GypsyLaura.com

Lookit, I’m posting.

Laura — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:14:24 +0000

Alrighty kids. I know you are all frothing at the bit to hear more about Stargazers, Absolution and the like. Let me just say, Absolution is a beast that I am taming slowly but surely with the help of Ayoub Khote and David Sobkowiak. We are working really hard to get it done but part of that requires me to record. (Bad Laura. Bad)

As to Stargazers, I realize I have been neglecting the story and its characters, so I am handing over the reigns to the woman who has lovingly helped me create the world, Gwendolyn Jensen-Woodard. I don’t know how she works on all the shows that she does at the same time, but she does it with style!

Other than that I have been actively being crafty and working on getting a job down in Massachusetts so I can move down there. As we all know the job market is crap right now, so it is really difficult for me to get out of the customer service field. If anyone has any leads, let me know. I have, however, started working on making things like those tiny top hats for ladies, and I have to say, I am excited by the product. I will post pictures later, but what do you think some one would pay for a custom made mini top hat?

That’s all of my random thoughts for now.

TuacaCon 2011 – Online now

Laura — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:07:12 +0000

What’s up friends,

So I am participating (sort of) with TuacaCon 2011, brought to you by SpecficMedia. I will list for you a couple of links to find out what on earth is going on.

First the link to watch all of the fun! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tuacacon

Next the schedule: http://specficmedia.com/2011/11/12/tuacacon-schedule/

You’ll note that I am not on the schedule, but I am a back up reader and eye candy… lol.

Come join us for a good time!

NaNo 2011

Laura — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:07:54 +0000

Hiya folks,

Well it is that time of year again when us writer types get all crazy, forget that we have lives and write like the mad creative geniuses that we are. For me, getting started has been a challenge because of a great social life, recovering from surgery (had my tonsils taken out) and getting back into the swing of things at work. However I plan to get stuff done, just not sure how I would do it without the Write or Die app that I recently purchased. Thank you portable technology.

So let’s see… Pandora is up, Write or Die is up, I have caffeine, social media is off. I think I am ready.

Flying Island Press: Autism Issue

Laura — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:34:42 +0000

Hiya folks,

I promise, I have been working on stuff, just more writing than recording or mixing. However, now there is stuff for me to talk about with regards to my writing.

Several months ago I was given a writing prompt. Write a story with a character that has a degree of autism. This is exactly what I did. I like CSI and love fairies, so I mixed the two and got my submission in the Autism issue titled “Stonebriar Casefile: 182 – Bad Alchemy”. You can find the story and several others at the follow website: http://flyingislandpress.com/autism. I am very happy with this story and will be writing more about Trixie the Pixie in this year’s NaNoWriMo challenge. If you have a couple of dollars to spare and like a wide variety of fiction download the issue and support a good cause.

In other news I am continuing to write articles for Flying Island Press for Flagship. The Please Spay Your Tribbles column continues to bring in good numbers (thank you all for that) and gives me the push I need to keep them coming. Now if only I had the time to start up Absolution again. I will be having some time off and hopefully will be able to get a good deal of mixing in during that time.

That’s all the news I have for right now, so keep reading and thank you for your continued support.

Medical stuff leads to delays

Laura — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:05:55 +0000

Oh what a year it has been and we are just half way through. I am posting from the hospital now and yes, I know I am crazy. So here’s what is going on. I’ve been sick for about two weeks now and on Sunday night into Monday morning it got so bad that I needed to go to the ER. Needless to say, since I have been in a stupor with little to no voice and now in the hospital I have had next to no time to work on Absolution or Stargazer.

Now before I get medically induced again and only make a partial post I will log off for the night. Thank you all for your patience and I will get back on schedule as soon as possible.

Coming up from Laura Nicole

Laura — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:01:13 +0000

Alrighty folks,

There are a lot of new exciting project that I am up to my eyeballs in and I am happy to share some of them with you. Some of these projects are for pay, so any donations that you can afford to give would be extremely humbling, but not required for all of my works.

So first of all, Absolution is out at Scrivener’s Circle. Now, if you were at Balticon, you received a free promotional CD for coming to see me at the autograph signing. OH MY GOD that was so cool. Thank you to Starla Hutchton and Philippa Ballantine for sharing such a wonderful experience. These two fantastic ladies were a great part of my weekend a month ago. From Starla asking me to step in and read for Antigone’s Wrath, to Pip dragging me to my own reading… and everything in between. There are too many people I met for the first time and some who I got to see again. I love you all, my extended family! And thanks to Val Ford for providing transportation and great conversation.

What was I saying… oh yes, Abosolution. So tomorrow, chapter 3 will be released on Monday, and we have been successful in releasing on a regular basis. Fingers crossed that trend will continue. Chapter 3 was the last track on the promotional CDs so in two weeks everyone will be getting previously unreleased episodes! I have gotten a lot of feedback on this story. Not all of it is good, but I thrive on constructive criticism, so please keep it coming.

I have also been working on a series of articles for Flying Island Press called “Please Spay Your Tribbles”. These are quick blog posts about what the world would be like if the gadgets and tools of scifi and fantasy were available in the 21st century. I also narrate stories for each issue of Flagship, so please check them out by subscribing or purchasing a single issue.

I have a few other projects that are not quite ready to be released yet, but they are coming.

Balticon Schedule

Laura — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:14:39 +0000

YAY! in less than 72 hours I will be at BALTICON! Ok, reigning in my enthusiasm just a bit. I willb e working a lot this week to keep myself occupied until Friday. I will be up from 10 am Friday until whenever I get to my hotel on Saturday. Yes, I know I am nuts, but well cons include a great deal of sleep deprivation and it is completely worth it.

