✍️ Human Editing vs AI Writing Tools: Why Editors Still Matter
AI has changed the way we write. Tools like Grammarly, ChatGPT, and Copilot can check spelling, fix grammar, and even generate ideas when the blank page feels overwhelming. I use them myself—for spell‑check, grammar, brainstorming, and even asking style or form questions.
But here’s the truth: while AI is a helpful assistant, it isn’t a replacement for an editor. Editing is more than correcting mistakes; it’s about judgment, nuance, and impact.
How I Use AI
I’m transparent about my process. I use AI for:
✅ Spell‑check and grammar corrections
✅ Brainstorming and idea generation
✅ Getting past the blank page
✅ Quick questions about style, form, or grammar
✅ Organizing my life and business
✅ Helping me make bullet lists with emojis 📕🩷📣🤖
✅ Structuring my content for busy readers
AI helps me move faster, but the real editing comes from intuition, mastery of the English language, and years of studying, teaching, grading academic essays, and reading widely.
Where Human Editors Add Value
AI can’t do what lived experience and human judgment can. Here’s why:
Voice & Relatability: As a lifelong bookworm and educator, I know how to preserve an author’s voice while making it resonate with readers. AI often flattens tone into something generic.
Classroom Insight: Education-related writing requires more than polished sentences. Classroom experiences vary widely—even within one building, let alone across regions or countries. A human editor with teaching experience can spot when an author’s “reality” isn’t universal, and suggest ways to make content more inclusive and impactful.
Nuance & Context: AI can’t tell when a phrase might alienate readers, or when a cultural reference won’t land. Editors bring perspective that ensures content connects across diverse audiences.
Thought Partnership: Unlike AI, editors collaborate. I don’t just fix words—I help authors refine ideas, clarify arguments, and align their message with their goals.
Why This Matters for Authors and Educators
For EdTech authors, educators, small business leaders, and self‑help writers, credibility and connection are everything. Readers don’t just want error‑free text—they want content that feels authentic, relevant, and trustworthy.
AI can assist with mechanics, but editors ensure your work:
Speaks to diverse realities
Balances clarity with creativity
Builds authority and trust
Resonates with your intended audience
✨ Style Feature: The Truth About Dashes
Starting with this issue, I’m adding a new feature to my newsletter: quick style tips that highlight the tools editors use to bring clarity and impact to writing. You’ll see these in future articles too — bite‑sized insights into punctuation, grammar, and style choices that make a big difference.
Let’s bust the myth that em and en dashes belong only to AI. These marks are part of every editor’s toolkit:
Hyphen (-) joins words or breaks a word at the end of a line.
En dash (–) shows ranges (like 2010–2020) or connections between things.
Em dash (—) creates emphasis, interruption, or a dramatic pause in a sentence.
💻 Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac
Hyphen: -
En dash: Option + Hyphen
Em dash: Shift + Option + Hyphen
Windows (PC)
Hyphen: -
En dash: Alt + 0150
Em dash: Alt + 0151
Far from being “AI tricks,” these dashes are tools of clarity and style that human editors wield with purpose.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
AI is here to stay, but so is the need for editors. If you’re writing a book, blog, or business resource, consider how your work could benefit from not just editing—but a consulting partner who helps refine your ideas and elevate your message.
📅 Book a discovery call with me at Gardy Learning Design Studio. Let’s explore how editing + consulting can make your content not just “good enough,” but truly impactful.
✉️ And if you’d like to be among the first 100 subscribers to my upcoming newsletter, sign up here. You’ll get early access to specials, product reviews, and practical writing tips when it launches.
