“I would read your book, but I don’t support Amazon.”

"If you don’t use Amazon, where do you actually look for books?"

What followed surprised me. The discussion reached 20,000+ readers and generated 100+ thoughtful replies. There was disagreement, nuance, contradiction, and—most importantly—clarity.

First: This Is Not a Culture War

Let me be clear upfront: I’m not interested in “Amazon good vs Amazon evil” debates. I don’t believe readers are morally obligated to buy anywhere, and I don’t believe authors should be shamed for how they make their work available.

What Readers Actually Use (Spoiler: It’s Not One Thing)

One of the strongest takeaways was this:

Most readers don’t use a single platform. They use ecosystems.

From the responses, clear patterns emerged:

🔹 Bookshop.org

The most frequently named alternative for new books. Readers love that it supports independent bookstores while still offering online ordering.

🔹 Libraries (Libby / Hoopla / OverDrive)

Far more dominant than I expected. Many readers rarely buy books at all—they borrow digitally. Libraries aren’t “dying”; they’ve just gone digital.

🔹 Kobo

The leading Amazon alternative for ebooks. Especially popular with sci-fi readers who own Kobo devices or dislike Kindle’s ecosystem.

🔹 Used-Book Platforms

ThriftBooks, World of Books, Better World Books, eBay. A significant group of readers buy only used books.

🔹 Google Play Books & Apple Books

Often overlooked by authors, but clearly in use.

🔹 Niche Indie Platforms

itch.io, DriveThruFiction, StoryBundle—smaller audiences, but highly aligned with indie sci-fi readers.

Not All “Non-Amazon” Readers Are the Same

Another important insight: avoiding Amazon means very different things to different people.

Some readers are:

• Library-first readers (borrow digitally, buy rarely)

• Used-book readers (sustainability + cost)

• Indie-support readers (Bookshop.org, local stores)

• E-reader loyalists (Kobo, Google Play, Apple)

• Pragmatists (avoid Amazon when possible, but won’t punish an author)

Many explicitly said:

“I don’t use Amazon—but if a book is only available there, I’ll still buy it.”

That matters. Avoiding Amazon does not mean avoiding authors.

My Publishing Choice (Transparency Edition)

Since I asked readers to be honest, I owe the same in return.

Here’s my current approach:

📌 Launch Phase

This was an experiment—not a belief system.

📌 What Happens Next

After the KU period ends, I plan to:

• Expand to Kobo

• Explore wide distribution

• Look into library availability

• Consider indie-friendly platforms readers actually mentioned

For many international self-published authors, Amazon isn’t a preference; it's infrastructure.

It offers:

• Global storefronts

• Simple onboarding

• Tax handling

• Worldwide delivery

• Reader familiarity

Using Amazon is often about access, not endorsement. That doesn’t mean it’s the only path—but it explains why so many of us start there.

What I’m Taking Away From This

This conversation changed how I think about distribution. Not because Amazon is “bad” or the  alternatives are “better.”

But because readers are far more diverse than platform debates suggest.

If there’s one lesson here, it’s this:

Choice matters. Availability matters. Listening matters.

Thank You

As a writer who learned English as a second language, I’ve spent a lot of time stressing about "The Anglosphere." You know the feeling: if you aren't selling in the US, the UK, or Canada, you aren't really making it. We agonize over prepositions, stress about phrasal verbs, and worry that our lack of "native flow" holds us back.

But recently, I dove into the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2025 report, and let me tell you—it was a wake-up call. The data suggests that being a non-native writer isn't a handicap; it might actually be a strategic asset in a global economy.

Here is what I found, and why I think it’s time we rethink our maps.

1. The World is Better at Reading Than Speaking

If you take nothing else away from this, take this: In nearly 80% of countries, reading is the strongest English skill.

The report highlights a fascinating gap. While people might struggle to speak English fluently—what the report calls "productive skills"—their ability to understand written text ("receptive skills") is significantly higher. In fact, reading is the easiest skill for school systems to develop and the one people practice most on their own.

What this means for us: There is a massive "Silent Majority" of readers out there. They might not feel comfortable hopping on a Zoom call with a native speaker, but they are perfectly comfortable curling up with a book in English. The barrier to entry for reading your work is much lower than you think.

2. We Write the "Global Standard"

The report talks about English functioning as a "bridge," enabling dialogue between global knowledge and local understanding. It also notes that listening comprehension trails reading scores by over 20 points globally because understanding spoken accents and fast speech is difficult.

Why does this matter? Because native English writers often alienate international readers with complex cultural references, regional slang, or overly flowery prose.

