I'm woefully behind on recording the next chapter of Foundations (only done Part the First), and I will be essentially living at work for the next week to 10 days (need to install a cot in the file room, I reckon) and thus will not be doing any recording until after that.

Just wanted to let y'all know that I haven't forgotten or wandered away. RL is just kicking my butt.

Realistically, I expect to get done recording the last weekend in January, then allow a week or so for beta and final edits. So, I expect to post before Valentine's day for sure.

Thanks for your patience and for all the lovely comments...talk soon!

Copied and pasted from katelinmr's account

In memory of family and friends who have lost the battle with cancer; and in support of the ones who continue to conquer it! Post this on your LJ if you know someone who has or had cancer. 93% won't copy and paste this. Will you?

I'm not usually much for memes and so on, but when I read this and started thinking about it, I realized that it is 11 years ago this week (January 15) that I lost my best friend to cancer. She was 34. My father's bladder cancer has been in remission for 10 years now. And a friend of mine from work has a brain tumor and the prognosis is not good. She's 52.

I know that I said it might be awhile, but I got Nat's notes today, and the corrections were pretty straightforward. They are now done, and the chapter is up.

Also, I have re-posted Chapter 4, which had a post-beta editing error in it. My thanks to crinklysolution for noticing it! If you're planning to download the podbook when it's compiled, you might not want to bother redownloading Chapter 4 since the corrected version will be in that, but it's posted nonetheless.

I'm going to keep this brief, since I rambled on a bit yesterday. My thanks, as always, to Nat, for writing this fabulous story in the first place, and for being an excellent and supportive beta listener. Also, thank you to all of the wonderful people who have commented. I do love hearing from you (even if I sometimes take a while to respond!). It is great to know that you're enjoying listening to the story!

And so, onward! Here's the link.

Well, not completely different, since it is a podfic, and that seems to be my raison d'etre, lately. The "completely different" part is that this is not the next chapter of Foundations. Instead, it is the Spike/Xander podfic that I recorded for amplificathon's Podbang fest.

( Read More )

You can download the mp3 or mp4 here. This page also had the podbook of Reparations and will eventually have the podbook of Foundations when it's done.

For those who are patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the next chapter of Foundations, it's recorded and off to Beta. Since it's the holidays, I'm sure that Nat has many, many things on her plate, and then I need a bit of time to make any corrections; so it could be a bit still before it posts. Soon, though!

Chapter 9 is done - all 2 hours and 20 minutes of it! Only three to go...

So, I was interested to find out that a fair few of you had not already read the text version of this story. I will be more careful with my assumptions in the future (well, no I probably won't, but we can all just pretend). I was endlessly pleased to find out that some people who had never heard of this story found out about it by listening to the pod-version. I can't tell you how tickled I am by that!

I hope that I didn't spoil anyone by mentioning the emotional turmoil of Chapter 8, and I will be more conscious of possible spoilers in future. Although I will just say - Chapter 9: hallway!sex. Mmmm...spicy!

And now, without further ado, the link: Foundations Folder

Ok, it's time. Chapter 8.

I'm going to assume that if you're listening to the podfic, you've read the story already, so you know that it's time to stock up on the tissues, get yourself a nice comforting cup of tea, or hot chocolate, or whatever you like to drink, and prepare for a nice cathartic cry. 'Cause if you get through the last 10 minutes or so of this chapter without at least tearing up, you are not human. Of course, the first hour and 45 minutes or so are still full of laughter and excellent characters and hot!office!sex (almost). And Marley (I have such a crush on Mephisto Marley).

Love, love, love this story.

Here's the link...

Foundations Folder

Chapter Nine soon - I've already done the pre-read - with more emotional trauma, and hot!hallway!sex, and Tremellan in drag.

So this is not the next chapter of the Foundations podfic. This is just me surfacing briefly to say I'm a bit behind, but the next chapter will be coming soon. I have the big nasty horrible budget presentation to get through tomorrow (you want HOW much money?!?!), and then I get Wednesday off for Remembrance Day. Other than observing two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., I promise to devote myself to completing Chapter 8.

Also, I apologize to anyone who has left me a comment in the last week or so - I have been supremely unresponsive. I do read and appreciate the comments (especially the one about giving up my job and just recording fics full time - I think that's a fabulous idea! If only I did not need to pay bills, and buy food and those other frivolous things). I promise I will get caught up soon.

At long last, the hiatus is over!

Well, sort of.

