This episode contains Part 14 of the Podcast Novel “Shadows Fall”.

All the remaining episodes of Shadows Fall have been recorded and will be posted over the next couple of weeks.  Four episodes remain.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

The battle starts.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

This episode contains Part 10 of the Podcast Novel “Shadows Fall”.

Sorry for the long delay.  Here is a new episode.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

Sorry for the long delay.  Here is a new episode.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

> source terminal location: UNKNOWN

> source terminal identity: UNAVAILABLE

> source login information: ENCRYPTED

> message begins

the post you are now reading is designed to dull your senses to THE TRUTH.  do not live the life of the worker bee, the cog, the well-oiled piston in the MACHINE OF DECEIT!

there is a grand CONSPIRACY afoot.  you have been taught to believe that you are UNIQUE, one of a kind. THIS IS NOT TRUE. long ago, a cabal of scientists created technologies to ensure that ANYONE’S MIND AND BODY can be duplicated.

human cloning isn’t NEAR. it’s already HERE. discover the truth at http://JCHutchins.net

you are being DECEIVED. break free from the cogs, flee the hive, become A PROPHET OF THE TRUTH!

kilroy2. was here … kilroy2.0 is everywhere

>>> [ CONTENT OVERRIDE CEASES ::: DATABASE STATUS: RECOVERING ] <<

This is a short episode, I realized I was missing a file or it would have been longer.

Kallen, Shalli and Hunter Srieg plan on how to deal with Tyral but they are delivered bad news.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

Sorry for the long delay, I have never forgot about the podcast or my listeners.  I was always planning on finishing Shadow Hunter, but over the couple of months there were other things going on that I need to take care of first.  I hope you understand and enjoy this episode.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

Shalli and the others return to Landra’s house to meet with High Hunter Vale who names his successor, the only person he beleives can stand against Tyral.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot

This episode contains Part 1 of the Podcast Novel “Shadows Fall”.

The Hunters fall under Tyral’s control as Nea and Zatle make their own plans.  Shalli and Kallen far from Garendia, leaving Landra the only one to stand against the shadows falling over the city.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot Share on Facebook ]]> http://www.mcleanweb.ca/neverwas/index.php/20090528_ep062-shadows-fall-1/feed/ 0 22:43 This episode contains Part 1 of the Podcast Novel "Shadows Fall". The Hunters fall under Tyral's control as Nea and Zatle make their own plans.  Shalli ... This episode contains Part 1 of the Podcast Novel "Shadows Fall". The Hunters fall under Tyral's control as Nea and Zatle make their own plans.  Shalli and Kallen far from Garendia, leaving Landra the only one to stand against the shadows falling over the city. Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune. Readers: Laieanna, Paul French, Guy David, Edward Parrot Shadows Fall, podcast Terrence McLean no no http://www.mcleanweb.ca/neverwas/index.php/20090520_promo-shadows-fall/ http://www.mcleanweb.ca/neverwas/index.php/20090520_promo-shadows-fall/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 03:09:29 +0000 Terrence McLean http://www.mcleanweb.ca/neverwas/?p=160 As the hunt began, we watched as Shalli struggled to find her own path and faced off against the greatest evil in the world and barely coming away from it with her life. Then the chase started as Shalli and Kallen raced to destroy the evil before it could take root.

When the chase ended they learned that they had been draw away giving the evil a chance to unfold its plans. Now, Shalli and Kallen must find a way back to Garendia before it is too late, leaving Landra the only thing that stands against the the shadows that threaten to fall over the world.

The Shadows Fall, in final the chapter of the Shadow Hunter series.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Next I will get a promo completed for Shadows Fall, which will come out no later than the end of next week and then I will start the last chapter of the Shadow Hunter series.  I am still waiting on some readers gettign me files but I may have to read it myself if they are not read.

Shadows Fall:

As the hunt began, we watched as Shalli struggled to find her own path and faced off against the greatest evil in the world and barely coming away from it with her life.  Then the chase started as Shalli and Kallen raced to destroy the evil before it could take root.

When the chase ended they learned that they had been draw away giving the evil a chance to unfold its plans.  Now, Shalli and Kallen must find a way back to Garendia before it is too late, leaving Landra the only thing that stands against the shadows that threaten to fall over the world.

