In an AI World, Focusing on Details Can Set Your Writing Apart
March 13, 2025
By: Scott Westcott
You never know where you might find inspiration to improve your writing.
Recently, I stumbled across some in an unexpected place: The obituary of a distant relative.
For the most part, the obit offered a pretty standard accounting of a long life well lived. But there were two sentences that stopped me in my tracks.
Carl lived a simple but fulfilling life. He preferred cherry pie over cake for his birthday.
Two simple sentences. Yet taken together they worked some real magic.
The first sentence could be found in dozens of obituaries on any given day. Yet it perfectly teed up the deliciously descriptive detail that follows.
When I read it, I instantly pictured an older man happily blowing out candles stuck into a cherry pie.
And while I had never met Carl in person, that sentence made me wish I had.
These days, many writers are wringing their hands over whether they will be readily replaced by AI writing platforms.
The concern isn’t entirely misplaced. ChatGPT can crank out a pretty decent article on just about any topic in a matter of minutes.
Yet what I don’t think AI will ever be able to do is know the simple life that Carl led can be cleverly demonstrated by his preference of cherry pie over a fancy birthday cake.
Even if it did, I seriously doubt it would deliver the detail in a way that packed an emotional punch.
One of the essential keys to powerful writing rests in the ability to unearth relevant details and descriptions and then position them in ways that paint a clear and meaningful picture.
These nuggets typically don’t come easy. It takes honing your skills in asking the right questions – and knowing how and when to ask follow-up questions that help root out relevant details.
It also requires strong observation skills to pick up on the seemingly little stuff that can make a big difference. That could be an item in a person’s office or home that offers an insight into who they are. It could also be an interaction you witness that speaks to their style or character.
AI can be an extremely useful tool. But just like a screwdriver is of little worth if you need to hammer a nail, AI has its place – and its limitations.
Ultimately, it is human sensibility and skill that holds the power to most effectively communicate in ways that inspire and motivate people to think, feel, and act.
And at a time when we are awash in content and misinformation, it’s a reminder that effective, human storytelling will always have the power to stop us in our tracks and inspire us to ask fresh questions, gain new insights, or experience powerful emotions (and sometimes, all three).
As you approach your writing assignments, seek out the cherry pies.
When you find one, serve it up in a way that creates a meaningful connection with your readers.
They’ll eat it up.
