Book Cover

A special thanks to Babski Creative Studios for designing the cover to my comedy novel, Dog Breath.

Dog Breath by Jolene Fine is now for sale! You can find it on Kindle. It is available on your Kindle Fire, I-phone, I-pad, and other Kindle compatible devices.

In Kindle look for: ASIN: B00HVMEVV4
 

Editing an Audio Recording

 

I’ve always loved audio books, if they are told well. My favorite one is Long Way From Chicago. It’s a middle school novel that is absolutely hilarious. It is after reading this book that I wished they made funny novels for adults. A novel that was just light-hearted and funny. That’s Dog Breath.

 Unless you have $800 to pay a company to create a mediocre performance…you are going to want to create your own audio recording. But, if you are going to do it. Do it right, people. All the different voices and sound effects. And please no sounds of pages turning!

I hired a voice actor to read the book and do all the male voices. I’m doing all the female voices. (Free!) My three kids…the children’s voices. (Free!) Then, I’m doing all the audio editing myself.

Check it out: The editing has begun…

 

Be prepared to listen and re-listen to each chapter for one to three hours, splitting and cutting the mistakes from the project. And there is a lot of splitting going on!

For example, the rough narration for Chapter 9 started out as one recording of 9.21 minutes.

An hour and a half later, it’s split into 15 good segments. And now…7.10 minutes long.

Granted, editing the narration of each chapter is just the first step in your audio recording. It’s probably the most tedious, as well. However, it is so important that your story flow. So, good luck. You can do it!

Letters to the Dead

Some people visit gravesites to communicate to the dead. I…write letters.

 

Every year since my mother died, back in 2001, I send a letter to her. It usually tells her about how I wish I had appreciated her more when she was alive. It sometimes tells her my hopes and dreams. And occasionally, it asks for advice and questions that I wish I had asked her.

It’s my way of connecting to her.

This year, I included my three girls. I asked them to write down questions they wish they could ask her. In the end, the letters are sent to my Papa, the one who was left behind. The one who loves her still after so many years of separation. I hope the letters help.

 

 

Free Dog Photo Contest

Don’t forget to enter the photo contest for a chance to win a free Kindle digital copy and a free digital audio-recording of the novel, Dog Breath. I want a picture of you getting up close and personal with your dog’s mouth. Snap a picture of you smelling your dog’s breathe. Funniest picture wins.

 

Email your picture to: Jolenefine@yahoo.com, along with your name, your dog’s name, and the breed of your pet. Entries will be taken until the end of January 2014. 

There is no fee to enter. All appropriate entries will be posted on the author’s website: https://sites.google.com/site/finedogbreath. Then, between February 1st through February 14th, post your vote. The winner of the photo contest will be featured on the author’s blog and receive a free Kindle-edition and audio version of her book, Dog Breath. 

Dog Breath is expected to be released in kindle format on amazon.com January 31st, 2014. The audio version is expected to release before April of 2014. 

 

Welcome to my World

Once upon a time, my only writing goal for the week was: Write Chapter 9 of Dog Breath. It seems like such a long time ago. Probably because it was. At the time, writing was a hobby. I had no intentions or aspirations for publication. In fact, I had no idea that there were writing conferences, or literary agents, writing associations, blogs, or critique circles. My only feedback was my best friend, Deanna. (God bless her!)

Fast forward to reality, A.K.A. now.

New daily tasks replace that simple, naïve weekly goal.

Yesterday it was:
* Conference with Dog Breath cover artist.
* Start highlighting ms (that's manuscript for the newbie) for Dog Breath audio recording.
* Begin sound effects sound list.
* Categorize highlighted dialogue into male/ female/ and children roles. Type up.
* Type list of characters & associated chapters in which they are appear in ms.
* Speak with librarian in Marianna library about hanging promotional photo contest flyer for Dog Breath and library's acquisition procedures.
* Send follow-up email to librarian.
* Reread and note improvements for Chapter 21 of M.O.D. (Initials for book title of 2nd book in Sci-Fi/ Fantasy series.)

Today... well...there is a whole new list.

Welcome to my world!

The Stink-off

Video of my daughter performing her own dog breath contest with her stuffed animals, inspired by mommy's novel Dog Breath.

 

 

 

Check out Dog Breath at:

https://sites.google.com/site/finedogbreath

Query Me, Maybe

Who likes parodies? I do. I made up this one for a writing agent to be sung to the tune of Call Me, Maybe.

Another ms in the trash

Damn straight, hope it turns to ash

Another click, as it burns

And now you’re on my screen

 

I’d trade my soul for that book

Pennies and dimes for a look

I wasn’t expecting this

But now you’ve caught my eye

Your pitch was quirky

Funny plot, talent was showing

Hot hunk, face was glowing

Where is this story going?

 

Hey, I just read it, and this is crazy

But here’s my email, query me maybe

It’s hard to think right, with this baby

But here’s my email, query me maybe

 

(Repeat chorus)

 

You took your time to reply

I took no time eating pie

It finally came with a sigh, but still it’s got to be read

I giggle and chuckle and snort

You’ve I’ve decided to court

I didn’t know I would find it, but it’ll be a best seller

 

(Chorus)