Audible · Emergence Ascended · voice acting

In-Audible an update-ish

Here we are. Same place as last time. It seems that this project has weak legs. Today is (presumably) Recording “Emergence collective” day yet again. The narrator still assures me that there will be ” a few chapters recorded,” but as of yet, despite the good intentions and enthusiasm, I am still waiting for said promised chapters. I feel that I am pretty mellow with my expectations; this is a vanity project, after all, and there is no real deadline, but I would love to actually begin the project. Today is my end-of-the-rope day. Sadly, I wanted to give the guy his break into the world of voice acting and narration, but honestly, I have to accept the reality that he simply doesn’t have the time to do it.

I personally hate the sound of my own voice, but sometimes one must take complete control if you want something done. If today results in no audio recorded I am going to have to start recording on my own. There is advantage to that. I know my characters, I know the story, so I am really the best one for the job as far as that goes.

I did get some good writing on the Sequel to Emergence collective, “Emergence Ascended”. There are some big scenes that I have planned for the story, and I wrote one that I have been wanting to get to for a while now. Hopefully, I pulled it off in the way that I wanted. Thanks for reading! feel free to leave a comment, ask a question or just say hi!

Audible · Author · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · writing

Stumbling off the starting line

(An audible update)

Audible news… is no new news. As things seemed to go with my projects, there was yet another snag in the recording process. I am trying not to be cynical but to err is human. So last week’s promise of getting anything recorded got railroaded by life. As I mentioned that “Mondays” are for recording as the narrator has the time to do it (theoretically). Anyway, we will see if there is any progress after today. I suspect that the delays have a lot to do with nerves and stage fright. Of that, I completely understand. But I am starting to consider getting my equipment and do it myself, even though I hate the sound of my own voice.

On another topic, I did get some writing done on Emergence Ascended, and I am feeling good about it. I spent some time re-evaluating what I have so far, rewrote some things added a dash here and a pinch there of breadcrumbs. I like to sneak in clues to the story that the reader can participate in, trying to figure out some of the underlying storylines. I love the feeling of figuring out part of the mystery before the reveal. it makes me feel smart, and I feel like I am more a part of the story than just a bystander. Probably stems from the old choose your own adventure stories. I am happy with what I have got now and am getting to a scene that I have been looking forward to writing.

I love to hear your thoughts and answer questions, so feel free to leave a comment or just a like! Thanks for reading!

Audible · Emergence Collective · writing

Audible Update

Here is another Audible update. If you have been keeping score, they are averaging every 2 weeks or so (but don’t put any money on that bet because of the human factor. (me, I’m the human and I am not super consistent) it is every 2 weeks or so because every other friday is D&D session and the DM is the voice actor) I leave him alone and not really discuss the progress much between sessions mostly because If I don’t regulate my excitement I will drive him crazy asking if he has any progress.

So, no progress. Life has a way of mocking me. He is enthusiastic and talented but like most of us has a day job and a private life that takes priority over vanity projects. However as mocking as life is, it is also cruel and indiscriminate in its curve balls that it throws you. This one is that a close friend of his recently passed away, and some health issues are still hanging about. I guess I will keep waiting. But as soon as I got something I will definitely post it! Thanks for visiting!

Audible · Author · Emergence Collective

Audible project update

I as a kid I remember reading Aesop’s fables book. Aesop was a slave storyteller in ancient Greece, and he bestowed stories that taught moral ideas and virtues. I took many of those stories to heart and tried to live those lessons in my daily life (I try). Patience was one of those lessons. One of the hardest to adhere to, but life is about practicing the hard stuff until it’s easy, so I will still try.  There is more that is bundled into it as well. Flexibility, understanding, and selflessness must be satisfied to be patient in my situation at least.

The Audible project is having some speed bumps that we are working out. Some usual Life crap that takes precedence over vanity projects and some technical issues that must be dealt with.  There were some medical things Zack and his family (The narrator) had to get past, but those things are smoothing out, and the technical issues are being brainstormed. The biggest technical hurdle is noise pollution.   I am a stickler for producing the highest quality I can achieve in anything I do. The Audible format has very strict guidelines about the audio quality for the recording as that represents their brand. Of course, they want the highest fidelity.

I bought the best recording equipment I could afford, and ironically enough, that equipment quickly pointed out how noisy his apartment is. The audio samples I heard, although decent, picked up every sound that our human ears has learned to drown out. The motor on the refrigerator, the fan in another room, and cars driving by outside, were accentuated by the microphone. Sadly, the audio is useless for Audible ACX guidelines.

Back to the drawing board, or to my amazon, actually. The solution is to get acoustic panels to soundproof the environment (which for now is more than likely his bathroom. I plan on making some modular panels (portable partitions) that can be set up and removed easily when it’s time to record. So, when you are listening to my book in the bathroom, getting ready for work, just realize that it was also recorded in one! Funny how life can come full circle huh?

More patience, waiting for my Amazon delivery, building the partitions, and then getting the recordings is in my future. Thank you Aesop for your philosophical teachings that I can now put into practice.

about me · Audible · Author · Emergence Collective · writing

Audible Update

A quick update on the Audible project. I received all the equipment and distributed it to the voice actor. I can already tell this project will take a fair amount of time, and that will be excruciating. Of course, I want it to be finished and published yesterday. Another lesson in patience I suppose. Zack and I are doing the research, and learning the software; he is reading the book taking notes, and getting familiar with the characters and story.

I am heading off to the woods to go camping so I won’t be posting until Monday. Thanks for taking the time to visit my Blog!

about me · Audible · Author · Emergence Collective

A new adventure

As if I don’t have enough to do, I am starting on the path of Audible. On my bucket list is to publish my book on Audible. So, where to start? A good voice is the place to start I suppose. The idea solidified during a D&D session last Friday. Of course, I have been thinking about Audible even before I published the print version, so it is always on my mind. The dungeon master mentioned offhandedly that he always wanted to be a voice actor, and I immediately said to myself, “You need a voice actor for your book.” I like Zack’s DM’n skills, and he always does fun voices for the non-player characters so I figured I’d give him a shot. Since he truly wants to start a career in this field, I figured that both our goals are aligned and, since I am going to have to shell out money, it should benefit someone I know rather than a random actor I choose out of a line-up. I crunched the numbers, and it is reasonable to buy the recording equipment for him (as compensation). Of course I have no idea (haven’t started researching that yet) how much it is going to cost to have my audio edited, but I will cross that bridge when I have something to edit. I’ll take any advice anyone has on this subject! feel free to leave a comment! (You can just say hi as well) Thanks for visiting!