Blog

My observations as a reader, news about current and future novels, guest posts, independent author adventures, and more.

Abstract illustration showing white on one half and blue stars on the other, with starships leaving the blue stars, generated by MidJourney

AI Art for Winter 2024

Several highly popular generative AI art services continue to roll out new versions. I primarily use MidJourney, but dabble in others, notably NightCafé. I’ve seen impressive results by others from DALL-E v. 3, but I haven’t played with it myself for over a year. The nuances of prompting — describing the image you want —…

Watercolor illustration of an open book, generated by MidJourney

How to Kickstarter a Project

Kickstarter is an online all-or-nothing crowdfunding platform that helps people find creative projects to support. Artists offer special benefits to people who pledge support for a creative project. If the project meets its funding goal, the artist gets the funds, and the backers get the rewards. If the project doesn’t make it, no one’s credit…

Illustration of a futuristic computer table, and the words "PLANS 2024"

Plans for 2024

Most years, but not all (looking at you, horrible COVID year!), it’s fun to look ahead. I come from a long line of folks who are rather bad at looking back, so that section will be brief. The more interesting sections — to me, at any rate — are plans for 2024.  2023 Plans vs….

Coloring Pages Just For Fun

Coloring Pages Just For Fun

Sometimes when I need a break so my brain can have time to think, but I can’t go for a walk, I get generative AI art services to make some coloring pages just for fun. As is always the way with A.I. anything, some attempts are more successful than others.  Fair warning: This is image-heavy…

Illustration of a woman wearing futuristic armor and a service dog seated next to her, generated by MidJourney.

Disabled Veterans, Service Dogs, and Spaceships

What do disabled veterans, service dogs, and spaceships have in common? When I was invited to participate in the first of several Pets in Space® anthologies, and later took over as editor, my favorite thing about them was the charity focus. Of course, I love science fiction romance, but the chance to help Hero Dogs…

Illustration of a fantasy animal with large ears and a densely muscled body. Illustration by Adrian DKC.

A Pilot and Her Pet

A Pilot and Her Pet Gargoyle In “Stellar Drift,” my novella in the Pets in Space 8 science fiction romance anthology, the heroine Sairy has a pet gargoyle named Kyala. A pilot and her pet… what?  A gargoyle, you say? Yes. In the worlds of the Central Galactic Concordance, it’s all kinds of illegal to…

Author Carol Van Natta standing in front of a shiny sculpture in the courtyard of the Museum of Modern Art in Sydney, Australia

Great Aussie Adventure Part 4

I recently visited the Land of Oz, otherwise known as Australia, and had a blast. I took so, so many shareable photos that I had to break this down into four posts. This the last post about my Great Aussie Adventure, Part 4. (Click the images to see larger versions.) Melbourne (Part 1) • Cairns…

Illustration of a logo with two black cats in silhouette with a crown above and stars below, generated by MidJourney

A.I. Art for Summer 2023

It seems like every day brings the announcement of another A.I. art service and/or another A.I. writing service. And owing to my recent Great Aussie Adventure and busy summer, I was already weeks behind in keeping up with these and MidJourney changes. So many things to catch up on! This is my exploration of and…

Carol's Great Aussie Adventure 2023 - Signing books in Melbourne

Great Aussie Adventure Part 3

I recently visited the Land of Oz, otherwise known as Australia. I took a gazillion photos on this trip of a lifetime, so I’m breaking them down into four parts. This is my Great Aussie Adventure, Part 3. (Click the images to see larger versions.) Melbourne (Part 1) • Cairns (Part 2) • Uluru (Part…