It’s the first Saturday of the second half of 2024, and we are starting out the same way as we started the first half—at the bar. We’re going to treat ourselves to a cool, refreshing beverage. We’ll see if we can collect some bonus points from Linda, and we’re going to try to join Marian Allen in participating in Teagan Geneviene’s Christmas in July blog hop.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “paper.” Use it as a noun, a verb, or an adjective … or all three if you can, and qualify for ALL the bonus points! Have fun!
If we were having a beer, you’d be surprised to learn that the drinks are on me.
“Hi Dan.”
“Hi David. How are you this fine day?”
“Confused. I’m confused. I got here early, but Curley says, you’re buying the drinks today.”
“I am. I called to let him know, since I was going to be a few minutes late.”
“But I thought it was my turn to buy.”
“It is, but since Teagan is beginning a Christmas in July blog hop today, I thought I’d give you a gift.”
“Will his gift be in the form of a John Howell’s Special?”
“Hi Curley. Yes, and since it’s Christmas, can you give him a few extra cherries.”
“Sure, Dan. Are you having a Modelo?”
“I am, but no cherries.”
“Coming right up.”
“Thanks Dan. I saw that image you posted on Facebook. Lots of paper tabs in that book. You sure you’re going to be able to finish those edits?”
“I think I can handle it, David.”
“As you go through them, you can paper the wall next to your desk with those Post-Its.”
“No, they stay in the book. Evidence in case Amazon ever accuses me of not writing the book, or of using AI.”
“One John Howell’s Special and one Modelo Especial. I’ll be back after I check on the patio crowd.”
“Thanks Curley.”
“Why would Amazon think you used AI, Dan?”
“They wouldn’t. I mean no person at Amazon would, but they use AI to check for all kinds of ‘policy violations’ now, and you never know what that might come up with.”
“I think their algorithm would have a weak argument. I mean you aren’t famous enough to say, ‘Alexa, write a book in the style of Dan Antion’, at least not yet.”
“True. I’d have to give some generative process a pretty big prompt to get that book as a result.”
“I guess it depends on how intelligent the AI is. The book is set in Pittsburgh, right?”
“Of course.”
“It features Rascal Todd, right?”
“Yes, it does.”
“And she’s solving a murder. Correct?”
“There are other crimes involved, and the plot isn’t as paper-thin as you make it seem, but yes, solving a murder.”
“Does she still work for a newspaper?”
“She does, the Courier-Reformer.”
“Is she still dating that bartender?”
“Yes, Terry. And she still has a cat named Bonkers, but it’s a complex plot.”
“So you say.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Dan, I’ve heard you tell stories here at the bar. I know seven or eight things about this book, and I know how long you can babble about two or three things. I don’t think it would be that hard for an AI algorithm to cook up a story. I’ll just tell it to be verbose.”
“I’m not sure that’s a setting.”
“You’d prefer ‘long-winded’?”
“It’s shorter than my last book.”
“Really? Shorter?”
“Yes, about fifteen percent shorter.”
“Now I’m wondering if you did use AI.”
“You boys want another round? Dan, are you still buying? David’s giving you a pretty hard time here.”
“Still buying, Curley. He means well.”
“You guys want some food?”
“Well, since it’s Teagan’s blog hop, I think we need to have some of her stuffed mushrooms.”
“Two orders or are you girls going to split an order?”
“Two orders, Curley. Dan can afford it. He’s been saving up bonus points for several years.”
When Evil Chooses You, the third book in the Dreamer’s Alliance Series remains on sale until tonight. Beginning tomorrow morning, Secrets Held Against Evil will be on sale until July 14th. Both links are included in the widget below.
All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.
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