Behind the Scenes

If you are interested in what goes on behind the scenes to put together an episode of ‘Some Other Scotland‘, you may like to visit two blogs that have been running interviews with podcasters over the last few months.

First of all, Rich at Random Pimpage has a series called “8 Questions”, where he asks 8 simple, if sometimes a little bizarre, questions to a number of people from the world of podcasting. Since this tied-in with the launch of Every Photo Tells…, you’ll find Katharina’s and my answers together at the site.

On the subject of Every Photo Tells…, we’re now into our third month of photo-inspired stories and already up to episode 8. So far there have been tales of love, assassins, pirates, monsters and even a classic whodunnit, with plenty more to come! Look out for some ‘SOS’ spin-offs potentially appearing there in the future, too.

More recently, a more detailed set of questions were put to me about writing and podcasting by Odin at his View From Valhalla blog. His questions go into depth about writing podcast fiction, techniques and equipment for recording and the goals of podcasting. Since he has had a number of people answering his questions in this “How I Do It” series, I would recommend it as a great introduction for new podcasters to pick up tips from those of us who have been through the learning experience already. My answers can be found right here. Incidentally, Odin also runs a regular review of podiobooks, so if you are enjoying ‘Some Other Scotland’ and would like to delve into other podcast fiction, he has some good recommendations for you to try out.

Some Other Scotland – Interlude 03

Curtains

Interlude 03:

  • New website location.
  • Introducing the Wiki

The new website address is www.someotherscotland.com

The ‘Some Other Scotland’ Wiki can be found at www.someotherscotland.com/wiki

Thanks go to Katharina from the Luscious Leftovers podcast for her amazing work in bringing the wiki to life.

Some Other Scotland – Spin-Off 03 – The Three Coos

3 Coos

The next spin-off story to feature at Some Other Scotland is a little different.

This is a variation on the popular fairytale ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’, but this is as told by Razer, so it has a little more local flavour.

It was inspired by odin1eye from the View From Valhalla blog. That is a good source of reviews of other podiobooks you might want to investigate if you are enjoying SOS.

Some Other Scotland – Ep19 – Great Scot

Patrick Gordon

This Week:

  • Harald moves in closer to Charles.
  • Razer deals with a sinking feeling.
  • Charles starts to hatch a plan.
  • Erica and Tania assess the Merk damage.
  • Sykes’ suspicions are confirmed.

This week’s news story:

Peter the Great’s right-hand Scot

changed to the alternative:

Pages missing from diary of Peter the Great’s Scottish General

Scholars have announced that they believe several pages have been removed from the diary of Patrick Gordon, a Scot who held a senior rank in Peter The Great’s army. They claim inconsistencies in the text suggest that up to a month’s information may have been replaced by a series of paragraphs indicating the soldier was offered work in Vienna, only to be told shortly afterwards he was no longer required. The diary was published in full for the first time in the UK this year.

Further Information

BBC News – Read the original story.

Promo for “Luscious Leftovers” podcast.

Some Other Scotland – Ep18 – Submarine

Submarine

This Week:

  • Razer meets his kidnappers.
  • A bid for freedom ends in disaster.

This week’s news story:

Radioactive leaks from submarines

changed to the alternative:

Leaking submarine disappears

Following the release of a report on safety issues at the Faslane base, it has emerged that a submarine identified as having leaked radioactive material on three previous occasions, has disappeared. The last known contact with the vessel was as it left the East Coast of the USA on a return trip to Scotland. MPs have called for a full investigation into why a ship with a poor safety record was released for travel in international waters.

Further Information

Promo for The Gearheart.

Some Other Scotland – Ep17 – Lunacy Graves

The Lunacy Board

This Week:

  • Tania and Erica visit the Merk.
  • Calum notices a disturbing pattern.
  • Sykes is alerted to more symbols.
  • Harald finds what he’s searching for.
  • A haggis supper leads to trouble.

This week’s news story:

Lunacy Board buried thousands in unmarked graves

changed to the alternative:

Thousands named in Lunacy Board Service

A memorial service has been held for people buried in unmarked “pauper’s graves” in Churches around West Lothian. The graves belong to patients of Bangour Village hospital and are located in numerous sites in the local area. The Lunacy Board, who until recently were responsible for all psychiatric hospitals in Scotland, had a similar policy across the country and it is anticpated that many more unmarked graves such as these will come to light in the future.

Further Information

BBC News – Read the original story.

I Should Be Writing

I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty, author of “Playing for Keeps” and the “Heaven” podcast series amongst other things, has recently posted an article written by me on her “I Should Be Writing” blog.

The blog is the companion to her regular podcast aimed at new and aspiring writers, one that has provided a great deal of help and inspiration to guide me on my way. The article deals with the particular challenges of writing an ongoing piece of interactive fiction like “Some Other Scotland” and how I keep track of where it is going and ensuring it stays on course.

It is aimed at fellow writers, but if you are interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the SOS podcast, you might well find it interesting even if you’re not a writer. Do take the time to check out Mur’s own podcasts at the site; they are quite different to SOS, but you’re sure to find something of interest.

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-95be1cad0136b93c3d1db90745f840ca}

Live Interview and Chat – 31st August 2009

I’m doing a live chat and interview with PodioRacket‘s Rhonda Carpenter on Monday 31st August at 2:30 pm PST / 5:30pm EST / 10:30pm UK (BST) and there will be prizes:

  1. Name a character – we’ll be taking suggestions for names of some of the new characters introduced in the last week or so of the podcast.
  2. Call with a question or ask in the chatroom – the best one will receive a signed copy of the SOS short stories.
  3. Twitter about the show to receive a free copy of the music from SOS.

Full details of the competitions can be found at the BlogTalkRadio PodioRacket website.

Some Other Scotland – Ep16 – Cancer

Cancer Ribbons

This Week:

  • Erica works on changing the tunnel.
  • Razer seeks a way out of New York.
  • Disturbing news rocks the Traigh.

This week’s news story:

Putting the brakes on cancer

changed to the alternative:

Evidence found of cancer brakes

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh believe that a body donated for medical science may hold the key to a cure for cancer. They say that a range of genetic differences in the body may effectively slow the effects of the disease if replicated. The circumstances of the death and identity of the body are kept strictly secret.

Further Information

BBC News – Read the original story.

Promo for “Jack Wakes Up” by Seth Harwood.

Some Other Scotland – Spin-Off 02 – Mist and Shelter

Mist

The second and third of the spin-off stories to feature at Some Other Scotland are both set in the past.

The events in “Mist” take place in 1919 on a secluded beach in the North of Scotland. This story was originally posted for the 100 Word Stories prompt “Shrouded in mist”. It can be found along with others of the same theme at 100 Word Stories #168.

The second short tale, “Shelter”, was also written for the 100 Word Stories podcast, but was not recorded in time to be included, so this is its first appearance. It is set in 1940 and has a close link to Episode 15 of ‘SOS’.

Further Information

Merkland Street Subway station, the scene of the attack.