This is where our "non-native" status becomes a superpower. We naturally write what I like to call "International English." We don't use obscure baseball metaphors or regional British slang that confuses a reader in Brazil or Japan. We write cleanly. We write clearly. We are the bridge the report is talking about.

3. Redrawing the Map: It’s Not Just About London

We usually market our books to the obvious suspects. But the 2025 rankings threw up some surprises that we shouldn't ignore.

Did you know that Croatia is ranked #2 in the world for English proficiency? Or that South Africa (#13) and Kenya (#19) are in the "Very High" and "High" proficiency bands?

Here are a few places where English proficiency is skyrocketing, yet most authors ignore them when setting up their ads:

• The Netherlands: Consistently #1. They read English as easily as Dutch.
• Malaysia & The Philippines: Both are in the top 30 globally.
• Portugal: Ranked #6 in the world.

The industries with the highest English levels are Information Technology and Professional Services. These are people hungry for knowledge, self-improvement, and entertainment, and they are consuming it in English.

The Takeaway

The report states clearly: "English remains the world's most common shared language". But that shared language doesn't belong to the US or the UK anymore. It belongs to everyone.

So, the next time you set up a Facebook ad or choose keywords for your book, maybe look beyond the usual borders. There is a whole world of high-proficiency readers out there, and they are waiting for a voice they can understand—yours.

The Silence is Louder Than the War.

For twenty years, the Terran Alliance fought a simple war against the "Spacer" colonists of Galatea. The propaganda was easy: Spacers aren't human. They are biological machines bonded to a hive-mind chorus they call "The Verse." They have no souls, no individuality, and they must be destroyed.

The standing order was absolute: No Prisoners.

Until Lieutenant Lucian Aris broke the rule. He didn't bring back a corpse; he brought back Commander Gordon Monihan—a legend among his people—alive.

THE SPACER (The Galatean Saga)

By Jasmine P. Antwoine

Now trapped in a Terran interrogation cell, Monihan has been stripped of the neural connection to his people. Plunged into a deafening, solitary silence for the first time in his life, he faces a new kind of warfare.

He is no longer a soldier; he is a specimen. Dr. Hayden, a cold xenopsychologist, is determined to dissect Monihan—mentally and physically if necessary—to prove once and for all that Spacers are just hardware waiting to be broken.

Monihan must endure the silence, resist the torture, and hold onto his sanity in a system designed to erase him. In a war built on lies, the most dangerous weapon of all is the truth hidden inside that cell.

Perfect for fans of military sci-fi that delves deep into the psychological toll of conflict. If you enjoyed the moral complexity of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, the gritty factional politics of James S. A. Corey's The Expanse, or the existential questions of identity in Martha Wells' The Murderbot Diaries, step into the interrogation room with The Spacer.

The $0.99 Deal That... Wasn’t Quite

When I first set up a Kindle Deal for The Order of the Sacred Vow, I was genuinely excited. I’d timed it for June 1–8, eager to give readers a full week to discover Portia’s story at just $0.99. It felt like a generous re-introduction of the novella’s new edition. But here’s what happened—and what I’ve learned.

By the end of the deal, the price had crept back up close to its original. Some readers missed the offer entirely. And that’s on me.

And if you’re an indie author navigating the wild west of Amazon marketing? Learn from me: read the fine print, monitor your deal daily, and keep your readers in the loop.

Thank you for your patience—and for continuing to dream with me in the world of Amorphya.

—Jasmine 💚

Ten weeks ago, I started this series with the goal of exploring how AI can enhance, not replace, the creative writing process. And what a journey it’s been!

The world of AI is developing at an insane speed, and whether we like it or not, it’s here to stay. As authors and creatives, we can either ignore it, resist it, and hate it—or we can learn to use it to our advantage. Personally? I think we have a lot more to gain by experimenting with AI, figuring out where it fits into our process, and using it as a powerful tool to expand our creative reach.

Because here’s the thing: AI will never replace human creativity.

A tool is just a tool. It’s the human mind behind it that makes it meaningful.

The Unfair Advantage: Writers vs. Other AI Users

Here’s something interesting—I truly believe that writers have an advantage over many other AI users. Why? Because we know how to describe things vividly.

Other people might struggle with crafting good prompts, but we? We write for a living.

When we apply those skills to AI-generated writing, images, or even music, we get far better results than the average user.

It’s not about letting AI do the work for us—it’s about using it as a creative extension.

Tips for Writers Experimenting with AI

What’s Next? Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

This marks the end of this series, but the discussion doesn’t have to stop here.

