Casual Readers discussion
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What are you up to at the moment?
After spending several days of great quality time with the family, my wife has graciously taken the kids to the zoo, giving me some time to try and make some headway on my next short story, WE DON'T NEED NO WATER. After Adam's experience recently, you can bet I'm compulsively hitting the 'save' button!
I am currently attempting to revise my newest short story and get it as close to the finished product I was so happy with before I realized I had not saved it yesterday. After much agonizing I decided to go ahead and do it again. And, YES I am saving on a flash drive now, because I discovered my laptop is not the most reliable machine in the world. Won't lose it this time!
Adam - I recommend every time you start to write, save the document you are editing as an entirely new file with the current date in the filename, such as "Inprogress Title - 06JUL13", "Inprogress Title - 13JUL13", and so forth. That way you keep a record of every stage of the document as it is being created, and you only ever really risk losing the most recent day of work. Also great if you make sweeping changes along the way that you regret and you want to go back to something you had written earlier.I also recommend setting up a dropbox account to store your work in that updates everything across your different computer and your cell phone. That way if one thing goes down, you have multiple places to recover your files from.
Posting this here as a tip for anyone else who might need a system.
Thanks for the tips, bro. I typically save everything in quite a similar way. Unfortunately with this story, I have no idea what caused me to delete it. The only thing I can think of is that when I went to "Save As" I must have hit the wrong button. I just do not know how I could've done it. I had been working on it for about 4 hours, and made grand sweeping changes of the second draft. It was a blow, but I'm dusting myself off and this time it will be just a bit better.
Yep - this latest story of yours is POSSESSED! ; ) You're going to feel so good when that one is done.
Evans wrote: "Adam - I recommend every time you start to write, save the document you are editing as an entirely new file with the current date in the filename, such as "Inprogress Title - 06JUL13", "Inprogress ..."I've tried similar things. I got really hardcore one time and installed Spytech SpyAgent because I didn't want to lose a thing. Ever. It's pretty hard on the system resources though, lol.
Chuck wrote: "Evans wrote: "Adam - I recommend every time you start to write, save the document you are editing as an entirely new file with the current date in the filename, such as "Inprogress Title - 06JUL13"..."That is hardcore! Maybe Adam should check with NSA to see if they can send him his keystroke log from that evening.
Evans wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Evans wrote: "Adam - I recommend every time you start to write, save the document you are editing as an entirely new file with the current date in the filename, such as "Inprogress Ti..."hahaha!
Chuck wrote: "Evans wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Evans wrote: "Adam - I recommend every time you start to write, save the document you are editing as an entirely new file with the current date in the filename, such as ..."I called them and asked if they would send the log and they said it wouldn't be a problem if I could just provide them with my Google + password. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember it.
Spytech's looking better and better.
Evans wrote: "After spending several days of great quality time with the family, my wife has graciously taken the kids to the zoo, giving me some time to try and make some headway on my next short story, WE DON'..."
Ut OH! Didn't hear about this and probably don't want to. :(
Well, I just read the rest of your posts. Sorry Adam, that really sucks.
Ut OH! Didn't hear about this and probably don't want to. :(
Well, I just read the rest of your posts. Sorry Adam, that really sucks.
7:02 p.m. and I have to go out for a bit to meet up with a friend. Will be back around 10 p.m. and plan to make some headway on World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. My goal this week is to read at least one of the books I was so graciously given by some of my favorite authors. Will most likely check back in when I get back, but I need to get up at 5:30 a.m. and won't stay online very long tonight. Hope everyone had a great day! It's been beautiful here.
It's 11:14 pm here now, so... I'm just nerding out with some crime series on TV. And having a ginormous kitten on my lap.
5:20 p.m. and I'm attempting to catch up on posts and read for a bit. Have a really busy day tomorrow, so I'm attempting to get done what I can tonight. I love cats Lina. My kitty is getting a little older, but she's a sweetheart.
Cindy wrote: "5:20 p.m. and I'm attempting to catch up on posts and read for a bit. Have a really busy day tomorrow, so I'm attempting to get done what I can tonight. I love cats Lina. My kitty is getting a litt..."I love cats too. I have four right now!
Almost 9pm, have ridden some go-karts, played some putt-putt, and getting ready to watch the first episode of UNDER THE DOME (or two).Oh, and a proof of something exciting, new, and coming to a bookshelf near you soon showed up in the mail today as well! What's that smell?
Thanks! That one's Adams baby, of course.
Evans wrote: "Thanks! That one's Adams baby, of course."That's my pretty little angel right there. Which brings me to what I'm doing right now. I just got back from my daughter's gymnastics class, washed dishes, took out the trash and plopped down at the laptop to get back to work on Serving The Spirits, the latest short story that I accidentally deleted and am now nearly halfway through rewriting. That one will be included in the collection you see in Evans's picture up there. I'm elated to be able to see the collection coming together so well. Thanks for sharing the pic, brother! I can't wait to share this book with everyone.
I realized that, but I also see the Screamscapes all over the place! LOL!
So much for having a grandbaby today! Err! Doctors! They have now decided after going through all this stuff that she is starting to show signs of going into labor herself, so they send her home and tell her to give it another week. The funeral was sad. Lot of emotion. Also, it breaks my heart to see a daughter pass before her mother and father. They were heartbroken.
Adam wrote: "Thanks, Dustin."You're most welcome, man! You know I love your work!
Evans wrote: "Almost 9pm, have ridden some go-karts, played some putt-putt, and getting ready to watch the first episode of UNDER THE DOME (or two).Oh, and a proof of something exciting, new, and coming to a b..."