Work is still pretty busy, and chapters are getting longer, so I doubt that I will manage one chapter a week. The new goal will be a chapter every two weeks, which will get us to Chapter 12 just after the New Year.

This chapter was a gem to read - rimming, couch-snuggling, terrible discoveries, and Mephisto Marley (not all at the same time, obviously). I have already admitted to Nat that I have a terrible crush on Marley, and have been very worried about finding his voice, but she says he sounds good (she's very patient with my bouts of insecurity and random concerns about things like pen tapping).

This episode is dedicated to the lovely Marie, for making Nat happy, and for providing amusing fodder for Nat to blog about re: the possibility of badgers eating all of one's biscuits.

Here's the chapter:

Foundations folder

Enjoy!

The past two weeks have been...I don't even know how to characterize them...annoying? frustrating? Tiring. I think that's the word.

I got back to work after vacation and immediately started with the deadlines from hell (it's budget season and, in their wisdom, the budget people have shortened our normal timelines as well as changing all of the forms and processes that we use. I'm also picking up work from a manager in another area who is - how shall I put this delicately - less than completely competent.

( Rant about work and why it's frustrating... )

Anyway, on top of the budget trauma, about 10 days ago, I caught a cold and wound up home sick for a day and a half (which did not help my deadlines at all). I did use some of that time profitably (that is to say, reading lots of HD Career Fair, and doing my pre-read of Chapter 7 of Foundations), but I couldn't do any recording, since I sounded like - well, like someone with a really bad head cold. I tried to start recording last night, but I'm still having nasty coughing fits that have made it virtually impossible.

I'll give it another try in the next day or two (it's Canadian Thanksgiving, so I have Monday off). I think I'm going into withdrawal after not recording for a couple of weeks, and I'm starting to worry that I won't remember how some of the characters are supposed to sound.

Oh, and on the more positive side, I was on my 4shared site, and there have now been 100 downloads of the Reparations podfic from that site! That was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise annoying week. I'm still floored by the response to this little project (or not-so-little, as the case may be). Of course, the source material is incredible - who can resist saras_girl's fics? - but I really didn't expect more than a handful of people to want to listen to me reading, regardless of the material.

I'll just say thank you for listening, and I promise to get a new chapter out as soon as my voice and the Budget Office allow.

Next installment!

'k - two things:

First - I apologise for the annoying ticking that happens for a while in the middle of the chapter. Now you know what my earring sounds like tapping against my headset.

After consultation with my fabulous beta (none other than the amazing saras_girl herself), I have decided to let it stand rather than re-recording that part. I would be interested in hearing from you if you find it to be excessively distracting. Of course, by drawing your attention to it, I have probably just guaranteed that it will annoy you.

Second - just wanted to remind you that there will be a short hiatus before the next chapter posts - probably just an extra week between postings, but it could be two. Also, the chapters are starting to get longer, which may make the general posting schedule a bit more drawn out. I promise I'll keep them coming just as quickly as RL will allow.

Oh, and if you haven't already read it you need to go now and read saras_girl's new Fluffy!verse fic Talk to Me. It made me feel all warm and content and happy - highly recommended to counter-act "crappy day syndrome".

And here's the link to the Foundations Folder.

Happy listening!

Next installment is up! Here's the link: Foundations Folder

Not going to yammer on today - I'm on a mission to get the next chapter recorded, then off to Nat for beta.

Note: After Chapter 6, there will likely be a brief hiatus (just a week or so, don't panic). I've been on vacation, and I'm going back to some pretty heavy deadlines at work. If the time-fairy is good to me, I may still be able to stay close to my once a week (or so) schedule, but I don't want anyone developing abandonment issues if I disappear briefly.

Enjoy!

It's a beautiful day! Technology has stopped torturing me (which means that the 4shared site is back up), and Chapter 4 is posted!

In her author's note, Nat described this chapter as a "dialogue frenzy" and says that it is really a series of conversations. I think that was a very succinct description, and it was a particular pleasure to read: Nat's ear for dialogue is phenomenal.

I'll spare you the rambling journal entry, and just post the link (same link as always!). I see that a couple of people have already downloaded. I'm gonna take that as a compliment!

Enjoy!

Here's the link:Foundations Folder

Apparently, I panic easily. It turns out that 4shared was hacked, and they're up again today. anijsch very kindly sent me a link with some information about it - thank you!