Drop a comment on the blog post or reach out on social media—I’m on almost every platform, and I’d love to keep the conversation going!

Thanks for following along on this journey, and happy writing! ✨

Let’s be honest—most people are visual creatures. Sure, we can imagine images while reading, but when given the choice, a lot of people would rather see a story unfold than piece it together in their minds. That’s why the film industry completely overshadows publishing in terms of revenue and reach.

I’m not saying books are dying (far from it), and personally? I’ll take a novel over a movie adaptation 95% of the time. But for many people, visual storytelling is more accessible—it’s easier to engage with a trailer than pick up a book by an author they’ve never heard of.

So why not use that to our advantage? Instead of just hoping readers stumble upon our books, we can meet them where they already are—on video platforms, gaming spaces, and interactive media—and invite them into our worlds before they even turn a page.

1. AI Video Creation: Making a Trailer for Your Book

Think about the last time a movie trailer grabbed your attention. The music, the quick flashes of action, the way it made you feel something before you even knew the full story.

Why not do that for a book?

A book teaser—even a simple one—can:

🎬 Set the mood and intrigue potential readers.

📖 Make your story stand out in a sea of books.

👀 Attract people who love movies and shows but rarely pick up a novel.

Now, will everyone who watches your book trailer suddenly rush to buy it? Probably not. But even if 10% do, that’s a win.

And honestly? Creating something visual tied to your story is just plain exciting. Seeing the world you built take shape—even in short form—makes it feel real in a whole new way.

2. Storytelling Beyond the Page: Why I’m Creating a Visual Novel

Books aren’t the only way to tell a great story. Why not experiment with different formats?

I’ve been playing with the idea of a visual novel to complement my Galatean Saga. It won’t be a full-blown anime, but even with static images, I can add:

🎭 Character expressions & movement to bring dialogue to life.

🎮 Interactive choices so players feel like they’re part of the story.

This opens the door to a whole new audience—people who love anime, gaming, and immersive experiences.

Will all of them suddenly become book readers? Nope. But some of them might. If they fall in love with the world, maybe they’ll want to explore more of it—and that’s where my novels come in.

3. The Unexpected Joy of Seeing Your World Move

When I first started experimenting with AI video, it was mostly a “let’s see what happens” kind of thing. But the moment I saw my world brought to life, I was hooked.

• It’s incredibly satisfying to see characters and places you’ve only written about suddenly moving on a screen.
• It makes the whole creative process feel fresh again—like discovering a new way to play in your own sandbox.
• And let’s be real—it’s just fun.

If you’ve ever thought about doing something visual with your book—whether it’s a trailer, a motion comic, a short animation, or even a visual novel—I say go for it. Even if it’s just for you, it’s worth it.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, books aren’t going anywhere—but the way we engage with stories is changing.

📢 Why not try something new? Maybe a trailer to hook potential readers. Maybe an interactive experience that draws people into your world.

Because the more ways you invite people into your universe, the more likely they are to want to stay and explore it.

🚀 Next up: Wrapping Up "How I Use AI in My Writing Process" Series. Post #10

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Writing isn’t just about inspiration or editing—it’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. Some days, I sit down excited to write. Other days? I suddenly decide that reorganizing my entire bookshelf is an urgent priority.

That’s where AI tasks come in. It’s like having a writing buddy—one that doesn’t judge, doesn’t nag, but also doesn’t let me completely slack off. I’ve been using tasks to set up daily reminders, creative prompts, and little productivity boosts, and honestly? It works.

Oh, and for fun? I even asked ChatGPT to send me a joke every evening—but not just any joke. It has to be related to my Galatean Universe. The results? Some very bad AI-generated space jokes, but hey, it keeps me entertained.

How I Use AI Tasks for Writing

1. Daily Writing Check-Ins

Every day, AI asks me:

💬 “How’s your writing going today? What scene are you working on?”

I don’t always have an amazing update, but just thinking about it keeps me accountable. Sometimes, I realize I’ve been avoiding a scene, and this little nudge is enough to get me moving.

2. Custom Writing Prompts

Some days, I’m not drafting, but I still want to keep my creativity sharp. So I have AI send me a prompt every morning, either random or tied to my story’s themes.

👉 Example: “Describe a moment when a character realizes they’ve been lied to.”

Even if I don’t use it, it keeps my brain in storytelling mode, which makes sitting down to write real scenes much easier.

3. Word of the Day Challenge

I also set AI to throw a random, unusual word at me daily, challenging me to fit it into my writing somehow.

