This week I’m uploading the last batch of Half Share files. Only fourteen episodes, but it’s actually a longer book! Go figger. A large part of it is that the episodes are more evenly timed and a contributing factor is that I didn’t do the “Previously on Half Share” minute at the beginning like I did with Quarter Share. As I was doing the production on Quarter Share, it seemed like a good idea, but the further along I got, the less I liked it, but I was committed to doing it for consistency’s sake.
My sense is that most people are grabbing the blocks of audio and really *not* listening week to week so the recaps are really a waste. I’m still fighting with the audio production of Full Share so, before I get TOO far down the road, what do you folks think? Should I bring back “Previously…” or continue without the recaps.
Comments?
As a new listener, I’ve gotten through Quarter Share and most of Half Share in just three days, listening for hours at a time. I feel no need for the recaps. One good thing about the podcast format is that it’s easy for listeners to go back to the last episode and refresh themselves if necessary.
One thing I feel very strongly about it that you choose a more appropriate piece of music for the beginning, end, and segues of each episode. The soft, lilting music in Quater Share was neutral enough that it worked, although it didn’t connect to the story at all. The grating tones of the Irish jig in Half Share, however, are awful. The story has nothing to do with Irish heritage or polka music, and it just seems out of place.
Also, you need to consider the audience of your pod novel, and what kind of music would sound natural to them within your story. If you are targeting younger, sci-fi-loving listeners, I don’t think a recording of an accordion from 1928 is the way to relate to them. Not that some heavy metal song straight out of a Scott Sigler audiobook is going to work, either. It needs to be mellow, but still modern and upbeat enough to be liked by the younger crowd. Something instrumental and uplifting, but not boring, would be the perfect complement to the story.
Keep up the great storytelling!
-Alison (from Fort Collins, Colorado)
Nate,
I’m really enjoying the book, and I loved Half Share, thank you for taking so much time to put them out there for us.
I disagree with Alison about the music, I like the jig. It does go better with certain parts of the book than others but that’s to be expected with any song. It’s hard to find music to fit without spending forever searching for just the right tone.
I think the episodes are better without the recap, for me they weren’t neccessary.
Jonell
Nate,
I love the story, both Quarter Share and Half Share, and can’t wait for Full share. I think the recaps aren’t necessary, I’m not going that long in between episodes.
On the music, I don’t mind the music in half share, except for the volume. It is somewhat jarring when it appears in the middle of an episode, it seems much louder than the episode itself.
Keep up the good work!
Personally, I like the recaps. Even if I’ve just listened to four episodes in a row. As Alison said “One good thing about the podcast format is that it’s easy for listeners to go back to the last episode and refresh themselves if necessary”. Untrue. What’s easier is to just fast forward. People don’t always have the previous episode to hand, and it’s so refreshing to just have a little recap, especially the funny ones. Listening to your recaps is like welcoming an old (long since seen) friend into your house. The recaps should stay. Just fast forward if you don’t want to listen.
The recaps don’t matter much to me. I almost always try to pace myself and pick one episode at a time to put on my iPod so that I don’t blow through them too soon…
Then I find myself rushing back to the computer to put more episodes on because I *have* to know what happens.
I do think the music for Half Share is a bit jarring. I really enjoyed the music for Quarter Share without reservation. The more I listen to Half Share, the music grows on me. But I definitely think that the volume would be best adjusted on it. Maybe if the music slowly increased in volume until it reached the middle of the passage and then faded slowly afterwards when it’s used during transitions. Thanks to Kurt for putting his finger on what was bothering me about it. :) Maybe they really are the same sound level, but the quick jump from spoken word to very active lively music is a bit jarring.
I love the books so far and can’t wait to listen to more. :)
Good work. I don’t have anything eloquent to say, just wanted to vote: I fast forward thru all the recaps but I found the music too much. Don’t like the music, but it that’s the theme so be it, just use a short clip though as a theme song and jump in.
Whatever you choose, please keep the recap short. I hate when the writer tells you what you are supposed to have learned from the previous chapter(s) because I feel like this diminishes the readers ability to come to there own conclusions about a story. My vote is no recaps. Just like reading a book, a recap is not needed for the story to continue. If something is confusing or if the reader/listener gets lost, just “re-read” the previous chapter, just like you would do in a book… since that is what this is only in podio form.