Over the past couple of months we have spend a lot of time getting our house ready for sale, which we sold recently.  Then I go sick and I haven’t felt upto recording.  Add in how easy it is for me to get distracted and then spell bad news for the site.

I will however podcast Shadow Hunter and part two of Buried in the Sand that I have written.  I am also planning on doing a third part to BITS but it’s not written yet and I’m working on anohter project, I’m hope that what I have record is enough to hold me over for a while.

Ultimately though, this discussion is not about what the Kindle can do today but what it might be able to do in the future.  Some will argue that in time the computer voice will be able to rival the human voice.  This might be true and people even refer to computer animation as an example.  However,  even if it gets to that point I think you can look at animation as a good example here.  You can not give a computer a script and say animate this and I believe that no matter how good a computer text to speach gets, you still need thought and understanding of the text to be able to put the right emotion and emphasis into the speach.  This is not just a matter of a vice voice.

For me, however, this is not the whole story behind this.  I see this as a fight between the old world publishing of books and the new technical world.  Today technology is changing at an incredible rate and has changed they way we consume many arts.  Music was once only available in live concerts and then came the radio and the record.  This developed into the iPod and other MP3 players.  The Theater and Plays turned to Movies and TV; then to digital movies that can be downloaded and streamed.  These art forms and others adapted to the technology and were change.

This appears to just another case of the old and new clashing.  Publishing has been fighting eBooks and changes.  It comes down to two thing.  The first is providing a product that people want, in the format that people want, for a price that is reasonable for both the consumer and the producer.  The second is fair use.  What do people have the right to do with a book they buy.  For me a people has a right make derivative works of something they buy as long as they done sell it or distrubute it.  Here is how Neil Gaiman summarized it:

When you buy a book, you’re also buying the right to read it aloud, have it read to you by anyone, read it to your children on long car trips, record yourself reading it and send that to your girlfriend etc. This is the same kind of thing, only without the ability to do the voices properly, and no-one’s going to confuse it with an audiobook.

A writers end goal is to get there work into the hands of their audience in the form that the audience wants and hopefully make money doing that.  If you provide people with what they want and you provide it to them in a mannor that it fair, people will buy it.

Thank you for your understanding and I will keep you updated.

Shalli, Kallen and Jalyn catch up to the demon they have been chasing but find that things are not quite what they expected.  The battle turns bad for them but a help arrives in a surprise form.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Shalli finds herself once again separated from the others after an avalanch.

Only one more episode.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

The group reaches Valley Keep and find that a trap has been left for them.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Shalli spends that night with an old friend as she races to catch Zatle.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

I am working on the next episode, I have most of it recorded just need to edit.  My plan is to have Chasing Shadows done by the end of October.  I am doing things differently with the next book, planning on having at least half records and edited before I launch sometime early in January.

This next book will bring Shadow Hunter to a close.  When it is done, my plan is to turn back to Buried in the Sand.  I am working on something different here and will be looking for a lot more input from you.  I hope you’ll be ready and willing to help out.  I’m hopefully going to have the ground work for that done by the end of October as well.

Thank for sticking with me through my inconsistent release of Chasing Shadows.  I am working to make sure that Shadows Fall does not suffer the same pain.

Landra faces Master Ijal over her ommision.  Shalli tries to find the Oak Cask abd Kallen faces the fact that he has left Shalli behind.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Kallen and Jalyn search for Shalli.  Shalli tried to escape her captors.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Kallen and Shalli flee the city as it is discovered that they are mages..

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Kallen and Shalli start their chase and Zatle plots its next move.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Landra visits with the Monks. Kallen and Shalli get their next mission.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Shalli visits with Justin as Landra returns home and then takes a trip to return two small stones.

Promo: 7th Son Obsidian

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

I took this last fall while on a walk through a nearby park with my son.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Shalli has a revilation about her battle with the Valtas.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Shalli and Kallen debrief.

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Readers: JerryD, Laieanna, Paul French

Music, Something about Eve by Falling You provided by Magnatune.

Note: I still have openings for readers

The chase begins May 15th, 2008

I’m still looking for a couple of guest readers for a pair of short parts in “Chasing Shadows”. I preparing to send out text to the readers this week and hope to start Part 2 of Shadow Hunter soon.

