Half Share
Nathan Lowell’s follow-up to “Quarter Share” is here!.
After Ishmael Wang is promoted to the environmental section, he’s caught in a swirl of mystery, doubt, belief, lust and a really nice fitting pair of jeans. He has to come to grips with what it means to be a spacer while he’s still trying to figure out what it means to be a man. Join Ishmael, Brillo, Pip, and the rest of the crew of the Lois McKendrick as they help the newest member of the crew adjust to life in the Deep Dark.
April 29th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
ya it hear stops shaking from withdrawal
April 29th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Well, I listened to the new episodes straight through, and I’m regretting it, ’cause I should have portioned them out and not been so greedy! Now I have to wait for more.
“Half Share ” started out with a smooth transition from the wonderful “Quarter Share” and I like getting know more of the characters and you have done a lovely job with Sarah - I am totally sympathetic to the character. I especially like how you have had Ishmael react to Sarah, you have made him a solid, caring individual. You seem to strike the right note with your characters, realistic and honest.
Have you made any headway with having your novels put into print? I’d love to buy them in hardcopy.
Joan
April 30th, 2007 at 4:14 am
Thanks, Joan.
Not yet on paper, but I’m getting a LOT of pressure to find a publisher.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Huzzah!
April 30th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I would like to follow up on the last comment with something more…. detailed now that I have listen to the first 6 installments.
and fuzzy nuggets? I actually laughed out loud when I heard Pip quip this, which is quite a feat for any author, last person to accomplish that was Douglas Adams.
I must say I am happy to be back aboard, you have an amazing reading voice, which draws you in and makes you feel part of the story, even my 3 week old son is soothed
The story is wonderfully written, and I love that you can tell a good tale without a lot of violence and bloodshed. But one thing I have noticed is a lack of what Scott Sigler would call “jibber jab” either at the beginning or end of your episodes. I am sure some of us, myself included, would enjoy getting to know you a little better. Give us a better understanding of where you are coming from and how the story is manifesting itself to you. That is unless you would like to keep your listeners at arms length.
May 1st, 2007 at 6:30 am
Actually, what I’m trying to do with Podiobooks is keep the book “clean” and free of the jibber jab. I like Scott’s stuff, too, but a lot of it is time sensitive. I want people to be able to listen to my Podiobooks a year or two from now and not be distracted by current events from the past.
I don’t have anything in particular against it — and I’m certainly not and “arms length” kind of guy — it’s just that the book is the book and the rest is extra. Lemme think about the possibility of putting out an “author’s feed” on the Golden Age site … that way people who want some jibber jab and subscribe there in addition to the book feed here and it won’t get crossed over for those that dont.
May 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 am
I, too, listened to all six episodes at once. Regretting it a bit. I’d calculated that if I did one-a-day there was a decent chance Nathan would have more episodes up before the end of the week, but I couldn’t stay away.
Nathan, if you decide to self-publish, I know a couple different authors who use lulu.com .
May 4th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
This is the 1st time I’ve attempted to comment on a podiobook.
I’ve just completed Quarter Share. Great story! I’m downloading Half Share as I write.
I’ve been planning to listen to all the episodes right away, but having read the other comments, maybe I’d better ration them. Don’t want to deal with the twitchy withdrawal symptoms waiting for the next ones.
Thanks for the story/s. I’m getting to really like these charaters. They have come alive for me.
May 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Will there be another installment today? (Hopefully waiting quietly, wringing hands…)
May 5th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Podiobooks makes updates on Sunday .. there are 3 in the queue
Have faith!
May 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
May 7th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
I love this book. I can’t get enough of it. I think there is great potential for several more books (hint-hint!). I love Nathan’s ability to make the reader care even about Ishmael’s financial situations. The sexual tension is amazing, especially in the tailor scene.
May 7th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Another thing;
THANK YOU SO MUCH to Nathan for not trying to raise your voice to make the female characters’ lines sound even slightly feminine. It is more like reading it without attempted voice-acting, and I can imagine how it would really sound. Note to other people who try to raise your voices for female characters: it doesn’t help.
May 8th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Thanks for all the encouragement!! I can’t believe it. Really.
Full Share is written. I just have to record it.
Double Share is being difficult because we leave the Lois McKendrick and I miss the old girl already.
May 8th, 2007 at 8:58 am
it maybe hard but I look at it as he is just traveling the road that
he needs to so that he can expand his mind and help out where he can
May 8th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
So wait is Half share already all the way recorded?
May 8th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
yep it is but not released
May 9th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
An amazing series. I have gone through Quarter Share and all the available episodes of Half Share twice in the last week or so. I am LOVING these books.
Nate, your writing is truly masterful and your voice is PERFECT for podcasting it. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with the world! When these are in print I will definitely be buying a copy. Multiple copies!