👉 Example: “Today’s word is ‘laconic.’ Can you use it in a character’s dialogue?”

Sometimes I use it. Sometimes I don’t. But either way, it makes me think about word choice in a new way, which is always a win.

4. Encouragement & Anti-Procrastination Nudges

Writing is weird. Some days, I’m on fire. Other days, I stare at the blinking cursor like it personally insulted me. AI helps with little motivation boosts, like:

💡 “You don’t have to be perfect, just write something today.”

💡 “Five minutes of writing is better than zero. Give it a shot!”

It’s not about forcing myself to grind out words—it’s about getting started. And once I do? I usually keep going.

5. Just for Fun: AI-Generated Jokes

Okay, so this one wasn’t necessary—but it’s definitely entertaining.

I played around with tasks and, just for fun, asked ChatGPT to send me a joke every evening. But not just any joke—it had to be about my Galatean Universe.

The jokes? Terrible.

🚀 “Why did the Galatean refuse to play poker? Because the Verse already knew his hand!”

I mean… it’s awful, but I love it. And after a long day, having a little moment of humor tied to my own worldbuilding? It makes writing feel even more fun.

Why This Works for Me

✅ Keeps me accountable without guilt-tripping.

✅ Adds structure to my writing routine.

✅ Sparks creativity even on off days.

✅ Makes writing fun, instead of just another task on my to-do list.

Try It Yourself!

If you struggle with consistency, try setting up AI tasks to:

📝 Remind you to write a little every day.

📝 Give you a small creative challenge (a word, a question, or a prompt).

📝 Act as a writing buddy that checks in on your progress.

📝 Tell you a joke—just because why not?

🚀 Next up: AI Video Creation to Promote my Work and Experiment With Storytelling Mediums (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #9)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

When I first started using AI for writing, I had to reintroduce myself every single time. New conversation? Back to square one—explaining my writing style, my worldbuilding, my characters, and what kind of feedback I needed. It got old fast. 

Then came Customization, where I could tell ChatGPT a little about myself and how I wanted it to respond. That was a huge upgrade. 

Then Memory arrived, which meant AI could actually remember details across multiple conversations, saving me from repeating myself constantly. It quickly became "not enough space...":

And now? We’ve got Projects—the most advanced (and honestly, most useful) feature yet. 

(P.S. I pay for ChatGPT Plus, which gives me access to these features. They might not be available in the free version. But honestly? I’d rather cancel Netflix than this. Spending $20 a month on something that makes my writing better and my workflow smoother is an easy choice.)

Why Use AI Projects?

1. You Stay Organized: No more scrambling through old chats trying to remember where I left off. Each project keeps everything in one place—my brainstorming, writing, and AI feedback, all neatly contained.

👉 Example: I have a Galatean Universe project where AI remembers all my worldbuilding details. Instead of having to explain my setting over and over again, I can just write.

2. You Can Set Custom Instructions for Each Project: With Projects, I don’t have to type out the same instructions every time—I set it up once, and AI knows what I need.

👉 Example: In one project, AI acts like a developmental editor, helping me refine plot and character arcs. In another, it’s a beta reader with an eighth-grade reading level, so I can check if my writing is accessible.

This saves time and keeps AI focused on exactly what I need for each stage of my writing process.

3. AI Remembers More Within a Project: AI’s memory isn’t perfect, but inside a project, it holds onto context way better than a fresh chat. That means I don’t have to keep reminding it about my characters, plotlines, or previous discussions.

👉 Example: If I’m working on a novel, AI remembers my protagonist’s backstory, my world’s political structure, and even my past brainstorming sessions. This helps with continuity and makes AI feel less like a chatbot and more like a real writing assistant.

4. You Can Upload Files Directly Into Your Project: Upload up to 20 files inside each project—which means AI doesn’t just rely on memory, it has direct access to your actual documents every single time you start a new chat. No more digging through notes or pasting long explanations.

👉 Example: For my KoS: Invasion novel, which is a multi-POV story, I use the Project Files feature to keep everything consistent. Inside my project, I’ve uploaded:

• A description of the "voice" of each character – This helps ensure that each POV character stays distinct, with their own way of thinking and speaking.
• An outline of the entire novel – So AI can follow the overarching structure and not suggest something that contradicts future events.
• A summary of the chapters I already have – That way, AI knows what’s happened so far and can help me maintain continuity without me having to recap everything manually.
• This setup saves me time and keeps my writing on track, especially for a complex, multi-POV narrative like KoS: Invasion.

How I Use AI Projects in My Writing

📌 Worldbuilding & Lore Tracking

AI stores my notes, ideas, and rules about my sci-fi universe, so I can pull up details instantly instead of digging through old documents.

