Below is my statement on the usage of AI in all the things I do. It can be summed up as follows:
- I like writing my own words, even when it’s a struggle.
- I like working with humans.
- AI has a few good uses in my life, but not related to writing.
Overall AI Enablement
- Gemini and “smart features” are disabled in all of my Google accounts, including my account for my day job.
- AI features are turned off on my phone.
- Claude is installed on my desktop, so that I can use my work account in support of my project management job.
Research
When searching Google, I begin my search from https://www.google.com/search?q=%s&udm=14 which bypasses the AI Overview by searching from the Web tab.
I love web sites. Smart people with genuine knowledge and experience created those sites. Two authors with different lived experiences can write about the same topic in different ways, and I want to read both of them in the author’s original words
Writing, including Outlines and Drafts
All of my work is 100% written by me, character by painstaking character. This including ideating, outlining, and drafting my manuscripts.
I’m not at all organized about this process. It often takes place on pen and paper, or random documents in my Notes app which I later have to track down and consolidate so I don’t miss any threads. My Google docs all contain dozens (sometimes hundreds) of entries in the revision history over the years, and I often make point-in-time copies of my docs to toss into an “archive” folder.
If I’m ever challenged on the provenance of anything I’ve written, it will be a messy, messy business to reconstruct.
I write because I love the craft. Each time I pick up a pen or put my hands on a keyboard, I am consciously trying to make my work better. I linger over email responses and technical writing as well. I can only learn and improve by doing it myself.
Revisions & Editing
Each of my books and stories goes through self-editing, review by critique partners, professional editing, and beta reading. I do all of the revisions myself, without the aid of artificial intelligence or writing tools.
This exertion (and yes, it is usually hard work for me!) is critical so that I may improve the current piece and identify patterns in my process that deserve future scrutiny.
Proofreading
Google docs will automatically highlight grammar, spelling, and punctuation issues, and I definitely take advantage of the built in spelling/grammar check. However, I also download each document and proofread it on my desktop.
Book Formatting
I format my own books – no automation involved there.
Book Covers
Most of my covers are custom covers designed by either me or a professional designer with decades of cover design experience. (Trust me, you will never wonder whether the cover came from me or the professional.)
For my most recent set of “short reads,” my designer facilitates his work with the use of genAI images which then go through extensive editing and typographic treatments.
Differences with My Day Job
As a project manager, my hours is filled with tedious reporting and tracking tasks for which AI is incredibly useful. For these tasks I utilize Claude Teams on a company account.
As in my personal life, I do not use AI for communications.
Chris Africa Books 