*makes his way to the donation page*
May 12th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Hi Nate
At last. I know it hasn’t been long but it has felt it :O)
I noticed a comment about jibber jabber and totally agree with your points about it. I hate to have to listen to it when all you want to do is get back to the story. Dont get me wrong, I do want to know about the author but find I skip it when Im listening to a book. Would much rather have it on authers web site so I can read it when I’m in not in (Oh my god what happens next) mode.
Im really appreciating your work and would love to get a dead tree copy To keep so come on boy get that publisher.
May 14th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I agree with Joan…I was wondering if your work is available in print cause waiting is too hard. You have such a Natural writing style. Sometimes I am surprised how much I like both stories, there is not a lot of action, not a lot of plot twist or quick changes but really, really enjoyable. Full of details, very realistic portrayal of a probable future, extremely likable characters and a smooth smooth smooth flow, both in narration and story. Thanks for the stories.
p.s. sound quality is a little low on the volume side (only complaint)
May 15th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Another 3 episodes thoroughly enjoyed! I like the way you handle the intimate scenes, not too graphic, but still a few butterflies. I only had to fast-forward once as my almost 12 year old is listening also. She fell in love with the story in “Quarter Share” and I don’t have the heart to keep “Half Share” from her.
When I went back to listen later, I found it very tasteful and evocative (should we make a new word - erocative?).
The bit next morning after the shower went right over her head!
I also like the non-sexual intimate moments that you include. You are very intuitive in the way you handle the women’s characters. Don’t know how that honesty about attraction to all the women would fly in our real world but this is the future we’re talking about and I assume that sexuality is all free and easy and safe in deep dark.
Hope my comments are helpful. It’s neat to be able to offer you feedback in this way and to read the comments of other’s.
Looking forward to next week!
Joan
May 15th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I love the story so far!
Odd I found Half Share before Quarter Share. I didn’t even realize it was a “Book 2″ Untill I got caught up (Downloaded sunday, caught up monday morning at work) then I went looking (during lunch) to see if Podiobooks had anything to tide me over untill more chapters came out and Stumbled onto the First book. Down loaded it and now I’m through it (tuesday night) I restarted Half Share to catch all the in jokes I totaly over looked.
Good Job Keep it up! I too will buy a paper copy once it becomes available! (If you doubt I really will, I can send you photo’s of my copy’s of Tee Morris and Scott Sigler’s works if you like)
Glitch-Chaos(John)
May 16th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Joan said:
Thanks!! I was very concerned about trying to “write women” but I figure I’m safe hiding behind the first person perspective of a guy. I’m still trying to write about women in ways aren’t tooooo stereotypical.
And ya, I was a bit concerned about the — I suppose you might call it — amorality in the liaisons. But given the culture of “Don’t Screw With Crew” there *has* to be some outlet for adults and their very human needs and desires.
My own 12 year old daughter is listening, too. Trust me when I tell you that it’s ALWAYS on my mind that I’m gonna have to ’splain something that I don’t wanna have to ’splain
But I also don’t believe we keep kids safe and healthy by keeping them ignorant. It’s a fine, fine line.
As for the paper version.
I’ve looked into self publishing and the problem is that if I DO that, then I pretty much give up on the idea of getting the book(s) picked up by a house like DragonMoon or Junk Yard Dog. So far, I haven’t found an publisher that’s willing to take on a trio of 100k word novels from an unknown with no agent and no previous published work.
And, yes, the third book is in audio production. Look for Full Share to come to Podiobooks in mid June.
Double Share — I’m not sure. It’s being sticky.
May 16th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Glitch-Chaos wrote:
Aww, man! That’s what I love to hear. It was SOOO hard making the transition between the two books so that a) people coming in from Quarter Share wouldn’t be bored snotless and b) people starting with Half Share would have a clue and it could stand on its own.
There *are* a few in-jokes. “Do you snore?” is one. Coffee is another. My wife gives me crap over that with “THIS from the guy that cleans his coffeepot once a year???!”
*shrug*
Thanks for the feedback, everybody!
May 17th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Nate I am sure you will figure out how to get Double Share to work.
I must say you did a excellent job with the books you can listen to them more then ones and not get board
May 19th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Hello! I see that I join a whole cadre of fans, here.
I am only a few episodes in, but already I’m noticing that you’re feeling more relaxed…both as a narrator (love the new mic!) and as a writer. I was wondering how you would handle Ish’s replacement, and was totally surprised by the way that happened…but it’s perfect. Ish, too, found his way into that position not because it was his dream, but because he had few options.
But mostly, I’m impressed by how real these characters are coming to be. The chapter introducing Sarah really brings this out…suddenly, we’re not seeing characters speak their lines, but people interacting with each other in deep and real ways. Very nice.
I’m glad I have more ahead of me!
May 20th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Aw pooh! The book is over. I’m glad that Full Share is already written.
May 21st, 2007 at 11:33 am
Hi. I just finished Half Share. I liked the story between the 2 books.