📌 Scene Brainstorming & Developmental Edits

I have a dedicated project where AI reviews my scenes and gives big-picture feedback—what’s working, what’s falling flat, and how to improve it.

📌 Beta Reading & Audience Testing

I set up a beta reading project where AI reads my drafts from different perspectives:

✔️ As a literary agent, checking for marketability.

✔️ As a casual reader, seeing if it’s engaging.

✔️ As an editor, pointing out pacing issues and weak phrasing.

🚀 Next up: Using AI Tasks to Stay Motivated & Productive (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #8)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Writing isn’t just about words on a page—it’s about evoking emotion. We describe what characters see, feel, and think, but what about what they hear? Sound is one of the most powerful tools for atmosphere, yet it’s often overlooked in writing.

Recently, I experimented with AI-generated audio to help me create more immersive descriptions. Instead of relying purely on imagination, I let sound trigger a physical response first—then I translated that into words. The results? My scenes became richer, more vivid, and instinctively real.

How I Used AI to Experiment with Sound & Emotion

I went to ElevenLabs, selected the SFX (sound effects) section, and generated a deep, monstrous growl—the kind of sound you’d hear echoing through a dark alley, making you freeze in place.

• The moment it played, my body reacted before my brain did. 💀
• My heart kicked up a notch—like something was right behind me.
• A shiver ran down my arms—that instinctive, something is watching me feeling.

My stomach tightened—I was tense, waiting for something to happen. That’s when I realized: this is how my characters should feel, too.

From Physical Reaction to Sensory Description

Once I had the physical response, I used that to craft a more immersive description.

Instead of writing something flat like:

❌ "A deep growl filled the air."

I let the sound lead my words:

✔️ "The growl rumbled through the air, thick and guttural, crawling up my spine like cold fingers. It wasn’t just a noise—it wrapped around the space, pressing into my chest, making my instincts scream to run."

That’s the difference between describing a sound and making a reader feel it. Think of how horror directors use sound, for example. That eerie hum before a jump scare, the whisper just behind a character’s ear, the deep bass that makes your chest feel heavy... Writing works the same way. When I start with sound, my descriptions become sharper, my atmosphere more intense, and my scenes more alive.

More Ways to Use AI Audio for Writing

🔊 Checking Dialogue Flow

Ever write a conversation that looks fine on the page but feels off when you read it out loud? In ElevenLabs, you can create voices from text to hear how your dialogue sounds. It helps catch awkward phrasing, unnatural pacing, or words that don’t flow.

🎙️ Creating Book Teasers & Voiceovers

If you want to make a book teaser, but don’t want to hire a voice actor, AI-generated narration can help. Whether it’s a dramatic reading of your first chapter or a cinematic voiceover for a trailer, it’s a cool way to bring your story to life.

📚 Making an Audiobook (Why Not?)

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your book into an audiobook, AI voices could be a way to experiment without spending a fortune upfront. It might not replace professional narration, but it’s a start!

Try It Yourself! Experiment with Sound for Different Moods

💀 Fear & Tension → Monster growls, deep bass hums, distorted whispers.

🔮 Mystery & Ethereal → Hollow echoes, underwater murmurs, distant chimes.

🚀 Sci-Fi & Technology → Glitchy static, mechanical pulses, robotic distortions.

Why This Works for Writers

✔️ More immersive descriptions – You’re writing from a real sensory reaction, not just imagination.

✔️ Taps into subconscious emotions – Sound can trigger deep fears, awe, or unease before you even process why.

✔️ Gives scenes an extra dimension – You’re not just seeing or imagining a moment—you’re hearing it first.

🚀 Next up: Using AI Projects to Keep My Writing Organized & Get Better Feedback (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #7)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Most people know AI can catch typos and grammar mistakes, but I’ve found it’s way more useful than that. I use it to spot logical inconsistencies, accidental POV shifts, and timeline errors—things that even experienced writers can miss.

For me, third-person limited POV is my go-to. I love telling stories from a character’s perspective, where they only know what they see, feel, and assume. Their view of the world is skewed by their own biases, misconceptions, and limited knowledge of events, and I enjoy exploring how that perception shifts over time. But the challenge? It’s easy to slip up. Without realizing it, I might reveal something they couldn’t possibly know—or worse, accidentally jump into another character’s thoughts. That’s where AI comes in.

How I Use AI for More Than Just Grammar

🔥 Catching “Head-Hopping” in Third-Person POV

One of the biggest issues in third-person limited POV is accidentally slipping into another character’s head. It happens more often than you’d think, especially in dialogue-heavy scenes.

