Ask HN: How do you edit your writing without breaking focus?
6 comments
I usually write emails, advertising copy, creative writing, and creative proposals. For serious creative content, I start with individual "points" and "sentences". Pretty much like your pattern. Then I connect these creative "points" to find its overall structure. Next, I reorganize the specific writing content from top to bottom based on this overall structure. So, for the best work, most of it still requires manual work.
However, I must admit that AI writing tools are indeed very useful for completing "repetitive" writing tasks. For example, short creative copy based on a large creative framework, or writing emails. But when using AI for creative writing, AI always slightly deviates from the core idea. Not much, maybe only 5% to 10% per sentence, but when all the creative content is combined, it deviates largely from the core idea.
Therefore, now when writing with AI, I first establish the core idea, and then let AI write each creative piece separately, instead of completing everything in one chat.
Frequent window switching does bother the mind-flow of writing. Now, sometimes I don't even have the patience to finish reading long pieces written by AI.
The creative writing tool I've used so far that I find useful is ChatGPT 5. Not 4o, nor 5.1 or 5.2.
However, I must admit that AI writing tools are indeed very useful for completing "repetitive" writing tasks. For example, short creative copy based on a large creative framework, or writing emails. But when using AI for creative writing, AI always slightly deviates from the core idea. Not much, maybe only 5% to 10% per sentence, but when all the creative content is combined, it deviates largely from the core idea.
Therefore, now when writing with AI, I first establish the core idea, and then let AI write each creative piece separately, instead of completing everything in one chat.
Frequent window switching does bother the mind-flow of writing. Now, sometimes I don't even have the patience to finish reading long pieces written by AI.
The creative writing tool I've used so far that I find useful is ChatGPT 5. Not 4o, nor 5.1 or 5.2.
I've found that reading it out loud (even a whisper) is the best way to catch issues as well as maintain focus.
Since I'm on Cursor often these days, I just edit text with Cursor. With vim keys, highlight, then hotkey to call Mr. Agent Smith to do some magic.
When people receive any written material from me, it is I that wrote it. My thoughts and expressions. If they wanted to read some AI generated drivel, then they don't need me and my contribution.
My process is very simple. I just write from top to bottom. Of course, the first pass is rough. But the focus is on capturing the material in approximately the logical sequence. For really complex and lengthy materials, I might write an outline with mostly headings and snippets as they come to me.
For emails and other time critical writing, I go back to the top and edit / re-write. I don't need nor use AI for this. Then send. Rarely do I use a third pass.
For reports and papers, I tend to put the first pass aside for a day or more. When I return to it, I edit viciously and re-write. Depending on the importance of the writing, I might repeat this process 2 or 3 more times.
My process is very simple. I just write from top to bottom. Of course, the first pass is rough. But the focus is on capturing the material in approximately the logical sequence. For really complex and lengthy materials, I might write an outline with mostly headings and snippets as they come to me.
For emails and other time critical writing, I go back to the top and edit / re-write. I don't need nor use AI for this. Then send. Rarely do I use a third pass.
For reports and papers, I tend to put the first pass aside for a day or more. When I return to it, I edit viciously and re-write. Depending on the importance of the writing, I might repeat this process 2 or 3 more times.
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My pattern for years has been something like:
It works, but it constantly breaks my flow. I spend a lot of time context-switching instead of just fixing the text and moving on.
Because of that, I’ve been experimenting with a very narrow tool (Rephrazo) that keeps everything inline:
No new tab, no big chat window, no prompts. Just “this sentence feels off - quick rewrite - continue”.
A few questions for HN:
If it’s helpful for context, the early version of what I’m testing is here:
But feel free to ignore the link and just describe your own workflow. Honest “this isn’t a real problem for me” answers are just as useful as “I’d use this every day”.