Wasteland - Lessons Learned

March 31st, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

I’ve maintained since the beginning that the Heaven series is an experiment. It was just an experiment in several different things at once. Heaven and Hell were written an episode at a time, while Earth was an experiment with putting a soundtrack with a podiobook.

I learned a lot in writing episodically with the first two, and with Earth I learned that most people didn’t care about the music, but it resonated deeply with a handful (of the feedback I got, anyway.)

The experiment with Wasteland was giving people all of the content at once. They could stretch it out over weeks at a time at podiobooks.com, or download the whole thing, or subscribe to a daily podcast here. I did this because I felt I owed those who were cliffhangered at the end of Earth, but also I was still burned out from the marketing machine that was Playing for Keeps. I didn’t want to do all the work for weeks on end again, so I figured I could do all the work up front and then relax.

Response has been fascinating. Some people have been grateful for the whole novella at once. Some have assumed that Wasteland is shorter than Earth (Wasteland was 26,700 words, Earth was 26,300) and I should have made it “as long as the other novellas” - I assume this is because the first and last episodes are 20+ min, but the other episodes are pretty short. And although I just finished the novella, and am in the middle of another project now, people are even more eager for the fifth season - the novel-length conclusion called War.

Don’t get me wrong: all of the response has been gratifying at best and interesting at worst. People took the glut of content and consumed in different ways than they do content that’s spread out. And while they fret with they have to wait week to week, they also fret when they consume the content too quickly and have nothing left at the end.

And what surprised me the most was that I had thought I tied up the loose ends of this plot well, with enough hanging threads to lead gracefully into the next season, but people are still saying “cliffhanger.” This confuses me. A cliffhanger is the ending of a story (or chunk of a story) where the fate of a hero is uncertain, and we very likely see them in considerable danger. Hence the term “cliffhanger”- we see the hero hanging off the edge of a cliff, and boom, the episode ends. Without spoiling those who haven’t listened, I’ll just say the end of Earth was a cliffhanger. Wasteland ended with the pause after a battle, with the knowledge that the bigger war is in front of them (not too much of a spoiler there, cause you know Season Five is called “WAR”). All major characters are safe and accounted for. I think if we have a story that ends with the possibility of the continuation, people are calling it a ‘cliffhanger.’ But I can’t control what people call it, I can just reassure that the story will continue for one more novel-length season.

The work it required to do all of the podcasts at once was less than I expected - but remember this was a novella, not a novel. It was pleasant to have it done before I started. But I think that releasing them over a longer period of time is a better plan, and I might take all of War and record it, then release it weekly.

But I have to write it first. ;)

Thanks to everyone for the feedback involving Wasteland - feel free to continue the discussion in the comments.

There Are 23 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Andrea on 1 April 2008:

    I, for one, am glad that, although you plan to record all of War at once, you plan to release it weekly. I just don’t have the self control to spread it out myself. I downloaded all of Wasteland at once so I could take it on vacation with me, but ended up listening to the whole thing while doing all my vacation prep. It was good, but now I have to keep my mouth shut because everyone else around me is still listening!

  2. Comment by wes atkinson on 1 April 2008:

    I’m only to episode 7 so far, but I think Mur’s writing was good when she started, but has been getting better with each story.

  3. Comment by DKT on 1 April 2008:

    I’ve only got two episodes left. Personally, I really like it when there’s still a couple episodes in my podcast queue ahead of the one I’m currently listening, too. So I was happy “Wasteland” all came in one go. But weekly is alright, too.

  4. Comment by Jason Penney on 2 April 2008:

    Coming to podcast novels as an audiobook listener I can’t start until I have the whole thing. I tried it with “Playing for Keeps”, but when it went on break for the holidays I went back to my “to read” pile of audiobooks, then let them pile up for a bit (I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t actually finished PfK yet after I caught up the second time).

    So from my point of view I was excited that you tried this experiment. But I’ve got more than enough stuff to listen to, so I’m not complaining, just tossing my two cents in.

  5. Comment by Cmaaarrr!!! on 2 April 2008:

    I agree with Jason’s perspective. I originally approached podcast novels from an audiobook-listener perspective - I didn’t want to listen to them “broken up” and mixed in with other audio, because I thought that would somehow “ruin” the experience.

