Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A Voice in the Dark


I would have loved the 1940's for their radio shows. I love those faceless voices, and if there is the occasional special effect in the background, so much the better.

I have listened to romances passed on to me that I would not have bought, and enjoyed them so much. I drive from school to school in my day job; Harry has been my traveling companion for years. It took me forever to branch out, but when I did Jude Deveraux was a wonderful distraction. And it's so much fun to listen to Janet Evanovich; just make sure you're in light traffic. Laughing to the point of tears and six lanes don't mix. :)

Finally, I began to understand pacing in a way I never had. I also finally realized the importance of reading my own manuscript aloud (a brilliant piece of advice passed on by a cp).

Are you a music-only person, or do you enjoy books on CD? Do you pick new authors or like to listen to familiar favorites?

10 comments:

Lenora Bell said...

I love listening to radio dramas and books on tape! I took a radio drama class last term and it was very helpful to learn how to focus on conveying setting and characters through sound only.

Sometimes I forget to read my manuscripts out loud. It should be mandatory before you send them out into the world.

I'm sorry you won't be going to SF. I'll keep hoping...

Terry Stone said...

Gillian, I could not listen to a book on tape and understand any of it. I'm weird that way. I have to read it and immerse myself in it. That's the way I learn-I have to read it or it's useless to me. Strange, but true.

Gillian Layne said...

Hi Lenora! You know, it would never occur to me that there would be such a thing as a radio drama class. It bet it was really helpful.

I hope something amazing happens and I can come to SF, too! But one of these conferences I'm sure our paths will cross :)

Terry! (hugs) I work with kids like that all the time. It's just how some folks are wired. It's good you know how you learn.

Anonymous said...

I love audio books while traveling cross country, but never listen in town. I'm planning to, though. I'm going to make it part of my exorcize program.

Unknown said...

When my kids were little, we found a radio channel that did serialized stories. They got us all together for a stretch. But I'm one of those people who has to hold the book in her hand. I found an online audio source where people read classics, but I find it too distracting---I'm a fast reader, and they speak too slowly for me. To each his own!

Gillian Layne said...

Alice, I prefer books to music now for just about anything.

Maggie, I do love my books, but now that my hands hurt at the end of the day, I love not having to hold anything. Age bites! ;)

Ericka Scott said...

We have music in the car...I'd rather books, but the little ones get too "bored" . However, we do have some old radio dramas that they love (Dragnet and The Shadow)

Gillian Layne said...

Ericka, thanks so much for stopping by!

You know, my kids don't get to listen to most of my selections ;). But we have Junie B. Jone on CD as well, and boy does it make me laugh.

Harris Channing said...

I love them too! I remember when I was a kid, my mother telling me about the old radio programs. So, when I found "Sorry, Wrong Number" on cassette starring Agnes Moorehead I bought it. I was hooked! Thanks for reminding me!
~Harris.

Gillian Layne said...

Harris, I've never listened to that one--thanks for the tip!