That being said it’s time to talk about the actual reason for this post and that is Earth Day tomorrow.   My famil (my wife, son and I) will be taking part.  We may have to make some exceptions as my son will be in bed and really doesn’t like the dark.  I’m considering leaving a candle of him, but I am concerned about leaving a four year old with a candle.

I think that anytime people group together for something they believe in is a great idea (as long as they aren’t hurting anyone).  In this case I agree with the message.  We need to start doing more about Climate Change.  When I look around I see people still making choices that are more harmful to the environment than they could otherwise make.  People are still buying large vehicles when smaller ones would do.  I’m not saying that larger vehicles are not needed but some buy them when they are not.  As long as we are not willing to give up a little of what we want for the environment things are not going to be better.  Earth hour is a start, but it is how we live each day that will make the real difference.

Shadow of a Hero the first novel that I ever completed. It is currently sitting around 70,000 words so it is still a little short and needs a lot of work. Shadow of a Hero as the title might imply takes place in the same world as Shadow Hunter but involves a different set of main characters, although some familiar characters are in this book. One of the thoughts I had when I first started Podcasting Shadow Hunter was as a build up for hopefully getting Shadow of a Hero published. It made sense that those who had follow Shadow Hunter might be interested in seeing what came next.

The fact is that currently Shadow of a Hero is far from ready. In writing Shadow Hunter I filled in a lot of back ground story and actually changes a few things, some major things. I do believe that Shadow of a Hero will benefit from not only the new back story but the experiences I have gain over the past several years and books.

The reason I like the idea of editing Shadow of a Hero rather than starting my new novel is that the new novel is a Sci-fi and not a Fantasy. The new novel will stand out as my only Sci-fi and I although I still believe in the story might not be the best choice for my first published book.

As for Never Was, I have realized that I have a short story that is completed, written and edited, that I have not read for you. My plan is to record that story and post it, hopefully within the week.

Thanks for holding on while I struggle to get Chasing Shadows completed.

That is when I decided to reorganize my writing files and back them up. I have done this in the past and have back up files from that last reorganization. To be honest my files had got quite disorganized with duplicates. I finished my reorganization and copied my writing files off to a USB key.

Yesterday I plugged the key into my computer and went looking for my work in progress, Chasing Shadows. To my shock the file was not there. I check around the key and still could not find the file. At home I searched through the files I had organized and still could not find the file. I did some searches and found some delete file restore programs. After some some work I was able to “recover” the file. I clicked on the file and watched in horror as the file opened but did not display the text of novel, instead it displayed a mass of unreadable characters.

I am currently looking at ways of fixing my file, but at this point I’m not hopeful. The only saving grace is that when I started writing this story I was writing it by hand. That means that I have only lost my work since the beginning of the year, about 1/4 of what I had. So I will continue to try and recover the file but in the mean time it looks like I’ll be typing out the story again, and re-editing the novel.

Because of this, obviously, Chasing Shadows will not be out as soon as I hoped. I do not have another novel to podcast at this point; my only two finished novels are Shadows Falls and Shadow of a Hero. Shadows Falls is part 3 of Shadow Hunter and Shadow of a Hero is book one of the series that follows Shadow Hunter. I will however look at what I do have and what I might be able to give you for content until Chasing Shadows is ready.

I will keep you updated.

Serha delivers Blackthorn`s message to Silvery Moon.

Verhin and Blackthorn flee the City

It begins.

Media hosted using Podango

It’s never polite to try and kill your dinner guests.

As a trial this episode is being hosted using Podango

Blackthorn and Peregrine go out for dinner.

Blackthorn Peregrine plan on how to deal with the Necromancers as Serha leaves the only home she has ever known.

Blackthorn plans with the new information in hand. He sends Sehra away to safety with a message for is mother.

Blackthorn gets his first break in the hunter for the Necromancers.

A wounded Blackthorn struggles to survive long enough to find help.

Serha does some shopping and Blackthorn has some unfortunate encounters.

Blackthorn has a surprise visitor.

I also wanted to write about a post on Boing Boing today “Science Fiction Writers of America abuses the DMCA”.  It is worth reading and is one of the reasons why I don’t support a DMCA style law in Canada.  We need a law that protects creator and consumers in a balanced way.

Peregrine runs into a stranger in the alleys of Hakta.

Blackthorn starts his search of the necromancer.

I’m having some microphone problems episodes will be shorter until they are resolved.

