The sales guy was undeterred and sat me down and gently persuaded me to at least try reading one of the sample books with music/effects etc attached.
Imagine you're watching a film and the kids go down to the haunted basement but there's no music to raise your heartbeat and tell you how stupid this idea is...or the crashing waves during an intense love scene...or the uplifting 'All You Need Is Love' tune from Love Actually during the last scene at the airport- that always, always brings me to tears.
Well, this company (www.booktrack.com) is introducing the world to the concept of enhancing the reading experience by adding a soundtrack as you read. What's more, authors can upload some or all of their books and add their own soundtrack (or pay to have someone else do it).
Game for anything I had a go myself adding music, sound effects and ambience to part of a chapter in my upcoming Love Cats Novella 'Baby, It's Hot Outside'... (I went a bit over the top, playing with it just to see what you could actually achieve) and I've got it here for you to have a read and listen to see what you think about reading along to a soundtrack...Oh, and it's an exclusive sneak preview to the novella- out on December 1st in the lovecats boxset. (Note: the cover I used for this is from their gallery and not the 'real' cover for the book!)
Why not have a look and a listen...you'll need to switch your volume up a bit ;-)
What do you think? Does a soundtrack enhance your reading experience or take away from it?
Hi Louisa
ReplyDeleteThat was cool although I am not sure whether I could do it for a full book I usually have the radio going in the background while I read and there are usually other noises as well but yes I liked it :)
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Helen! It's an interesting experience, isn't it? I agree about doing it for the whole book- it might get a little overwhelming- fun to try though!
DeleteNever tried this and not about to rush to do so - yet. I think a soundtrack would take away some of what I add to a story as I read it. Maybe I should give it a go. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a listen, Sue and see what you think...
DeleteLouisa, I'm going to have to try again later, when my computer isn't temperamental. I love the idea, though I'm not sure about it for a whole book. I write in silence and I wonder if the sounds while reading would augment the experience or stop my imagination interpreting the experience. Hopefully the former. Can't wait to try again! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the novella.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I'm usually the same- I write in silence and like it that way. This is a whole different reading experience- I hope your computer plays ball so you can have a play too!
DeleteHi Louisa, I like reading in silence but I'm pretty sure this may be the way of the future. It was odd but fun at the same time... what will the sounds be when it's "that" moment?? Hahahah #couldnthelpmyself :) Enjoy the long weekend x
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Tash! I asked the guy that very same question!!!! He said readers didn't need 'sound effects' for 'those' bits, but enjoyed music that got more dramatic as they reached the...well, the climax! xx
DeleteOkay, just checking now. All I could see/read was one page and there was water and a bell tinkling at the end? Is that right? Just in case my computer wasn't showing me everything!
ReplyDeleteI could certainly read to that....
I know that Entangled Publishing have gone into a deal with a record company/producer to do personalised soundtracks for some of their books so I think it definitely is the way of the future, Louisa!
Hmmm...sounds as if your computer didn't play the full thing, AA- there's different kinds of music and lapping waves and people chatting in the background as well as bells (it's xmas, after all!)
DeleteI wonder whether EP are using these guys at booktrack.com?
What an interesting concept!I normally read in the quiet, but I'm curious about this now. Thanks for sharing it with us :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a strange but fun experience, Stef- I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteWow - what an amazing,run idea, Louisa. I think we will see books with sounds track out very soon.
ReplyDeleteOn the bookrack.com website there are loads of books with sound tracks...pop along and dive in!
DeleteWow! That's extraordinary. And thoroughly irritating, LOL. But even though it's not something I'm going to adopt, the technology amazes me. Thanks for sharing, Louisa.
ReplyDeleteYep- annoying at times...but I did try to make it a little 'over the top' just to see what you can do! Not sure I'll be doing it again, but fun to try.
ReplyDeleteI was curious, and on occasion, I could see a soundtrack enhancing my reading. However, most of the time, I think I'll stick to reading in the quiet.
ReplyDelete