second podiobook

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Permalink Reply by Murdo Morrison on January 30, 2010 at 8:29am

I like this and it is something I might well subscribe to. It is visceral and real. Your production values are good with good levels. The opening music goes on maybe just a little bit to long. That's a matter of taste. I notice some occasional clicks or pops. It should be possible to edit those out. They are generally easy to spot in the wave form. I didn't listen to the whole episode but I think you have something really interesting here.

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Permalink Reply by chris boucher on January 30, 2010 at 9:20am

thanks, that's good to hear. did you listen to the dialogue in chapter 1? did you have any difficulty recognizing who was saying what?

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Permalink Reply by Craig Robertson on February 6, 2010 at 8:48am

First, techncally it seem very nice. I can't drop it in Audacity to look at the waveforms, as Nathan always does, since it's 'weblocked' (whatever that means), but the sound seems consistent. There's a little sibilance in your words, for a discussion chain check out: http://community.podiobooks.com/group/mentorshipprogram/forum/topic.... Your delivery is heavy, as in downbeat or haunting, but I assume that's a tone you're trying to achieve. Second, from a creative aspect, the story is of course very powerful, so be aware you will not get the woman's vote, so to speak. I do like what your doing, but it's not light fare. A mistake I certainly made early on, probably still do, is to 'set the hook' with the readers quickly and efficiently. You have to hit them with something that grabs them, and then keep them at least as long as it takes to have them love the material, so they want to finish. It's like recalling Billie Mays, the almost screaming Oxiclean guy, make them listen. To that end, 3-4 minutes into your story, I found myself wondering where you were leading me. I have so guesses, hunches, but I don't know. If I knew you were heading in an interesting novel direction, I'd be more inclined to carry on. Starting with a violent diary entry may be premature, as I'm not set up to take it in context. An example would be (off the top of my head, and not a serious suggestion): Frank's War, a novel based on the war....the part about mowing the lawn and receiving the diary...the combat scene...a statement to hook me, like 'this is my voyage of discovery and personal growth' (not too alluring) or 'the pain I hold about my father, the waste of his singular life, was made more unbearable with each word I read in the journal. I cannot breathe. I have to tell someone, scream it out, hold American hostage and make them hear my words....Sorry, kind of got into it, didn't I. Deep breath. My point is the second version say to me I had better listen (a la Scrooged movie, Murray's take on his promo?). Good stuff though, congrats.....craig

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Permalink Reply by chris boucher on February 7, 2010 at 5:51pm

Thanks for the tips Craig. I didn't notice the sibilance so much, but I do remember my mouth feeling dry, so I will pay more attention to that next time. You're right about the tone I'm looking for, but I need to be careful not to overdo it, so I will pay more attention to that as well. I wonder about your comment about losing women at the start, but I've had only male responses to my posting so far, you may be on to something, I hadn't thought of that but it is something to consider before I get too far ahead...

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Permalink Reply by Craig Robertson on February 8, 2010 at 7:37am

There are men's books and women's books, and bilateral books. I just point it out as an issue. On PB.com, I see definite patterns, which is normal. Your next book can always be more generally directed if you feel you need to leave this one be.

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Permalink Reply by chris boucher on February 9, 2010 at 7:34am

It's a good point, gives me something to think about. You want to grab the reader but not alienate them right? On the sibilance front, I'll soon have access to a Blue microphone, hopefully the distance of the mic from my mouth will reduce those effects...

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Permalink Reply by Craig Robertson on February 10, 2010 at 7:27am

If you have technical questions, like equipment and software, I suggest asking Byran Lincoln (wolfshade on twitter). He is as knowledgeable as anyone I know, and very approachable and helpful. Also Ken Crawford ( kenncrawford on twitter) does a lot of recording and knows a heck of a lot about microphones, if you have a question.

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Permalink Reply by chris boucher on February 10, 2010 at 6:52pm

ok, thanks. I appreciate it

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Permalink Reply by Casey Simpson on February 14, 2010 at 10:40am

HI Chris I really enjoyed this episode. The terse prose style suits the scene very well and then opens up and relaxes a little as the chapter progresses. Well done! You need to remember that not everyone reading knows the lingo. So even what seems obvious, like "two buddies got dusted," might stop some people. No big deal. I am reading "Through the Eyes of A Tiger" by Jay Holland right now by coincidence. It is an excellent account of fighting in Vietnam but I like yours even better.

If you faded the music as you start reading it would be smoother

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Permalink Reply by chris boucher on February 15, 2010 at 5:51am

Thanks Casey. I think you are right about the fade, it doesn't sound right to me, I'm just not sure where the voice should come in. Just have to play with it I guess...

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