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Nathan Slake's avatar

It's great to get these insights into your worldbuilding. These details feel like notes that a writer would keep that a reader may never glimpse, yet the background you forge will carry through and support the main story(ies) to make it all the more believable. It's a lovely peek behind the curtain that we're getting, and shows your dedication and craft.

Great info, too. I can't help but think of feeling of swimming through the kelp forests of the game Subnautica when I read and see those images.

Are these AI artworks? It's a really nice palette and tone that you've managed to establish.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Let me know if you would like me to generate an image for you! ☺️

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Thanks, Claudia. I haven't mastered the tinkering yet, but I have been using it to generate images too, e.g. on: https://slake.substack.com/p/introducing-braes-meteorite

and https://slake.substack.com/p/dreams-of-hail-and-glass

I've just been using free credits, but it may be time to actually invest some $ into an account. I'm not sure how I feel about it, though. It's an incredible tool and is so powerful and versatile, but I just hope it's not stifling artists out there (I guess it probably is). Hopefully they are still getting commissions for high profile work.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

I am paying the monthly fee already since autumn. Honestly, the images that it generates are not that professional. I can never get what I have in mind and the style is not consistent. If I’ll ever want to illustrate my stories I will definitely contact an artist. The images I generate are only for my Substack.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Well I'd say you're doing a great job, the images really complement your stories/worldbuilding and give it some extra depth. It's lovely concept art.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Ah, thank you so much for reading and the kind words! This is really a backstage view into my writing process. I love worldbuilding and these articles help me wrap up my ideas and see where there are still gaps in my secondary world.

I use Midjourney for the images and I tinker a lot with the AI. I think that I should invest all those hours in learning how to make digital art myself! 😂

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