What AI Tools I Actually Use as a Full-Time Writer
1. ChatGPT (with Custom GPTs)
Let’s get this one out of the way. Yes, I use ChatGPT. No, it’s not cheating. It’s called working smart.
What makes it powerful in 2025 isn’t just the base chatbot. It’s the ability to build Custom GPTs. Think of them as AI versions of your favorite editor, headline coach, or even content strategist. I’ve created one that thinks like me, references my tone, and reminds me when I’m being vague or repetitive.
How I use it:
- Idea generation for blog posts
- Drafting intros and titles
- Getting feedback on weak paragraphs
Pros:
- Insanely fast
- Customizable to your voice
- Always available
Cons:
- Sometimes too polished or generic unless you train it properly
- Needs a human pass for tone and flow
If you’re still using it like a glorified Google, you’re doing it wrong.
2. Grammarly Premium
You probably rolled your eyes. “Oh, Grammarly? Really?” Yes. Because unlike every startup promising to revolutionize writing, Grammarly actually works.
I don’t trust it with rewriting, but it’s unbeatable for proofreading and tightening up copy.
How I use it:
- Final pass before submitting anything
- Spotting clunky phrasing or filler words
- Keeping tone consistent in client work
Pros:
- Precise grammar and tone corrections
- Clean UI, easy integration (Google Docs, Word, browser)
- Doesn’t try to hijack your writing style
Cons:
- The tone suggestions can be annoying
- Style corrections aren’t always helpful for creative pieces
Still, for editing and polishing, it’s in a league of its own.
3. Notion AI
I hated Notion AI at first. It felt clunky and late to the party. But once I stopped expecting it to be a writer and started using it as a thinking partner, it clicked.
It’s great for organizing messy thoughts, building outlines, and summarizing research. Think of it as your digital second brain.
How I use it:
- Turning bullet points into outlines
- Summarizing articles
- Breaking down big ideas before I start writing
Pros:
- Built right into your workspace
- Saves hours when planning long-form content
- Feels more like collaboration than automation
Cons:
- Not great for finished writing
- Sometimes oversimplifies nuanced content
If you’re outlining a newsletter or planning a content calendar, this thing is gold.
4. Claude by Anthropic
Claude is the AI tool I didn’t expect to love, but here we are. It’s better than ChatGPT at long-context reasoning, which means it remembers more, writes with more continuity, and doesn’t lose the plot halfway through an article.
It’s the tool I use when I’m editing large documents or rewriting something with subtle tone shifts.
How I use it:
- Rewriting drafts to tighten them
- Summarizing interviews and transcripts
- Giving feedback on full articles
Pros:
- Handles large documents with ease
- More natural tone
- Often better at nuance than GPT
Cons:
- Not as customizable as ChatGPT
- Can be slower under load
In 2025, this is the tool that gives ChatGPT real competition.
5. SudoWrite
This one’s for the fiction writers, novelists, or storytellers. SudoWrite has been quietly building tools that feel like they’re made by writers, not by product managers in Silicon Valley.
You can describe a character and it’ll suggest dialogue. You can feed it a story arc and it’ll help you build scenes. It’s creepy good.
How I use it:
- Exploring character voices
- Drafting scenes when I’m blocked
- Rewriting emotional passages
Pros:
- Great at creative tone
- Helps unblock writer’s block
- Made for writers, not marketers
Cons:
- Niche use case
- Not ideal for non-fiction or SEO content
Still, if you’ve ever stared at a blank screen in Scrivener at 2 a.m., this tool will feel like a miracle.
Final Thoughts
I don’t care if you’re writing blog posts, whitepapers, or spicy LinkedIn takes. The reality is simple: you can either fight AI or use it to level up. I choose the latter, with tools that actually respect the craft of writing.
Not every tool on this list will fit your workflow. But try them. Push them. Break them. See what sticks.
Just don’t be the writer who says, “I don’t use AI.” That’s like a carpenter refusing to use power tools. The game has changed. Adapt or fade out.
