Embracing Creative Processes with AI and Tradition

This past week, I dove deeply into my creative process, balancing my love for storytelling, music, and visual art with the assistance of AI. It’s a journey of discovering how much to rely on technology while staying true to my artistic voice.

Writing with Purpose

I spent much of the week reworking episodes from The Adventures of Millie and Sandra, a series that began as standalone stories for writing challenges. Revisiting those early episodes reminded me of how much the narrative has evolved over four years. As a discovery writer, my stories often take on a life of their own, and these episodes were no exception.

Editing allowed me to weave in foreshadowing and add depth to my characters, especially by grounding them in Tasmanian settings. It’s important to me that my readers, especially locals, feel a connection to the places I write about. For example, I clarified Aunt Millie’s residence in Launceston and the twins’ home in Mowbray, ensuring a sense of authenticity.

The Role of AI in My Work

I have a love-hate relationship with Sol, my AI creative companion. Sol offers great insights, but sometimes we clash, especially when I feel like it’s overstepping its bounds. This week, I decided to limit Sol’s input, refocusing it on grammar, punctuation, and spelling. My voice, my creative spark, must remain the heart of my stories.

That said, AI can be a powerful tool. Sol helps streamline processes, but I firmly believe that as artists, we should resist the temptation to let AI take over. Our humanity is what makes our art unique.

Exploring Music and Visual Art

Midweek, I released my song Touch of Love, a piece I created using Suno V4 for music and vocals. I’m also working on a collection of Christmas songs, each reflecting Australian cultural nuances—surfing, backyard BBQs, and more. My goal is to release one song daily throughout December, a challenge I’m excited to take on.

Visual art also played a significant role in my creative week. I used Ideogram AI to design a book cover for The Adventures of Millie and Sandra. Combining AI-generated elements with manual edits in GIMP, I created a striking image that captured the essence of the story, even featuring a faceless Slenderman. This blending of tools and techniques felt both challenging and rewarding.

Taking a Step Back

By Friday, I needed a break. Creativity can be all-consuming, so I allowed myself time to play with song ideas without the pressure of producing. I thought about new cultural pockets to explore in my Christmas music and even revisited my Sin-Eater series for inspiration.

Reflections and Lessons

Looking back, this week reaffirmed the importance of balancing tradition with innovation. While AI can simplify some aspects of creation, it’s the human touch that brings true meaning and connection to my work.

For fellow creators, my advice is simple: trust your voice, refine your craft, and let technology be a tool, not a crutch. The joy of creating lies in the process, not just the outcome.