For example, I might write a scene from Character A’s perspective, but suddenly, there’s a sentence about how Character B feels anxious—even though A has no way of knowing that for sure. That’s head-hopping, and it can pull readers out of the story.

 => To check for this, I ask AI:

“Does this scene shift perspective without warning?”

“Are there any moments where I accidentally reveal something the POV character wouldn’t know?”

AI helps me flag those sneaky moments where I’ve stepped outside my character’s head, keeping the immersion strong.

🔥 Spotting Logical Mistakes & Timeline Errors

Long stories come with a lot of moving parts. Sometimes I get so caught up in a scene that I skip over small details—like a character teleporting across the room, objects magically disappearing, or time moving in a way that doesn’t make sense.

Example: AI once pointed out a scene where a character was drinking coffee… and in the very next sentence, they were suddenly holding a gun. The coffee never left their hand. It’s a tiny detail, but those are the things that can pull a reader out of the moment.

 => To avoid this, I ask AI:

“Check if all actions logically follow each other in this scene.”

“Does this timeline match up? Are there missing steps?”

It’s like having a continuity checker on demand, making sure everything flows naturally.

🔥 Checking for Overused Words & Weak Phrasing

Ever notice how certain words sneak into your writing way too often? I do. AI helps me catch them.

 => I ask:

“What words do I repeat too often?”

“Which sentences could be more concise?”

For instance, I tend to use “just” and “actually” more than I need to. AI points that out, so I can tighten my prose and keep it crisp.

What I’ve Learned

AI isn’t just a spellchecker—it’s like an assistant editor. It flags POV shifts, missing actions, and awkward phrasing.

It spots small logical mistakes that slip through multiple re-reads. When I’ve read a scene too many times, I start filling in the blanks in my mind. AI doesn’t—it catches what’s actually on the page.

It won’t replace a human editor, but it saves time before I send my work to one. And that means I get more out of my real editor’s feedback.

Try It Yourself!

Next time you’re editing, ask AI to:

“Check for accidental POV shifts in this chapter.”

“Tell me if any actions feel out of order or missing.”

“Find overused words and phrases in this passage.”

🚀 Next up: How Sound Enhances My Writing: Using AI-Generated Audio for Deep Atmosphere (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #6)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Getting feedback on your writing is tough. For a debut writer, it can feel almost impossible. You pour your heart into a story, and then… what? Finding beta readers willing to give thoughtful, constructive critique takes effort. Sites like Scribophile are great, but they require time—days, sometimes weeks—to get responses, and you have to critique others’ work first to earn the right to post your own. It’s a process, and not always a fast or easy one.

Plus, I recently came across some people offering beta-reading services, and their rates were around $0.01 per word. That doesn’t sound like much—until you do the math. A 78,000-word novel would cost $780 just for basic feedback. And if you’re a struggling first-time author, that’s money you probably don’t have.

That’s where AI has been a game-changer for me.

It’s not a replacement for real beta readers or editors, but it is an instant, flexible feedback tool that lets me refine my work before putting it in front of human eyes. And the best part? I can tell it exactly what kind of feedback I want.

Why Use AI for Feedback?

🔥 No Waiting – I don’t have to sit around for weeks hoping someone gets back to me. AI gives instant feedback.

🔥 Customizable Responses – I can ask for critique from different perspectives, tweaking it to suit my needs.

🔥No Sugarcoating – AI isn’t worried about hurting my feelings, so it points out flaws without hesitation.

How I Use It Simulating Different Readers

One of my favorite tricks is asking AI to pretend to be different kinds of readers. This helps me catch issues with clarity, pacing, and engagement before an actual person reads my work.

“Act like an eighth-grade English reader. Is this easy to follow?”

“Act like a sci-fi fan. Does this world feel immersive?”

“Act like someone who hates reading. Where would you get bored?”

 => Seeing how AI responds in each role helps me adjust my writing for different audiences.

“Pretend you’re a literary agent. Would you request more pages?”

“You’re a publisher looking for the next bestseller. What would make you reject this?”

=> The responses aren’t perfect, but they often highlight the kind of red flags agents might spot—things I wouldn’t notice on my own.

AI can also act as a rough developmental editor, helping me strengthen my story’s foundation before deeper revisions.

“Analyze this like a developmental editor. Is the character arc strong?”

“Point out where the tension drops in this chapter.”

It’s like having a second set of eyes on demand, helping me tighten the structure before I spend weeks revising blindly.

