thoughts, and they’d type them up on the computer for me. As I’m writing this, I’ve paused for a second to reflect on why I enjoy it so much. I think it’s partly because it helps me organise my thoughts — and partly because it’s such a satisfying creative process.

When you’re coding, there’s usually friction between having an idea and bringing it to life. Rarely do you think of something, code it, and have it just work. But with writing, it’s different. You have the thought, you type it out — and there it is, staring back at you.

Of course, if you’re writing professionally, this immediacy can backfire. It can trigger writer’s block, especially if the words don’t match the idea in your head. But if you’re like me — writing because you want to — it’s freeing. The stakes are low, the fun is high.

How I write

To be precise, I write on either my MacBook Air or my iPad Pro. When I’m journalling, I’ll use something like Day One. For work, I usually use something simple like Apple Notes or Notion. And when I’m writing for fun (like now), I tend to use Bear.

I’m particular about how things look and feel, so I’ve customised those apps — fonts, colours, settings — just the way I like them. Before I start writing, I open a page in full-screen. A big, blank canvas. That helps.

And then I just start typing. When I first started journalling, I struggled a bit with what to write. I felt like it had to be insightful — I’d read all these stories about people “unlocking clarity” through journalling, and I’d put pressure on myself to do the same. Ironically, that gave me writer’s block… in my own private journal.

Eventually, I learned to just write whatever came to mind. And when nothing came to mind, I’d write that. “I don’t know what to write right now.” Usually, something would follow.

When I’m writing a blog, I start with a single idea. Something I have an opinion on, or something I don’t understand but find fascinating. And I try to write it in the same way I’d write a journal — as if it’s just for me.

Because when I write for an audience, I get blocked. I get trapped in my own head, thinking more about how to say something than about what I want to say.

I also usually write my blogs in English, even though Dutch is my native language. I’m not sure when that started (maybe because I read more in English than in Dutch), but it’s become a habit I like. It makes it easier for my imaginary international audience to follow along.

Why I use AI

When I finish writing — whether it’s an email, a blog post or something else — I often feel like the core idea is there, but the execution doesn’t quite land. Some sections drag. Others repeat the same word three times. The rhythm’s off. It doesn’t quite flow.

I try rewriting bits. Sometimes I even start over, using the same idea but with a fresh structure. But it’s hard. Translating the idea in your head into words on a page that actually reflect it — that’s a challenge.

You might know the feeling from other creative projects. I’ve always loved making videos, for instance. I’d watch those sleek Apple keynotes and try to recreate something like them with the tools I had. The image in my head was sharp — but the result rarely was. Not because the idea was bad (probably), but because I didn’t have the skills or tools to bring it to life.

That’s how I’ve felt with writing sometimes. A strong idea, a blurry result.

That’s where AI comes in. Not before I start writing — and definitely not to write for me — but as something I turn to after I’ve finished a first draft. A tool I can feed my messy, unpolished words to — and that can help shape them into something I actually feel good about sharing.

How I use AI to write

First, I write everything myself. From scratch. No AI involved. I sit down, type out my thoughts, and do some light rewriting as I go. Often, I’ll already feel when something’s off — when a sentence doesn’t flow, or the words don’t quite say what I mean.

Before, that would slow me down. I’d pause to Google alternatives. Rewrite the same paragraph five times. Eventually — after a lot of time — I’d land on something I was semi-happy with.

And just to be clear: I’m not trying to trivialise the work of writers, journalists or editors. I deeply respect the craft of turning thoughts and research into something that informs, moves or inspires people. That’s a skill. I just don’t have it. And for me, it can be frustrating to get stuck at that final hurdle — where the idea’s there, but the expression falls short.

I’m not planning on becoming a professional writer, and I can’t hire an editor to rewrite my impulsive blog posts. But AI can do that — instantly, and without judgement.

If I prompt it properly — usually asking it to improve flow, grammar and structure while keeping my tone intact — it can genuinely turn a half-baked draft into something I’m proud to publish.

I’ve used many different models and prompts over the years, and I’ve experimented a lot. But the core of my process hasn’t changed: I write everything myself, first. Then I use AI to polish it.

And thanks to that, a growing number of my previously unpublished drafts have finally made it out into the world.

How I feel about using AI to write

If I’m being honest, I sometimes feel a bit ashamed of using AI to polish my writing. When I share something where the idea was mine, but the words aren’t fully mine, it can feel a bit like cheating.

That’s part of why I’m writing this post — I think it’s important to be transparent. If readers suspect that a text was “AI’d” but the author never mentions it, that erodes trust. And sometimes, you can tell. Certain phrases or structures still have that weirdly polished, slightly lifeless AI vibe.

Newer models have improved a lot — and I’ve gotten better at prompting them — but there’s still a risk that your writing loses its texture. Its voice.

Another risk: you get lazy. You can give AI a few bullet points, or even a single sentence, and it’ll generate a full article for you. And it probably won’t even be bad.

For me, that’s not an option. I write because I like writing. But I’m aware that I could, in theory, put in the extra effort and polish things myself — without using AI. I just don’t. At least, not always.

The decision to use AI is different for everyone. And even for me, it’s not set in stone.

Long story short

Writing is something I enjoy, and also something I need — for work, for communication, for myself. I’m not bad at it. I’m not bad at English either. But I’m also not great. And sometimes, the words I write don’t quite capture what I meant to say.

In those cases, I use AI to help polish and improve my writing.

I’ve tested different models and prompts, but my goal stays the same. I want AI to:

• Make my writing flow better — so it’s easier to read
• Fix mistakes — to spare me the embarrassment
• Improve the structure — so the piece feels more like what I had in mind

I always ask it to keep my tone intact. I want something that feels like me — just the best version of me, writing-wise.

And I think that’s okay. As long as you’re honest about it.