Last Update: 25 August 2026
I use AI tools in specific, defined ways as part of my writing and editing process. This policy states where I use them, where I don’t, and why.
Assistive tools I use freely, unlogged: basic spellcheck and dictionary/thesaurus lookups (Word’s built-in checker, physical or online dictionaries). These correct or flag, they don’t generate.
AI-assisted tools I use and log: ProWritingAid (English) and Claude/ChatGPT (German, where I have no non-AI equivalent) for proofreading, grammar, and line-edit suggestions. All such use is recorded in my AI Usage Log with the prompt, purpose, and whether the suggestion was used verbatim or rewritten.
In effect from: 25 August 2026. Systematic documentation of my AI use (AI Usage Log and Scrivener snapshots) began on this date; earlier AI use in ongoing projects has not been logged retroactively.
Generative use: I use generative AI in two limited ways, both on rare occasions only: (1) brainstorming — discussing plot, symbolism, or thematic ideas with AI, where I write all resulting prose myself; and (2) short scene starters — asking AI to write a brief passage (e.g. for atmosphere or setting), used the way I’d use a writing prompt, which I then completely rewrite in my own voice and tone. Both uses are logged in my AI Usage Log and tracked via dated Scrivener snapshots showing the AI-generated starting material alongside my rewrite. (In effect from: 25 August 2026, see above.) Neither is used for projects where generative AI use is expressly forbidden, such as competitions or submissions with a no-AI clause — for those, no generative AI tool is used at any stage, at any level.
Submissions and competitions that prohibit AI use: I treat this as prohibiting any generative AI tool, regardless of how narrow the prompt. For such pieces, I do not use Claude, ChatGPT, or ProWritingAid’s suggestion features at any stage — only manual proofreading. If I can’t honestly meet a venue’s AI policy for a given piece, I don’t submit that piece there.
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