As far as music goes, I have enjoyed your choice for each story. I feel like they help to get me into the mindset of the olden times when traders were plentiful. They help create a timeless quality to the story, like this story could be taking place on a ship with sails on an ocean as easily as in space. The different songs make ne feel as if you are visiting foriegn lands with exotic cultures, etc.
I am anxiously awaiting the release of Full Share. Keep up the great work.
I really enjoyed quarter share and have great hopes for the series. iTunes labels all the episodes explicit. Is there a way to only label the ones that are. I admit I fast forwarded through chunks of the last two episodes because that’s not why I follow the series, personally. (As Desmedt says in the chatter about Singularity: who put porn in my scifi; or who put scifi in my porn?
I think I like the mundanity of fly on the wall reenactment of the trading computer games. You read very well and the characters are/were great. I’m really lost how Ish turned in to the “Bachelor,” proclaiming his feelings for the three women, but I guess it fits the series better than if you had fallen into the other obvious way to liven the series up: embroiling them all in combat: laser fire, fighter ships and the like. I think you’d have fun with another series in the same universe where another hero/heroine signs up with the marines. I digress, you chose to keep your audience with eroticism, I didn’t appreciate it, but that’s why there’s a fastforward dial on my ipod. I though the characters and plot of life aboard was creative enough.
This is my first comment/contact with you, so please bear with me as I mash a few ideas together. First, the story is great. Your reading of your own material, the characters, and the premise – all fantastic. I will listen to the very very end. Second, I like the music, even as it changes between books. The levels are a little different – but then so too the levels of the podiobooks commercial preceding it. Third, I can do without the recap – and I think the story can too. Now – this is why – and it leads to my one serious criticism…
Since boarding the Lois, every event Ish encounters is retold at least 3 times in his narrative and sometimes retold many more times. The Roubaille event almost dominates Half Share’s second half as it is retold over again for each character. This started to bother me in Quarter Share but hit a sore point in Half Share. I’m listening to the same event over and over. I really don’t look forward to hearing the phrase “damn you’re good” ever again.
In a way, we get a recap of every major event several times in the story – so adding it before each new episode is more than superfluous.
Please keep writing and posting the podcasts.
ya .. i’m with you on the “damn you’re good” .. i don’t think it comes back in Full Share. I got tired of it, too.
And, again, I found myself at the mercy of “first person” a LOT — I have to retell parts of the story in order for the person (other than Ishmael) to know it. Sometimes that works out good because it means I can add to, or embellish details.
Sometimes — it’s just a pain. I think I did better with it in Full Share. This is a really good point and one I’m aware of and hope you’ll like the way it gets handled going forward.
Thanks for writing back, Nate. It wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t appreciate what you have created for us all to enjoy. Looking forward (with addicted trembling hands) to download next book.
Good trading!
I love the books and enjoy the music. It’s a subtle reminder that even though the story’s set in space, everything that happens throughout the novels could very well be taking place on a real clipper ship in the 1800s. Makes it seem more classic to me.
Not really a comment on the recap, or the music. Ok I will comment. Recap not necessary, and I like the music – I’m going to checkout the source you reference.
My comment is that yours is the first contribution to PodioBooks that I felt strongly enough to donate to. My wife knows how to use paypal, so it will have to wait until se gets home, but I defiantly want to support you in your writing, and congratulate you on your success.
Gary
I also vote for ‘no recap’. I don’t think it is necessary and only delays THE STORY..the new delightful episode… keep up the great work
I feel that the music reflects the mood of Quarter and Half Share very well. I have been aboard of the “CuttySark” clipper ship and every time I listen to an episode of one of the Share books I remember what I felt while on the “CuttySark” and the music fits the feel perfectly. I really liked the 1920’s recording and I can’t wait to see what gets picked for Full Share.
Thanks for the excellent books, keep up the good work. Lastly, when and where can I get a dead tree version of the Share Books? The sooner the better.
I sometimes listen to several episodes in a row and I still like the recaps. It reminds me what topics the author thought were important to keep in mind. Some weeks I listen to a few differant books through out the day while working at my desk. It is very helpful to have a recaps so that I can get my brain focused on the current story instead of drifting to another story.
As far as the music… At first, I did think that the Irish jig was out of place. But then it grew on me and I sort of liked it. Almost as if older music can stand the test of time… where as if you chose a popular song it could easily go out of date and then age the audio in a 5-10 years. I think that listeners are always going to be critical about something… and since you are the author pick what you see fit for the music. “Enjoy the Ride”… so to speak.
Keep up the great story telling. I enjoy it very much! :)