In the intimate dance of storytelling, characters are not just figments of the imagination—they are the heartbeat of our narratives, entities with depth, desires, and destinies. My process of character creation has always been a deep dive into the complexities of personality, an exploration that transcends mere physical descriptions to touch the very essence of individuality.
For each protagonist, antagonist, or fleeting side character, I embark on a meticulous journey of creation. I sit with them and understand them, crafting detailed personality profiles that even go so far as to align with astrology signs and one of the 16 main personality types. This methodical approach ensures each character resonates with authenticity, their actions and reactions grounded in a well-defined psychological framework.
AI: From Concept to Visualization
While the depth of a character is woven through their personality, actions, and decisions, their physicality serves as the reader’s visual anchor—a way to see, not just feel, the character’s presence. Here, AI has become an unexpected companion in my creative process. By inputting my detailed character descriptions into an AI visualization tool, I can bring the mental images of my characters to life, offering a tangible glimpse into the world I’m crafting.
It also helps me when I can’t quite describe what’s in my head. There are moments in every writer’s journey where words fail to capture the vividness of our imagination. Descriptive slumps can leave characters feeling flat or settings underdeveloped. AI visualization acts as a creative catalyst, providing a visual springboard that reignites my descriptive fervor, allowing me to refine and enrich my narrative with newfound clarity and detail.
While some creatives may view AI with skepticism, fearing a dilution of authenticity or originality, I’ve found it to be a powerful ally. It’s not about replacing the human touch but enhancing it, allowing me to see my creations through a new lens and deepen my connection with the narrative. AI doesn’t create the soul of the character; it helps illustrate their essence, offering a visual complement to the rich backstories and personalities I weave.
A Glimpse Into My Process
I’ve been using AI to develop characters and settings for my upcoming book, A Song of Snow and Shadows, and in the coming weeks, I’m excited to share these with you to give you a sneak peek into the story and a glimpse into the new worlds and personalities you’ll encounter once I release it. I would love to hear your opinions on this process. How do you feel about AI and would you like to see this from more authors? Or do you prefer to have your own visual?
