Author: Errin Morrison

Most of us have experienced the fear of putting our thoughts into words for others to read. It takes a certain bravery to expose yourself in this way, and I find many clients are deeply critical of their own writing. What’s ironic is that their fear and apprehension actually convey a profound respect for written communication and the writing process. Not everyone will go so far as to contract an editor to ensure they get as close to written perfection as possible. In fact, most wouldn’t even consider it. So, in a way, it’s admirable to fret over expressing yourself in words and to seek help with refining and polishing your work. Every editor appreciates respect for excellence in composition! Taken too far, however, this anxiety can result in expressive paralysis. Sometimes you have to ignore that nagging voice that tells you to keep quiet rather than express yourself imperfectly. What’s truly important is what you have to say—not how you say it. There are readers for every topic and every type of writing—concise, verbose, flowery, plain, punchy, enigmatic—it all has an audience. Don’t worry so much about the delivery that you suppress what it is you want to say…and what someone out there needs to know.

There’s a lot of angst over AI use in writing, but I can’t say I share it. Whether you need help with a lesson plan, a memo, a speech, or a letter, AI’s got you. I use it myself as a thesaurus and to check odd spelling and grammar constructions when I’m editing. It’s an amazing new tool, and, like any other new tool (think printing press, telephone, internet), once it’s unleashed, there’s no calling it back. Emerging technology fundamentally changes the world. And that’s ok. There was no perfect, idyllic time in the past when everything was better. We live when we live, and we use the tools of our age. We don’t shun the calculator because it allows us to bypass math-by-brain-and-hand. We instead ensure our kids learn basic mathematical concepts, and then we introduce them to this incredible tool that enables them to take math to the next level. ChatGPT is a gift to the time-crunched and to those who struggle to put their thoughts on paper. Does it come with its own set of risks and problems? Of course it does. But if we see it as the tool that it is, we can manage the accompanying issues and successfully incorporate it into our toolbox. 

Or, as ChatGPT puts it…Using AI as a writing aid is entirely acceptable because it functions like any other tool designed to enhance creativity, efficiency, and clarity. Just as spellcheckers and grammar tools assist with mechanics, AI can help brainstorm ideas, suggest phrasing, and overcome writer’s block without replacing the writer’s unique voice or intent. It offers a collaborative partner that responds instantly, making it especially useful for drafting, editing, or exploring different styles and tones. As long as the writer remains engaged and critically evaluates the AI’s output, using it is not only ethical but often empowering—helping writers focus more on meaning and message than mechanics.

This is a test.

werqwr

I do a lot of editing for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners—mostly essays, admission letters, and resumes for university students and recent graduates. Sometimes this consists of correcting grammar and spelling to polish a perfectly readable document into a gem, and other times the process is more like digging for raw minerals and extracting them for use. I thoroughly enjoy both tasks, and I love achieving an end product that aligns with my client’s true knowledge base and abilities. Sometimes I can see how a writer’s first language influences their word choice and sentence structure in English, which I find fascinating. I speak a little French and Spanish myself, but I’ve never attempted to write an essay in either. I always come away humbled from EAL editing, because whether the writing is better than a native speaker’s (which is often the case) or whether it needs a lot of improvement, the fact is that this person has taken on the challenge of mastering another language. And this isn’t just Duolingo fluency we’re talking about; these are academic papers and professional documents. As a fan of all things language-related, this impresses me no end. And to be trusted by EAL writers to take their rough draft and smooth out all the linguistic kinks is a true honour and pleasure for a word nerd.