Recent Write the World Flash Fiction Guest Judge and celebrated YA novelist Jennifer Lewy has tackled the rise of artificial intelligence head on, inspired by the potential for these new and emerging technologies to transform the writing process.
From using AI to inspire self-reflection about one’s writing identity, to positioning it as a beta reader trained on a body of original work, to prompting for deeper insight into artistic snags (think: rather than asking AI to solve a writing problem, ask it instead to help you think through why you are encountering that problem), she has piloted numerous innovative strategies for researching, prompting, and leveraging AI to augment creative writing. Below, she shares helpful takeaways you can apply to your own creative writing.
You describe yourself as an “AI Positive” writer. Could you please share what that means to you?
Being AI positive means seeing AI as a creative partner—like an enthusiastic writing assistant who's read a huge amount of material but needs guidance to stay on track. (And it occasionally goes off on weird tangents, but hey, don't we all?).
I believe we're living through a fascinating moment in the history of storytelling. Throughout time, writers have adapted to new tools from the printing press to word processors to video cameras. Each shift probably felt scary at first, but ultimately gave writers more freedom to focus on what matters most: crafting meaningful stories that inspire, engage, and transform others.
Being AI positive doesn't mean using AI for everything or letting it take over the creative process. It means being curious about how these tools might help us become better storytellers. Maybe AI helps you brainstorm characters’ backstories, or asks questions in your characters’ voices, or helps you understand why that one scene isn't working.
No matter how advanced these tools get, when you’re working with AI, you're still the author. You make the creative decisions; you bring the questions and direction; and you decide what serves your story best.
What advice do you have for young writers who are navigating the current climate of conflicting messages around AI usage?
The debate around AI can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to develop your own voice as a writer. Here's what I wish someone had told me: It's OK to be both excited and uncertain about new technology.
My best advice? Stay curious, and trust your instincts. If someone tells you AI will either destroy all creativity or solve all your writing problems, they're probably oversimplifying. The truth is more nuanced. Think of AI like any other writing tool. It's not good or bad on its own, it's how we choose to use it that matters.
You might encounter strong opinions about AI use in writing, especially in academic or creative writing communities. Some people view any AI use as “cheating,” while others promote it as essential for modern writers. Remember that these heated debates often come from people processing their own fears and hopes about changing technology.
If you're writing for school or submitting to publications, always check the guidelines about AI use and be transparent about your process. Many institutions are still developing their AI policies, so when in doubt, ask your teacher or editor.
Great writing comes from your unique perspective, experiences, and imagination. AI can be a helpful tool in your writing toolkit, but it can't replace your distinctive voice. Focus on developing your craft, and let AI be a support rather than the main event.
And if you decide AI isn't for you right now? That's completely fine too. The most important thing is finding what works best for YOUR writing journey.
How have you found AI to be most helpful in your own writing process? What tools do you gravitate toward?
Every writer is different, and I'm continually amazed by the creative ways people are incorporating AI into their processes.
I'm naturally a deep thinker—which is great for developing characters and subplots, but sometimes keeps me from actually putting words on the page. I've found AI most helpful in moments when I’m stuck because I'm seeing too many possibilities. For example, I'll chat with AI about details like how to describe a self-sufficient research ship, or the mechanics of neural implants, or future food production methods. These conversations help me flesh out how my characters interact with their fictional world so I can keep the action moving forward.
I frequently ask an AI tool to review a paragraph and offer suggestions for increasing the tension, to expand on an emotional reaction, or offer options for how a scene might unfold from a certain turning point.
AI tools are evolving rapidly, but I’ve gravitated to two tools over the past few months. One is a software program called Novelcrafter, which helps me organize my writing and connect with different AI models. The other tool is Lex.page, which is like a super-charged Google Docs with AI assistance built in. Inside those two programs, I tend to bounce between ChatGPT 4.0 for plot feedback and solving story problems, and Claude 3.5 Sonnet for more nuanced discussions about character development and scene work.
What I love most about these tools is how they keep me moving forward instead of getting stuck in my own head.
In a recent Write the World blog post, you shared helpful ways teen writers might use AI to support, not replace, their own authentic writing. How can writers use AI to support, not just writing, but the self-reflection involved in the creative process?
One of the most interesting ways to use AI is as a guide for discovering more about yourself as a writer. That could mean asking an AI tool to give you feedback like a writing coach or mentor would. Often you’ll get helpful observations about your work and thoughtful questions about your process and creative choices.
For example, when you're stuck on a scene, instead of asking AI to write it for you, try asking questions like: “What emotions am I trying to convey here?,” or “Why did I choose this particular setting?” AI can offer perspectives that might unlock your own deeper understanding.