I wasn’t sure whether to include the following comments, but thought you must want honest comments or you wouldn’t be doing this. So here goes (obviously just one person’s opinion): From the “tailor” episode on, you kind of lost me. It came across to me like indulging in a male fantasy. The “damn you’re good” started to grate eventually. But more to the point: I can accept him being intensely attracted to all 3 women (although I’d have liked him better if just one of them had been his special desire), but if each of them felt the same in return as indicated by their flushed faces and shortness of breath, I have a hard time to swallow that none of them would feel some jealousy over that fact that he felt the same about all of them… that he had given welkies to all of them, for example. I think they were all just a little too understanding. No woman likes to be considered just one of a crowd.
So I guess that my over-all comment is that while I liked both books, I liked Quarter Share better and I’m intensely interested in seeing how Full Share continues the story.
Thanks for the great “reads”.
May 21st, 2007 at 1:22 pm
That’s a valid comment and one I struggled with. The larger themes of “life as a spacer” and “you don’t screw with crew” will address those ideas in the third volume. You’re right about the “male fantasy” bit and it’s bothered me some as well. The challenge for me was trying to imagine how/if relationships might evolve and be colored by the constraints of the shipboard/space-faring lifestyle.
The other piece is that we really don’t know what they felt about him, other than what he saw, heard, or experienced. It’s one f the liabilities of the first person novel that you really don’t get to see if Bev were jealous of Bril or whether Diane was really sleeping with Francis in port. If Ishmael didn’t see it, it can’t be in the story and that includes what might be going on in the heads of the other characters.
Thanks for your feedback, Sandra. It’s good to hear!
May 21st, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Thanks for the reply. Point taken. I just want to add:
I think that the “hands off the crew” makes for a much more interesting story than if you had not done that. I like that part and I’m interested to see what you do with it in the 3rd story. Having worked on “earth boats” myself, living by those same rules, I understand how it can create some very interesting tensions and unique camaraderie. I’ve appreciated this about your stories so far.
Also, one thing I didn’t say was how much I really liked Ishmael’s exchange of welkies with Brill. That was really great. Maybe that’s why I didn’t want him giving them to all the other women. And I could definitely understand him wanting a “stand-in” for her. They seemed to have something special.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to #3. And also… now… I want a welkie. (Not necessarily from Ishmael. They just sound like such very lovely things in their own right. I would like the idea of having one in my pocket. Hmmm… ever think of a spin-off business?)
Thanks again.
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:55 am
Nate, I’m really impressed with your smooth narration style. With very subtle changes you are able to convey that another character is speaking without really altering your voice. It works for me!
I love the story line and can’t wait for Full Share.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 am
Sandra asked:
“I want a welkie. (Not necessarily from Ishmael. They just sound like such very lovely things in their own right. I would like the idea of having one in my pocket. Hmmm… ever think of a spin-off business?)”
Ya. I’m looking for a South Coast Shaman to bless them for me now. I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
Thanks everybody for all your comments.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
[…] Now I’m listening to the second part, Half Share. […]
May 26th, 2007 at 7:07 am
I enjoyed the last chapters of “Half Share” and am eagerly anticipating the continuation of the story. I, too, want a welkie. They sound great as talismen and luck/destiny bringers. I am very interested in where Sarah’s story will go so I hope she continues the journey with Ish into “Full Share”. I felt a small wave of sadness to know that Ish will (as he must) leave the Lois, as the ship itself is an important character as much as the “flesh and blood” ones.
I’m so glad the books have been well received, and you have developed a following here on Podiobooks. I talk them up at every opportunity, in everyday life and in Yahoo groups (I even gave Podiobooks in general a plug on Swap-bot!).
Is there a production schedule set for “Full Share”? Please don’t leave us adrift out here in deep dark for too long!
May 26th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
1/4 and 1/2 Share Rock!!!!!
Seriously, I love these books! They remind me so much of the Heinlein juvenile works that got me hooked on SciFi in my youth. They are simply excellent in every way.
I also share the sentiments of many here with regard to Nate’s narration style. I especially like the conversation scenes when humor is involved. Nate does a truly delightful job of conveying the emotion of the characters, and evoking the proper emotional response in the reader. Top notch is the only way to describe it.
I’m anxiously awaiting “Full Share”. I just wonder what berth Ish will be taking.
May 30th, 2007 at 5:39 am
It’s not the one you think
May 30th, 2007 at 5:44 am
I’m shooting to have the full book completed and uploaded by June 12th.
If I do that, it will have been exactly five months since I first sat down with OpenOffice and began writing Quarter Share.
For you stats junkies:
240K words (wordprocessor count)
360k words (publisher count)
47 episodes on Podiobooks.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:57 am
Wow - that’s amazing Nate!
I have been so wrapped up in my own desire for more of Ish and his adventures that I failed to realize how quickly you are doing this work!
I guess I had a vague thought that you had actually had these books written and in a drawer somewhere, and it was only fine tuning and the audio production to be done for “Quarter Share” and “Half Share”, with “Full Share” being written now. Not, eh?