    I’ve managed to train myself to follow along with some novels on an episodic basis now, but I still prefer to listen to whole works in one unbroken streak. I see the pros and cons of both release methods, though.

    In any case, I was very pleased to be able to devour Wasteland all at once!

  6. Comment by lilbuckaru on 3 April 2008:

    Loved Wasteland. If the episodes come weekly or all at once, it doesn’t matter. The books are great. I recently found steampunk and am enjoying it. Having the Heaven series jump into it was perfect timing.

    PfK was great too!

    Keep up the great writing Mur.

  7. Comment by Zapatos on 3 April 2008:

    In my experience, the way I listen to an audiobook or podcast depends on my level of enthusiasm. With most stuff I’m content to just listen one at a time, but with the books I really adore (and PfK and the whole Heaven series just so happen to fall in this category) I prefer to have all or almost all before I start. I know myself; when I start listening to something I’m really into, I just don’t want to stop.

    And as for the whole cliffhanger thing, well, I haven’t started Wasteland yet, but as long as it’s not as bad as Earth, I’ll be happy. I listened to the last chapter of Earth while resting at the Tokyo Game Show last year, and my reaction upon hearing the ending caused many Japanese people to take a step or two back from the strange spazzing American.

  8. Pingback by Into The Blender » Blog Archive » Episode 14 - Catching Up on 8 April 2008:

    [...] Mur’s lessons learned from WASTELAND [...]

  9. Comment by ithi on 14 April 2008:

    I admit, I “geekgasmed” when I saw that I could download all of wasteland at once. I kind of hoard Mur’s downloads, ever since the Earth cliffhanger… the Heaven series is like crack to me. But I am scared to listen to wasteland, and be left wanting more, as i know I surely will be… So I’m waiting until all of War is finished so that the series will be complete and I can listen to it at my own pace. I just downloaded PfK’s and I can’t wait to listen.

  10. Comment by Foxglove on 15 April 2008:

    Mur, I love your storytelling. Your characters have depth and your plot unfolds with good pacing.

    Thank you.

  11. Comment by Mike K59 on 18 April 2008:

    Hi Mur,

    I thought the Heaven series is awesome and I have absolutely steamed through the series in the last week or so. The concept is really cool, I like the way that you have made the interaction between religions and cultures work, interweaving the relationships of the Gods form the various cultures, particularly in Heaven. A notion I would actually prefer to believe than most other religious ideas at present, lol. I have to say though that I do think the end of Wasteland is a little abrupt and I would say it is a cliffhanger as although, yes, they are kind of all accounted for, but to me the looming darkness/beasty nastyness has a strong fairly immediate presence and so I ended the book feeling they where still no where near safe enough to not call it a cliffhanger. But I don’t think that is a bad thing as it has left me hungry for more, really hungry for more, so on that note I will leave you alone and hope that you will start writing War and not responding to the likes of me.

    Thanks for a great read,m playing for keeps is really cool too, but I prefer Heaven in many ways.

    Mike K59

  12. Comment by Grizzly Smith on 22 April 2008:

    I’d have to agree, the end of “Wasteland” is not a cliffhanger. I believe I said as much in my review. No, come to think of it, I didn’t say it, because I thought it was kinda obvious. Once one realizes that “Earth,” “Wasteland,” and “War” are three parts of a whole, even the seeming cliffhanger at the end of “Earth” isn’t that big of a deal.

    Waiting so long for the rest of the story, -that- was a big deal. ;-)

  13. Comment by BaardA on 14 May 2008:

    Just finished Wasteland.. Great work yet again..! Looking forward to a little bit of WAR..! :-)

  14. Comment by Leisa on 14 May 2008:

    I’m really enjoying Wasteland. The production sounds amazing. I hope you enjoy your Diagonal Key Leather Cuff!

  15. Comment by Tom on 21 May 2008:

    Hey there,
    I just finished listening to wasteland and I agree. Not a cliffhanger, but definitely it left me wanting more. I actually listened to all 4 seasons this past week and am totally hooked. I really like your take on the afterlife, and how all the gods from the different theologies are there, as individual entities and as the same.