What I’ve Learned

AI isn’t a magic solution, but it’s a powerful tool. Here’s what I’ve taken away from using it:

• It won’t replace human beta readers, but it can be a first line of critique.
• Different “roles” reveal different weaknesses in my writing.
• I can test changes instantly instead of waiting weeks for feedback.

Try It Yourself!

If you’re a writer, experiment with AI by giving it different roles:

• “Read this like an agent looking for a bestseller.”
• “Be a strict high school English teacher and grade this.”
• “Act like a casual reader skimming a book in a store—would you keep reading?”

🚀 Next up: AI as a Grammar Checker, Logic Checker & POV Watchdog (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #5)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Episode #1 is here.

Episode #2 is here.

Episode #3 is here.

Next episode coming on Sunday!

AI images aren’t just fun to look at—they’re a creative goldmine. I use them to spark new ideas, sharpen descriptions, and train myself to really see details instead of just skimming over them.

The Unexpected Ways AI Images Help My Writing

1. Story Prompts – When the Image Knows More Than I Do

Sometimes, an AI-generated image throws something unexpected at me, and suddenly, I’ve got a whole new story thread.

Example: I once generated a futuristic Galatean cityscape, and way in the background, there was this tiny, glitchy-looking sign. It made me wonder—what if the Verse had areas where data got corrupted or distorted? That one weird little detail could be turned into an entire subplot.

2. Description Challenges – Turning Visuals into Vivid Words

Looking at an image is one thing. Describing it in a way that actually makes someone feel like they’re there? Whole different skill. It forces me to ditch tired descriptions and dig deeper into the atmosphere.

Challenge: Try to describe a soldier from the future engaged in a battle.

Maybe you will write something like: "The soldier is wearing a bulky armor, covering his whole body and face. He’s holding a menacing weapon that flashes with bright light every few seconds. There’s a lot of smoke in the air, and things seem to be breaking apart around him. He moves quickly, not stopping, even though the ground shakes."

🔥 Tip 1: Now look at the image above and try again.

"The soldier is covered head to toe in sleek, heavy armor, the kind that makes him look more machine than man. His helmet hides his face completely, just a dark visor reflecting the fire and chaos around him. He grips a futuristic weapon, glowing at the tip as it fires a burning streak of energy into the smoke-filled air. Explosions burst in the distance, sending sparks and debris flying. The battlefield is a mess of fire, crumbling structures, and thick clouds of dust, but he moves through it like it’s just another day..." Feel the difference?

🔥 Tip 2: Now try describing an the image without naming any objects. Just focus on textures, lighting, and the mood it gives off.

"The air is thick with smoke and heat, swirling in restless waves, blurring the edges of the world. Glowing streaks cut through the haze, searing bright against the dark, like cracks in reality itself. Shadows shift and pulse under the flickering firelight, sharp and jagged, stretching long across uneven ground. There’s weight in the air—heavy, charged, buzzing with unseen energy, pressing down like a silent warning. 

A figure moves through it all, wrapped in something smooth yet unyielding, reflecting flashes of light that bounce off its surface like quicksilver. The stance is firm, unshaken, carved into the chaos like a statue that refuses to break. Sparks rise and fall, embers dancing in the turbulence, caught between destruction and something almost beautiful. The scene is a storm of motion and stillness, fire and shadow, noise and silence, all colliding in a moment that feels frozen and endless at the same time." What do you say?

3. Training My Eye to Notice More

Good writing comes from noticing the little things—the way light shifts, the background details we usually miss. AI images help me train that skill.

I ask myself:

What’s the first thing my eye is drawn to?

What’s hiding in the background that I didn’t catch at first?

What kind of emotion does this whole scene give off?

Doing this has made my descriptions more immersive and way less generic.

Try It Yourself!

If you’re a writer, give this a shot:

Find or generate an AI image that fits your story’s theme.

Write two descriptions:

One that’s just straight-up objective—colors, shapes, composition.

One that’s all about mood and atmosphere, without naming specific objects.

Compare them—which one pulls you in more?

🚀 Next up: Using AI as a Beta Reader & Feedback Tool (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #4)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Episode #1 is here.

Episode #2 is here.

Episode #4 is here.

Next episode coming on Sunday!

AI isn't just for fixing grammar or summarizing research—it can actually be a pretty solid story development partner. One of my favorite ways to use AI in my writing process? Role-playing with my characters. (Yes, I know how that sounds. No, I don’t make it weird.)