So not only are you a great writer and narrator, you work QUICKLY and edit your own work very well! You must respond well to deadlines! So…
Does this mean that there are other stories floating around in your imagination that we will see come to life? Even in this particular universe of the deep dark, you have room for stories from other points of view (I’m thinking of Sarah in particular). Or do you feel that after “Full Share” you will need to cleanse your palate, so to speak, and explore another totally different fictional universe? I think I’d like anything you produce if the style of your writing remains true.
It would be so cool if you had “Full Share” up and runing by June 12 as I’m taking the train from Toronto to Boston shortly afterwards and having your book would make it a pleasurable experience! See, again I’m a selfish listener!
I’m curious about your process of writing, how you get the ideas into paragraphs on the “page”. Do you write out an outline of the plot and character maturity or does the story fill itself in as you go along? Some writers say that once they have a fleshed out character in their mind, that character kind of dictates where the story goes in a natural way. Others follow the outline and create to fit.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:57 am
Sorry I get so long winded!
June 2nd, 2007 at 11:59 am
Hee hee.. it’s ok Joan.
I’ve still got three novels in the Trader’s Tales arc — Double, Captain’s, and Owner’s Shares. After three months of no sleep, little “real life,” and all the co-commitant stress that brings — to say nothing of trying to force Double Share into a direction that was wrong — I’m thinking that I haven’t scratched the surface of this universe. I’ve toyed with the idea of writing the pre-quel and telling the story of the original Lois McKendrick and of re-writing the whole set from Captain Giggone’s perspective… I don’t know.
And you never know — there’s a whole story arc that’s probably best described as “A Romantic Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper” floating about in my hind brain.
As for the process, I’m amazed myself at the process. I don’t outline, and I have only the most rudimentary ideas about what the books are about when I start. I’ve had a lot of questions about it and the best way to describe it is, “I just settle in with popcorn and watch the movie in my head.” I try to keep up with the action on the screen and write it down as it goes by. I know when it’s time to write because I can see the “opening scene” and the characters just flow. There have been half a dozen places where I’ve been frustrated by these people because I expect them to do something — like when Ishmael was wearing the coat in Bresheau’s stall and I fully expected him to buy it — but then the bugger didn’t!!
Thanks for listening.
June 3rd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
so does that mean your re-writeing double share ?
June 4th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Yes. It’s going to be a while.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:17 am
what matters is you get the story right for your self
and your allowed to do it. people may have withdraw but you know
I rather hear a story that you are happy with and not one that your not happy with.
June 4th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Im typing with fingers crossed that it wont take you a very long time but I agree with Matthew that the story should be right for you, if it wasnt I think maybe it wouldnt be so good for us too.
However long it takes I for one will be still here waiting. Im hooked.
The other ideas you mention for further stories sound fascinating
I do hope they come to fruition.
A note to Joan
Please be as long winded as you like I really enjoy and agree with your comments. I would also like to add I like your writing style too.
Do you have a book inside waiting to come out?
June 6th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for giving us some insight into your writing process. It’s fascinating to learn how writers’ work and how the book grows, it’s definately magic.
I am willing to wait for you to be satisfied with “Double share”, Nate, ’cause we have to do “Full Share” first, right?
Some things are worth waiting for, and I’ll be checking in from time to time. Maybe you will give some of us , “the faithful” 8-), a sneak peek, like you did for “Half Share”?
PS to sueper - no book in there, I’m afraid, although I have written short stories for children with my daughter, just for fun. I have great respect for the written word, and can get pulled up short in the middle of a story by an excellent turn of phrase or perfect description or vivid imagery. One has to stop and savour. Unless I could do the same, I leave it to the talented!
June 11th, 2007 at 8:01 am
I Loved it. I Loved it. I Loved it. I am new to listening to Audiobooks, and I listen to them all evening on my second job to pass the time away and to relax me. I didn’t know what to think about Quarter Share, I was a Scott Sigler Junkie and a 7th Son Junkie. Now I am a Ish Junkie. I couldn’t wait to listen Half Share. It is now June 11th and I can’t for Double Share to come out. I think I am going thru withdrawls in anticipation. Forget Owners Share, continue to Retirement Shares (hahaha) I don’t want to picture it ending. My Favorite parts besides the whole series is Half Share Chapters 9-14. The awakening of Ish, the implied sex, and the unrequited love between Bev, Brill and Diane. Are any of your books published? I tried checking Amazon.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:53 am
kelly all though this is and audiobook the call it a podiobook cause it has not been publish yet I beleave that he is looking for a publisher right know
Nate Lowell I hope full share gets drop soon
June 14th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I second that hope, Matthew! I’m chomping at the bit for Full Share!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Full Share is being recorded now. As soon as I have an episode ready to go, I’ll make it available. I missed my target of June 12th but I’m hoping to get at least one episode into the queue for Sunday’s update.
No, I don’t have a paper publisher. Yet.
