Charlie Foxtrot's Blog, page 13

Crafting Compelling Characters with a Character Template

Welcome to my series on crafting compelling characters using a character template. This essential tool helps structure well-rounded, engaging characters for your stories by covering aspects such as physical descriptions, personality traits, motivations, and more. Join me as I share my experiences and lessons learned while using this versatile guide to bring dynamic, multifaceted characters to life.

Now, before I dive into the nitty-gritty of character creation, let me give you a little background on this versatile tool. The character template I’ve created is a quick guide designed to help us structure well-rounded and engaging characters for our stories. It covers various aspects, from physical descriptions and personality traits to motivations, personal goals, and emotional growth.

But why use a template, you ask? Well, crafting compelling characters can sometimes feel like a daunting task – like trying to capture lightning in a bottle. This template provides me with a solid foundation and valuable insights as I embark on the writing journey. Additionally, it offers practical prompts and exercises that make the character creation process more manageable and enjoyable.

For registered readers of my blog, you’ll have access to the template to use in your own writing. I believe that everyone has a unique storytelling voice, and I can’t wait to see how this template inspires and informs yours. So, grab a pen and paper (or your preferred writing tool), and let’s begin our exploration of character development together!

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Do different versions matter?

A few months ago, I followed the advice to authors on the Amazon Kindle store recommending to do a paperback copy of my book “A New Past: Book One“. Their advice is:

Reach new readers by creating a paperback version of your book. KDP automatically prints and ships your book whenever customers order copies so that you do not have to pay any up-front printing costs or maintain any inventory. Earn 60% royalties (less printing costs) on paperback sales. Learn more about publishing paperbacks.

They were not wrong. It took about a month after I uploaded the formatted paperback version of the book to get a sale, but it was in a country (Germany) where I had not had any Kindle-based readers. For that reader, I went ahead and formatted books two and three for printing and posted them in the Kindle store as well. Slowly, I’ve seen sales build across all three books. As a note for other self-publishers, it appears having multiple version plays into the sales ranking on Amazon. I don’t know if it is based on revenues or pages read, but it is building.

That experience led me to think about different versions as well as formats. By latest book Cosimo: a Families of the Empire story, was originally published online in serial format. It started as a collection of related stories more so than a novel.

As I was writing, I was also creating some GAI imagery on the side for both inspiration and just because I thought the technology was cool. That led me to creating an illustrated collection of the stories and publishing it on Bookapy.com. Feedback from a reader of that version indicated they enjoyed the idea of the images, but were reading on a non-color Kindle, so the pictures did not add much to the reading experience.

I took this feedback to heart as I worked on concluding the tale and publishing an edition for Kindle and sold through Amazon. I did post the second half of the story with illustrations on Bookapy, but did not use any of the GAI generated imagery in the Kindle edition.

Additionally, for the Kindle edition, I added some of the pre-Cosimo back-story of how the early settlers solidified their view of society. Most of the story remains the same, but the order of chapters has been modified and the new material is all in the first few chapters. With these changes, I published the Amazon version under a different title, using the Bookapy title “Families of the Empire” as a subtitle.

This is a long-winded explanation of how one story-arc is now published in three books, all with slightly different ordering of the tale. In the end, they are all still about Cosimo and his trials and journeys. However, this did allow me to put the story on KDP Select:

With KDP Select, you can reach more readers, earn more money, and maximize your sales potential. When you choose KDP Select, you elect to make your Kindle eBook exclusive to Kindle.

We’ll have to see how this performs and if a print version is warranted. Stay tuned for other updates on the publishing process.

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My Character template

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GAI & the creative process (part 4)

In my last post, I was less than satisfied with the motivations and background generated by the model for the female elf in the story. It felt like it drew on too many cliche’s common to the fantasy genre.

The next prompt is a direction to expand on a specific paragraph from the previous output:

Expand on the third paragraph and why Eolande remembers her loved one and associates positive memories with the forest.

My hope with this prompt is to generate some deeper background material for Eolande and why she associates the forest with her loved one.

As Eolande wandered through the enchanted forest, the memories of her beloved family member seemed to come alive around her. Their connection had been deep and profound, rooted in a shared love for nature and all its wonders. The forest had always held a special place in both their hearts, a place where they could escape from the stresses and pressures of the world and just be together.

