The Write Podcast

So, where’s the show?

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:03:56 +0000

The show has been on a temporary leave of absence and here's why:

http://www.cmichaelfontes.com/2010/07/20/mia/

I have tons of audio already recorded, and with only editing needed, I should be able to start pumping out the episodes again really soon. Sorry to those who I have interviewed for the delay, and sorry to the listeners for taking such a long break so fresh out of the gate.

Keep checking back, and I promise some great episodes -- er, chapters!

Updates!

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:54:17 +0000

Okay, for those of you wondering if we died: we did. Sorry to disappoint, but despite our efforts, our ghostly bodies have been unable to figure out how to record our voices. We keep trying, but getting only static. Luckily, we've totally got this keyboard and mouse thing down, so we can update you on what's going on.

Back to reality... I (Chris) am currently awaiting my pregnant (with twins) wife to go into labor. It could be anytime between now and four weeks, so needless to say, the last several weeks have kept me much too busy to work on the show. Sorry, I know that you are crying right now, but just hang in there.

I plan on (hopefully) getting the next episode out within the next two weeks. I know, I know, you've heard that before. This time, I swear (or promise that if I fail, I will try again!).

Lastly, we had a writing prompt about the "Rule of Firsts." Mellie was kind enough to partake in the awesome event, and below, you can read her fantastcialazmarific (that's a made up word, just in case you were wondering) entry.

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Here's my submission for the first Podcast challenge....the rule of firsts.

Setting back yard

Character Jack

Object hot tub

Hope you like it.

Mellie

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Darkness spilled out of the sky and splashed into the wide back yard where it puddled around the hot tub. Jack turned his face to the clouds and gloried in the sensations of the cold rain on his face, trickling into his dark beard, and the hot water bubbling around his naked body. He opened his hazel eyes and saw no more than a faint suggestion of blue along the western horizon where the sun had run to hide itself from the approaching storm.

His body spanned the six-foot soft-side tub with his broad shoulders pressed against one side and his feet braced against the other. He listened to the advancing thunder with some trepidation, thinking of the relationship of lightning to water, then returned to his enjoyment of the raindrops and bubbling cauldron. The wind gusted and he heard the creak of the chair that waited next to the tub.

Don’t sweat the small stuff, he thought to himself. Take life as it comes. What you sow you shall reap. “Hmmm, that’s more to the point,” he growled deeply in his chest. Jack had whistled in the wind and he might be about to reap the whirlwind. The thunder grumbled again to the east. Closer. He saw the first flash over the roof of the house that blocked his view of the storm marching toward him.

Jack took a deep breath and seemed to settle a little deeper in the water as he exhaled. He thought about Liana’s fiery hair and buttery smooth ivory skin. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply again and imagined her scent filling him, caressing him as her fingers had done earlier. Just before Liana’s brothers had burst into the room and torn him from her.

The storm was still on the horizon when they tied him up. The sun flew all of its red and orange flags of surrender as they bounced him in their truck to his home up the road. It was in full retreat by the time they stripped him and placed him in his hot tub. The brothers laughed as they left him there to the mercy of the gods, as they said. Paralyzed, he watched the thunderheads scrub the sun’s memory from the sky.

The mercy of the gods, he thought. In the absolute stillness behind the wind and the rain, he felt the breathless expectation of approaching destiny. He felt, also, the balm of his solitude and the release from the anxiety and longings of this world. The raindrops on his face grew and plopped with fat delight into the churning water. A sharp crackle of lightning flashed overhead, and the hair on his face seemed to stand up. He closed his eyes and gave himself up to the gods, and the lightning speared down out of the sky and impaled, instead, his wheelchair.

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Thanks again, Mellie! Great job!

Season 1, Chapter 3

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:33:47 +0000

An fantastic interview with Author Mike Lawson (and guest host Ryan (R. Garrett Wilson)), a discussion on stand alone novels vs. writing a series, and our awesome sense of humor!

The mp3: Season1, Chapter 3

The writing prompt: Write a piece of fiction based on a real current event. Be sure to email it to us at info[at]thewritepodcast[dot]com, and include a link to the news post.

