Tag Archives: horror fiction

31 Mar

Happenings

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Hello all,

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks.  Life has converged as it has a way of doing into a high energy state, and I’ve had to burn a good number of calories in order to keep up.  This has had the unfortunate side effect of leaving no time for recording for the last week. With luck, I’ll be back to finishing ‘Easy Prey’ for Audible by the end of next week.

In addition to the audio work I am doing for my written work, I have begun creating videos for my artistic work, which has made it necessary to learn the software needed in order to produce them.  I enjoy the process, though I do wish I had more time in order to perfect these aspects of my platform.  This is the goal, of course, for regardless of the form, I’ve always done better, both financially and emotionally, when I have been able to work for myself. Despite the setbacks, this remains, and I work to bring that goal to reality.  This means that the coming year is going to be a busy one, and I am looking forward to the many positive things to come.

Until next time,

~Namste

11 Mar

Audible Update: Easy Prey

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Greetings,

As it turned out, I did not feel the last recording of the vampire entry in ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’, measured up to the newer versions, and decided to rerecord the story rather than simply add the music effects.  I am still working just about every night on this project, despite adding more work to an already crowded schedule, but my determination remains strong to deliver the best work I can.  I have less then twenty pages of the story left to go, which will make the track a little over an hour and a quarter long, by my current estimate.  Most of the stories fall into this category, with a few longer exceptions, such as “Boo”, and “Roadkill”, which I have already completed.

Once I have completed ‘Easy Prey’, I will have replaced all my previous work I lost when my computer died, and will move onto the second half of the work.  I am looking forward to being able to announce the book’s completion soon, and will continue to post updates as I complete more of the stories contained within my second effort.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

28 Jan

Audible Update: Jan. 28, 2024

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Greetings all,

Another update in less than a week you say? Inconceivable!  No, but considering how much I have on my plate at the moment, it comes as a surprise.  In the midst of a number of new events in my life, I do my best to retain something of a schedule in recording ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales‘ for Audible.  One of my least productive traits was that I have allowed my excitement at bringing a work to fruition that it became my own worst enemy.  In having to record my work multiple times, I have begun to learn some patience in regards to the recording process, and I think the result has been well worth the effort, so much so that at some point in the future, I will have to revise the narration of my first novel as well.

Learning new skills – narration, audio recording and mixing, has been an interesting experience so far, despite the learning curve.  I have always enjoyed learning new skills, and have seen some improvement in these areas since I first began.  It is my hope to eventually open myself to commissioned narration work in the future, and as long as I continue to learn and apply that knowledge, it does not seem to be an unreasonable goal.

There are three more stories I need to re-record for clarity and to add the sound transitions and title music before I can more on to the second half of the book.  I will continue to post updates on my progress, so stay tuned!

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

14 Jan

Audible Update & Other News

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Greetings,

In the course of attempting to raise the standard for my recordings, it has become necessary to redo some of my previous work, both in order to add the accompanying title and transition effects, but for an overall consistent tone in terms of recording levels, which can vary depending on a number of factors.  This has not been a disappointment – I rarely see things that way any more – but as an opportunity to improve my craft, one which I have been embracing with enthusiasm.

Speaking of opportunities, it has been evident for some time that I need to make certain changes in my life in order to continue the healing process from the decade of abuse I suffered at the hands of the court system and my ex (a process which infuriates her kind to where they continue to attempt to wound regardless of success).  One of these opportunities has arisen, and it looks like certain aspects of my life will indeed improve.  Of course, this means I have to have some energy and drive to get through the transition, but it is nothing I haven’t done before.  I have given, and continue to give, considerable thought to this process, and have decided to keep my recording schedule as uninterrupted as possible.  This decision was made in no small part because I plan on publishing at least one book this year – two if I can help it.

I’ll give more details in coming updates.

Until next time,

~ Namaste

28 Dec

Audible Update: 12-28-23

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Greetings,

Another year is drawing to a close, but my artistic efforts have no signs of slowing,  I work on one or more projects just about every day, barring my daughter’s visits (although I do sometimes find the occasional opportunity in the wee hours), and on those days, I follow pretty much the same routine.  After work, I eat dinner and perform any errands that need completing before spending about an hour or so with my newfound love: my 1987 Fender Precision Lyte Bass, given to me by my uncle before he passed away. This takes the form of playing Rocksmith 2014, which was a gift to me from my daughters, and an excellent way to learn to play an instrument.  Once I’m finished with my musical release therapy (kidding…maybe), I then sit down to a good 2-4 hours of recording time.

Currently, I am working on part 3 of BOO! from ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales‘, the longest novella in the volume, and likely my third favorite.  The story is a little over a hundred pages long, and translates to a bit over 3 1/2 hours.  I’ve been learning more as I go, and apply whatever I learn to the next project, such as adding sound effect transitions and title music to the tracks.  I felt this was a definite positive step, but I do wish I had decided upon that course of action before I had recorded half the book.  Once I am done with the current story, I will have to go back and add these effects to the previous stories.  Not a daunting task, but one which will take a bit of time.  I do feel the result will be worth the effort, however, and look forward to being able to release this book in the Audible format in the new year.