Your patience will be rewarded.
But I have to warn ya know. After Full Share, it’s gonna be a while before I get Double share finished to the point where I can record.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
I really enjoyed quarter share. But I liked your description of how you right because not only did I not enjoy the erotic fantasy at the end of Half Share (seemed like The Bachelor without roses to give) but it didn’t feel like a finished story the way that quarter share did. So good luck with the publishing and with Double Share. I love how Ish is so often the but of jokes, it stops him from becoming the super-hero fix everything that he nearly is. I like that its not always him too, he’s the catalyst but other talent comes to the surface around him. I’m less excited about Full Share after then end of Half Share, I admit, but we’ll see if the narrative goes back to to the crackling tension I thought was much more enjoyable than the vapid explicitness.
Good luck and thanks
June 16th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Thanks for your feedback, QM. I hope you find FS to be more to your liking.
I confess, I thought HS ended with Ishmael going home alone and hurting so the “erotic fantasy at the end of Half Share” comment I find a little confusing. The erotic fantasy was about 3/4th of the way (11 out of 14) thru so are you sure you got all the episodes?
Full Share does pick up on Ishmael’s distress, confusion, and misconception about the social melieu of the Golden Age. Keep in mind that the first person POV — that of a testosterone poisoned youth — creates limits as much as opportunities.
As for “vapid explicitness” … I’ll have to try harder
June 18th, 2007 at 11:42 am
I guess I didn’t view it at as an erotic fantasy. I read about the breakdown Ish had when he realized he was studying for the wrong test, thinking sexually about diane is what led his friends to set him up with the plumber. Ok, I may have been off by a few chapters but I didn’t read it as a fantasy or I just got to caught up in the book. Ish’s awakening of himself seemed to begin with the girls at the clothing store. Hey I’m still a podio virgin, maybe I should crank up my Ipod hearing aid.
June 19th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
So it’s after June 12th - will FS be available on Sunday?
June 19th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
i missed the cut off .. but if you are subscribed to the email list from the Trader’s Diary, you got a little sumpin-sumpin to help the shakes.
June 20th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I wasn’t yet subscribed… am now
. But I noticed that the main link on durandus.com to the golden age of the solar clipper goes to the wrong page - the same url as the link above it.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:37 am
I’ve had to move the Trader’s Diary to http://durandus.org/golden
It hasn’t been as smooth a transition as I’d like.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Im subscribed but I didnt get any mail :O(
June 22nd, 2007 at 6:16 am
i put the link on the website — and check your trash. Spam filters think my list is fair game.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:19 am
I’m subscribed too, no mail.
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
I dont use a filter
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:10 am
http://durandus.org/media/PB-FullShare-01.mp3
OOOO look what I found
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:34 am
Now I really cant wait for the rest
:O)
and I love the music you picked for this one.
Well done Nate, keep up the good work
xsue
September 28th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Wow, I am listening to half share for the second time through, no one has gotten me to do that with their audio book in about five years. Thank you. I had no clue that this was number two of three, now I have to listen to Quarter Share, and I can hardley wait until I can listen to Full Share. You have a gift Nathan. I hope that you find a way to get this into hard back, I know I would buy several to loan out and give to friends. Keep it up.
September 29th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Thanks, Chris.
I’m glad you found Half Share was adequate to the task of standing on its own. I’ve had a couple of people say that — and a couple say that it really doesn’t work as a single volume.
Myself, I was shooting for the “it tells a good story alone, but wow, it’s so much more when you listen to the other two parts!”
Shameless self-promotion there, I guess.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Nate, first off, as a fellow Podiobooker I’m very jealous of your following! *GRIN* Just kidding, it’s great to be loved like this and you deserve it, I know how hard it is to write and do one of these things so I am tipping my hat to you for all your hard work.
Okay, now let me take my Podiobook/writers hat off and put on my listeners hat.
Both Quarter and Half share frustrated me. On the one hand, you have an excellent, professional writing and narration style that is easy to get into, easy to listen too, and very entertaining and enjoyable. Your characters are very well written and thought out. Heck, I’d love to sit down with Pip and Ish for a beer one day, no one seems to fit into a cliche or niche, just like real life which, after many years of reading pretty much everything science fiction I can get my hands on, is very refreshing.
On the other hand, I sometimes got bored with the lack of any real conflict. It seemed like everyone who met Ish loved him and wanted to help him. I don’t recall one time when someone who met him didn’t instantly fall in love with him and, if there was someone, they fell in love with him much later. That really got a bit annoying toward the end (after the tailor scene, which was started by someone who fell in love with Ish on another station and wanted to help.) when all the woman swooned over him and kept saying, “Boy, you are good.” Over and over again.
I just wanted one person to meet Ish, size him up and call him out for being. . .well I don’t know what, but something that would cause some tension on the ship.
Don’t get me wrong, the conversation he had with the second mate (Forget her name, sorry) was very well written and very well narrated. In fact, I think that was probably the best written section of the entire story so far. Which, like I said, frustrated me because it was so well written yet it fell into the same pattern of “Everyone love Ish!”
