Update! Version 5 just came out, and it’s more photographic and less artistic. Scroll all the way down for new prompts, V5 examples and best midjourney prompts for stunning results. What are the best text-to-image prompt keywords for unique types of art and photographic styles? For best AI art results? How about architecture, fantasy art...
I’ve been pretty quiet over the last few months, watching curiously as the debate against AI text to image generators have become more controversial. As a fine artist and designer, when I first starting playing with midjourney, I was impressed with what could soon be possible. Version four has already defeated the main claim that The 3...
I’ve been up for days, anxious and paranoid, because I’m excited about a new tool I found on Reddit and immediately reached out to buy. I’ve been thinking about making a “magic 8-ball” tool to generate writing prompts for years so this one caught my eye. The prompts are fun, clever and creative, and there The 3...
I ended 2021 with some weird posts about the general apathy most people are feeling towards the new year. We’ve been burned before. Maintaining hope for positive change in the face of practical concerns takes more effort. One of my favorite phrases, from Moby Dick, is the call to “Lower the conceit of attainable felicity.”...
“I don’t feel ready to write this post, but I’m going to anyway.” That’s how I started this post; these are things I’m still in the process of learning and accepting. In 2022 I’m aiming to be less ambitious, but there are some insights here. There’s something I want to say, or maybe want to The...
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” – Michel de Montaigne “The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” – Lois Lowry “The greatest thing about loneliness is you choose your own company.”...
This post has taken me six years to write. If I sound defensive, it’s because people keep calling me names. I get attacked because I write books that sell, and I do it on purpose. Writing is one of the only professions where people think if you consistently produce high quality work that readers love – The 3 secrets to book...
Six years ago I wrote a personal post about the challenges of being a full-time digital nomad, “Starting over with nothing at 32.” Over the years it’s gotten more traction than I expected so I thought it was time for a reprieve. I recently turned 38 (during the winter solstice) and I still have just The 3 secrets to book...
Years ago I made a cover for a book called “Not For Hire.” The aim of the book was an announcement to the world that I could not be bought. It depended on making so much money with my own passion projects that I never needed to take on work I hated. Some people call The 3 secrets to book marketing, and a haunted castle tour...
Years ago I started working on a book called “The Creative Brain on Drugs.” It’s a book not just about the various mind-stimulating or sensation-altering substances that the majority of writers and artists have depended on for creative insight, but also their political views on the inherent right to self-modify, without...
You can do anything. There is no limit to your glorious creative potential. However, making things that other people like and that benefit other people are much more likely to bring esteem, financial security, comfort and happiness. Most creative people passionately buy into the idea that “True Art” is never...
I just read a blog post from a self-styled “international marketing expert” that rubbed me the wrong way. It was basically a rant against helping other people for free, when she had courses for that, and they should pay her, dammit! I understand that people want to be protective of their content… but I often The 3 secrets...