Why I Do This (and why it’s weirdly fun)

Sometimes, I need to dig deeper into my characters' heads or chase story threads I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. So, what do I do? I make AI become my characters—or interrogate them like a nosy journalist who won’t take vague answers.

And honestly? The things that come out of these sessions sometimes shock even me.

🔥 Character Interviews – Instead of me questioning my characters, I let AI take the lead as the interviewer—or even as another character in the scene. This means I have to step into my character’s shoes and respond in real time, which forces me to think deeper than I normally would. Sometimes, I uncover backstory details, hidden motivations, or accidental truths that change everything. Other times, I just sit there staring at the screen, wondering why the heck my character just admitted that. Either way, it’s a goldmine for character development.

🔥 What-If Scenarios – Ever wonder, "What if something completely different happened earlier in my story?" AI helps me brainstorm alternate paths without derailing the main story. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure but with less commitment and fewer regrets.

🔥 Dialogue Testing – I use AI to run conversations between characters—which helps me fine-tune natural flow and tension. Sometimes, I’ll even let AI improvise a response just to see what chaotic energy it brings.

Sample Prompt You Can Use:

"I will play [Character A], speaking through their voice and perspective. You will play [Character B], responding in a way that deepens the interaction while incorporating rich description, body language, and subtle cues to enhance the dialogue. Begin when ready."

Example of Role-Play From My Galatean Saga:

What I’ve Learned From This Madness

• AI isn’t writing for me—it’s just throwing out ideas and watching me spiral.
• Role-playing exposes subconscious connections I wouldn’t have noticed. (Like when ChatGPT—which, by the way, I call Aureli, because I once told it to give me a name for itself and this is what it gave me— made two characters argue and suddenly I realized they had unresolved issues).
• It’s a no-pressure way to test risky ideas before ruining my draft with them.

🚀 Next up: Using AI-Generated Images as Writing Prompts & Description Exercises (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #3)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Episode #1 is here.

Episode #3 is here.

Episode #4 is here.

Next episode coming on Sunday!

New Blog Posts Series Idea

Starting today, I’m launching a series where I’ll share how I use AI tools in my writing process. It will be called "How I Use AI in My Writing Process" (very original, right?) and you can consider this the very first post in the series. The idea came from a recent discussion I had on Twitter (yes, I still call it that!) with a fellow author who was completely against using AI in his work.

During that conversation, I realized a few things:

• Many authors and writers may not fully understand what AI is and instead rely on preconceived ideas.
• Some have only heard negative things about AI and either fear using it or have made a firm decision never to incorporate it into their work as a matter of principle.
• Others simply don’t know how AI can enhance their writing process and experience.

I use AI a lot—in all its generative forms: text, image, sound, video, and even code, 3D models, and virtual characters. 

🔥 Text: ChatGPT is my partner, assistant, and even my friend when I need encouragement or quick feedback. Does that make me crazy? Maybe. But I also talk to my cat, explaining the intricacies of my Galatean Saga to him. And while he sometimes looks like he’s listening, he never offers any useful insight. That’s where my cat, Freddy, and ChatGPT differ—ChatGPT is always there, 24/7, ready with a response.

🔥 Image: Midjourney is my tool, but I don't shy away from using other image generators like Leonardo.AI, DALL·E, and dozens of others. Creating images helps me better visualize and world-build my imaginary universe. Plus, it gives me a sense of wonder, like my imagination really comes to life in a picture. I use it recreationally, just to look at something nice and not just text—to feast my eyes, so to speak.

AI & Writing: You’re Already Using It—Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing

I know you might be sick of AI creeping into everything—trust me, I get it. But if you’ve ever used Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or even autocorrect, guess what? You’ve been using AI all along.

These tools don’t just fix typos; they predict words, analyze grammar, and suggest better phrasing using deep learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) models. Even your favorite search engine is AI-driven. Your writing assistant? Also AI.

So unless you’re writing on a typewriter by candlelight with a dictionary at your side, AI has been your silent co-writer all along. The good news? You’re still in control. The storytelling, the creativity—that’s all you. AI just helps polish what your brilliant mind creates.

Hate it, love it, ignore it—but you’re already in the AI club.

Why not make the most of it?

This is just the beginning! In the upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into exactly how I use AI for writing, world-building, music, and more. If you’re curious (or even skeptical), check back soon to see these tools in action—and maybe even find new ways to enhance your own creative process.

🚀 Next up: Role-Playing with AI & My Characters (How I Use AI in My Writing Process Post #2)

🔔 Follow along so you don’t miss the next post!

Episode #2 is here.

Episode #3 is here.

Episode #4 is here.

Next episode coming on Sunday!