YAYYYY!!!!
6:20 p.m. and I'm off again in a few minutes. Need to pick up a friend at 7:15, another one at 7:30, and be somewhere at 8:00. Whoop Eeee
Have a great, productive evening, Cindy!:)
Half past 12 a.m. Nerding around on goodreads, trying to find something creative to do.
11:30 p.m. and once again I'm sitting up later than I should. I probably ought to get more than 5 hours sleep once in a while. Gonna read and work on the discussion board for an hour or so and then off to bed.
11:55: Hanging out with my wonderful better half playing pool. I should be in bed but I still plan on working on my forced rewrite tonight. I'll probably check in later. If I don't see anyone later, goodnight!
Paying for taking the afternoon off . . . trying to catch up!
Darlene wrote: "Paying for taking the afternoon off . . . trying to catch up!"
I would almost sell myself to the enemy for a day off.
I would almost sell myself to the enemy for a day off.
I hear that, Cindy. This is my six day workweek for the month. This was only day 2
You didn't send me any email did you Adam?
Not yet, Cindy. I have been wondering if I should send you the completed collection or individual stories. I am still working on the last one, so I wasn't sure if you prefer to have that one as well. Sorry, after the day I have had, my mind is like mashed potatoes.
It is 1:32 PM, and I'm thoroughly enjoying my daily GR fix, with Carter by my side (he just turned 8 months yesterday, BTW, where in the world did the time go??) Anyway, the rest of the week promises to be a busy one, as we prepare to attend the Frueh family reunion, this Saturday. I'll be gone from Friday until Monday afternoon/evening.
10:50 p.m. and I am going on less than three hours sleep last night. Been running since 5:30 a.m. this morning and just got home. Sorry I couldn't get any reading done or caught up on posts today. Will attempt to read a few, but I'm literally to the point of exhaustion now. Hope everyone had a fantastic day.
Have a wonderful day and a terrific weekend, everyone!!!
I am taking a break and going camping this weekend. Badly needed. Won't be on GR's Sat or Sun. I am sure to feel much better when I get back. I am so excited! REALLY need a couple of days away from the constant running.
Hope you have a great time camping, Cindy, and wish everyone else in CASUAL READERS a wonderful weekend!I caught a flick this afternoon with my kids (PACIFIC RIM) which was pretty awesome if you have a penchant for Godzilla movies, managed to pack a decent amount of character into a monster movie.
(unintentional self-promotion follows, but, hey - it's what I'm up to at the moment!)
Other than that bit of escapism, I've spent a fair amount of the last two days working on wrangling the particulars of the audiobook production of the short stories from Screamscapes, listening to voice actor auditions, and finalizing contracts.
I'm very excited to announce that production is now officially underway, kicking off with CRAWLSPACE. The voice actor for this one is perfect!
These audioboks will be available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon a little later this year.
I haven't made the final decision yet on whether to have a single narrator for the whole book, or to find the perfect unique voice for each story. Thoughts?
Getting ready to go fishing, just from the bank since Rick's boat is in the shop. Hoping for a few catfish, or perhaps some bluegill. Taking a catfish pole along with an ultralight. Beautiful evening for it!
11:27 p.m. and I didn't get to go camping today because the sites were all booked. We have it reserved for tomorrow and I went to the river today as a substitute. It worked out great!
Evans - I really don't listen to audio books that much, so I'm not sure what to say about the narration. Sorry I can't offer much of an opinion.
Evans - I really don't listen to audio books that much, so I'm not sure what to say about the narration. Sorry I can't offer much of an opinion.
Evans wrote: "Hope you have a great time camping, Cindy, and wish everyone else in CASUAL READERS a wonderful weekend!I caught a flick this afternoon with my kids (PACIFIC RIM) which was pretty awesome if you ..."
It just depends on the book. Most audiobooks have a single narrator. I really dig the ones with a full cast, though. If it's a book of short stories, all of the ones I have heard have had a single narrator.
8:46 p.m. and I've got to be up at 3:00 a.m. Goodnight folks! Had a really good weekend.
Good night Cindy!Actually did something I seldom do anymore...played a little video games. Making my way slowly through UNCHARTED. How many years behind the times am I on games now? : )
I haven't played video games in years. I have access to PS3 and XBox360. Just don't have time to dedicate to games anymore. I did finish the revisions I was working on throughout the last week. I'm happy about that, shooting pool and having a couple of cold beers at the pool table with my lovely wife. She always beats me, but it is still a lot of fun.
Evans wrote: "Hope you have a great time camping, Cindy, and wish everyone else in CASUAL READERS a wonderful weekend!I caught a flick this afternoon with my kids (PACIFIC RIM) which was pretty awesome if you ..."
I like having the single narrator, if they're good. Have you thought about doing any of the stories yourself? It works, most of the time, for Stephen King, and one of the best I ever heard, was The Exorcist read by William Peter Blatty. One of the eeriest audios I've ever heard, and a lot of it is due to his voice.
I thought about self narration, but don't think my voice records super clearly. Adam Light has a true narrator voice, could be a radio dj, but there's a bit more to engineering a good, professional grade audio book than one might think, and frankly I'd rather keep Adam writing than distract him with my projects.
Thanks for the feedback on narrators. Depending on how CRAWLSPACE turns out, I may go ahead and contract the voice actor for the remainder of the stories. He packs a lot of appropriate emotional tension into the reading.
Casual Readers
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3:40 a.m. and I got off work a lot later than expected. Attempting to finish a book and see how tired I am afterwards. Bed? Possibly. Read more? Another possibility. Will just have to see.