Web3 for Writers: Computer-Aided Writing and Art

Web3 for Writers: Computer-Aided Writing and Art with Maaja Wentz.

This is a hands-on members only workshop. Here’s what it’s all about:

There’s a whole new world of computer-generated art and text made possible by the latest advances in artificial intelligence. Twelve-year-olds are making thousands of dollars selling NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens are collectable certified digital files) on platforms like OpenSea.

Want to cut through the hype and see what this means for your artistic practice? Interested in the possibilities of A.I. for illustrations and artistic experiments? Want to learn what NFTs and blockchain smart contracts can mean for novelists? This workshop will give you an overview of the most exciting Web 3 opportunities for writers today. All you need is a computer. No programming experience or visual arts training required. Really. This workshop will teach you
how to quickly and easily create your own computer-generated images based on text prompts, personal photographs, public domain pics, and more. Next, you will learn how to put these images to use or put them up for sale. We will also dedicate time to exploring free text-generation applications as an aide to creative writing. They won’t write your novel for you, but they can inspire and help beat writer’s block. Hate to write descriptions or forget to include weather in your writing? There are apps for that. Think of A.I. as a writing partner who spurs you on and fills in the gaps, or like a thesaurus able to compose paragraphs.

Learn how to use computer-generated prompts to spur creative writing. Use your prose to create images for social media and indie publications; or even create NFTs for sale on OpenSea. (It’s so easy, you might as well.) This workshop will give you the basics and recommended links to get started creating art from text and text from art. We will explore easy-to-use free platforms for creating digital art and computer-generated text. The key to making such digital artifacts useful is selection, which is where your taste and artistic eye make the difference. Imagine quickly and easily creating a digital art gallery featuring you as the curator; or publishing a collection of poems based on art or text prompts. The art you make can also be used on social media to promote your writing or spread your message.

Participants will be taken step-by-step through the creation of their first piece of digital art. We will share tips and tricks for better results. Best practices and issues of copyright will be touched on, including sources of royalty free and public domain images. Maaja will demonstrate how to share original art for sale on OpenSea, although this step is optional. Maaja has been having a great time exploring computer-assisted creation for writing and publishing and believes it’s the way of the future. Don’t miss out on the fun. Artificial Intelligence may not make you an overnight bestseller or NFT tycoon; but it’s easy to use and so compelling it’s addictive.

Bio
Maaja Wentz has always gravitated toward experimental and creative writing. She concocts magical worlds and mysteries in a variety of genres. Her first novel, Feeding Frenzy: Curse of the Necromancer, won a Wattpad Watty award. For a challenge, Maaja wrote 52 short stories in 52 weeks. Her unique locked-door mystery, “Inside of a Dog,” appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. “You,” won a short story prize in the national Norma Epstein Foundation competition for Creative Writing.

This is a virtual event. Your Zoom link will be sent in advance of the workshop. Make sure you add + to select one free ticket for members only.

Not a WCYR member yet? Here’s your chance! Purchase your annual membership for $65 and join us for this ‘priceless’ workshop.