The Dreamer's Thread

Well, if you’ve gotten to this point, you’ll know by now that the end of The Dreamer’s Thread is rapidly approaching. Episode 22 will be released in roughly 24 hours from the time I’m writing this and it should be a good one.

I must admit though, I’m a little sad. This small project of mine has been one incredible adventure for me. I can’t quanitfy how much I’ve learned from this experience, both as a podcaster and a writer, but I’d like to share a bit of it.

As this was my first ever podcast, it’s safe to say that I learned the most in this respect. I started from zero and progressed far enough that I was able (with massive help from Jamie Jordan) to put together a full cast audiobook. I’m not going to thank all the people that helped me out in this post, but be sure that’s coming. TDT was truly a learning experience. Every week I felt like I discovered a new little audio trick or something that helped make each episode a tiny bit better or easier to put together. And because of the nature of a full cast production, there’s a whole other side to podcasting that I might never have discovered. The amout of people I had to network with and get to know and discover in search of the “right voice” or for promotional help is probably much greater than it would have been than were TDT a standard audiobook with a single narrator. A full cast production is an insane amount of work, but I can’t imagine this story any other way. I love my cast and the folks I’ve gotten to meet as a result of throwing myself at the mercy of voice talent. Okay, perhaps that’s a bit melodramatic. There was very little begging and/or pleading involved because everyone I contacted was just so damn helpful. You will never find a nicer community of folks than the podcast community and its supporters. Anywhere.

As a writer I’ve grown as well. Just the exposure to other writers in the podosphere opened my eyes to things I never knew. I have also learned the immense value of reading your work aloud. It’s amazing what you miss in silent reading compared to what you hear when you speak the words. So very many times during recording I’d read a sentence only to realize how innane/repetitive/nonsensicle it was, even though it had been read by several sets of eyes and judged totally worthy. Your writing flows better as a result of this process. Words that seemed fine when you wrote them can sound incredibly pretentious when spoken, so this helps in making the story that much more believable. If people identify with an author’s “voice”, this only serves to bring them further into the world that’s been created for their entertainment. Or, maybe I’m way off base on that one, but it feels true anyway.

So what’s next for myself and TDT? Well, as for TDT, it’s going through another round of edits. Those of you following me on Twitter will know all about my headaches with this process. It’s yet another side effect to podcasting the book. Parts I hated I can now go back and fix with much more confidence than I could have before it went out into the world. Hopefully I’ll be finished with all of that this month and a print and/or eBook copy of The Dreamer’s Thread will be released shortly after the last episode goes out.

Make sure you stay subscribed to the podcast after episode 23 is released. There will be one last bonus content episode released after that, and I’m sure it will bring much laughter into the world. That’s right. There will be a TDT blooper reel featuring some of the greatest worst moments of audio Jamie can find. Take heed, however. The content of that episode will probably not be safe for little ears. You’ve been warned.

As for me, I have a few other projects in the works. First, I’ll be a guest chef for the adult-only podcast Erotica a la Carte in March. The menu for the as-yet-to-be-written short story can be found here, but please only visit if you’re 18+. I have two other novels in progress as well. Of course there’s a follow up to TDT, but the one I’m furthest along on is a steampunk story. I’ve no idea which will see the light of day first, but both WIPs promise to be even better than TDT. Writer’s evolve. I like to think I’ve grown at least a little since the first words of TDT were written in November 2007. Hopefully, you’ll agree.

That’s where things stand as of this moment. One chapter is coming to a close, but others are just beginning. I’m excited for the months ahead. There are lots of good things coming down. Consider this your invitation to join me in experiencing all of them.

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