    Looking forward to Season 5 :)
    Tom

  16. Comment by Unicornsfantasy on 21 May 2008:

    Way to Go Mur!!

    I first listened to PfK in April. I enjoyed it so much I immediatly downloaded Heaven seasons 1-4 which I finished listening to yesterday. You are a faboulus writer and I cannot wait til season 5 - WAR is avail. Getting your stories all at once is wonderful. I will just have to learn to be patient.

    Keep up the fanominal work!!

  17. Comment by Itsumishi on 26 May 2008:

    I have fallen deeply in love with Podiobooks for 2 reasons. One was
    How to Succeed in Evil (I’ve gone blank on the writer!) and the other was Playing for Keeps which I started about the same time.

    How to Succeed was as finished as it is now (which is still not finished, but apparently the guys writing a novel and plans on returning to the podiobook format afterwards, but who knows). Playing for Keeps was about halfway through when I started.

    When I caught up and found myself waiting week by week I almost couldn’t take it.

    I had read a bit about Heaven from BoingBoing but had decided it would need to wait until I had finished other books and podiobooks (I mainly read/listen on the train and only do this an hour or so a day).

    Then I heard that Wasteland had come out and for some reason believed this to be the final part and decided now is time to download it all. I listened, I loved it, I was very disappointed when I realised I had to wait for WAR. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to be looking forward to something, but kind of like it’s nice to know you’re about to go on holiday. You’d much rather be there already (and have it go on and on until you need to go home).

    All in all. Mur I love your work, keep it up and don’t be afraid to release things in bulk again!

  18. Comment by MillieCady on 8 June 2008:

    I’ve listened through the whole series so far. I’ve loved the series and am looking forward to WAR.

  19. Comment by PreacherMan on 10 June 2008:

    Must…have…(cough)…more…NOW!

    What a great series. I am one that waits until a book is completed before I start listening. I don’t have the patients to wait a month or week or day or until the download finishes. I may have to seek therapy just to deal with the wait for “War”.

    Thanks for the great work.

  20. Comment by Caleb aka Unmacabre on 12 June 2008:

    First and foremost… I absolutely love the work. I’m relatively new to the podcast world. I’ve been more than happy I dove in. My first experiences have been your work, R.L. Burt’s, JC Hutchins’ and Scott Sigler’s. So far, batting 4 for 4. I’m eagerly awaiting season 5 of Heaven.

    PS - I’m bummed that my “late blooming” in the podcast game means no pint glass and not shot glass. I do, however, plan on getting a shirt and hardcover of PfK as soon as my wallet allows.

    Thanks again for the great…well, everything.

  21. Comment by Eric on 18 June 2008:

    Love your work Mur, keepsie it up..

    All at once or piece by piece, both work for me. You just have to realize that if I get it piecemeal, I’ll be mixing in podcasts from others, maybe an “escape pod” or two, something from the Sig’ and maybe a full book or two from podiobooks. Really liking the Max Quick stories this week..

  22. Comment by Cannon on 7 July 2008:

    Mur, I CANNOT wait for Season 5!!!!

    I just finished listening to all four seasons of Heaven over literally a week and now I’m foaming at the mouth for the conclusion. This has been a great story and one that me & my wife talk about constantly.

    Personally, my opinion is, I love having all of the material at once to be consumed at my leasure, but ultimately that’s your choice.

    Keep up the great work.

  23. Comment by Nick on 7 July 2008:

    Hi Mur, thanks for the Heaven Series. All the stories have been fabulous. I have enjoyed the increased production quality - methinks you got a new mic since Heaven/Hell. I listened to all 4 this past week and do generally wait for completed works because i am a plot junkie. I don’t think that Wasteland gave us a cliffhanger. I think that folks making those comments are reacting to the fact that the story just stops. While it does definitely feel like the end of a chapter, it does not really feel like the end of a book, and that is where i think the confusion sets in for some. Awaiting War, its time for PFK and other Mur delicacies. The only thing that really got my attention as you explored music and podcasts - i don’t like the Wasteland music. Other than that “scored” or not, the music has been nice.

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