Recently, I spent a fun half an hour exploring AI imagery, asking it to generate pictures of my Highland Fling characters and settings.
The amazing thing about fiction is that every single reader will have their own distinct vision of what characters and locations look like.
Sure, if someone is described as having red-hair, those idealisations will be similar, but there is no singular vision. If a novel is adapted into a film or TV series, the actor will come to embody that character—think Sam Heughan in Outlander—but the actor playing someone can often disappoint fans who had their own expectations for the protagonist’s appearance.
Anne Rice, the author of Interview with the Vampire, famously disliked Tom Cruise’s casting as the Vampire Lestat, as did many fans of the novel, although she came round to him in the end.
(I thought he made a brilliant Lestat.)
Anyway, here’s what AI conjured up. See what you think…
Gaby – the heroine of Highland Fling
The AI version of Gaby is far too glamourous, although Mena the cat is exactly what I had in mind. When I instructed AI to make her less attractive, Gaby still looked incredible, but her hands were weird.
Incidentally, weird hands are often the giveaway that AI art has been used. Although this AI-generated image of Pope Francis fooled a lot of people because the hands looked okay.
Jack McAllan – the love interest in Highland Fling
I asked AI to make him very good looking, and it obliged. Still, I’m not sure he stirs my heart… does he stir yours?
His hair is what I would call Irn-Bru orange. For those of you unfamiliar with Scotland’s other national drink, Irn-Bru is bright orange, made of God-knows what and tastes like… I’ve no idea. It’s indescribable.
The hotel behind him, however, is exactly how I picture the Lochside Welcome.
In my mind, the real Jack looks more like the chap below… but you already know that, because I bang on and on about his resemblance to Sam Heughan in the book.
Dr McLatchie – Jack’s mum
Again, I see her as more chaotic than this. The AI version is too contained looking. Maybe I should have asked AI to stick a pencil in her hair and make her cross-eyed.
Lochalshie – the setting for my books
The loch and the hills are spot on, but the village itself resembles a hamlet. Lochalshie was inspired by Arrochar in Argyll & Bute, the picture of which is below.
Stewart and his dog, Scottie
I rather liked this picture of Stewart with his dog, Scottie – even if the dog is disproportionate and Stewart’s eyes are freaky.
Check out the real thing…
If you want to let your imagination decide what Gaby, Jack and the enchanting Highland village of Lochalshie look like, why not buy the book…?
Buy Highland Fling (ebook) here
What do you think of the AI versions of my characters and are you ever disappointed by the actors chosen to play the characters of your favourite books (or games) because they look nothing like you imagined…?
Emma Baird is an award-winning writer, specialising in romcoms and fiction that focuses on relationships, and a type 1 diabetic. She is also the co-author of The Diabetes Diet, co-written with a doctor. Most importantly, she is the guardian of one very spoiled cat…
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I love the cat too!