The following story, The Girl at the Carnival, was directly inspired by the music video for the song Carnival of Rust by Poets of the Fall. In most possible ways, aesthetically, thematically, plot, lesson, to the point of me almost adapting the video in short story form.
I have no idea if this is lazy on my part, taking story ideas from preexisting stories and ideas. This is a legitimate argument; one I am willing to discuss further one way or the other. Be it justifying my decision and method, or damning it.
I will include a link to the music video in question, not knowing one way or the other if links to music videos are tolerated on this platform, as foolish as that may be. Feel free to inform me one way or the other on that topic.
Also, the cover art for this story is in fact made with AI. As I've explained many times before, and don't mind explaining again, I do not think AI is superior to the human hand. Quite the opposite. However, AI is all I can afford both financially, and in way of time. To take the time to learn myself would eat away at my time spent writing the story which inspires it. And as a man who puts his story so far above the art intended to supplement it, I choose to do the time and financially efficient thing, and use the tools our modern world gives me. But I have one vow, that is, if my work ever reaches a publisher's desk, it will NEVER be accompanied by anything made using generative AI, but rather by something made by the human hand, to accompany a very human story.
There's not much more I can say without spoiling the story itself. Fair warning, I am not a skilled writer. Anyone who reads my other unfinished works, such as Archangels, and especially Ward's Cavaliers will know this to be true. But, I am hoping to get better. Furthermore, I am hoping that taking time to write things other than my primary projects will sharpen my style and strengthen my voice, and give me somewhat of a clue regarding execution of a story concept. And any critiques, criticisms, and advice regarding how to improve would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the promised video link:
Poets of the Fall - Carnival of Rust (Official Video w/ Lyrics)
Your concept sounds really interesting, especially the way you’re drawing inspiration from the Carnival of Rust music video to shape the story’s mood and themes it’s a creative approach that could give the narrative a strong atmosphere I’m curious though: which part of the music video inspired you the most while writing The Girl at the Carnival?
All honesty? There was no one part of the video or song that inspired the story, more the overarching theme and feel itself made up the bulk of the inspiration. And while the The Girl at the Carnival follows similar story beats as the video, I did my best to make it my own story at the end of the day.