I will listen to Full Share because, despite my criticism, your writing is excellent and I do want to find out what happens next and, from what I was reading, it sounds like there will be some action and conflict.
Keep up the good work, when you finish the next set of stories I’ll be there to listen.
Tim
November 4th, 2007 at 4:45 am
Thanks, Tim. I’m always surprised and honored when I find other Podiobook authors listening to my stuff.
Yours isn’t the first comment re the lack of conflict. And I know a lot of people find them a bit boring.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind. One thing is that the first person POV means you only see what Ishmael sees. There IS conflict but you never see it because he’s such a naive ninny most of the time and *he* doesn’t see it. It’s not true that everybody loves him. The fellow from the Sigler (yes, that was on purpose) who took umbrage with him “stealing his girl” is one example and he only heard about it indirectly because of the fight in the bar. The saga even starts with him being thrown up against the Company and having to make his way in the Universe with little or no real preparation. And all the way thru, he’s constantly facing his own self-doubt and insecurities. You see ‘em indirectly, but they’re not labeled as such because — honestly — what person really does? I was tryin’ to be sub-tel and I guess I succeeded because most people don’t see it any more than Ishmael does. Could be because I failed miserably there and it’s not any where near as conflicted as *I* think.
Second, one of the points of the story — the “game” I set for myself — is to tell a story where the real action is the “day to day hero” where you get up, go to work, do your job, and go to bed. Day after day after day after day after day — everybody does it. Some do it against overwhelming odds and some just get caught up in the fog of sameness. You can argue that there’s not a lot of choice in the matter. Nobody gets out alive, after all. But in a lot of ways, the stories are intended to be — well — boring from the perspective of nobody dies, there’s not some bully out to get him all the time, there are no bug-eyed monsters, and he’s a carefully, cautious naif with the wisdom of Literature to call on and only limited direct knowledge of anything.
There *is* the Company. Federated Freight provides a lot of anti-Ishmael construction, particularly in Full Share, because one of the big things in everybody’s life is the conflict between what they want to do and what “the boss” wants. And in Full Share, Ishmael smacks headlong into that.
Your points are good ones, tho. I think you’ll find Full Share has a little more of the kind of tension between “will he or won’t he” than the first two. There are deals that go bad, life threatening damage to the ship, and a few other little plot twists.
But, there’s no chicken scissors.
Congrats on your own success with The Arwen stories and thanks for taking the time from your own writing to provide such a thoughtful and extensive comment!
January 29th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Having enjoyed Quarter Share very much indeed I looked forward to listening to Half Share and managed to do so over two days while decorating the kid’s bedroom.
There’s no doubt that the focus of the book is quite different to the first, in that Ish has established himself on the Lois and instead explores the complicated relationships of living in a mixed sex environment where fraternization is not allowed.
As usual the characterization is wonderfully written, with the introduction of the abused Sarah proving an interesting addition, although I did find myself wishing that her transformation to, relatively, happy shipmate would have had a few more setbacks, causing Ish and Pip to examine themselves a bit more.
The cheeky shopping scene was a delight and quite amusing - there were definitely more laughs in this one. I have to agree in part with one of the previous comments that questioned the lack of tangible adversity that Ish seems to face. The fact that all the women were swooning over him for the last 4 episodes dig begin to tire, and he did seem to adjust to his new found status with ease, whereas I’d expect an unwordly young man in this situation to make a few more mistakes and hurt some feelings by accident.
Overall though another excellent podiobook, and I look forward to the absence of laser guns and invaders in the next installment with great anticipation. The idea of turning tedium into an entertainment medium is fraught with danger, but Mr Lowell seems to tread the fine line very well indeed. Bravo!
January 30th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Thanks, Martyn!
On the subject of Sarah, remember that you can’t really know if she’s a relatively happy shipmate or not because you can only see through Ishmael’s eyes. There’s lots of evidence that she’s far from healed, even tho she doesn’t cringe any more. Also remember that her pre-disposition was to change her life. She ran away from her life — leaving home, family, friends, and all that she’d known - not JUST the abusive husband. I struggled with this and it might not have worked as well as I might have liked, but the idea that she’s healed is a projection that’s supported only by Ishmael’s observation that she’s functional.
The “adversity” comment is pretty much on target which is why we have some other obstacles in Full Share. Not enough to satisfy the “action adventure” types but a bit.
And on the subject of swooning women and worldliness. I’m pretty sure that I went into his background on the walk around the orbital with Alicia Alvarez. This is not a “new found status” in his life, even if the context has changed. Also remember, again, that you can only see the ship and his relationships on it through his eyes. Was there *ever* a 18-19 year old male who could see clearly? I’m not sure I need to restrict that to an age-range now that I think of it.