Until we meet again,

~Namaste

14 Dec

Audible Update 12-13-23

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Greetings,

As promised, I am making an attempt to provide more updates on both my writing and art sites.  I have just finished my recording session for the night, in  my second attempt to bring my second work, ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’, to Audible.  On most nights, I follow pretty much the same routine.  Once home from my day job, I take care of dinner and other tasks, perhaps enjoy a bit of bass practice, before spending two or three hours on front of a microphone, and using an audio editor to process the recording.  As I may have mentioned earlier, I am adding sound transitions (and perhaps some opening and closing theme music) to my second attempt,  The upside to this is that it has steepened the learning curve, allowing me to hopefully bring a more rich experience to the listener.  The downside, is the fact I had this idea halfway through the book, and will now have to go back and add them to at least two of the stories I have previously recorded, if not more.  I don’t mind this, actually, if the final product ends being one of which I can be proud to have created.

Well, that’s about all the time I have for tonight.  I must rest in order to attack another day of relentless labor with something approaching competence, if not enthusiasm.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

4 Dec

Audible Update 12-4-23

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Greetings.

My goodness, time goes fast.  I am making an effort to update my blog on a more regular basis, but even so, the days seem to slip past me, and before I know it – boom – it’s December.

Anywho, I’ve been putting in as much time as possible in my effort to record ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’ for Audible.  I just wrapped up doing some post-recording and effects work for ‘Message in an Electromagnetic Bubble‘.  This story required a bit more effects work than most, as it is my first (and rare) attempt at sci-fi, and I felt it needed a bit more.  To this end, i have enlisted the Amazing Danika to assist with a few lines of dialogue, and will add them to the project when she is available.

During the recording of this story, I was also forced to reconsider how to translate transitions for an Audible project, as a line of asterisks does not translate into audio.  I decided to use some sound effect transitions for these, and may add an opening theme.  As i have often said, I am new to this type of creative endeavor, and am striving to bring the most interesting version of my work to that format as I can.  Only the future, and whatever feedback I receive, will tell if I am successful in that regard.

Next up on the recording schedule is ‘BOO!’, a hundred-page novella inspired by a story that has floated in my brain since I first began reading comics, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  It was during the recording of this story – about a cursed castle in the mountains of New York – that my hard drive failed.  Coincidence?  I sure hope so…I can’t afford to replace yet another computer.

That’s pretty much the news for now, although there is plenty more coming, believe me.  In the meantime, a quick reminder (and shameless plug) my first novel, ‘Highway Hypnosis’ is available on Audible.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

26 Jun

Audible Update: 6-26-2023

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Greetings.

As is par for the course, life has been throwing its share of curve-balls my way, but I’ve managed to navigate them with my usual Aries stubbornness, and continue to record tracks from my second novel, ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales‘. I am currently working on recording ‘Easy Prey‘, and those familiar with the history of the story, know I never intended to write a vampire story, and wrote it intending it to be a jab at Twilight.  Somewhere in the writing, however, this changed, and I found myself enjoying the characters and events that flowed from my pen, which was my only available writing instrument at the time.  Recording these stories allows me to reconnect with the characters, and I find myself tempted to stop and write more about the adventures of what has become an interesting figure to me, but I stop myself.  All things in time, I say.

All things in time.

It might take longer than I anticipated to record this second work, however, as some of the aforementioned curve-balls include the need to find better employment and a new place to live, both sizeable tasks on their own, much less together.  I have faith I will be able to handle these as I have before – it’s not my first rodeo – and plan to build myself a dedicated space for recording in the process.

Onward and upward, folks.  Onward and upward.

Until next time,

~Namaste

13 Jun

Audible Update: 6-13-23

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Greetings,

My first novel, Highway Hypnosis, is now available on Audible, and should be available on Amazon and iTunes within the next few days.  I am now working on narrating the third story from Strange Stories, Twisted Tales.  The stories in this volume are something of a different challenge in terms of recording; the tales contained in that volume contain some passages that will require some audio effects in order to deliver the proper tone, and I am enjoying the learning process.   It is my hope to open myself to narration of other works on a freelance basis in the near future,  I have found I enjoy both sides of the process, and look forward to being able to create a home studio in order to deliver an even better listening experience.

So, if you are into audio books, stop by Audible and give my book a listen.  If you listen at home, you might want to keep the lights on.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

29 May

Audible Update: 5-29-2023

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Greetings,

Well, after many hours of recording and audio processing, I have uploaded my first novel, Highway Hypnosis, to Audible.  The files are in review, and I should get a response within ten business days, according to their website.  I will begin recording the various stories in Strange Stories, Twisted Tales within the next day or do…unless I can’t resist getting back to reading, in which case it could be as early as tonight.

It is my plan, hope really, that by the time I get to my third book, that  will have become proficient enough at the process that I may begin to do some freelance narration work.  I have to find something, after all – my current job is a narcissistic nightmare and both emotionally physically destructive.  The damage done to me physically by the results of narcissistic and legal abuse has left me technically disabled, and these effects are exacerbated by the physical demands of my ‘day job’.  Narration is not only something I enjoy, but is work that I can perform at my own pace, and around the limitations I face on a daily basis.

I’ll be sure to announce when the Audible version of my novel is ready for purchase.  Thanks again for any and all who follow this blog.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste