A Writer's Week #158: AI, Training, and Other Challenges

 This week I'm at the Bank Trainer's Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It's a great time to get together with other folks in my profession to learn things, compare notes, and just commiserate with others who understand the trials and tribulations of designing and delivering training that adds value and satisfies the higher ups at the same time.

Needless to say, that I haven't had much time to work on all of my varied writing projects that I've currently working on. That being said, it doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of them. For instance, I have written just over 3,000 words of the third book in tghe Dragon Island Legends series, Pirate Queen. I've been thinking of the direction the plot will take.

I am waiting for the next round of sketches from artist Emily Hurst Pritchett for the second book in the series, Serpent's Den. As that progresses, I will have to work on laying out the book--a job that I really don't like because it's not really my strong point. Anyway, here's  the thumbnail sketch of the cover that Emily sent:

Right now it's rough, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Emily brings it to life. 

I am also slowly working on updating the cover titles and interiors of the Deliverers series books in anticipation of the rollout with the new ISBNs. It's a big project because not only will I have to update the Amazon editions, but I will also have to do new formatting for new IngramSpark editions, which is new to me. While that won't happen until early in 2027, 2026 is winding down more quickly that I would like.

Anyway, a lot of the buzz at the bank trainer's conference has revolved around AI and how it could aid in developing lesson plans, materials, and presentations. While learning more about these options and techniques was my focus coming into the conference, I have discovered that AI and how it affects the entire organization is a far greater issue that I imagined. The bank I work for is just starting to dabble in AI, and it seems that we are far behind a lot of banking institutions around the country in our acceptance of this new tool. That can potentially put us at a great disadvantage.

In my writing career, I have avoided AI other than coming up with a handful of AI generated images for my blog rather than using stock images. While I will not use it for my writing or for artwork for my books, I am coming around to the idea that it may be useful in helping me with my marketing. 

This evening I used ChatGPT, asking it to give advice. I told it my genre and that I had a four book middle grade fantasy adeventure series and a couple other middle grade books. I told it I sold most of my books in person, although I was on Amazon as well. The suggestions it gave me were interesting. I was surprised that I was already doing many of the things it suggested, but there were also a few things that I am NOT doing. So, it's given me a little food for thought.

While it did not give me any magic formulas, it confirmed that I was on the right track with some of the actions/strategies I am employing while also suggesting other strategies that I hadn't considered or have been avoiding. So now I have a few more things to consider, although I don't think I will tackle that until after I republish myh existing books.

In any event. you will be the first to hear how that goes when it happens. For now, I have enough on my plate to keep me busy. I'll keep you updated as things develop.

Peace.

Classic Interview: Dorothy Gale

 Dorothy Gale 

I'm pleased to announce that a special guest is visiting us this time at The Deliverers Publishing Headquarters a/k/a White Owl Manuscripts. She just blew in all the way from Kansas, Miss Dorothy Gale!

 Greg:  Welcome, Dorothy. Thanks for taking some time with us.

 Dorothy:  Thank you very much for having me, I'm sure. You sure do have a lot of trees around here.

 Greg:  Don't you have very many in Kansas?

 Dorothy:  Oh no. It's all flat and kind of dusty and gray in Kansas, at least the part where I'm from. There aren't hardly any trees at all. And the twisters, my Aunt Em is always afraid of being caught in one. She always runs lickety split to the storm cellar whenever there's the faintest hint of a breeze, much less a twister. "Better safe than sorry, I always say," she always says.

 Greg:  Yes, a wise woman, no doubt. If I remember correctly, it was being caught in a twister that started you on your adventure.

Dorothy:  Why, yes, yes it was. It's almost like you could read my mind, just like that Professor Marvel. Oh, he was a wise and wonderful man--he could see into the future. He didn't tell me that I'd be caught in a storm and taken to Munchkin Land. But then, I don't suppose that anyone in their right mind would have predicted that.

Greg:  No, I don't suppose they would. How did you get to Munchkin Land?

Dorothy:  By twister. Toto, that's my dog, and I were trying to get into the storm cellar, but Aunt Em and Uncle Henry had locked themselves in, so I took Toto into the house. That twister lifted us clear up and out of Kansas and into Munchkin Land. I guess that I was the first person to travel by twister who lived to tell the tale.

Greg:  What was Munchkin Land like?

