Behind the Scenes: Author Reflections #68 & YouTube Show

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Reflections from the Past Week
3. Current Freebies for Newsletter Subscribers
4. Updates on Facebook Situation
5. Introduction to the New YouTube Show
6. Creating AI Art for Characters and Settings
7. Using AI Art in Writing Process
8. Works in Progress
9. Book Recommendations
10. TV Show Updates
11. Highs and Lows of the Week
12. Goals for the Week Ahead

Lindsay Sparks: Reflections from the Past Week

Lindsay Sparks here, author of fantasy and sci-fi romance books with a twist of mythology. I'm excited to share my reflections from this past week with You. In this episode of my weekly author's notes Podcast, which is recorded on Sunday, December 4th, I'll be discussing various topics including freebies for my newsletter subscribers, updates on the Facebook situation, and my new YouTube show on creating AI art. So let's dive in!

Reflections from the Past Week

Before we get into the details, let's take a moment to reflect on the past week. It has been quite eventful, with both highs and lows. One of the highlights for me was writing a Haru point of view story and creating AI art illustrations to go along with it. This project allowed me to combine my love for writing and AI art, which was incredibly fun and exciting. On the other HAND, I had to make the difficult decision to postpone the release date of my book "Darkness between the Stars" by one month. It was a tough call, but ultimately, it was the right decision for my mental and emotional well-being. I'll touch more on this later. Overall, I'm feeling hopeful for the week ahead and looking forward to new adventures.

Current Freebies for Newsletter Subscribers

For all my readers who haven't subscribed to my newsletter yet, you're missing out on some amazing freebies! As always, my newsletter subscribers have access to free ebooks, audiobooks, and novellas. It's a great deal, so I highly recommend signing up. You can find the link to subscribe in the show notes of this episode. Don't miss out on these exclusive goodies!

Updates on Facebook Situation

Now let's address the elephant in the room - the Facebook situation. To put it simply, it has been a mess. I discussed this in Detail in my previous episode, and I don't want to dwell on it too much today. However, I feel it's important to provide an update. Unfortunately, I still don't have control over my author Facebook page or the Ending Series Facebook page. My assistant, Mandy, and I have decided to focus our efforts on more reliable platforms like Discord and newsletters. These platforms are less likely to suddenly be taken away from us, ensuring a more stable connection with our readers. While the Facebook situation has been frustrating and unfair, We Are adapting and moving forward. So if you haven't already, join us on Discord for a more interactive and secure experience.

Introducing the New YouTube Show

I'm thrilled to announce my new YouTube show, which I'll be recording right after this podcast episode. While it doesn't have a name yet (I need to figure that out in the next 20 minutes!), the show will focus on creating AI art from the perspective of an author or anyone who's creating art Based on existing characters or settings from books or fiction. As someone who's deeply passionate about AI art, this show combines my love for storytelling and digital art. I'll be sharing my AI art process and discussing the ways in which AI art can enhance the creative process. Stay tuned for the first episode, which will be released later this week!

Creating AI Art for Characters and Settings

Let's dive deeper into the topic of creating AI art. I have been experimenting with AI art for a while now, and I've found it to be a fascinating process. All the AI art I Create is based on my own characters, settings, or scenes from my books. It adds a unique visual element to my writing process, making it more immersive and exciting. For example, I recently created AI art for a Haru point of view scene from "Echo in Time." This allowed me to incorporate the visuals generated by AI art into how I wrote the scene, creating a more Cohesive and Vivid experience for readers. I'll be sharing more of my AI art in the future, so stay tuned for that!

Using AI Art in the Writing Process

Now, you might be Wondering how AI art can be used in the writing process. While AI doesn't write the book itself, it can serve as a tool for inspiration and collaboration. When creating AI art for my characters and settings, I aim to Align it with the world and descriptions I've crafted in my books. However, I'm also open to letting the AI art inspire me to make adjustments or explore new possibilities in my writing. It's a unique collaboration between me and the artificially intelligent being behind the AI art. The results have been fascinating, and I'm excited to Continue exploring this innovative approach in my writing.

Works in Progress

Let's shift our focus to my current works in progress. The first exciting update is that "The Raven Queen" is almost ready for advanced readers. It has gone through proofreading and formatting, and now it's in the final tweaking stage. I can't wait to share this book with you all! As for "Darkness between the Stars," I took a week off from writing due to the stress caused by the Facebook situation. I realized it was essential to prioritize my mental well-being and overcome the Writer's block that had set in. However, I did write several chapters for other projects, including a Haru point of view story for my Patreon drop. These writing successes have reignited my passion, and I'm feeling hopeful about continuing "Darkness between the Stars" this week.

Book Recommendations

Before we wrap up, I want to share a book recommendation with you all. Recently, I came across a captivating book called "Curse of Shadows and Thorns" by LJ Andrews. If you enjoyed reading "From Blood and Ash," then you'll definitely love this book. It shares similar beats with a slightly faster pace, making it a page-turner from start to finish. The audiobook is narrated by Steeda Nielsen, who also narrated "From Blood and Ash" and the Fateless Trilogy. I highly recommend giving this book a read or listen!

TV Show Updates

As for TV shows, I'm still hooked on "Peripheral" and "Mythic Quest." We are nearing the end of both seasons, and I'm excited to see how they conclude. "Peripheral" has been a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue, and "Mythic Quest" continues to provide a delightful Blend of comedy and drama. If you're looking for some binge-worthy shows, I highly recommend checking them out!

Highs and Lows of the Week

Finally, let's discuss the highs and lows of the past week. On a positive note, writing the Haru point of view story and creating AI art illustrations was definitely a high point. It combined my passions and allowed me to explore new creative avenues. On the other hand, the low point was having to postpone the release date of "Darkness between the Stars" by one month. It was a challenging decision to make, but ultimately, it was necessary for my well-being and the quality of the book. I appreciate your understanding and support during this time.

Goals for the Week Ahead

Looking ahead, I've set some goals for the coming week. I aim to write five chapters of "Darkness between the Stars" and regain my writing Momentum. I also plan to send out a newsletter to update my subscribers about the Facebook group and encourage them to join Discord. Additionally, I want to start incorporating more of my AI art into my Instagram feed. It's an exciting step towards sharing my passion with a wider audience. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights!

That wraps up my reflections from the past week and plans for the week ahead. I hope you found this episode informative and engaging. Remember to Take Care of yourself and pursue your passions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. Until next time, happy reading!