Whenever they visited the forest, they would spend hours exploring its hidden depths, marveling at the beauty of the ancient trees and the delicate grace of the flowers that bloomed beneath them. They would sit by the still waters, watching as the sun painted the sky with hues of pink and orange, or listen to the gentle melody of the wind as it whispered through the leaves. Every moment spent in the forest felt like a gift, an opportunity to reconnect and strengthen their bond.

As Eolande grieved in the forest, she found solace in these memories. The forest was not just a beautiful and magical place – it was a living testament to their love and connection. Every tree, every flower, every creature seemed to carry a piece of them with it. With each breath of fresh air, with every rustle of leaves, she could hear her loved one’s laughter, feel the warmth of their embrace, and see their smiling face.

The forest became a sanctuary for Eolande in her time of grief, a place where she could find comfort, healing, and strength. It reminded her of the beauty and fragility of life, of the importance of cherishing every moment, and of the power of love to sustain us through even the darkest times.

As she continued her journey through the forest, Eolande found herself feeling a growing sense of gratitude for this special place and all the memories it held. She began to see that the forest was not just a beautiful and magical entity in its own right but also a reflection of the love and connection that existed between beings. This realization deepened her commitment to being a guardian of the forest, knowing that protecting and nurturing this special place was a way to honor the memory of her loved one and all the other connections she valued.

Eolande’s memories of her loved one in the forest were more than just nostalgic reminiscences; they were a reminder of the power of love, connection, and nature to heal and sustain us through even the most difficult times. As she continued on her journey, she carried these memories with her, using them as a source of strength and inspiration, and as a reminder that no matter what challenges life may bring, there is always a place where we can find solace, healing, and love.

This has some promising character motivations, but I think it can be stronger as well.

Assume the loved one Eolande lost was her older sister. Name the sister and provide some memories Eolande has of their time together in the forest.

The background I’m generating with these prompts will help make the characters richer (I hope). Depending on what I generated, this material could be incorporated into flash-backs, memories, of stories Eolande shares later in the story.

Eolande’s beloved sister, whom she lost, was named Elara. The two sisters shared a deep bond that was rooted in their love for nature and each other. Their fondest memories were spent in the enchanted forest, where they would explore its hidden depths, discovering new wonders and strengthening their connection with every passing moment.

One of their most cherished memories together took place on a warm summer day when they stumbled upon a hidden clearing deep within the heart of the forest. The sun cast golden rays through the trees, illuminating the vibrant colors of the flowers that surrounded them. They spent hours lying in the soft grass, watching as the clouds painted the sky with shades of pink and orange. Elara played her lute, filling the air with beautiful melodies that seemed to carry on the gentle breeze.

As they lay there, Eolande and Elara shared stories of their dreams, their hopes, and their fears. They talked about the future and what they wanted to achieve in life. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, as if guided by the magic that permeated the forest. It was a moment of pure connection, of sisterly love and support.

Another cherished memory took place on a crisp autumn day when they went picking berries and collecting herbs for their mother’s healing potions. The air was filled with the scent of ripe fruits and the sound of leaves rustling beneath their feet. They laughed as they bantered back and forth, teasing each other and sharing secrets. Eolanda remembered how Elara would gently chide her for getting distracted by the beauty of a particular flower or the sound of a nearby stream, but she knew that these distractions were all part of what made their time together so special.

As they continued to work side by side, they talked about their dreams for the future and how they wanted to use their knowledge of nature to help others. Their shared vision brought them even closer together, reinforcing their bond. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a brighter future.

These memories became precious keepsakes that Eolande carried with her as she navigated the challenges of life after her sister’s untimely death. They served as a reminder of the power of sisterly love and the importance of cherishing every moment spent together. In the quiet moments of solace in the enchanted forest, she could still feel Elara’s presence, hear her laughter, and see her smile. And it was this connection that fueled Eolande’s determination to honor her sister’s memory by continuing to protect and nurture the magical place that held so many cherished memories for them both.