I’ve had some problems recording so this episode is shorter than I had planned.

• 7th Son

Music in this episode by DeadraveN obtained from Podsafe Audio.

2000 years ago the last human mage died. The elves refused to show the humans the secrets of magi again. New mages soon appeared possessing the knowledge of a corrupt form of magic. Seen as dangerous they are hunted by both humans and elves.

The necromancers gather and Blackthorn, most feared elf in the world, is sent to stop them; but for Blackthorn it will be his final mission.

Get “Buried in the Sand” at Never Was on July 27, 2007.

I hope to be announcing a release date for “Buried in the Sand” within the next week, once I hear back from the other podcasters.

Once I start “Buried in the Sand” I will focus my effort onto “Chasing Shadows” in hopes that it will be ready to podcast when “Buried in the Sand” finishes. In my current plan “Buries in the Sand” should run 13 episodes.

This episode was created with GigaVox Audio. I will have a little review of GagaVox Audio in the next episodes.

I have posted a poll, here, asking for input on what people would like to see on Never Was until “Chasing Shadows” is ready.

Normally I would post a poll in the forum but, I wanted to ensure I got as much feed back as possible and make it as easy as possible. So I have posted the poll below. Please select the option or options (you can vote for more than one) that you would prefer.

Anyway, I’ll talk to you soon and as always thank you for listening.

Because of other commitments two of the writers had to step away from the site. I volunteered to contribute to the site and was invited to join. Tomorrow (Tuesday May 15th) my first post goes up. It is a basic introduction about me and my writing, some you may already know about me from Never Was or the White Wall but there are a lot of new things there too. I hope you will join me and the other Starting Write Now authors as we post about our experiences in writing.

Although my intention is to still Podcast and Blog here, most of my more personal writing experiences and status posts will be posted on Starting Write Now.  The post on this site will focus more on the Podcast and other items of interest.

“The Necromancer ” is a prequel to my second NaNo novel “Buried in the Sand”. If your interested in hearing the novel here on Never Was let me know via the comments, email on on the forum (link below).

I???ve posted a poll in the forums and would love to hear how you???d like to see Never Was proceed (link to poll).

The Hunters gather and try to find a way of removing the bracelets from Kallen and Master Harret.

Promos Played:

• 100 Word Stories
• Crescent

SOCAN, an organization that is suppose to support Music in Canada and compensate artises for public performance of their works (Radio, Dances, etc.); if you are putting on such an event or broadcasting music you have to pay them a fee (which they “give” to their member).  The thing with SOCAN is that you have to pay them even if the musician doesn’t belong to SOCAN.  Even to the extreme of if an independent musician plays their own music at a gathering they have to pay.

However in the exchange for this, we, in Canada, we are allowed to make copies of music for personal use.

Due to pressure from the US Government and US Music Companies, the Canadian government is making changes to our Copyright laws.  The changes would include support of DRM, anti-curivention and Tariffs on new music “Broadcast” delivery.  This includes a tariff on Podcasters.  The recommendation is that for non-commercial Podcasts that they would need to pay $60 per year.

Now $60 a year isn’t a lot of money, but it’s it might be a lot for some Podcast hobbiests. Almost every Podcaster I know users music that: they have created or have had someone create for them, get approval from the creator or use Creative Commons/Pod Safe music.  In almost all cases the creator is not a member of SOCAN and thus don’t see any of the Podcasters $60.  It instead goes to line the pockets of SOCAN and the big Music Companies (essentially the RIAA), this does not make any sense to me.  Why do I have to pay SOCAN for Music the creator has provided to me for an agreed upon amount (free is an amount) so that they can give it to someone  else?

The only advantage that I could see for this is the possibility of being able to podcast “big” artists.  I would be interesting in hearing from anyone who know if this would be allow under the new laws.

I have been blogging for since 2003 when I started back up with writing. A lot has change in that time for me, I have moved my site from the White Wall to here at Never Was in 2006 with the launch of my Podcast.

Here is my list of nominees for the Thinking Blogger Award:

1. Michael Geist – If your a writer (even if your not Canadian) his knowledge and insite into copyright is priceless.
2. Lifehacker – Because if there is an easier/better way to do something sooner of later it will turn up here.
3. Mark Blevis – For his support of the Canadian Podcast community.
4. Wil Weaton – If your a geek so is he (and no he is not Wesley Crusher he just play him on TV)
5. Start Writing Now – Why read about one writers experiences when you can ready about several.  Great insite on writing with a life.

