Getting Unstuck Using AI to Inspire My Next Blog Post
When I got stuck on blog writing, AI helped me get back on track—discover how it can work for you.
Introduction
It's been a few weeks since my last Using AI in Everyday Life article, and I have to admit, I’ve been a bit distracted. Between teaching an AI course for authors and moderating two corporate roundtables focused on using AI in the banking and insurance industries, my plate has been full. Both sessions were incredibly successful, with many participants walking away with a newfound appreciation for AI’s practical uses in writing and business. If you're curious about how those sessions went, I encourage you to check out my last post, "From Fiction to Finance: How AI is Revolutionizing Both."
But while I’ve been deep in those discussions, my attention has been pulled toward another major project: editing the next two books in my Blake Willis crime thriller series, FALSE START and FALSE HOPE. Both books are jam-packed with corporate espionage, cybersecurity threats, and—yes—AI-powered mystery-solving. They’re set to release by year-end, so if you haven’t read the first book, FALSE TRUST, now’s the time to dive into the series. Trust me, you’ll want to be caught up before the action picks up again in FALSE START!
Background
When I’m in the editing zone, it’s easy to let everything else slip through the cracks. And recently, that’s meant putting my blogs on the backburner, even though I had several ideas lined up for new posts in Using AI in Everyday Life. The topics were solid, but every time I sat down to write, I found myself stuck. The process of outlining, drafting, creating images, and finalizing everything felt more daunting than usual. Honestly, I would rather have been editing my novels!
It then decided to follow my own advice. If AI could help me break through the mental block, why not give it a try? After all, I’ve often preached about AI’s ability to assist with creative tasks, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to put that theory to the test.
So, I turned to my trusty AI companion and asked for some help.
Just Ask AI: The Prompt
The prompt I gave was simple but effective:
"I have a Substack publication called ‘Using AI in Everyday Life,’ which has a variety of articles on how to use AI for everyday tasks. Can you review my publication and then think of ten easy-to-describe and useful topics for my readers that I can write about? Explain why you have selected these topics in a sentence or two and then recommend the top three topics I should write about next."Within moments, the CGPT churned out a list of ten solid topics—each relevant, practical, and engaging for my readers. Here are the ideas it came up with:
How to Use AI for Daily Task Management
Why: Many readers juggle multiple responsibilities. AI can be a game-changer for managing daily tasks and increasing productivity.
AI for Personal Finances: Budgeting Made Easy
Why: Financial management is a common concern, and AI tools can simplify budgeting and help identify spending patterns.
Improving Your Writing with AI-Powered Grammar Checkers
Why: Writers, bloggers, and professionals alike can benefit from AI tools that streamline the editing process.
AI in the Kitchen: Smart Cooking Assistants
Why: Who wouldn’t want AI to assist in meal planning, grocery shopping, or even cooking?
How AI is Changing the Healthcare Landscape
Why: AI in healthcare is a hot topic, and readers would be interested in how these advancements might affect their lives.
AI for Travel Planning and Trip Organization
Why: Many readers are frequent travelers, and AI tools can offer tips on booking flights, finding accommodations, and planning itineraries.
Using AI for Language Learning
Why: Language learning is an area where AI can shine, providing personalized practice and instant feedback.
Smart Home Devices: Are They Worth It?
Why: AI-powered home devices are becoming increasingly popular. This post would explore which gadgets are truly useful.
AI Tools for Social Media Management
Why: Whether for personal or professional use, AI can simplify the complexities of managing multiple social platforms.
Boosting Creativity with AI
Why: AI can assist in brainstorming and creative processes, helping users come up with new ideas or refine existing ones.
CGPT then recommended the top three topics I should tackle next: Improving Your Writing with AI-Powered Grammar Checkers, AI for Personal Finances: Budgeting Made Easy, and AI in the Kitchen: Smart Cooking Assistants. Each of these resonates well with my readers and could be written up quickly, which was exactly what I needed. I’ll add these to the queue!
Call to Action
And that’s the beauty of AI—it doesn’t just assist with the technical or mundane tasks. It can become your creative muse, helping you break through the morass of writer’s block or indecision. If you ever find yourself stuck, whether it’s with writing a blog, organizing your thoughts, or even figuring out your next project, I encourage you to do what I did: just ask AI. It might surprise you with how quickly it can turn things around.
This article, including imagery and social media tiles to promote has taken me only 45 minutes to produce, once I had my creative spark back.
In fact, I challenge you to give it a try right now. Ask AI to help you with a task—whether it's writing, organizing, or something else entirely—and see what it comes up with. Use a variation of my prompt above to get started. You might just find it to be your new creative partner.
Upcoming Blogs and Other Resources
In the coming weeks, I’ll be diving into more topics related to AI’s role in everyday life. Keep an eye out for those posts—there’s a lot of exciting content on the way!
In the meantime, don’t forget to check out FALSE START and FALSE HOPE when they drop later this year. These books are packed with intrigue, corporate drama, and AI-fueled mysteries. If you haven’t yet read FALSE TRUST, now’s the perfect time to get caught up on the thrilling world of corporate espionage and Blake Willis.
As always, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts. Have you tried using AI to get unstuck? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to share any other ideas for future blog posts.
That’s it for now—thank you, AI, for the creative spark! Stay tuned for more AI insights and crime-thriller updates.
Note: There are affiliate links within this blog post to products and services that I recommend and use personally. This means that I receive a small percentage of sales commission with no extra cost to you and in some cases, you may receive a discount for using my links. I only recommend products and services that I believe are great for authors and other creatives. For more information, you may check out our Affiliate Marketing Policy, which can be found on my author services website.