You can also use AI to examine your writing patterns and strengths. Maybe you’re great at dialogue but notice you always write similar characters, or your stories tend to end the same way. Ask AI to help you analyze why these patterns emerge and how they reflect your values or style as a writer. Sometimes just articulating these patterns helps us lean into our strengths and grow beyond them.
I find it particularly helpful to use AI as a sounding board when I'm making big story decisions. Instead of asking, “What should happen next?,” I might ask, “Why am I drawn to this plot direction?,” or “How does this choice align with my story's themes?” The AI's responses often help me clarify my own creative instincts.
The goal isn't to get AI to solve your creative challenges, but to use it to guide you toward deeper understanding of your own writing process.
Thinking carefully and artfully about how we prompt AI is becoming a critical skill, often referred to as “prompt engineering.” What prompt-writing strategies have you found most helpful when using AI to support your writing?
Not all AI tools require prompting, but many do. A prompt is usually framed as a question or request. Right now, the secret to getting the best responses is to be specific, give context, and don't be afraid to have a conversation.
I've found these strategies particularly useful:
Give as much context as you can. If I'm working on a scene, I'll describe what came before, the genre or style I’m writing in, a list of characters in the scene, an overview of the plot, and what I'm trying to achieve. You can also tell the AI what role to play in answering your question. For example: “This is a tense moment between two sisters who haven't spoken in years. Act as my writing coach, and help me to show their connection without having them directly address their past.”Many chat interfaces can handle a lot of information in the prompt—some as long as a whole novel, or even multiple novels! But they can get confused with longer prompts, so experiment with the amount of information you give the AI to make sure it provides helpful responses.
Break big problems into smaller questions, and ask for a specific output. Rather than asking AI to solve a major plot issue, I might ask: “What five pieces of information does the reader need to understand this twist?,” or, “How might this decision affect these three specific characters?” Or, instead of asking, “What should happen next in my story?,” try something like, “My character just discovered her best friend betrayed her. She's naturally cautious but also deeply loyal. What are three ways she might react that would be true to her personality?”
You can also try different AI models—switching from ChatGPT to Claude, for example—to see which one offers the most helpful answers. Or, simply start a new chat if the one you’re working in has gone off the rails. And here's a helpful trick: try asking an AI for help with prompting. You could try something like, “I’d like to [put your question here]. How can you help me?,” or, “Help me create a prompt to explore [your question].” The AI can help you frame your question more effectively.
Are there any new approaches to using AI you’re hoping to try out as you write your next book?
There are so many exciting possibilities I want to explore! One approach I'm testing is using Google's NotebookLM (free) to interact with my whole series at once. I’m asking about my characters’ emotional arcs, subplots, and world-building details across multiple books in the series. Even though it makes mistakes, this tool could help ensure I'm closing all the narrative loops and keeping character development and setting details consistent.
I'm also going to try using AI as an additional beta reader alongside my human reading team. While my regular readers provide invaluable emotional responses and big-picture feedback, I can ask AI to analyze specific elements—like tracking how relationships evolve across books or checking if my future technology stays consistent with established rules. Having a reader that can instantly recall every detail from previous books could help strengthen the series' continuity while my human beta readers focus on what matters most: how the story feels.
On the practical side, I'm continuing to use AI to help develop my author platform. Besides creating engaging marketing materials and book blurbs, I'm now working with AI to identify podcasts and blogs where I can discuss AI and creativity in fiction. And it’s going to advise me on a strategic book launch plan.
Here's a wild dream: someday, I'd love to create AI-powered versions of my characters that readers can interact with.
What resources—from fiction to nonfiction to multimedia—might you recommend to young writers who are eager to think more deeply about AI technology and its intersections with writing, arts, and culture?
I enjoy TV shows and movies that explore the cultural implications of AI. Some of my favorites are:
If you like fiction, Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) by Anthony Doerr is one of my all-time favorite novels exploring how technology shapes our perception of reality and connects us across time. For nonfiction, check out books like AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan and Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari.
Other resources I recommend:
You don't need to dive into everything at once. Pick one resource that interests you, and start there.
Most importantly, engage with other writers, teachers, and mentors about AI and the future of creativity. Ask questions, voice concerns, and contribute your unique perspective. We're living through one of the biggest transformations in how stories are created and shared—your experiences are an essential part of shaping what comes next.
About Jennifer Lewy:
Jennifer Lewy writes young adult science fiction that explores how humans and artificial intelligence might create a better future together. Her Game of Paradise series follows Rayne, a teen Game Designer whose virtual worlds help people learn from the past—until everything goes wrong. The first two books in her series, The One Game and The One Exiled, are available now. Subscribe to her newsletter for behind-the-scenes glimpses of her AI-assisted writing process at JenniferLewy.com, or connect with her on Instagram @JenniferLewyAuthor.