I recently acquired a new skill - creating images using A.I. I know there's a lot of controversy over A.I., but the images I've created likely don't fall into a controversial realm. They are all images of the characters in my Cat Tales series. These characters are all highly anthropomorphized animals. They hold jobs, drive cars, go shopping - all the stuff humans do while retaining most of the characteristics associated with their species. They also have to learn to live in harmony with one another. That's not easy to do when Smokey is designing a cat park that will abut Rodent Way. Not if Jerome J. Rately has anything to say about it. And, he does have plenty to say.
I learned how to create these images a few weeks ago while I was home recovering from COVID. I had noticed that my friend and fellow author, Jane Willan, had been creating images of her characters and using them in her Facebook posts. They looked terrific so I asked her to teach me to do it. In one Zoom call, she showed me how it's done. Then I got to work making my own. It's actually very easy to do. And it's fun. So, here are a few of the characters from the first book in the Cat Tales series, All the Furs and Feathers:
This is Smokey, one of the main characters.
She's employed as an architect at Fluffington
ArCATechture.
This is Autumn Amelia. She's the other main character, Smokey's sister, and a baker who works
from home.
Here we have Greyson. He's cousin Abigail Fluffington is the owner of
to Smokey and Autumn Amelia. He's Fluffington ArCATechture and Smokey's
the retired CEO of PAWS UNITED. boss. She's a very astute businesscat.
This sweet kitty is Dusty Fluffington.
Jasmine is a web designer and Smokey's She's an amazing designer and seamstress. best friend. They're both Russian Blues
She's also Abigail's sister. They both live and are often confused for twins.
in Abigail's luxury apartment, but poor
Dusty is terrified to leave the building.
Until she meets Autumn Amelia, that is.
Not all the characters in the Cat Tales series are cats. There's a wide variety of animals in the series. Here are just a few of the non-cat characters:
This is Rufus Tailwagger. He's a PR Jerome J. Ratley is the head of the
professional. Rufus is a great guy. Just Rodent Placement Agency. He's also
stay out of the way of his maniacally
an activist for rodent rights. And he's wagging tail. not at all happy about the idea of the cat
park Smokey is designing that will abut Rodent Way.
Sally is a sous chef who works for
Here are Simon and Sam Squirrel Chef Gustav, a snooty world-famous on their tandem bike. They work for
chef, at Miguel Gato's private club. Autumn's boss, Tabby Furry who owns
Sally likes Miguel, but she'd rather not Furry Confections. The Squirrel have to work for Gustav. brothers are curriers who deliver the baked goods Autumn makes to be sold
at the bakery.
These are only some of the images of the characters from
All the Furs and Feathers. There are more on my website. You can check them out
here. More will be coming in early 2025 when the second book in the Cat Tales series,
All in the Furry Family, is released. Meanwhile, here is a sneak peak of a couple of the new characters from the second book:
Meet Buster Parker. He's a printer, Give a warm welcome to Professor
but he also owns a boat. I don't want Chewy. He teaches botany at Verdant
to give anything away, so I'll just say University. He's also Smokey and
he'll become important to Autumn Amelia. Autumn Amelia's new neighbor.
