[poem starter audio] You’d Better Be Scared (by me)

I’m trying something new today, inspired by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s post at Author Amok during Laura Shovan’s Techno-Verse celebration.?I recorded a poem starter audio using SoundCloud, which I’d never tried before. Thanks, Amy and Laura, for showing me this tool. It took me a while to figure out some tech details, and I’m not sure whether I’m going to keep using it or not. I love the option of having audio only. I guess at some point, I need to figure out an overall strategy for my poem starters, where will they be, in what format, etc. But that’s not gonna happen today:>)
 
So, here’s the poem, which is from one of my Capstone poetry books:.
.
You’d Better Be Scared
I’m a giant Raging wild
I paw the muddy ground
I crush eight cars
Beneath my wheels
With tearing, shrieking sounds
People scream and
Cheer for me 
But I don’t need their luck
My motor screams
I thunder through
I’m a MONSTER truck!
–by Laura Purdie Salas (from Always Got My Feet: Poems About Transportation)

And here’s an audio version with a poem starter for educators. [soundcloud url=“http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/93525017” iframe=“true” /]

 
.Jama (yay, she’s back!) at Jama’s Alphabet Soup has?today’s Poetry Friday roundup — enjoy!
.

32 Responses

  1. Laura, if you don’t like Soundcloud, there are plenty of free programs (Audacity, Garageband) that you can use to easily record yourself, then save as .mp3s to post directly on your site. Being a voiceover guy, I love the ability to do audio-only. Just another option!

    1. Thanks–I’ve never tried any of these (though I’ve heard of Garageband, at least). I just want the simplest possibility that is easy to do and put in my blog and site. Will have to play around some more to see what works and doesn’t. I do like the audio-only option…I’m kind of completist, like I like the idea of my poem starters being ALL audio or ALL video, which is dumb. I have to get over that. Different formats work best for different audiences and different tasks. Need to give some thought to my overall goals with them. Thank you:>)

      1. Variety is the spice of life, right? Audio, video, pictures, etc. — each has its strengths. The thing I’ve always liked about radio is that you don’t need visuals…you HAVE to use your imagination!

  2. Laura, if you don’t like Soundcloud, there are plenty of free programs (Audacity, Garageband) that you can use to easily record yourself, then save as .mp3s to post directly on your site. Being a voiceover guy, I love the ability to do audio-only. Just another option!

    1. Thanks–I’ve never tried any of these (though I’ve heard of Garageband, at least). I just want the simplest possibility that is easy to do and put in my blog and site. Will have to play around some more to see what works and doesn’t. I do like the audio-only option…I’m kind of completist, like I like the idea of my poem starters being ALL audio or ALL video, which is dumb. I have to get over that. Different formats work best for different audiences and different tasks. Need to give some thought to my overall goals with them. Thank you:>)

      1. Variety is the spice of life, right? Audio, video, pictures, etc. — each has its strengths. The thing I’ve always liked about radio is that you don’t need visuals…you HAVE to use your imagination!

  3. I know a little boy who resembles this truck! It was fun to listen to your voive reading the poem, too, Laura.

    1. Thanks, Tara! It’s at least a little less intimidating than video for me… I quake a little at the thought of a boy resembling this truck:>)

  4. I know a little boy who resembles this truck! It was fun to listen to your voive reading the poem, too, Laura.

    1. Thanks, Tara! It’s at least a little less intimidating than video for me… I quake a little at the thought of a boy resembling this truck:>)

  5. Always a pleasure to hear you read one of your poems or poems by others, Laura. As you said, there are benefits to both audio and video, depending on audience and purpose.

  6. Always a pleasure to hear you read one of your poems or poems by others, Laura. As you said, there are benefits to both audio and video, depending on audience and purpose.

  7. Hi Laura! I always like the audio poem experience on Amy’s site–nice to have it here too, and hear your voice. I love that the Monster Truck is too tough to need luck.

  8. Hi Laura! I always like the audio poem experience on Amy’s site–nice to have it here too, and hear your voice. I love that the Monster Truck is too tough to need luck.

  9. I do like the sound of this poem. I usually prefer the written form for blog reading because I can do it without anyone noticing. If I put on my headphones or play the audio, ears perk up. So I vote for both.
    I have played with Soundcloud but haven’t tried posting it yet. May be something new to try.

    1. I totally agree, Margaret–I very rarely listen to audio or watch video on people’s blogs. I will continue to include the written version in my blog:>) Thanks for the input–I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.

  10. I do like the sound of this poem. I usually prefer the written form for blog reading because I can do it without anyone noticing. If I put on my headphones or play the audio, ears perk up. So I vote for both.
    I have played with Soundcloud but haven’t tried posting it yet. May be something new to try.

    1. I totally agree, Margaret–I very rarely listen to audio or watch video on people’s blogs. I will continue to include the written version in my blog:>) Thanks for the input–I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.

  11. Fun poem, Laura! I’m a very visual person, so I’m more likely to watch a video (big surprise) than listen to audio, especially if there’s a how-to or lesson involved. But if your poem starters don’t need visuals to be understood, audio is probably plenty (and easier!). Matt is right — I use the free Audacity program to record audio only. Couldn’t be easier!

  12. Fun poem, Laura! I’m a very visual person, so I’m more likely to watch a video (big surprise) than listen to audio, especially if there’s a how-to or lesson involved. But if your poem starters don’t need visuals to be understood, audio is probably plenty (and easier!). Matt is right — I use the free Audacity program to record audio only. Couldn’t be easier!

  13. I’m so happy Poem Starters are back!

    TEN PUDGY FINGERS
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Poke at your sides,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Tickle your neck,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Take lots of pride
    In turning you into
    A constant wreck.
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Rise to the sky,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Scared as can be,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Sure do not like
    You turning the tables
    By scaring me.

    © Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.

  14. I’m so happy Poem Starters are back!

    TEN PUDGY FINGERS
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Poke at your sides,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Tickle your neck,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Take lots of pride
    In turning you into
    A constant wreck.
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Rise to the sky,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Scared as can be,
    My ten pudgy fingers
    Sure do not like
    You turning the tables
    By scaring me.

    © Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.

  15. Very cool poem — and audio recording of it, Laura! These poem starters are so helpful. Good for you for trying new technology — I’m a bit of a technophobe myself, so I know all about learning curves — even using “smart” technology like a phone. LOL! Thanks for sharing! =)

  16. Very cool poem — and audio recording of it, Laura! These poem starters are so helpful. Good for you for trying new technology — I’m a bit of a technophobe myself, so I know all about learning curves — even using “smart” technology like a phone. LOL! Thanks for sharing! =)

  17. Hi, Laura. I’m really enjoying SoundCloud. My daughter (13) has tried it out for her song-writing skills. One of the online literary journals, qarrtsiluni, has all contributors record their poems on SoundCloud to accompany the posted poems. I’m glad you tried it out and had fun with it too.

  18. Hi, Laura. I’m really enjoying SoundCloud. My daughter (13) has tried it out for her song-writing skills. One of the online literary journals, qarrtsiluni, has all contributors record their poems on SoundCloud to accompany the posted poems. I’m glad you tried it out and had fun with it too.

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