While we're talking though, just a reminder that you should make sure to run any files you download through a virus checker. I'm pretty sure that they're virus free when they leave me, but 4shared's statement about being hacked was filled with ominous language about how they don't guarantee much of anything, including being virus-free. I'm sure everyone knows that, but this is my public service announcement of the day.

Have an excellent day!

Ok, so I was asked for the download link for Reparations, and I went to the 4shared website to get it, except I didn't go to the 4shared website. I went to some page that was offering to sell me a domain name instead. Then I went back to my journal entries and tried the links for both Reparations and Foundations, and they don't work!

I am not entirely sure what has happened here, but it looks like 4shared may have packed up their tents and buggered off into the night. Just after I paid them a subscription fee so that I could have extra space and everything!

I'm going to hold off on panicking, just for a moment. After all, I still have the original files. And the podbook of Reparations is also available at jinjurly's audiofic page, as are the first two chapters of Foundations. Here's the link for anyone who is looking for it.

Assuming that 4shared has, in fact, disappeared (with my money, the bastards!), I will have to figure out another option - any suggestions? I also had some trouble with megaupload, but I could give them another try, I guess.

Going to go off in a corner and pout now.

Quick post tonight. I have a crashing headache (I didn't get my caffeine fix today, and my system is not happy about it!), but I have new podfic, and wanted to get it posted. I know that I hate waiting, and I really didn't want to make anyone else wait, especially after all of the wonderful comments that people have left.

So, once again, thanks so much to Nat for betaing her own story (there's something just a tad surreal about that. But in a good way, I hope). I always feel so very energized after reading her comments (even when I'm caffeine-deprived). She always seems to pick out the moments that I was most pleased with as highlights, which is very validating, somehow.

She caught an interesting little glitch that I succeeded in putting in this chapter. Not quite sure how I did it (technology hates me), but I added some kind of voice modulation to a short section when I did a fix during my post-recording check. Don't remember what the original problem was (maybe it was the moment that I called Narcissa "Mr. Malfoy"), but it's fixed now, so it should be good to go.

So enjoy, and I'll try to keep up with my schedule from here on in!

Oh, right, the link:

Foundations Folder.

Just finished reading comments from Nat on Chapter 2 of Foundations and I'm still giddy. My God, that woman knows how to pump up a person's ego!

All I can say is, this was a tremendously fun chapter to record - I love doing drunk scenes.

Also, I've posted a small extra in the form of a blooper reel. If you are one of those people who like to watch out-takes, you may find it amusing.

Here's the link: Foundations Folder.

Have fun listening!

I'm really surpassing my previous record of approximately 2 months between posts: it's only been 6 days since I last posted!

I was completely blown away by the response to the podfic version of Reparations (almost 100 people have downloaded chapter one - I'm flabbergasted). And the feedback has been so wonderful that I actually got my act together and got the first chapter of Foundations recorded (I'm a feedback whore, I admit it!).

Chapter One has been to visit the author (wonderful, gracious saras_girl), who lavished it with praise (podfics like praise a lot!) and now it's ready to venture out into the world.

Apparently I'm in a very silly mood. I apologize and will try to get myself under control.

Anyway, with Nat's encouragement, I've decided to go ahead and post chapter by chapter, rather than waiting to finish the whole shebang, so here's the link for the Foundations Folder on my 4shared account. I will post here as each chapter goes up.

Just so you know the plan, I expect to complete about one chapter a week, on average. Since some chapters are a wee bit on the long side - eyes Chapter 12 with trepidation - the schedule may need to be adjusted, but not by much.

As well, the very wonderful jinjurly has added the podfic of Reparations to her Audiofic Page, in case you experience any problems at 4shared. I have also noted that the downloads from her site seem to be very fast, which is a bonus. If you like audiofics you really need to check out this page - it's searchable by fandom, pairing, author, reader, length or file type, and various other criteria. And there are some really fabulous recordings here. (A godsend for you poor folks with long commutes!)

Oh, and you must go and read saras_girl's story Code-cracking for Gryffindors, not only because it is fantastically funny, but also because it is for me! I am just beside myself with excitement!

Hope you enjoy...everything!

pw

Back in mid-June, I finished reading Reparations by saras_girl, and I decided that if ever there was a story that deserved to be an audio fiction, this one was it. As I read it, I could hear the characters' voices, and I found myself re-reading parts of the story out loud, just to hear how it would sound.

Now, I was a fan of audio fiction long before I even knew fan fiction existed (if you haven't heard the Harry Potter audiobooks, recorded by the magnificent Jim Dale, you are missing a real treat!). And when I discovered that there were people out there recording some of my favourite fanfics as podcasts, I was overcome with joy.

