Moonlight in the desert

Multi Modal Storytelling

Dear Reader,

I love a good story. It's why I listen to podcasts, how I fell in love with books as a child, and why I still venture into theaters. At a boring meeting back in 2016, I knew I wanted more. I wanted to create my own tales, not simply enjoy other people's stories. So I began the creative journey in my life on a path I was already familiar with; I wrote. Writing is still the driving passion. It's the base from which I wish to build every aspect of the dream.

Maybe it's the teacher in me mixing with the creative story teller I prefer to be, but I enjoy playing with my intellectual property. It's why exclusivity simply doesn't function for me. The stories in the dream are mine. I wrote them and kept all the rights so I could do whatever I wanted with them. Using the stories I've written and published in new ways is grand to me because I want to create a larger dream. So, it's no surprise I've added audiobooks and play with illustrations and videos. I craft a much larger body of creative work by using my original human written tales as an ever-increasing source of information.

Visual elements enhance storytelling for adult readers the same way they do for children, by adding depth and nuance. Illustrations, graphic elements, or even immersive formats like interactive narratives can bring additional dimensions to a story, making it more engaging and memorable. This concept of multi modal story telling is why we enjoy video games and want to own memorabilia associated with our favorite stories. Illustrations, audio, and video help convey emotions, settings, and actions in ways which words alone might not capture as vividly. They allow more people to access the story in more ways.

A Pack Forms Book Cover

Purest vs MultiModal

If you're a 'purest', I understand. I grew up believing 'the book was always better' or 'books are sacred'. The concepts still ring true, embodying a beautiful sentiment.

To bring a story to life in a new format has, in the past, required more than a single artist's vision. And when others are involved, the vision is often warped, and the outcome cannot measure up.

I have hope we are approaching a time when technology will allow the original artist to render their creativity in many modes while retaining the single-minded vision, even if the creator lacks skills in other creative endeavors. For example, it's rare to meet a person who is a master guitarist, who is also a world renowned painter.

I will continue writing and hoping my purest friends will continue enjoying the stories in the pure written form they prefer. I ask only that you don't hate me for wanting to play, for wishing to expand the dream in the ways which appeal to me. The dream is, after all, my great escape. I fully intend to explore it into infinity, and wish to invite all those with like minds to step into the dream and enjoy it with me.

If done well, multi modal story telling could create a richer and more dynamic reading experience. This is where I get caught. I lack the skills to draw or paint. My voice won't hold out to record all the stories, and my video crafting skills are amateur at best. But technology has allowed me to overcome some of my lack of expertise.

Thread ebook image

Playing with AI Tools

I finally played with some more AI tools and compared a few of the more well-known AI tools, looking for options to help me create a more multimodal experience for the dream.

With Claude 3.5 Sonnet, I asked it to analyze the first chapter of Thread, identifying the key moments.

This is what I got. (Edited for grammatical mistakes and clarity by ProWritingAid.)

'Key moments in Thread Chapter 1 by Ophelia Kee

Eli's decision to move: The chapter opens with Eli's determination to leave El Paso and start a new life, marking a significant turning point.
The drive to Tyler: This journey represents the physical manifestation of Eli's desire for change.
Exploring Tyler: Eli's initial exploration of the town, taking pictures and having dinner, shows her beginning to connect with her potential new home.
Reflection on past relationship: Eli thinks about her failed relationship with Javier, providing a context for her desire to move.
Viewing properties: Looking at houses, especially the disappointment with initial options, builds tension in Eli's search.
Discovery of the perfect house: Finding the ideal home is a pivotal moment, signaling the potential fulfillment of Eli's goals.
Learning about the house's history: The revelation about the previous owner's death in the house adds complexity to Eli's decision.
Making an offer: Eli's decision to pursue the house despite its history shows her commitment to her fresh path.
Exploring Tyler further: Eli's activities during the negotiation period show her growing connection to the area.
Successful negotiation: Securing the house at a good price represents a major achievement for Eli.
Closing on the house: The final acquisition of the keys symbolizes the concrete start of Eli's new life.
Gradual transition: The mention that it took a couple of years to fully move in hints at the ongoing nature of Eli's life changes.

Throughout the chapter, there are also references to Eli being a "tiger," which seems to be a significant aspect of her character, possibly metaphorical or literal (if this is a fantasy setting).

This chapter essentially chronicles Eli's journey of self-discovery and new beginnings, with the house in Tyler serving as both a literal and symbolic representation of her fresh start.'

