Re: Online novel

On Jul 18, 3:01 am, s...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Jonathan L Cunningham)
wrote:
Rik Roots <r...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I like the idea of podcasting chapters. Though I have an irrational
dislike of hearing my own voice.

I have a rational dislike of my own voice:

At last Wednesday's writing group (hardly anyone turned up this week -
random fluctuations, I think) I surpassed myself: I did a brilliantly
expressive reading, putting lots of emotion into each character's
utterances, and describing the setting with verve and vitality.

One comment I got was, "Can I read it on the page?"

Followed by, "It's much more interesting on the page - no offense, but
you read it in such a deadpan way."

I could only agree with her.

Generally I quite like reading if it's from a piece I've practised and
know is likely to work. It is quite rare for a group - however large-
not to listen to a story. Picking the wrong piece or one that you
suddenly discover is wrong is horrible though. You can tell in about
thirty seconds and I would now, stop and read something else or do
anything but read an inappropriate piece.
I read a particularly violent passage to a group of twelve and
thirteen year olds once.They listened attentively but, as I was
reading, it occurred to me that there were a number of kids of W
African origin in the group. In a London school they could easily have
been refugees from some of the nastier wars that were going on there
at the time. I realised with growing horror hat I hadn't asked the
librarian first if it was OK to read a violent passage;that piece has
never seemed so long.( It was fine - no one was upset by it but me)

I am moderately comfortable with reading aloud, but I think you have
to practise if you are doing it to entertain rather than just spot
mistakes. You need to be able to look up and make eye contact and
pause in the right places and vary your voice appropriately.
I tend to ham it up where possible, pace around and wave my arms
about so I do need to be sure I can find my place on the page easily.
Friends of mine will actually edit their own text for reading aloud,
which is a good idea.
If you are doing it right - the story is going to be the most
interesting thing you have to offer, talking about writing is so much
less compelling.
.

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