This is quite a bit of background, all generated with only a few paragraphs of input. I still don’t think GAI is ready to write a complete story that would engage readers, but it can help us writers flesh out or even explore ideas that might make it into a good tale. Let’s see if the model can incorporate some of this:

Using all this background, rewrite the introductory scene for the first meeting between Roran and Eolande. Write in the first-person, with the human being the viewpoint character.

The new output:

As I ventured deeper into the heart of the enchanted forest, my senses were alive with the symphony of nature around me. The gentle rustle of leaves beneath my feet mingled with the melodic chirping of birds and the sweet perfume of wildflowers. My heart raced with excitement as I neared my goal – the rare herbs that would fetch a handsome price in the nearby village market.

But as I rounded a bend, my breath caught in my throat. There she was, an ethereal vision of grace and beauty, her emerald eyes sparkling like precious gems amidst the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. She was an elf, her delicate features adorned with golden leaves that shimmered in the sunlight, her long, flowing hair the color of ripe autumn leaves.

My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a strange sense of familiarity wash over me. It was as if we had known each other for lifetimes, even though we’d never crossed paths before.

She looked at me with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Greetings, traveler,” she said softly, her voice like the gentle rustling of leaves. “What brings you to my forest?”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. I could sense that this was no ordinary elf, no mere guardian of the woods. There was an intelligence and warmth in her eyes, a depth that drew me in. I wanted to share my story with her, to tell her about my dreams, my fears, and the love I held for the magical world around me.

But there was also a part of me that was wary, afraid of what she might think of me – a human, an outsider, driven by greed and the desire for financial gain. I knew the prejudices that existed between our races, the mistrust and hatred that had festered for generations. But as I looked into her eyes, I couldn’t help but feel that there was a chance, however small, that we might find a new path forward – one of understanding, acceptance, and perhaps even love.

“I am Roran,” I said, extending my hand towards her. “I come from the village beyond the forest, seeking these rare herbs for the market. But more than that, I come to explore your beautiful forest, to learn its secrets and discover the wonders it holds.”

She took my hand gently in hers, her touch like the softest breeze against my skin. “I am Eolande,” she replied, her voice filled with warmth and kindness. “Welcome to our forest, Roran. I believe that there is more to your journey than just financial gain. And who knows? Perhaps you will find something far greater – a new path forward, one of understanding, acceptance, and love.”

As we stood there beneath the canopy of leaves, I couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning of an adventure unlike any other – a journey that would challenge me, inspire me, and change my life in ways I could never have imagined.

This is better than the first version the model created, but I still don’t think it is something I could cut and paste into a story. It has ideas and some elements that could lend themselves to a real tale.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this simple exploration of what GAI can do to help your writing process. Comment to let me know what you think.

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GAI & the creative process (part 3)

Continuing on from my last post, let’s see what other ideas can be mined from my GAI session.

Continuing to the next prompt:

Why does Roran seek a financial gain from his efforts? How does it compete with his sense of adventure and curiosity?

Once again, since I’m still in the same chat-session, the model knows the history of what it has output so far and builds on that information.

Roran seeks a financial gain from his efforts to find the rare and valuable herbs within the exotic forest glen primarily as a means to improve his livelihood. He comes from a humble background, and the promise of a lucrative sale at the market in the nearby human village represents an opportunity for him to better provide for himself and possibly even his family. This motivation is driven by practical concerns such as food, shelter, and security.

However, Roran’s sense of adventure and curiosity do not compete directly with his pursuit of financial gain, but rather they complement each other. The allure of the unknown land and its wonders fuels his determination to press onward and overcome any obstacles that come his way. The excitement of discovery and the thrill of exploration add an element of joy and fulfillment to his quest. In fact, it is this sense of adventure and curiosity that leads him deeper into the forest and ultimately brings him into contact with Eolande, the beautiful elf.

The financial gain becomes a secondary motivation once Roran encounters Eolande and forms a connection with her. While he still values the potential profit from selling the herbs, his desire to explore this new relationship and understand her people takes priority. However, as they continue to interact, Roran begins to see that there is more to life than just financial gain and material possessions. He discovers that love, understanding, and acceptance are far greater treasures to be sought after, and he begins to question the importance of his initial motivation.

