Comments on: The Arwen, Season 2: Ulliam http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/ News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:01:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Tim http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186987 Tim Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:02:45 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186987 Never too early to ask and the only answer I can give is. . . listen to the last chapter of Arwen III to get a good answer *GRIN* Never too early to ask and the only answer I can give is. . . listen to the last chapter of Arwen III to get a good answer *GRIN*

]]> By: Brian http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186730 Brian Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:03:04 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186730 that's great! is it too early to ask for the 4th one? that’s great! is it too early to ask for the 4th one?

]]> By: Tim http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186602 Tim Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:40:18 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186602 It's true! Arwen III will be out on Friday! It’s true! Arwen III will be out on Friday!

]]> By: Brian http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186520 Brian Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:15:59 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186520 I saw on the calender that season 3 is coming out this week. Is it true? I saw on the calender that season 3 is coming out this week. Is it true?

]]> By: Mosse http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186095 Mosse Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:52:08 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-186095 Just finished book two, and I'm loving it. It scratches both my Star Trek and my Battlestar Galactica-itches. I'm going to be all over book three in a heartbeat. In the mean time I sent you a little "thank you" via PayPal. I've had a great time with books one and two. Just finished book two, and I’m loving it. It scratches both my Star Trek and my Battlestar Galactica-itches. I’m going to be all over book three in a heartbeat.

In the mean time I sent you a little “thank you” via PayPal. I’ve had a great time with books one and two.

]]> By: Ledbetta http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-183981 Ledbetta Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:22:57 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-183981 OK, I'm hooked. I can't wait for a season 3.Great job and thanks for the fun ride(s) on the Arwen. OK, I’m hooked. I can’t wait for a season 3.Great job and thanks for the fun ride(s) on the Arwen.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-181442 Kelly Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:54:52 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-181442 Tim, Outstanding work on both books. I believe that outline you have for the third book needs to be given life. You have a talent and should run with it. I really hope to see more work from you. Thanks Kelly Tim,
Outstanding work on both books. I believe that outline you have for the third book needs to be given life. You have a talent and should run with it. I really hope to see more work from you.
Thanks
Kelly

]]> By: ComicCollector http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-179224 ComicCollector Wed, 28 May 2008 15:50:18 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-179224 Just finished listening to book one and two and would love to hear a 3rd book. Especially with that cliffhanger. Just finished listening to book one and two and would love to hear a 3rd book. Especially with that cliffhanger.

]]> By: Robin (Australia) http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-176483 Robin (Australia) Wed, 21 May 2008 10:31:53 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-176483 Very enjoyable, both books read in just a couple of days - I could not stop listening to them. I definately would like to hear the 3rd book. Donation following to encourage you. Very enjoyable, both books read in just a couple of days - I could not stop listening to them. I definately would like to hear the 3rd book. Donation following to encourage you.

]]> By: Cindy http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-173049 Cindy Tue, 13 May 2008 20:07:30 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-173049 I would be very happy to hear another Arwen book. I didn't hear any "ear jarring" grammatical problems and am perfectly happy to have the same type of story as the last two. I would be very happy to hear another Arwen book. I didn’t hear any “ear jarring” grammatical problems and am perfectly happy to have the same type of story as the last two.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-165048 Aaron Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:08:09 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-165048 I just finished both books and would love to have a third. Also I would like to see parts 1 and 2 reformatted into a paper novel. Hoping for part 3 Aaron I just finished both books and would love to have a third. Also I would like to see parts 1 and 2 reformatted into a paper novel.

Hoping for part 3
Aaron

]]> By: David http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-157535 David Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:57:33 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-157535 I agree with Michael to some extent, but I think you have enough raw material for characters to make them interesting, if that's what you want to do. But why do that if that's not interesting to you? When you pick up a sci-fi book or watch an episode of Star Trek, are you asking for more action or more character? There's definitely some popularly conceived balance, but it's really a personal question. Nobody can make you change your style, and let's face it: Arwen won a Parsec as a novella; with that much plot AND further character development, it would have been a novel. The most obvious suggestion I would make that wouldn't require any compromise on your part is to slow down your narration a little bit and listen to yourself talking a few times. This might help you catch the occasional grammar problems, and it might even help listeners who are occasionally confused by the plot follow along better. More importantly, it will let the listener revel a little longer in the world you're creating. It's obvious from the way you set music to your book that you have a definite emotional path that you're leading the listener through: from calm, to excited, back again, and so forth. Take that a step further. Pause, emphasize, deliberate, vary inflection, mimic your characters voices, the whole works. I'm new to podiobooks, but am definitely starting to notice how far this takes a reading. Phil Rossi's Crescent is probably the most elaborate example of this that I've come across, but even a minimalist like Nathan Lowell adds a nuanced dimension by the way he reads his work. But enough of this. Your books rock! You asked for feedback, and you must be tired of listening to people like me who have never tried to write a novel or podcast it offer inexpert advice. You need to get over to the community forum and ask pointed questions about your work to other authors. I agree with Michael to some extent, but I think you have enough raw material for characters to make them interesting, if that’s what you want to do. But why do that if that’s not interesting to you? When you pick up a sci-fi book or watch an episode of Star Trek, are you asking for more action or more character? There’s definitely some popularly conceived balance, but it’s really a personal question. Nobody can make you change your style, and let’s face it: Arwen won a Parsec as a novella; with that much plot AND further character development, it would have been a novel.