It was uncanny how deep the analysis of the key moments went. But what to do with it?

blind woman

Comparing AI Tools

I think this reverse outline thing intrigues me. I felt both seen and exposed, so I also tried this same thing with ChatGPT and Gemini. ChatGPT gave similar, if less detailed, results. Gemini fell far short.

Claude couldn’t create illustrations. Gemini’s images matched its lackluster analysis. Only ChatGPT could render high-quality illustrations. Users can only view these images online as ChatGPT renders them in html files, not in .jpg or .png format. So the snippet tool was required. And yes, I asked if I could use them for commercial purposes.

Claude, however, offered to describe how the key moments might be visually represented. I could attempt a rendering from Night Cafe or MidJourney.

Are we closer to illustrated/video book chapters? Would it be only a marketing tool? I don't know. I'm off to investigate the possibilities.

Angel of Death as a woman

AI Answers Concerning Multimodal Storytelling

Would adult readers enjoy seeing a story crafted with visual elements beyond words? That was a serious question.

So I asked Claude (then I edited with ProWritingAid). This was the response:

'Many adult readers enjoy stories which incorporate visual elements beyond words. This approach, often called "multimodal storytelling," enhances the reading experience in several ways:

1. Enhanced engagement: Visual elements can make the story more immersive and engaging.

2. Improved comprehension: Images can help clarify complex scenes or concepts.

3. Emotional impact: Visuals can evoke emotions that complement the written narrative.

4. Varied pacing: Visual elements can provide breaks in the text, affecting the rhythm of reading.

5. Artistic appreciation: One can enjoy well-crafted visuals as art in their own right.

6. Accessibility: Visual elements can make stories more accessible to different learners.

7. Memory aid: Visuals can help readers better remember key plot points or characters.

Examples of popular formats which combine text and visuals for adult audiences include:

- Graphic novels and comics

- Illustrated novels

- Photo essays

- Interactive digital stories

- Art books with accompanying narratives

The success of such formats indicates many adult readers appreciate the combination of textual and visual storytelling. However, preferences vary among individuals, and some readers may prefer text-only narratives. The key is to ensure visual elements enhance rather than distract from the story.'

So now I need to think about it, far more seriously than I ever did before.

Dream Dark Book Cover

Dream Dark Story Description

Dream Dark

Mystic Dark

Volume 2

A courtship with death

The lonely specter of death, leading the lost souls through the shadows to the afterlife, encounters a living human dream inverter on the path in the stillness. Pity mixes with admiration for the broken young man, and Bella aids him.

An abused young man stands at the edge of life and death, facing Santa Muerte, attracted to her immortal beauty yet fearful of her magic. He finds his courage to chase the woman locked away from the dream following an unlikely friendship with the Last Vampire King.

Bella believes his efforts are futile and fears his destruction, even though she craves a life and love long denied her. Vic won’t relinquish his desire, and turns his powerful gift to claiming an Angel of Death for his own. Can he successfully court favor with death? Or will she abandon a relationship which shouldn’t exist with a mortal man?

Dream Dark is the second volume in the dark urban fantasy miniseries Mystic Dark by Ophelia Kee. Set in the dream, this spinoff story from the Draoithe Saga continues the tale of how one lone vampire must alter the Unlikely Kings Prophecy, build the support he needs to accomplish the impossible, and aid the balance of magic. If you love stories involving mismatched paranormal fated mates and the magic required for them to help save the world and find love, Dream Dark is your next read.

It’s more than a story; it’s an experience. Welcome to the dream…

Urban Fantasy with Steamy Paranormal Romance with Fated Mates 18+ HEA! NC!

***Warning: Adult Themes, Fantasy Violence, and/or Explicit Sexual Situations. Intended for a

Mature Audience.

Vampire Pather Quote

Vampire Panther Quote

"Lily felt Ryker’s allure build between them. The scent of sandalwood and almonds surrounded her. Ryker charmed her.

Wrapped in his arms and his charm, Lily wanted it, wanted him. She wanted all of him, the man, the panther, and the vampire."

-Excerpt from Vampire Panther, Volume 3 in the Royal Council Miniseries.

Ryker is a little more than a sexy mechanic. Lily needs the magic he wields. The attraction is steamy.

Buy Their Book Poster

That's the week in snippets. It's easier to write short bits at a time. Easier to post shorter videos. Thank you so much for reading in the dream, even if it's behind the scenes. I hope you're enjoying the new blog layout. May the rest of your weekend be wonderful. If you sneak in some reading, please be kind and leave your reviews. Welcome to the dream...

Be Careful!

Happy reading,

Ophelia Kee

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