As Roran’s journey progresses, he realizes that the value of experiences and relationships cannot be measured by wealth or material possessions alone. He comes to understand that the true riches in life are found in the connections we form with others and the knowledge we gain through our adventures. This newfound perspective allows Roran to let go of his initial motivation and embrace a more meaningful and fulfilling path forward, one that is centered on love, understanding, and acceptance.

Notice that more back-story for Roran is created simply by asking a question. He comes from humble beginnings and literally needs the money the herbs represent to survive. That can be a pretty strong character motivation. It also shows he is a curious dreamer and seeks adventure.

Now let’s change the focus of the prompt away from Roran and his motivations and make Eolande a little more interesting.

Why is Eolande in the forest?

A simple enough question to add to the prompt. What new ideas with this generate?

Eolande, the beautiful elf, is in the exotic forest glen for several reasons. Firstly, she is a guardian of the forest and its magical creatures. The elves have a deep connection to nature, and they often serve as protectors and caretakers of the land. Eolande’s presence in the woods ensures that the balance of magic and harmony is maintained within the forest ecosystem.

Secondly, she is on a personal quest to learn more about the human race. Elves and humans have long been at odds, with centuries of mistrust and hatred between their two cultures. Eolande, however, believes that understanding and communication are key to breaking down these barriers and finding common ground. She sees Roran’s arrival in the forest as an opportunity to learn more about humans and their motivations.

Lastly, she is drawn to Roran on a deeper, more emotional level. As they interact and form a connection, Eolande begins to see that there is more to Roran than the prejudices and stereotypes that have long existed between their races. She comes to understand that love and acceptance are powerful forces that can break down even the strongest of barriers.

As their relationship deepens, Eolande realizes that her time in the forest has served a greater purpose beyond just guardianship and personal growth. Her interactions with Roran have given her new insights into the human race, and she begins to see that there is hope for a future where elves and humans can coexist peacefully. With this newfound understanding, Eolande becomes an ambassador of sorts between the two races, using her knowledge and experiences to foster communication, acceptance, and ultimately, love.

Throughout their journey together, Eolande remains committed to these ideals, using her position as a guardian and her personal connection with Roran to bridge the gap between elves and humans. She continues to seek out opportunities for understanding, believing that the bonds of love and acceptance are far greater treasures than any magical herbs or material possessions could ever be.

This seems to have a lot of almost-cliches in it. I think we can do better with a little more guidance.

Make Eolande motivated to be in the forest from grief over the death of someone close to her. The death is not directly caused by humans, but is related to something humans have done.

Even as I wrote this prompt, I was concerned that I was giving too much direction to the model. I’ve biased the output by stating she is grieving from a death and it is related to something humans have done in the world. I suspect it will give some more cliches, but let’s see.

Eolande, the beautiful elf, is in the exotic forest glen for a deeply personal reason – she has come to mourn the loss of a beloved family member who died as a result of human actions, even if unintentionally. The forest has always been her sanctuary and refuge, a place where she can find solace and healing amidst its magical beauty.

The death of her family member had left Eolande devastated and heartbroken. She couldn’t help but feel that the world had betrayed her in the most profound way possible. The pain was unbearable, and she needed time and space to grieve and come to terms with her loss.

As she wandered through the forest, the memories of her lost loved one seemed to come alive around her. She could hear their laughter echoing through the trees, see their face in every reflection on the still waters, and feel their touch in the gentle breeze. The forest became a living testament to their love and connection, a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.

However, as she grieved, Eolande also began to feel a growing sense of anger and determination. She knew that her family member’s death was not an isolated incident – it was a symptom of a larger issue, one that went beyond the forest and affected the entire world. The humans, driven by their greed and ignorance, had carelessly destroyed pieces of the natural world, unleashing chaos and destruction in their wake.

Determined to make a difference and prevent such tragedies from happening again, Eolande decided to use her time in the forest to learn more about the human race. She believed that understanding the root causes of their actions was essential if she was going to find a way to bridge the gap between elves and humans and foster peace and harmony.

With this newfound motivation, Eolande began to interact with travelers and wanderers who stumbled upon her in the woods. She listened to their stories, learned about their motivations, and shared her own experiences. Through these interactions, she started to see that not all humans were driven by greed or ignorance. There were those who valued nature and understood the importance of living in harmony with it.

