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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

"About that..." Ben! Your narration is hilarious - I love the irreverence, I love the cussing, so different in voice and tone from TMOMS (and Rewind, Playback ;) From the intro prior it sounds like this is going to be a very bumpy ride for our "lucky" contestants, I suspect Eve has some more questionable ideas in store for them. Great start, I'm hooked! Did you compose all the music in the audio version? Wow.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

I did write and record the music last weekend in my usual fashion-- last minute, spontaneous, just get it ✅.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

Hah! I just wrote About that, too. We really are separated at birth, Troy.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Ahh, so good Ben. Spot on tone, too. I can sense the kind of character Eve is already. Love the cliffhanger ending. I assume I know what's coming there based on your intro last week, but it's a great spot to end this chapter.

"This was just the latest in what seemed like a truckload of brick-shaped turds his brother happily laid on their well-intentioned path to save the world with the dream they had shared since they were kids." -- I think my favourite line 😊

I read (devoured) this on the app rather than listening, but I just had a quick listen to the start and the narration is perfect as always.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks so much, Nathan! You're too kind. When I wrote that line, it did feel like the perfect way to characterize Scott's feelings about his brother's ambition.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Hehe, nailed it 😂 And yeah, even though they're brothers, you've done a great job of making their different personalities come through straight away.

Looking forward to the next instalment!

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Happy to be acquainted with your work now, Ben!

I really loved this paragraph - wow -

"Outside the wind buffeted the blankets that surrounded them. Steam hissed from the large stones at the back of the lodge as the old Indian poured water over them and murmured some incantation. Chris knew he had given it his best shot, but it wasn’t going to happen. This crazy old fucker would kick off clutching his patents. His money and his influence would all be gone – distributed to a bunch of well-marketed charitable foundations already too fat and happy to change the world."

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks Kathleen! How great to have such positive feedback so quickly from a writing scholar. I'm honored. Even if you're not typically a listener of audio books, please give this one a listen. I'm anxious to see what you think of the music I scored. Thanks for being here.

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

I shall! :)

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

Love it! This is giving me ideas for my own novel, which has been in the works for too long. A good 1/2 to 2/3 is probably ready to go, so why the heck NOT?! Love the humor in this, the verge on absurdity -- great way to poke fun at saving the world, which is usually weighed down with sincerity (I speak from long, sometimes painful experience). Why not lighten up a bit? Bravo.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks Julie! So glad you’ve started reading. You’ll find there are a lot of themes happening in this book as the story goes on, but saving the world is a big one. I’m also happy to hear that you have a novel in the works. That’s fantastic!

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

It’s probably about four of them, either that or several short story collections. Currently experimenting.

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Holly Starley's avatar

“About that ...” I’m in! This is a fantastic start!

Who led me to catch and release, I’m trying to remember? Was it MTF (as I’m noticing you call him)? Alexander? Whoever it was, thank you!

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Regardless of who invited you, I’m glad you’ve moved in Holly!

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Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

About that! Perfect cliffhanger ending! Audio sounds great, too. Only the intro I would shorten a bit but that's just me. Awesome job, Ben.

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Diane Price's avatar

Can't wait to hear more. Rob is listening with me.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

I listened and I loved. First chapter excellence and a brilliant last line to keep us eager for more.

Also, your voiceover work is superb, Ben. As is your soundtrack.

Bravo.

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Adam Nathan's avatar

About that.

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Sheri Barrera-Disler's avatar

I loved this!! The inherent conflict between the creators and Evangeline will be so cool to see unfolding. And I feel like it’s real life. The marketing and MBA types and the idealists figuring out how to do good together. Can’t wait for next week.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks Sheri, I’m glad you enjoyed the first episode. Thanks for being here and for supporting my work.

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Feb 17, 2024
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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks! Music is so central to me and always has been. I’m happy it’s working for you in this.

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Sep 22, 2023
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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks Garrett! So glad you enjoyed it.

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