This series is the result of a year of writing, worldbuilding, and design — from early character sketches to detailed lore timelines and fully realised arcs. While I use AI tools to create placeholder visuals (due to cost), the story, structure, and prose are entirely written by me, Daniel Butler — an independent author with a background in media production and storytelling.
These tools help visualise what I’ve already imagined — they don’t replace the writing process, nor do they write the story for me. In fact, AI often requires multiple prompts, revisions, and fine-tuning to achieve the intended result. It’s not a magic button — it’s just another part of the creative workflow.
It’s no different from using Grammarly or spell-check — tools that support creativity, not shortcuts for it.
While debate around AI in creative spaces continues, it’s worth noting that many who criticise it still rely on similar aids when convenient — from healing brushes in photo editing to auto-tune in music. For me, it’s a matter of practicality, not principle. I’d always prefer to collaborate with real artists when resources allow.
AI has also been useful during research — whether understanding how peasants ploughed fields, or fact-checking medieval tools and terminology. And when writing uncomfortable or emotionally heavy prose, it helps me find historical or sensory grounding to stay accurate.
As someone with autism who often wrestles with executive dysfunction, I also see value in anything that helps bridge the gap between vision and output. If a tool helps me keep going without compromising the work itself — that’s a win.