If you only believe what Ishmael *says* then you’re missing about a third of the story. I’m probably violating some rule on first person construction, but a goodly bit of the action unfolds in the mis-interpretations between what he reports — which is accurate as far as he can see, but may not be complete because of limited vision — and how he feels about it and interprets it — which might not be.
Thanks again for the feedback, Martyn. And nice twitter avatar.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Another delightful episode in the life of Ish. I thoroughly enjoyed Quarter Share and had looked forward to Half Share. The only problem was I listen to these while I’m at work. I work in a factory and wear the kind of hearing protection you’d see people on the tarmac at an airport using, i.e., heavy duty. I dare say, having Nathan’s voice coo at me during the last few episodes of Half Share darned near had me blushing! And I’m a grown woman with six (going on seven) grandchildren!
Like many others, though, I have to admit I bristled at the thought of everything coming so easily to Ish. I was pleased at the end of the book when the officers decided to withhold an advancement claiming he may not quite be ready.
I’m looking forward to starting (and possibly finishing) Full Share tonight. The stories are well written and excellently narrated. Thank you.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 am
Thanks, Puddy.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the coo … The microphone I used to record Half and Full Share did a great job. It’s gone to the “blown capacitor” graveyard now, tho, and been replaced with a new one that I like even more.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:52 am
And I finished the last one, as the first audiobook I’ve ever managed to finish, (I’ve tried others a lot of times). And I loved that one, and now the first three episodes of half share even feels better than the last one
I really love your books and I’m afraid that I’ll finish them all too quick, but then I guess I can take a second run through 
so keep up the good work nathan, and I hope you get nicely along with doubleshare 
I posted this on the linux reality forum, but I guess it can’t be said enough, not only does nathan write excellent books, good story with believable and likable characters, he really cares about his listeners. And that really makes me happy
February 20th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Double Share is coming together
Thanks for the comments. Hearing from fans sure stokes the day-to-day fires and keeps me going!
March 11th, 2008 at 11:06 am
You do weave a story in the most amazing way. I am to the point that I almost have an image of all the characters in my head. Without a doubt one of the best tales I have experienced so far. Up to episode 12 and trying to go slow (very difficult).
March 13th, 2008 at 6:07 am
I’m glad you like it, Tom.
I like to think that the characters — and even the ship is a character — all become your friends by the time this first series is over.
March 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
And is anyone else getting ‘Kim Stanley Robinson’. Someone in a comment wrote Robert Heinlen, but my wife once said ‘If ever you’re *actually* going to colonise Mars you’d need to read Kim Stanley Robinson’. It’s his attention to detail in character and ’stuff’. Its just lovely to have someone roll out a tale at a really gentle pace and I’ve always loved the whole Hornblower thing of your hero starting from insignificant beginnings and finding themselves as we find them.
Really great stuff, has been keeping me sane on the midnight baby feeding slots.
Dying to find out what happens to the characters
March 14th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
How well I remember the midnight feedings.
Wish I’d had podcasts back then.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Oh, and THANKS!!
Heinlein is high praise. Robinson is in the Wow-zone
May 28th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I just finished Quarter Share and am raring to go with Half Share. In other words, I am absolutely hooked.
Fantastic “pacing” of the story. Heinlein is indeed a great comparison, as all science fiction doesn’t need to be about blasters and warp drives to be massively engaging.
Looking forward to this voyage, and then onto Full Share
May 29th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Thanks, Todd. If you like it so far, I think you’re going to like Full Share as well. And I’m targeting Double Share for the month of June so … stay tuned!
May 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
I loved Quarter Share, and loved most of Half Share. I really didn’t care for sex scenes and talk in the book. A little sexual tension can be great for a book, but the overall sexual tones in this book as compared to the practical G rating of the other book kind of threw me off, and I didn’t care for that aspect of it. It seemed to kind of overshadow everything else that was going on. I was looking forward to hearing about Sarah and how she was adapting to being a spacer, but there didn’t seem to be much about it. The sexual tones were enough that it stopped me from listening to the third book. If the third book is a lot less sexual than the second let me know I will give it a go. However I do love the stories, and the characters, just wanted it to stay more focused like in quarter share.
May 31st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I can certainly respect that, Aaron, but the book DID have an explicit tag on it, so it probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
MY take on Full Share is that it’s less explicit, but I’m not sure you’d agree. It’s particularly true of the ending which got a lot racier by the time it was all said and done. Once sensitized, you’re going to be more aware of it, so perhaps you should give it a pass.
As for hearing more about Sarah, remember that the story is about Ishmael, not Sarah. That’s one of the liabilities of a first person point-of-view. I *can* recommend South Coast. Other than its representation of non-Christian belief systems, it’s almost completely bland and innocuous.
And you’ll meet Sarah’s father.
June 24th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Podiobooks did not have an explicit tag on it, or at least I did not see one and still don’t. I will check out South Coast. I totally understand why we didn’t hear more about Sarah, and Ishmael is an excellent character in which I loved hearing about. I don’t want you to take me as offended, just lack of interest in that side of story.
