Ever since AI arrived on the scene, writers of all stripes have been resistant — if not openly hostile — to language models like Grok, Claude, and ChatGPT, which they fear threaten their careers, craft, and livelihoods. My deepening concern, however, is that if we continue to retreat out of fear, disdain, or nostalgia, we run the real risk that writing standards will be set according to mere utilitarian values such as speed, efficiency, and convenience. In fact, this is already happening to an extent. Just observe the avalanche of fluent, confident prose appearing all over the internet that says very little and feels like no one in particular meant it. One of the key messages from my upcoming book, The Alchemy of Prompting: Writing With Flair in the Age of AI, is that writers have a special responsibility to prevent this degradation of public writing. Instead of allowing non-writers to define writing standards for the future, we must step up and provide leadership, since we are the ones privileged enough to hold knowledge of the craft. We understand, better than most, what literary vision looks like; what editorial judgment means; and the difference between language that functions and writing that connects with readers. When writers decide to step into the role of standard-bearers for this new age, AI can become something other than what it is becoming. It can become a tool that removes unnecessary strain from the writing process and, therefore, creates space for deeper thinking and more creativity. If the integrity of writing as a craft is to survive this transition, writers cannot be content to stand back and comment from the sidelines. They must be willing to lead — bringing taste, judgment, and ethical seriousness into collaboration with these powerful tools.

A lot goes through your mind when you're told you have terminal cancer and could have as little as 18 months to live. "What should I do with my remaining time?" "What treatments should I do to prolong my life?" "How shall I say goodbye to those I love?" I'll say more in my coming memoir about my rollercoaster cancer journey. Today, after receiving the all-clear for the third year in a row, I wanted to pay tribute to those who offered their unconditional support to me, as I faced the biggest and scariest challenge of my life. Without their backing, I might not be here with you today. Among those unsung heroes was @Jeffery Wang, whom I first met in a professional capacity. Years earlier, Jeffery had founded the Professional Development Forum, a nonprofit aimed at giving a leg up to struggling young Sydney professionals. It was a labour of love that inspired many, including myself, to support him. After my diagnosis with "stage four" bowel cancer, Jeffery didn't flinch. He treated me as though I was just as alive, as relevant, and as worthwhile as I'd always been, even when I'd begun to doubt it myself. Jeffery met me for lunches, connected me with others, and carried on inviting me to social events, as he'd always done. Looking back, I believe that love like Jeffery's (and there are many more people I could mention, including several in this community, whose compassion I'll never forget) contributed as much to my recovery as any medicine, surgery or treatment. So, when Jeffery asked me to be a guest on his podcast, 10 Lessons Learned, to discuss my health journey, and other significant life events, I was only too happy to oblige. In fact, I'd secretly been waiting for the opportunity to share the big life lessons I'd learned after everything I'd been through. The 10 Lessons format gave me the opportunity to present these discoveries in a concise, logical, and engaging format. Jeffery, of course, was the perfect host. He was curious, sincere, gracious, and generous. This is the fruit of our conversation:

If you missed our storytelling masterclass last night, I urge you to go watch the recording in the Classroom. We had enormous fun and learned lots from @Vera Sprothen, a published author and former Wall Street Journal writer. Here's the link: https://www.skool.com/elitewriting/classroom/9fc7b988?md=579059b5d8714afb9d60dabb0900db51 Vera offered deep insights into the art and craft of storytelling that no writer should ever forget. Some highlights from the call: 1. Vera emphasised that storytelling begins with a deep curiosity about people, their lives, and the world. This curiosity drives the discovery of unique stories and angles. For experienced writers, this serves as a reminder to stay open to unexpected inspiration and to approach every subject with a fresh, inquisitive mindset. 2. Vera highlighted the importance of empathy in storytelling, especially for human-centric narratives. By putting oneself in the shoes of characters or subjects, writers can craft stories that resonate deeply with readers, allowing them to "walk in someone else's shoes." 3. Vera stressed the need to understand and write for a specific audience, tailoring content, tone, and pacing to their knowledge, values, and emotional state. Experienced writers can refine their craft by consciously aligning their narrative choices with the audience’s perspective, ensuring relevance and connection throughout the story. 4. Vera described storytelling as a careful weaving of quotes, atmosphere, context, and significance, avoiding lazy reliance on excessive quotes or irrelevant details. 5. Vera underscored the critical role of strong beginnings and endings in maintaining reader engagement. A gripping opening, whether scenic or news-driven, hooks the reader, while a well-crafted ending provides closure or resonance, often circling back to the start for a sense of completeness.

Dearest Friends, Our long-awaited next live class will happen early in March. On the call, you'll get to meet and greet the amiable @Nicolas J, a former Bloomberg News colleague for whom I have tremendous admiration. We'll discuss how writers can exploit ChatGPT to their advantage. Nico's been playing with the technology ever since it came out, so he knows a thing or two about its power and limitations. Nico also has a wealth of knowledge about other writing topics. By the way, folks, I'm sorry for the recent radio silence. I'm in the process of moving home. After that, I'll be able to give you my full attention once again! ***** Oh, did you notice I published a new episode of The Alchemy of Writing Podcast on Spotify? You don't want to miss my interview with @Grant Butler, who reveals how to make big money writing and editing for large companies. It's already getting a ton of plays: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GV4DUHiQFg5001oDII5uT?si=F3d2N1uHRVycSceZG5VstQ

Someone posted the following message on LinkedIn the other day. It articulates quite well the five aspirations of a good writer, something I teach in the crash course: The Art of Powerful Writing: 5 Principles I Learned from Shani Raja 📝 As a content writer, these five principles transformed how I approach every piece I create: 1. Comprehensible Making complex ideas crystal clear isn't just good writing—it's respect for your readers. I've learned that the best writing feels like a friendly conversation. 2. Beautiful True beauty in writing isn't about fancy words. It's about rhythm and flow. Like a well-designed room, every element serves a purpose, and nothing feels out of place. 3. Effective Great content moves people to think, feel, or act. Whether I'm writing about healthcare tech or B2B solutions, every piece aims to make a real difference for readers. 4. Authentic In a world of AI and templated content, authenticity stands out. I share real insights from my 4 years in tech and healthcare writing, speaking in my true voice. 5. Engaging 🤝 The best content sparks conversations. It invites readers to share their thoughts and experiences, turning monologues into meaningful discussions. These principles have become my north star, guiding every article and post I create. They're not just rules—they're the foundation of content that truly connects. What principle resonates most with your writing journey?