As my journey as an Indie Author and Artist continues, it has become apparent the greatest challenge is keeping up with all the changes in the field. With AI, (Artificial Intelligence), in both writing and design/illustration, making distressing waves, it feels as though staking out a place of relevancy becomes more and more difficult. The current Movie and Television Writers’ Strike sets up these questions as even more immediate. It’s daunting enough to compete with other talented writers/artists but an algorithm? AI and I need to … talk?

Below kind of summarizes my feelings about technology. You just know there’s a plot unfolding somewhere. See if you can relate.

On one hand, technology is a tool to be used by an enterprising person. On the other, it can usurp the creative person by, seemingly, pushing them to the side. I do a lot of digital illustration but use the software in a rather traditional way. Other people aren’t so restricted. It’s in the space between those two approaches I believe we’ll see the ultimate effects of the latest AI technological advances.

In the future, people may want certain illustrations, books or films labeled as being from an AI or an actual person’s imagination? That scenario was proposed by a young man I had a chat with at my last book signing. Gotta say it has potential. Would you prefer a story written by a person or an algorithm? We’re all going to find out over the next five to ten years in my opinion. And the Writers’ Strike in the film production industry will have a huge impact on that outcome.

In my novels, The Witch’s Foundling and The Secret Cage, I purposely chose the 19th century as the best setting for my Gaslamp fantasy. Technology and magic exist side by side in Sally and Samdriel’s world but the emphasis is on the supernatural. Besides having a deep love for the gothic vibe of stories like Jane Eyre, Frankenstein and Dracula, I wanted my protagonists to mainly rely on their own wits. No Google for them. Or AI to consider. Perhaps I’ll write a story examining that question but not today. For now, more adventures of The Witch’s Foundling will follow.

As a point of interest, 60 Minutes Australia did an interesting report on AI. Find it here on YouTube.

For our Feature Design of the Month say “Good Day, Milady,” to the Steampunk Sorceress. A mysterious woman has claimed a power that will challenge the world. Now, technically, my novels classify as ‘Gaslamp Fantasy’ meaning they feature a Victorian Gothic Vibe while true Steampunk is all about a Victorian Science Fiction aesthetic. Think, Frankenstein/Dracula vs. War of the Worlds/The Time Machine as a way to distinguish the difference. However, there’s a lot of overlap. For now, you can join forces with the Steampunk Sorceress on our Redbubble shop. She looks forward to your collaboration in her plans for world domination.

If you would like more up-to-date news be sure to follow SillWill Studios on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.