Eolande’s time in the forest also gave her a deeper appreciation for the power of love and connection. She realized that the bonds between beings, whether they be elves, humans, or magical creatures, could be stronger than any obstacle. As she continued to grieve, she found solace in the knowledge that her lost loved one’s memory would live on through the love and understanding that she cultivated in herself and shared with others.

With renewed purpose and determination, Eolande dedicated herself to being a guardian of both her forest and the relationships between elves and humans. She knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but she was willing to put in the effort, knowing that the bonds of love and understanding were far greater treasures than any magical herbs or material possessions could ever be.

As I thought, I gave too much direction to the model. However, there are some gems for ideas and back-story here as well. I like the imagery of the third paragraph and how the forest settles her mind. I also like the second to last paragraph and how the connections she observes could be her motivation for trying to bridge the divide between the two races.

Check back in the next post to see how I try and bring more ideas to light by building on these two paragraphs.

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GAI & the creative process (part 2)

Continuing on from my last post, let’s see if we can modify the prompt provided to my model to generate better content or provide additional ideas for exploring in the story.

Following the output from my first prompt, I added the following:

Expand on Roran’s motivation for entering into the woods. Make him much more cautious of meeting an elf, no matter how beautiful.

By building on the same chat session with the model, it ‘understands’ its prior output, allowing me to reference the character name it provided previously. It also knows to use that prior output as a starting point for this iteration. The revised output:

I trudged through the dense undergrowth of the exotic forest glen, my weary limbs protesting each step. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the jagged peaks and rocky crags that towered above me. My heart ached with longing for home, but the allure of the rare and valuable herbs that grew within this enchanted woodland kept me pressing onward. The forest was said to be cursed, filled with magical creatures and elusive beings, some friendly, others not so much. I had heard stories of humans being lured into its depths and never returning. But the promise of a lucrative sale at the market in the nearby human village drove me on.

As I ventured deeper into the forest, my senses were on high alert. Every sound, every rustle in the bushes was met with suspicion and fear. I had grown up hearing tales of the elves that inhabited these woods – tales of their magical powers and their hatred for humans. The elven race was rumored to guard their territory fiercely, and many a human adventurer had fallen victim to their enchantments or traps.

Despite my caution, I couldn’t deny the allure of the ethereal beauty that surrounded me. The sky above was painted in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple as the sun began its descent towards the horizon. The forest floor was bathed in a soft golden glow, the leaves shimmering like precious gems against the rich tapestry of greens and browns.

But then, my senses were jolted from their reverie by the sound of movement nearby. My hand instinctively reached for the hilt of my sword as fear gripped my heart. But as the figure emerged from the shadows, I found myself unable to summon the anger and hatred that had once fueled my prejudices.

Before me stood a beautiful elven woman, her skin an otherworldly shade of green, her eyes shimmering like sapphires. Her delicate features were adorned with intricately woven vines and petals, a testament to the magical bond she shared with the forest. The sight took my breath away, leaving me momentarily speechless.

But I knew that beauty alone was not enough to trust this creature. My mind raced with the stories I had heard, the tales of elven deception and human naivety. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw only kindness and curiosity. I could sense no malice or ill intent, only a genuine desire to connect with me.

And yet, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear that lurked in the back of my mind. The thought of defying centuries of hatred between our races weighed heavily on my shoulders. But as I looked into her eyes once more, I knew that if there was even a glimmer of hope for love and understanding between us, it was worth taking the risk.

“I am Eolande,” she introduced herself, extending a graceful hand towards me. “And you are?”

My throat went dry as I took her hand, feeling the gentle touch of her fingers on my skin. “I’m Roran,” I stammered, unsure of what to make of this moment. But as I looked into her eyes once more, I knew that I wanted to explore this connection further, despite the odds against us and the warnings of those who came before me. The forest held its breath, waiting to see if we would let our preconceptions and hatreds stand in the way of love or if we could find a new path forward, one of understanding and acceptance.

This is a little better, but still not what I would cut and paste into a story. I’d like to have more motivation for Roran. This is where the power of GAI can help us as writers. Rather than filling out a back-story and coming up with that motivation, I can ask the model!

Prompt: “Why is Roran driven to keep looking for the herbs?”

