LessWrong (30+ Karma) “I am definitely missing the pre-AI writing era” by N. Cailie
Mar 31, 2026
N. Cailie, a longtime writer and LessWrong contributor, reflects on losing their writing voice after leaning on AI editing tools. They recount a technical draft rejected for probable AI use. Short scenes cover diminished creativity, struggling with poems, a raw repost written without tools, and gratitude for a rejection that prompted reclaiming authentic voice.
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Draft Rejected After Using LLM For Edits
- N. Cailie had a technical draft rejected because she ran it through an LLM for grammar checks and it flagged as probably AI-written.
- She says ~80% was her own writing but the LLM edits caused moderators to reject the post due to a no-LLM policy.
AI Tools Can Diminish Native Writing Fluency
- Reliance on AI tools can erode previously strong writing instincts and confidence, even for multilingual writers.
- N. Cailie notes she rarely needed edits before 2023 despite English being her fourth language, but now feels creativity and fluency slipping.
Slam Poem Felt Unrecognizable To The Author
- She tried writing a slam poem and felt alienated from the result, asking "Who wrote this?" and declaring it bad.
- Her best past poem was written spontaneously on paper outdoors, highlighting a contrast with current drafts.