But this amazing story had not yet been recorded.

Rather than sitting about and vaguely hoping that someone would eventually record it, I decided to take a whack at it myself. After mucking about with GarageBand a bit, I succeeded in recording Chapter One. Then I took a deep breath, screwed up my courage, and e-mailed the wonderful and amazing saras_girl to ask her permission/blessing and to find out if she might, perchance, be willing to listen and give me some feedback.

I really had no idea what her response would be. I was not, in any way, prepared for the absolutely enthusiastic and supportive answer that I got.

So I sent her the first chapter and received back the most awesome and detailed feedback (numbered list of what worked and what needed tweaking - I was in geek-heaven!). And so began the back and forth of recording, feedback, tweaking, praise (love the praise!) and discussions of the differences in pronunciation between Canadian English and British English and other esoteric and technical things.

Just over two months later, all of the chapters are recorded and living on my 4shared site (link below), and ready to be shared.

I have worked on collaborative projects in the past (theatre stuff, mostly), but I have never had so much fun or felt so valued and appreciated as I have over this time in working with saras_girl. And we're not done, 'cause she's letting me record Foundations, too! Oh, and the rest of her HPDM stuff, and who knows - maybe I'll get into the CSI stories somewhere along the way...

And just in case you don't know the story - it is h/d slash, and is rated "R". If that's not to your taste, or if you're too young to be listening to R-rated stories, then please don't download. Thanks much!

So without further ado, here's the link: Reparations Podfic

Oh, and tomorrow, I'm starting to record Foundations. *giggles madly*

I mean, I understand how I wound up with two copies of The Demon's Lexicon. I bought the first copy, read it that night, then went out and bought another copy to take with me when I went to visit my brother and his family. My nephew is 12 and loves fantasy and science fiction as do his parents, so I'm just doing my duty as a devoted follower of Sarah to make sure that her work is being as widely distributed as possible. I will now buy another copy so that I have it on hand to foist on my next unwary victi... sorry, to give to the next beneficiary of my generosity.

What I don't understand is how I have multiple copies of books that I don't remember buying more than once. I have, for example, two copies of Ceteganda by Lois McMaster Bujold. A worthy book, but of all of her novels, not the one that I needed to buy twice. One copy seems to be a book club copy. Maybe it was book of the month and I didn't realize.

Then there's the two copies of Dark of the Moon by P.C. Hodgell. For those who don't know, this is the sequel to Godstalk, which is one of my favourite books ever. I have never quite succeeded in reading the second book though, which begs the question: if I haven't even managed to read the book once, why do I have two copies of it?

I don't really have a good reason for not having read Dark of the Moon. I've been told by reliable sources that it's very good, and I do love the world and characters. The opening just failed to hook me, and I got all resistant. I think I'm afraid that I will be disappointed and that it will wreck Godstalk for me. Irrational, but there you have it.

Then there's the two copies of a mystery novel by Nancy Martin. I think I understand how I wound up with a second copy of this one. I got behind on the series, and then got confused in the bookstore about which one came next. Also, as is often the case with mystery series, the plot synopses on the back start to sound pretty similar to each other. You know: Main character gets drawn into a complicated plot when a friend/relative/coworker is accused of murder/being blackmailed. When Main Character starts to look into it, she receives threatening notes/someone tries to kill her/her job is threatened. Add tall, dark, morally ambiguous love interest, stir, and serve with a twist of lemon.

I think I need to try releasing these books into the wild. I've thought about doing that before, but never did - this seems like the opportune time. Has anybody ever done that? Did you hear back about where your book wound up? If you've tried it, let me know...

Emansil posted a meme on WIPs. Since I'm currently trying to get inspired to write, I thought this would be fun. So here's the meme:

Post a single sentence from each WIP you have (or as many as you want to pick). No context, no explanations. No more than one sentence.

And here are the sentences from my three works in progress:

"I didn't know that I had acquired a NEWTs-level competency in the study of the Boy Who Continued to Live."

When I nearly killed that Gryffindor girl, Bell, I spent three hours in the Prefect's bath - an hour on my knees, vomiting, and two hours under the shower scrubbing myself until my skin was raw, as if scrubbing would rub off the taint of attempted murder.

"I'd be willing to bet that you'd realize your mind had been played with and then you'd simply apparate out and return with half a hundred aurors, baying for my blood."