Roran was driven to keep looking for the rare and valuable herbs within the exotic forest glen for several reasons. Firstly, there was the promise of a lucrative sale at the market in the nearby human village. The herbs were said to be worth a fortune and could bring significant financial gain for Roran if he could successfully acquire them. This motivation fueled his determination to venture into the forest despite the risks and dangers that came with it.

Secondly, there was a deeper sense of adventure and curiosity that drove Roran onward. He had heard tales of the enchanted woods from travelers and elders in his village, stories of magical creatures and rare herbs that could not be found anywhere else. The allure of exploring this unknown land and discovering new wonders kept him pressing forward, even as fear and caution nagged at him.

Lastly, there was a sense of personal challenge and accomplishment that Roran sought in his quest for the herbs. He knew that finding these elusive plants would not be an easy task, but he was determined to overcome any obstacle that came his way. This drive to succeed and prove himself gave him the strength and determination to continue on despite the odds against him.

However, as Roran’s journey progressed and he encountered the beautiful elf Eolande, his motivations began to shift. He found himself drawn to her in a way that went beyond the allure of the herbs or the promise of financial gain. The connection they formed challenged his preconceptions and forced him to question the hatred and mistrust that had long existed between their races.

As Roran continued on his journey, he began to realize that there was more to life than just the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. He discovered that love, understanding, and acceptance were far greater treasures to be sought after. And so, with newfound determination and a desire to break down the barriers between their races, Roran pressed onward, his heart filled with hope for what could be.

Now we’re getting somewhere!

I have three motivations I can use to flesh out Roran’s character and back story. I have an internal conflicts that can create plot points, and I even have a possible overall theme for the story. Here is the value of GAI for writers; It can be used to quickly create ideas for stories to be built around.

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Run one ad….a PSA

This is a Public Service Announcement for any authors who run ads on Facebook or Instagram. You should know that you will start getting phishing emails within two days of the ad starting.

Following the tips I got from an editor for self promotion of books, I have been cross posting these blog entries to Facebook. I decided to promote one posting letting readers know about a discounted price for the Kindle version of A New Past: Book One.

The ad was easy to set up and run, and I saw some traction from it in terms of purchases and pages read on KindleUnlimited.

Then the spam started coming in.

I’m savvy enough to not click on random links in emails, no matter how legitimate they look, but I didn’t even have to click on a link to know this was phishing.

Firstly, the email address the note was sent from was not a Meta related domain, even though the sender display name was “Meta Pro Team”. Huge red-flag. If you are not looking at the “from” address on emails, I encourage you to start. It’s the simplest way to spot something fishy.

The subject and body of the email indicated that my ads account on Meta was in violation of their user terms. This was the second flag. When I got the first email, it arrived right after I got a not (from Meta) that my account had just processed the payment for the prior day’s promotion. If there was a problem with my ad account, the ad should have stopped running.

I then copied the link in the button embedded in the email. It was for a strange looking domain. I looked up the domain on whois.com only to discover the domain hosting the web-form was available for purchase. Strange. If the site was legitimate, it should have a been owned by Meta.

I chose to ignore the first email. I ignored the second email as well. The third time it hit my inbox, I reported the phishing attempt to Meta using the admin dashboard links in my ad account.

While nothing bad happened to me, people who are not as cautious could be scammed into providing login credentials to nefarious people. Something as sensitive as an Ad account has banking or other payment links that can be easily exploited. Hopefully, this reminder will help prevent you from falling victim to scammers.

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Using GAI to jumpstart your creative process

There are a lot of fear mongering articles about Generative AI subverting the role of creatives such as actors, screenwriters, and other authors. While the fear is real, I’m not convinced the threat is. Rather than taking the articles against GAI at face value, I wanted to explore what the current state of the art is. Here are my findings and observations.

I’m running LM Studio and the Meta Llama-Llama-2 model on my MacBook Pro. I prefer running local models for greater flexibility and data security, since nothing leaves my machine unless I choose to post it somewhere. Other online tools likely will provide similar results.

As a reminder, output from a GAI model starts with a prompt, which can be in the form of a question or directive as input to the model.

My prompt: “As a published author of fantasy-based romance stories, draft a scene introduction for an exotic forest glen with the first meeting of a human and elf destine to find love for one another, despite the cultural hatred between their two races. Write in the first-person, with the human being the viewpoint character.”

