[randmeerkat]

> I agree. I think the distinction between arts and crafts is largely one of utility, rather than skill or technique.

Which is why I take offense to someone claiming that it selects for and requires skill. Especially because the ones making that argument are usually the ones arguing that they’re incapable of making art. I would tell them they just need to spend more time finding themselves.

[aspenmayer]

> Which is why I take offense to someone claiming that it selects for and requires skill. Especially because the ones making that argument are usually the ones arguing that they’re incapable of making art. I would tell them they just need to spend more time finding themselves.

And spend more time (and intentional effort) in making art! It's like people want a shortcut to end result, when "real" artists know that the process of self-discovery is the reason and means through which they make the art in the first place.

The map is not the territory. The purpose of the journey is the journey itself; the destination is simply a guiding star. A whole lot of aspirational mapmakers think if they only had "this one weird trick," they'd be gods.

[Filligree]

Um, no, I want illustrations for my stories. That’s the end, and the means can be whatever. I don’t care to search for self-discovery in that.

[aspenmayer]

That’s a reasonable expectation and desirable outcome in and of itself. Not everything needs to be intended to be art for it to be perceived as such.

Art is in the eye of the beholder.

Do you share your stories publicly? I’m curious what kind of stories you would write.

It would be cool to have an HN writing group!

[Filligree]

I do, but it’s obscure fanfiction. Admittedly with heavy computer science and AI inspirations, so maybe you’d find it interesting regardless?

It’s over here: https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/shards-of-a-br...

[aspenmayer]

I read the prologue and it seems neat! I'm not familiar with the fanfiction scene really, or the works yours is based on. How did the voting work?

I like the pictures, and I can see how using AI would help a lot with that, especially in the context of existing characters, as matching styles and designs is something that AI is likely well-suited to do.

I read a bit about Shugo Chara to see what it's about, and it seems like an interesting series. The way you presented your story reminded me of Steins;Gate a bit with the reality manipulation.

Should I be familiar with the source material in order to appreciate your work better?

Thanks for sharing your work. Are you working on any other pieces?

Any anime recommendations, while you're here?

[Filligree]

The voting is pretty much as shown. People vote on what the protagonist (usually Amu) tries to do, I decide what actually happens. It's a kind of communal roleplaying game; a quest, in SV parlance.

I've worked on other stories, but this is the only one right now. As to source material, knowing it would be beneficial, but it's all new to the protagonists and the only one I'd say is a must-have is Shugo Chara. Though not even that; several players did not know anything about Amu in advance. You'll be a little lost, but the wiki entry will suffice for giving you the basic idea. The story's set post-canon, with some divergences, so it starts off by trying to describe the current situation.

And anime... Magilumiere is great. Give it a try.

[randmeerkat]

> Um, no, I want illustrations for my stories. That’s the end, and the means can be whatever. I don’t care to search for self-discovery in that.

Maybe writing a story is your art… Part of self-discovery is in finding out how you desire to express yourself. There’s a reason many books have a an author and an illustrator.

[Filligree]

No question about that, but I always get slightly annoyed about people who insist artwork has to be internally fulfilling or whatever.

Great if that’s how it works for you, but for me it’s a means to an end.