Dorothy:  Oh it was beautiful. The Munchkins were very pleased to see me, mainly because my house had landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. The munchkins were happy, but the witch's sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, was pretty upset. I was very sorry. All I wanted to do was to get home, but she didn't listen to me. She just wanted her old ruby slippers, which her sister had, but which wound up on my feet somehow. 

The Munchkins said that maybe the Wizard of Oz, a great and powerful wizard, might be able to send me home, so they had me follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. I would have preferred to take a train instead of walking, but they didn't seem to have any such things, so I decided, when in Rome!

Greg:  So you were on your way. Did you make any friends on your way to Oz? 

Dorothy:  Oh my stars, yes. I made three friends, There was the Tin Man, who had rusted in the rain, and had to be oiled constantly to keep him from seizing up all the time. He didn't have a heart, but he was very caring and loving.

Then, there was the Cowardly Lion. He pretended to be fierce, but he was really just a big cuddly teddy bear. He didn't have any courage, but he always tried to protect me.

My best friend, besides Toto, was the first friend I made in Oz, the Scarecrow. He didn't have much of a brain, but he wound up being a great leader. I find that many people who don't have very many brains wind up being leaders, don't you?

Greg:  I have noticed that many times. So, you all went to the Emerald City, walking, of course. Was it a pleasant journey?

Dorothy:  Some of it was wonderful, walking in the sunshine with my friends. But some of it was terrible and frightening. You see, the Wicked Witch of the West was still very upset. She tried to stop us from getting to Emerald City to see the Wizard. She still wanted my ruby slippers, you see.

She was always popping up at the worst possible moments. Jiminy crickets, it was frightening. She tried to frighten my friends and me, but we wanted to see the Wizard so badly that nothing was going to stop us. We were very determined.

Greg:  Did you make it to the Emerald City?

Dorothy:  Yes, we made it, and we met the Wizard. He was a humbug, unfortunately. He sent us to bring back the witch's broomstick, which we did. But, he couldn't help us. I think, though, that maybe he did help us after all, because he helped us discover what was really important to us. When we were through, everyone had received what it was that they really needed. 

I learned that maybe what I had at home was more important than any journey to far away and exciting places, and that there really is no place like home. In fact, I think that I should be getting back there. Connecticut is beautiful, but I miss my aunt and uncle and the farm. 

Greg:  Well, I'm glad you could take a few minutes to chat with us. It's a pretty blustery day, maybe you could travel back home by twister.

 

Dorothy:  Thank you very much, but no. If it's all the same to you, I think I'll walk.

A Writer's Week #157: Where to Start?

 Hi there. I know it's been a while since my last update, but that's because there has been a lot going on. I've had a full slate of shows that have filled my weekends. I will be averaging three per month from August until the end of the year. I hope I can see you at one or two. I'd love to catch up.

In addition to the shows, I have finished the first draft of Serpent's Den, the second book in the Dragon Island Legends series. It turned out rather well, and I think it will be good after a few tweaks. Not being one to waste any time, I've already started to sketch out the concept for the third book. I even had a title jump into my head right at the start--Pirate Queen. Titles are funny things. It took me the better part of a year for Serpent's Den to come into my head. The book was about 75% written when it did. With this new idea, the title came to me almost immediately. Go figure. 

Anyway, Serpent's Den looks like it will be 95-100 pages long, just like Fire & Ice. I'm not sure why what I'm writing is shorter, but it's been working for me, so I won't complain. While I don't have a timeline yet, I've sent the first draft to artist Emily Hurst Pritchett to read. Hopefully it will spark some artistic fire.

Finally, I have decided that my republishing project will be rolled out in early January. Emily has retitled the books, and soon I will be investing in my own ISBNs. There is a lot of work involved in retitling and revamping the covers and interiors for paperback, hardcover, and e-book versions of all four books in the Deliverers series. Here are the updated front covers:

I really like the idea of emphasizing the title of each book. I think it gives shoppers more chance of at least one of the titles resonating with them. Combined with the great artwork, it should be a winning combination. The main purpose in unpublishing and republishing is that I will be able to publish wherever I wish, rather than only through Amazon. More outlet possibilities means more exposure and better possibilities. The plan initially is to republish with Amazon and also publish on IngramSpark. this will allow me to get into bookstores and libraries. While stores may not stock it, they will be able to order it upon request.

Again, that won't happen until next year, but when it does, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'll keep you updated on my editing and the shows as we head into the holiday season.

Peace.