Here’s what the model produced:

I trudged through the dense undergrowth of the exotic forest glen, my weary limbs protesting each step. My heart ached with longing for home, but the allure of the rare and valuable herbs that grew within this enchanted woodland kept me pressing onward. The sun was beginning to set, casting dappled light through the canopy of leaves overhead, painting the forest floor in intricate patterns of shadow and sunlight.

Suddenly, I heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. My hand instinctively reached for the hilt of my sword as fear gripped my heart. But then, instead of the snarl of an enemy, I was met with the sweet melody of an elven voice.

“Greetings, traveler,” it called out, its tone soft and musical. “You are not from these woods, are you? I have not seen a human in these parts for many moons.”

I hesitated, my grip on my sword loosening as I took in the figure that emerged from the shadows. A beautiful elven woman stood before me, her skin an otherworldly shade of green, her eyes shimmering like sapphires. Her delicate features were adorned with intricately woven vines and petals, a testament to the magical bond she shared with the forest.

Despite the enchantment of her appearance, I was wary. The humans and elves had been at odds for centuries, their cultures clashing and their prejudices running deep. But as I looked into her eyes, I saw only kindness and curiosity. My heart raced as I realized that perhaps there could be more to this relationship than hatred and mistrust.

“I am Eolande,” she introduced herself, extending a graceful hand towards me. “And you are?”

My throat went dry as I took her hand, feeling the gentle touch of her fingers on my skin. “I’m Roran,” I stammered, unsure of what to make of this moment. But as I looked into her eyes once more, I knew that I wanted to explore this connection further, despite the odds against us. The forest held its breath, waiting to see if we would let our preconceptions and hatreds stand in the way of love.

Not bad, but it is not something I would cut a paste into a story. As a standalone start for a story, it does not do much to engage the reader’s senses, relying on the words from the prompt “exotic forest” and descriptions that are almost cliches in the fantasy genre. Why must elven maidens be beautiful and have green-cast skin? It also does not provide much background on why humans and elves have had culture clashes and animosity toward one another. I also don’t like the cliche of the man being “enchanted” by her beauty. I think a more interesting tale would be if they grew on one-another rather than him having “love at first sight” feelings.

However, it does give a good starting point for my own imagination and style to begin fleshing out into a story. I like the character names. I think the reason Roran is in the woods gives me some ideas on why he would venture into a potentially hostile situation. Maybe he strayed further in the woods for some reason….maybe he needs the herbs for a medicine for someone close to him, or they are an easy source of money to help him get something he needs. For Eolande, I want her to have more depth as well. Why is she in the forest? does she live close to where they meet or is she too looking for something? If there is a history of conflict between the races, why is she so open and willing to engage with him?

Given this simple example, I don’t think GAI will quickly replace writers unless readers settle for flat re-working of existing tropes. In my next post, I’ll explore adding to the prompt to see if some these concerns can be address. I do think it is a good tool for creatives to use for ideation.

Comment to share your perspectives on the good and the bad of GAI.

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Writing a mind-worm

As authors, we all want readers to want to come back to our story to either re-read it, or to eagerly await the next tale in the series. Commercial science fiction and fantasy seem to have raised the bar for these types of engaging tales with truly epic arcs. I call them ‘mind-worm’ tales.

To date, all of my writing has first been shared in serial form in an online story forum. The tales converted to novels have now been published for Amazon and other platforms.

As I work on my next story, I’ve been pondering what would make it a ‘mind-worm’. I don’t want to revisit the characters or plot of “A New Past“, but do have some thoughts on adding a novel in the “Families of the Empire” universe. It’s unlikely to be a direct continuation of the characters in the first book, though I do have ideas for them to continue growing and developing. With that in mind, I have jotted down some things that make me want to go back and re-read a book or series so that I can incorporate these into my next book.