The links from this chapter:

Author Mike Laswon

Editing is fun… or not.

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:11:05 +0000

I spent the last few weeks editing (on and off) this next chapter (which should be up tonight, so check back!). I have never been as frustrated editing a podcast as I have with this chapter. The interview was easy (great interviewee and great sound... as great as a phone interview can be anyway), but the chapter was rough. Lots of noise, click and pops, and my voice pretty much clipped almost every time I flapped my gums.

All that to say, this next chapter is great, but I realize the audio could be better. I am working on a setup which will fix all of these problems, so the NEXT chapter should sound perfect!

Thanks for hanging in there as I go through my growing pains!

Almost there!

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:12:31 +0000

I am a week (or two) behind, but Chapter 3 is coming! It should be out by the end of the weekend, and has a wonderful interview with author Mike Lawson. Get ready for more podcast, because it's coming!

Season 1, Chapter 2

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:50:41 +0000

Another exciting episode including a guest host, Ryan (R. Garrett Wilson), common pitfalls for new writers, tips on finding an agent, and a great interview with Preditors and Editors owner, David Kusminzki!

The mp3: Season1, Chapter 2

The writing prompt: Create a short (flash fiction, really) in which a writer experiences a worst-case scenario with an agent.

The links from this chapter:

Preditors & Editors

Absolute Write

Writers.net

Season 1, Chapter 1

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:42:40 +0000

Woo hoo! It's finally here! This is our kick-off chapter, and I couldn't be happier! It took longer than hoped, but now that it's here, it's time to celebrate!

In this chapter, we introduce ourselves and the show. We discuss critique groups, both face-to-face and online, and we are lucky enough to have an interview with Alex Cabal of Scribophile.com! We wrap up with a wonderful discussion on Toff's Rule of Firsts, and leave you with a writing prompt!

The mp3: Season1, Chapter 1

The writing prompt: Apply Toff's Rule of Firsts by creating a new place, character and object during an action scene. When complete, email to info@thewritepodcast.com, and the best one will be posted on the blog.

The links from this chapter:

Dennis Regan

3 Day Novel

Music Alley - Podsafe Music Network

Fresno Sci Fi and Fantasy Writers Group

Scribophile.com

Absolute Write

Fantasy Writers

P.S... if you haven't noticed, I have cleverly decided to call our episodes "chapters" instead. Yes, it's awesome, and yes... it's almost too late.

Thank you for holding…

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 01:08:54 +0000

Our agents are currently assisting other customers... your patience is appreciated!

We have recorded the first episode, and I will have it edited this weekend!! It's almost here!!!

Post production stinks!

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:34:11 +0000

If you know someone who podcasts, you probably have heard how fun it is, and what a blast it is to record. But, have you ever heard about post production? And how much it stinks? No?

Well, let me tell you. It STINKS! Like, 3 year old milk stinks, or a baby's diaper after eating sushi stinks.

I just finished editing a 10 min interview and it only took me an hour. Someone needs to figure out a way to record my thoughts as I listen, then apply the changes when done. Seriously, isn't this 2010?

Ok, enough ranting. Good news, though... I finished editing the first interview! Hooray! So long as it is approved, the first episode should be here shortly. In the meantime, jump over to my blog and say hi, or you can tell me how wrong I am. I don't care what you say as long as you comment.

And so it begins…

cfontes@jcwebprints.com (C. Michael Fontes) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:41:14 +0000

Today, Toff, Ryan and Roh spent 5 hours with me, my laptop and a microphone recording the first of several interviews to come. I have to say, they were amazing! I couldn't have asked for better interviewees or co-hosts, and can only hope that the rest of the interviews go as smoothly as these did.

Look forward to the upcoming episodes containing interviews from the likes of David Kuzminski of Predators and Editors, author Robert Dugoni, associate agent Lindsey Clemons, author Mike Lawson and Alex Cabal, owner and creator of Scribophile.com.

I hope to have the first episode released withing the next two weeks, so check back soon for the premier episode!