The most obvious suggestion I would make that wouldn’t require any compromise on your part is to slow down your narration a little bit and listen to yourself talking a few times. This might help you catch the occasional grammar problems, and it might even help listeners who are occasionally confused by the plot follow along better. More importantly, it will let the listener revel a little longer in the world you’re creating. It’s obvious from the way you set music to your book that you have a definite emotional path that you’re leading the listener through: from calm, to excited, back again, and so forth. Take that a step further. Pause, emphasize, deliberate, vary inflection, mimic your characters voices, the whole works. I’m new to podiobooks, but am definitely starting to notice how far this takes a reading. Phil Rossi’s Crescent is probably the most elaborate example of this that I’ve come across, but even a minimalist like Nathan Lowell adds a nuanced dimension by the way he reads his work.

But enough of this. Your books rock! You asked for feedback, and you must be tired of listening to people like me who have never tried to write a novel or podcast it offer inexpert advice. You need to get over to the community forum and ask pointed questions about your work to other authors.

]]> By: EdNetman http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-156732 EdNetman Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:56:38 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-156732 I loved the books and can't wait for season 3 to come out. You do a great job with the readings and audio quality. I have listened to some great books with sound qualit so bad you got a headache after each chapter.... but your books sound great! I loved the books and can’t wait for season 3 to come out. You do a great job with the readings and audio quality. I have listened to some great books with sound qualit so bad you got a headache after each chapter…. but your books sound great!

]]> By: Zippy http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-153207 Zippy Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:44:10 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-153207 I just finished book two and I thought I'd leave a comment, overall I enjoyed the book, however I think you could have added more to it. I think I know what I'm talking about but its hard to explain. To put it simply the decision to assassinate Miriam (sp?) seemed quite hasty and the execution a little clumsy. Altogether it felt kind of abridged and if you drawn out the situation I think it would have made for a more well rounded book. I just finished book two and I thought I’d leave a comment, overall I enjoyed the book, however I think you could have added more to it.
I think I know what I’m talking about but its hard to explain.
To put it simply the decision to assassinate Miriam (sp?) seemed quite hasty and the execution a little clumsy. Altogether it felt kind of abridged and if you drawn out the situation I think it would have made for a more well rounded book.

]]> By: Donna Lockhart http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-152953 Donna Lockhart Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:18:53 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-152953 I just finished both novels, one after the other and in one night. Yes, I would say I was enthralled with the Arwan series and I do hope the third novel will be on Podiobooks soon. I am blind so audiobooks are the only way for me. Thank you for publishing through Podiobooks, making these novels available to anyone with a computer. I just finished both novels, one after the other and in one night. Yes, I would say I was enthralled with the Arwan series and I do hope the third novel will be on Podiobooks soon. I am blind so audiobooks are the only way for me. Thank you for publishing through Podiobooks, making these novels available to anyone with a computer.

]]> By: Michael Young http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-151773 Michael Young Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:22:06 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-151773 Timothy, I agree with the consensus and look forward to a third season with a few reservations. You have some remarkable talents. Your ability to conceive and convey a strange new universe is remarkable. The ideas you present remind me of the early work of Larry Niven. As much as I enjoyed the settings you created and the science behind them, I was not drawn in by the characters. The interactions of the characters were not believable for me. I don't feel a connection to any of them. For example, neither the Captain nor the Admiral inspired confidence. You led me to dislike the professor and never gave me a good reason to change that assessment. The ability to bring characters to life is not easily mastered. I certainly don't know the secret, but I see this as your primary hurtle. If you can overcome it, you could become one of the best. I recommend you listen to some of Nathan Lowell's work. He is your antithesis. He makes a science of character development but has a weakness with the science side of Sci-Fi. Timothy, I agree with the consensus and look forward to a third season with a few reservations. You have some remarkable talents. Your ability to conceive and convey a strange new universe is remarkable. The ideas you present remind me of the early work of Larry Niven.

As much as I enjoyed the settings you created and the science behind them, I was not drawn in by the characters. The interactions of the characters were not believable for me. I don’t feel a connection to any of them. For example, neither the Captain nor the Admiral inspired confidence. You led me to dislike the professor and never gave me a good reason to change that assessment.

The ability to bring characters to life is not easily mastered. I certainly don’t know the secret, but I see this as your primary hurtle. If you can overcome it, you could become one of the best.

I recommend you listen to some of Nathan Lowell’s work. He is your antithesis. He makes a science of character development but has a weakness with the science side of Sci-Fi.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-148727 Jessica Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:52:21 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-148727 I panicked when you announced there wouldn't be a third installment. Glad to hear it was a false alarm. Keep up the good work! I panicked when you announced there wouldn’t be a third installment. Glad to hear it was a false alarm. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Ryan TJ http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-144705 Ryan TJ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:47 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-144705 Awesome story. Write the third! Great narration. Awesome story. Write the third! Great narration.

]]> By: Gilles Maranda http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-142606 Gilles Maranda Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:19:11 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-142606 Both novels were excellent, you did a great job all around. Please don't stop there and give us a third one. Both novels were excellent, you did a great job all around. Please don’t stop there and give us a third one.

]]> By: Ben http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-140791 Ben Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:36:57 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/09/17/the-arwen-season-2-ulliam/#comment-140791 Loved both Arwen novels and I would absolutely love to hear a third. I think everyone would like to know what the Gyssac have in store for their universe. Loved both Arwen novels and I would absolutely love to hear a third. I think everyone would like to know what the Gyssac have in store for their universe.

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