Complex and well-developed characters: Creating intricate and multi-dimensional characters that readers can connect with and root for is essential. The more readers care about what happens to these characters, the more likely they are to revisit your stories or continue reading the series. I personally found Robert Jordan’s characters in the Wheel of Time series to be what kept drawing me back to the books. Thought-provoking themes and moral dilemmas: Exploring complex ideas and posing thought-provoking questions within your story can leave a lasting impression on readers. These themes can encourage readers to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and experiences, making them more likely to return or read the next installment in the series. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy is one example. Roger Zelazny’s Amber series is another. While both series have incredibly rich settings, it was the themes and dilemmas the characters faced that kept me coming back.Engaging plot twists and surprises: Keeping readers guessing with unexpected plot twists and surprises is a great way to keep them engaged and interested. These moments of suspense can leave a lasting impression and make readers eager to revisit the story or continue reading to see what happens next. Within individual stories, I enjoy plot twists, but I hate cliff-hangers. Here I think it is important that each story in a series has an engaging plot, but also delivers for the reader without that cliff-hanging end of the book. Piers Anthony is a master of this in his pun filled Xanth series. Each book can stand alone and deliver an engaging tale, but new readers to the series always wonder what the next book will deliver.Richly detailed settings and worldbuilding: Building a vivid and immersive world that readers can lose themselves in is an effective way to encourage re-reading and engagement with your series. The more intricately you develop your setting and its rules, the more invested readers will become in your story. I think of Larry Niven whenever I consider world building. Ringworld is truly epic and awe inspiring.Emotional depth and resonance: Creating a strong emotional connection between the reader and the story can make for an unforgettable reading experience. Whether it’s through exploring complex relationships or evoking powerful emotions, ensuring that your story leaves a lasting impact on readers is essential in making them want to revisit it or continue with the series. Anne McCaffrey managed to create a deep emotional response in me with her HarperHall and Dragon Riders series. I was an eager buyer of her tales once those first two trilogies had me hooked.

What is missing from this list? What do you think is important for you to revisit a story or seek out the next installment of a series? Follow me and comment with your thoughts.

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Bringing it together: Why Erotic Sci-Fi

As I’ve reviewed several mainstream sci-fi stories and looked at the themes they share with erotica and erotic science fiction, it becomes apparent that all stories that tackle complex human interaction will touch on the erotic or open doorways into more explicit encounters and thoughts.  It seems to support the concept that the most erogenous organ is the human mind.  When I think about the themes that appear in erotica, science fiction, and erotic science fiction there are some common threads across all three genres:

1. Power Dynamics: Sexual encounters can be charged with power imbalances, whether they are based on gender, socio-economic status, or other factors. Mainstream fiction, science fiction, erotica and erotic science fiction all explore the intricacies of these power dynamics, often highlighting the complex emotions and desires that arise from such situations.  

2. Personal Growth and Identity: Sexual experiences can be transformative moments in our lives, helping us to understand ourselves better and grow as individuals. The stories that grab us, make us think, and entertain us offer opportunities to explore the ways sexual encounters shape personal identity and contribute to our emotional development.

3. Escapism and Fantasy: Good stories offer opportunities for escape and fantasy. Regardless of  genre, they allow us to explore taboo desires, alternative realities, and intriguing power dynamics – all while providing a thrilling and engaging reading experience that keeps us coming back for more.

Additionally, Erotic Science Fiction gives us opportunities to explore new dynamics 

4. Technology and Human Desire: In today’s world, technology plays an increasingly significant role in our lives, including how we express and explore our desires. Erotica and erotic science fiction offer opportunities to examine the ways technology impacts our sexual experiences and relationships. From virtual reality simulations to advanced sex toys, these genres allow us to imagine new possibilities for human desire and connection.

5. Intersection of Technology and Humanity: In an increasingly technological world, understanding the relationship between technology and humanity is crucial for navigating our future. Erotic science fiction, in particular, provides a unique lens through which to examine this intersection, as it explores the ways technology impacts human desires, relationships, and identity in futuristic contexts.

These themes of technology and human desire, power dynamics, personal growth, and identity resonate in both mainstream fiction, science fiction, erotica and erotic science fiction because they tap into fundamental aspects of the human experience. Stories in these more explicit genres offer unique opportunities to explore our sexuality, relationships, and the intersection between technology and humanity in intriguing ways, inspiring readers with thought-provoking narratives that challenge, entertain, and ultimately enrich our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this exploration of Science Fiction and discussions of how the erotic themes persist, even if it’s not labeled “Erotic Science Fiction”.

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