copywriter.
Audio books appeal to my love of multitasking. Walk the dog and read. Do the laundry and read. Drive and read.
There’s only one problem: my attention span. No matter how riveting the story or how talented the narrator, my brain shuts off around the thirty-minute mark. I can easily spend three weeks on an audio book because I have to keep pressing the rewind button.
Then I discovered audio shorts.
In addition to holding my focus, these compact tales are a kick to listen to. Some are read by the authors themselves and produced as podcasts. Other stories are narrated by professional voice talents. Listening time ranges from a few minutes to an hour or more.
Here are my favorite resources:
• Crimewave -This podcast offers down and dirty crime tales narrated by the authors. (Click on the Crimeplayer link or subscribe via iTunes.)
• Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - Showcases a new author-read story each month. Some of the podcasts include a bonus author interview. (Click on any of the episodes or subscribe via iTunes.)
• Sniplits – Features a great lineup of professionally narrated shorts in a variety of genres. Stories are available as MP3 files for easy downloading. (Note to short story writers: Sniplits is closed to submissions at the moment, but their guidelines and pay rates are up for future reference.)
• Well Told Tales – Although currently on hiatus, their library of crime, horror and science fiction stories is still available for you listening pleasure on their site or via iTunes.
Do you enjoy audio books? What do you think of audio shorts?
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Keri Clark’s humorous zombie/mystery, “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” is available in audio from Sniplits. You’ll also find Keri and links to some of her other published stories here.
First, a note of thanks to the Writers Who Kill gang for hosting me today! Second, if anyone has any secrets or tips to staying focused while listening to audio books, I'd love to hear them. (Perhaps I just need more practice?)
ReplyDeleteKeri,
ReplyDeleteI have a little trick to suggest. At the end of each scene, stop the CD and ask yourself what will happen next.
It's a good tool to keep you involved in the story, and as a writer you get to learn a bit more about how other writers throw curve balls at our expectations.
~ Jim
I have to admit Keri, I'm not a fan of audio books. When I'm in the car alone, my thoughts turn murderous. I create my best characters and plots without noise or distractions while driving. It's one of the few places where I can think without someone asking me a question or knowing I have something else to do. I take advantage of the boring silence. But if others like audio shorts, I'd be glad to sell them one!
ReplyDeleteI like them, Appreciate the references I didn't know about as well. I also like to use time in the car to plot but sometimes a well read story is just the ticket.
ReplyDeleteJim, I'll have to try that trick of occasionally pausing and thinking. I do need to work on my focusing skills!
ReplyDeleteAnd E.B., you've hit on one of the reasons my mind wanders: I start thinking about my own WIP! (I do this when reading, but it's not a big deal to find my place again.)
Sherry, I'm glad you found the references helpful. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the references. I do tend to become too involved in audio stories and miss my turn off. Hopefully I see the red light.
ReplyDelete