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Why do Americans use different English spelling from the rest of the world?

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As authors, it behoves us to know whether we are writing in British English or American English. The choice between the two often comes down to the locality of your publisher, or if you are self-publishing, to personal choice.  Pick one and be consistent. That's my advice. Because I am Australian and Australia is a Commonwealth country, I write in Australian English, which adopts British spelling, not American. It is endlessly frustrating when, despite choosing Australian English as my language in Microsoft Word, the spell check continues to put red squiggles under every word that the Americans decided to change. I found myself asking why did those pesky Americans do this? It's so inconvenient. The differences in spelling between American and British English primarily stem from historical linguistic changes and efforts to standardize spelling in the 18th and 19th centuries. Here's a brief overview of why these differences developed: 1. Noah Webster's Influence The most

Having fun with my son and some AI with Firefly

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My son and I had some fun tonight with Firefly, Adobe's AI. It's changed a lot since I last used it. The prompt: A boy who loves frogs on Saturn. The generated image: Often AI gets a few details weird. It especially struggles with hands and feet. I took it into Photoshop and used generative AI and some manual touching up with the paintbrush, healing brush, dodge and eraser tools. I first fixed the frog feet, which don't look right in the original. After fixing the AI-generated frog feet: Photoshop really struggled with the top foot of the frog on the right, so I copy-pasted its other foot and changed it a bit to deal with that. Then I noticed that the boy's right hand and foot are not looking right. So I used generative AI to fix both of those in Photoshop as well. Here's the result: There are a few other oddities I touched up quickly. Not putting any serious time into this, as it's just been for a bit of fun. See if you can spot them! Peace!

How to write a 100K novel in four months

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Alikai Bronach, high fantasy author (chibi-style AI generated by BING Dalle) Is it possible to write a 100K novel in four months while also working at your full time job? Yes! Absolutely! Here's how: I've been writing novels since I was 14 and am now in my forties. After having kids, I took a big break in writing, but now I'm back with a vengeance. I have a day job, but in my spare time I write. To be more specific, I plan then I write. Planning is not for everyone. I get that. For me, however, my creativity is freed when I have done the planning beforehand.  Pelsha, a member of the Kriite warriors guild (AI image generated with neural.love) When I come to write my new adult fantasy novels, I know exactly where I am going. The story tells itself as I'm going, so the plans will always change, but the essence and the logic is already nutted out. I'm going to share what I do in case it is helpful to somebody else. If not, that's OK. Each to their own. Nyno, a commo

Help me pay for professional audiobook narration

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https://gofund.me/320de4a7 Hi, my name is Alikai Bronach and I am the author of the epic fantasy series for new adults (16+) The Psion Saga. Books 1 and 2 were published in 2023 and book 3 in 2024. Here's the link to buy book 1 Tiger Eyes and Dragon Teeth:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG833L64 I have drafted books 4 and 5, and am writing book 6. There are 3-4 more to follow. I have had this story inside me and partially written, in various forms, since I was 14 (more than 20 years!). During high school it was one of my obsessions and dreams to become a published author. Now that I have achieved (self) publication in print and ebook format I am keen to see it published with professional audiobook narration, but I need your help to finance it. Book 1: Tiger Eyes and Dragon Teeth https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEDiAnRChM Book 2: Strike of the Skyearls https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEASuCX4JM Book 3: Claws That Cut Both Ways https://pla

I drew one of the dragon characters from my YA high fantasy series

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  This is Emperor Ciera, a skyearl, a furred and feathered dragon. He is 20 metres long and I've drawn a horse for comparison. The oldest and largest living skyearl on Chryne, Ciera is of the Keltoar breed and is over 300 years old. The battle seat on his neck is large enough to carry three people. Skyearls range in size from a large cat to a Ciera's size. They live in Tanza, the most successful Kriite nation in Chryne. Skyearls are a civilised species with their own language, culture and hierarchy. Most can speak a variety of human languages aloud. They are born with psionic powers and can use the waves to communicate telepathically with each other. Once a skyearl has bonded with a single human they become a Sleffion-kin.  In addition to using the waves for communication, skyearls can draw water molecules from the waves and breathe them out of their mouths, creating artificial clouds called shrouds. Some skyearls can also transport a hard white substance from the waves that is

Epic Fantasy Audiobook Series: The Psion Saga

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  In The Psion Saga Alikai Bronach presents a world where psionic magic is part of everyday life, from the shape-changing Rada to the telepathic Anzaii. The Kriites need these powers if they are to survive the onslaught of the flame-wielding, demon conjuring Zeikas. If you enjoy classic good vs evil high fantasy with lots of action and creatures, this is a great series for you. This audiobook series is AI-narrated as I save up to pay a male narrator to voice my series. Book 1: Tiger Eyes and Dragon Teeth https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEDiAnRChM Book 2: Strike of the Skyearls https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEASuCX4JM Book 3: Claws That Cut Both Ways https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAECSFmVW5M

Five books cover reveal

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Hi everyone! I have finished writing book 4 of The Psion Saga and am working on book 5. For those who have already read books 1 and 2, you won't have to wait long to find out what happens to Sarlice and Taeon. Book 3,  Claws That Cut Both Ways,  is being release in the next few months. The publisher PublishMyBook.onlin just has some final tweaks to do with the print layout (I do my own typesetting and cover design), ebook conversion then it will go up for sale! So excited.  I usually design at least a first draft cover before I write each book, so here are all five covers. Yes, there is a fair bit of AI artwork in here, but I piece everything together and spend days on the graphic design work. My engine of choice is Neural.love because it allows outpainting and upscaling for very reasonable prices. I sometimes also use elements from other services.  The artwork on book 2 is by a real artist, named Adele Sessler, who is very talented. Unfortunately, being a single mum nowadays work