I would have added Scott Sigler and J.C. Hutchins but they aren’t blogger per say but their impact to writing and podcasting is too large for words

Here are the rules of participation:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the “Thinking Blogger Award” with a link to the post that you wrote.

The positive of course is the publishing deal. I think this is great for writers and great for the industry. Scott has proven that an author can build an audience without the need for traditional publishers and draw the attention of the big houses. He has shown that there is more to books than print.

He has also drawn the attention of Dr. Howard V. Hendrix for the SFWA. He refers to Scott and all other Podcast Novelists as “webscabs”. Claiming that we are undermining the ability of authors to get fair value for their works by giving our works away for free. What he is missing is the ability to connect with readers/listener. Scott built up an audience and then used that to sell his books, what is wrong with this? Why is it wrong to want to give your work away? If, as a writer, I decide that I want to give my work away then that is my right, people give away music, software and other things, it doesn’t mean that those selling it can’t get a fair price.

I’d be interested in hearing what you have to think about it. If you haven’t listened to Scott’s novels drop by his site and check them out. He is a great writer and podcaster.

• Howard V Hendrix calls people like me a Web Scab on Will Shetterly’s blog
• David Wellington’s response
• Media Bistro’s coverage

Shalli faces off with the Valtas and Zatle.

Update:

I think I have all the podcast posted restored.  I know I lost some comments and some posts.  For which I am disapointed.  I’m not sure if I can get them back.

Shalli continues her battle with Lord Revil’s forces.

Shalli and the others battle against Lord Revil’s forces.

Shalli and Landra free Hunter Kallen and Master Harret.

Shalli starts her first day as a servent at Lord Revil’s keep.

Landra and Shalli arrive at Revil’s keep.

Skype ID: tdmclean

xBox Live: Never Was TM

Landra and Shalli travel towards Revil’s keep.

Tyrel learns of Shalli and Landra’s time at Karan’s farm.

Landra and Shalli are surprised by Hethra’s skills.

Shalli recovers from her injuries.

Shalli and Landra are reunited but things are getting really bad for Kallen.

While I was listening to him talk about writing and started to consider taking his advice I thought it would be best to read one of his novels before taking his suggestions. I need to make sure he wrote a type of novel I would like to write. I decided on the novel he references in his Podcast “A Secret Atlas”.

At first glance a novel about a family of cartographers might not seem interesting; how exciting can it possibly be when the main characters sit around and draw maps? I put this thought aside and starting reading, after all, from his Podcast it sounded like he knew what he was talking about and you don’t convince publishers to print nearly 40 novels if you’re not good.

I am glad that I found his Podcast and took the risk on his story about a cartographer family. This book is anything but boring. His charters have a depth about them that make them feel real. The story is complex and leaves the reader wanting to push onto the next chapter.  “A Secret Atlas” focuses on the characters, their lives and the personal and global conflicts they face. Michael understands how to create tension and action without having resorting to violence. You feel the conflict within the characters and watch with interest as they learn and grow.

Upon reaching the end of the “A Secret Atlas” it truly hit me that this was a great author and one that had his publisher’s trust. This novel is the first in a trilogy and like the Lord of the Ring;s it doesn’t so much as end as it stops at a good place to take a breather. This is not a stand alone novel so go in expecting to read all three novels in the series, it will be more than worth your time. The good part about this series is that all three books will be available in paper back by the summer, meaning you don’t have to wait for the next book.

I have only just started the second book “Cartomancy” and already I am looking forward to “The New World”. I honestly doubt that if you pick up the Age of Discovery series that you will disappointed.

Landra has an unexpected encounter while she searches for Shalli.

Things get even worse for the two mage apprentices.

• 100 Word Stories
• I Beg to Differ

Shalli tries to find a way back to help Kallen.

The talks take a turn for the worse forcing Kallen and Shalli into action.

Shalli and Kallen learn about their new mission and Shalli gets a surprise.

This episode also contains a surprise for all the listeners.

• Blank Pages
• Warming a Shadow

I have requested a Never Was section and Bill has set it up for me. I will change the Forum link in a couple of days when the Never Was forum link come live.

Terry