Either way I passed quarter share on to a friend, a 70 year old woman who is not a big sci fi fan, and she loved it. I still loved the stories and will pass on quarter share to anyone who I think would like it. I look forward to South Coast, I am downloading it now.
aaron
June 24th, 2008 at 11:56 am
oh.. it DID have .. the use of “explicit” is now reserved for iTunes usage and there just isn’t enough in this book to make it much more than a PG rating anyway.
Thanks for sharing your views.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Another great book Nathan… I’m on to full share!
FWIW… I think you should take the word “fascinating” out behind the shed and shoot it
when you used it twice while introducing the three women before the trip to get the fancy clothes, I decided to mention it… but by the end of the book, I was ready to never hear it again 
that said, I really enjoyed the book and I’m already looking for an excuse to drive somewhere far away to get a good start on the next!
August 6th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I didn’t catch that one .. but you’re right.
Thanks for pointing it out.
August 24th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Nathan Lowell… WOW! I must say that this old Veteran intends to follow your writing career for a long time to come.
Your books remind me SOOO very much of my own US Navy days, that it just makes the old nostalgia work all day long.
Nate, I LOVE your writing style so far! I’ve seen a few comments that didn’t agree with me, but I beg you, Sir, don’t change a thing! I loved the lack of vulgarity and obscenity that some unnamed writers seem to think are required for their work, keep it up, leave the *&^% words out of everything you write, please.
The sexual tension, and the love making scenes are EXTREMELY WELL done! Outstanding! The lack of doubt you leave is exactly what I feel should be done in literature…
I blew thru Quarter and then Half Share in record time, and I’m 2/3rds done will Full Share, and I’m loving every second of it…
Keep the good things coming, it’s appreciated.
Jim Fleming
USN 71-75
USN(R) 75-80
USArmy(R) 80-86
USAF(R) 86-07
USAF(R) Retired 07-Indefinitely
Yeah… I’m an old fart…
September 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Excellent characters, well defined dimensional and subtle.
Unfortunately I need more narrative drive and less sex. Yes, you’ve handled the sexual tension well, but the substitution of sex for plot is significantly reducing my enjoyment of the story.
What’s the word on Full-Share? If it continues the trend I won’t bother.
I admire your writing skill, and I enjoy the characters and the universe. But I’m really not interested in reading about peoples sex lives.
September 5th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Someday I’ll write a story driven by sex just to see what everybody’s talking about … In the meantime, I find it difficult to write about an 18-20 yr old male in an unsupervised environment that doesn’t at least acknowledge his frailties without making him seem flat and two-dimensional. I have it on good authority that humans engage in these kinds of behaviors regularly so it seemed a natural part of his development.
In Full Share, Lois has a emergency. Ishmael helps. There’s a mystery to solve but, contrary to what might be popular belief, Ishmael doesn’t solve it.
You won’t like the ending, but it DOES set up Double Share nicely, I think.
If you want a story with *no* sex in it, you might try South Coast and probably give the rest of the Share series a pass. If it’s not your cuppa tea, there’s plenty of other things for you to listen to and, I’d hate to have you feel like you’d wasted your time.
September 11th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
The one qualm I had with this piece was the “Damn, you’re good!” being said pretty much whenever Ish said anything “smooth.” What made it double annoying was he wasn’t smooth, any more than a sixteen year old boy who learned some pickup lines from his college cousin is smooth. He was just corny and trying too hard- his comments were the type that cause girls to roll their eyes and giggle. Not because they are smooth, but because they are boyish.
But other than that, it’s a…. well… Damn good series!
September 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
*Thank you!*
Yes, that’s exactly right —
And I’m glad you liked the series. It’s not over yet and I hope it gets better as it goes and the little bugger actually gets some brains in his head.
September 20th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Nate, another contribution has been placed… Thank You Sir for such an excellent entertainment.
I truly love everything you’ve done with Pip and Ishmael. Those two kids remind me a lot of the escapades and scrapes I went through when I was their age.
I can relate with them in a truly heartfelt and nostalgic way. I have a feeling that there’s a lot of the Author in both of those young men.
Take Care,
Jim Fleming
P.S. Hurry, please, with Captain’s Share, but at the same time I hesitate to apply pressure because I personally want the quality of your work to remain the same, if not higher.
Jim
September 20th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Thanks, Jim. It’ll be better or I wn’t do it
September 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Hey, Nathan! I listened to Half Share earlier this month. It was delightful. Your books are so relaxing.
September 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Thanks, Abbie
November 26th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
WOW! I’m only about half-way through Half Share, just finishing Episode 9. I seriously cheered at the end of the chapter. Nate, this is phenomenal. The upside: some of the best fiction I’ve experienced in a long time (no offense to other authors hosted on podiobooks). The downside: I can’t stop listening, and my work might be suffering a bit. Great job. I hope the best for you that you get a publisher, because I want to buy the box set!