A Thematic Framework for Human-AI Co-creative Writing: Writers' Experiences of the Process

This paper investigates the impact of generative AI on writers’ experiences of creativewriting processes. In an experimental study, seven writers wrote short stories in two sessions,with and without access to an LLM-based generative AI tool that could be prompted for textcontinuation suggestions. Rich experiential data was collected through the think-aloudmethod, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. Additionally, detailed survey and interviewdata was collected from 19 writers who routinely incorporate generative AI into their creativewriting process. Thematic analysis of all data resulted in the identification of five key themesillustrating AI's impact on creative writing experiences: (1) AI as a driver of efficiency andenjoyment, (2) AI as a way to compensate for and extend abilities, (3) AI as a source offrustration and distraction, (4) AI as a tool for self-reflection and counter-inspiration, and (5)AI’s perceived lack of ownership, justified through emphasising human control in editing,steering, or curating the output. We examine each theme alongside relevant data extracts,quantitative survey data, and detailed examples of study participants’ integrations of AIoutput into their texts. Wider implications of the identified AI roles and effects on creativeprocesses are discussed. Centrally, this paper contributes with a thematic framework thatreflects writers’ experiences and outlines the key impacts of generative AI on creative writingprocesses. Each of the five themes can form the basis for further research, and the insightsprovide valuable perspectives for both practitioners and scholars in the domain of human-AIco-creative writing.