There have been some changes to my schedule for Balticon if you are looking to find me for the promotional CD for Absolution or to just say hi and squee with me.

Saturday, May 28th – Derby – 3pm ~ Galley Table Live w/Guest of Honor – Ben Bova

Sunday, May 29th – Derby - 3pm ~ Dynamic Voice Acting

Sunday, May 29th - Maryland Foyer - 7pm ~ Autograph Session w/ Philippa Ballantine and Starla Hutchton( Double Squee!)

Sunday, May 29th – Pimlico – 8:30 pm Reading (What on earth will I read from?)

Sunday May 29th – Derby – 10pm ~ Dirty Mad Libs

I am really looking forwrd to seeing everyone and getting a chace to meet some new people too. For those of you leaving before me, I wish you safe travels.

Still here

Laura — Sun, 22 May 2011 04:59:45 +0000

Do you hear that music of impending doom? I know there was this whole thing about the end of the world today and therefore I must post to my website… because I am a bad blogger and have been neglecting you, my somehow interested audience. Thank you so much for sticking it out with me.

Many of you may have noticed the change of my name on my social networking sites. I got divorced, but I am happier now than I have been, so please don’t feel bad for me. People are in your lives for a reason or season… or something like that. To prevent my having to switch my name around again I am just sticking with two names that I know aren’t going to change, Laura Nicole.

Ok, and on to happier topics. Who wants to know what I have been up to these past few months? Oh, good I see some hands up. Well, I am working on a weekly article for Flying Island Press called “Please Spay Your Tribbles”. It’s a fun segment to write where I discuss how we would function as a society if we had shinies from Sci-Fi and Fantasy literature. Look for it on Wednesdays.

Gypsy Audio lives and while I am just a writer and voice actor at this point, they are still a part of my life and production is picking up. Among other things, Stargazers EP 2 and Twisted Tales of Faerie are both up for Parsec Awards! Excited? Just a bit.

And then there is Absolution. My precious creation has been recorded and formed and the first chapters are ready to be released. Major props to Ayoub Khote for his production assistance and my ever resilient PiC, David Sobkowiak for mixing this story! The first chapter will drop Memorial Day Weekend on Scriveners Circle while I am at Balticon.

Now, here is the really cool part. If you are at Balticon, come and find me Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. I will have the first three chapters of Absolution on CD, signed and ready to be listened to by you! I have several panels that I will be on but should have a few CDs with me at all times. As I understand it, my schedule will be:

Saturday, May 28th- 3pm ~ Galley Table Live w/Guest of Honor – Ben Bova
Sunday, May 29th – 3pm ~ Dynamic Voice Acting
Sunday, May 29th – 7pm ~ Autograph Session w/ Philippa Ballantine and Starla Hutchton( Double Squee!)
Sunday May 29th – 10pm ~ Dirty Mad Libs

As far as I know, all of these events are taking place in the Derby, but check the con schedule to be sure. If you don’t find me there, ask for the mojito girl… people who were there last year might know what I am talking about.

Next post you see from me will be at Balticon. Be sure to check www.ScrivenersCircle.com for new Absolution chapters.

Scrivener’s Circle Casting Call

Laura — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:02:02 +0000

Casting Call: Absolution

Scrivener’s Circle is casting for it’s latest podcast novel written by Laura Frechette.
The story takes place in Maastricht, The Netherlands, and travels to Germany so most of the cast will have Germanic accents.

Synopsis: Desdemona and Paul are a very odd pair of companions: a half-demon and a priest. They meet under the most unlikely of circumstances and end up on a journey to save Paul’s life and Desdemona’s soul and along the way, they need to save the world.
Please record all auditions at 44100khz or mp3 format. Save the files as CharacterName_YourName_Absolution.mp3 and send it to ln_dragonsong at yahoo dot com with the subject Absolution Audition (Your Name)

Characters available:

Major roles:

Fr. Paul Greyson (American): Army priest who recently finished his tour with the military and settled in Maastricht after falling in love with the city. Slightly romantic and philosophical.

Line 1: This is a beautiful cage, don’t get me wrong, but the expanse of the fields only goes so far and in the end I still can’t leave.
Line 2: So what is it exactly you do, when you aren’t trying to stop the end of the world?
Line 3: I’ll be here. This time, let me take care of you.

Henning (German) (May also be cast as Heinrich): One of the twins sent to escort Desdemona and Paul to the Abbey to protect them from demonic forces. Will have a few intimate scenes. He has a wry sense of humor.

Line 1: It is your life, your very existence we are talking about here! Not to mention the fact that we won’t stand much of a chance against Malachi without you.
Line 2: The clothes that were in your bag were salvageable, though the monks certainly blushed when they got to washing your underwear,
Line 3: (Loud and a little drunk) Careful, Schatz. You’ll get into trouble if you drink that quickly.

Heinrich (German) (May also be cast as Henning): One of the twins sent to escort Desdemona and Paul to the Abbey to protect them from demonic forces. More light-hearted and jovial than his brother.

Line 1: Gutenabent
Line 2: Magic is considered power that cannot be explained by science. Just as faith and miracles cannot be defined by those scientists who need to break everything down to it’s most basic form.
Line 3: (Laughing) About three stories up and in the southern wing of the Abbey,

Abbot Paeter Rikoff (German): Abbot for Ettal Abbey and one of the strongest divine warriors outside of angels. He does find some parts of life humorous.

Line 1: (mockingly) Maybe you will find some mistletoe. You two would be a good pair
Line 2: In 914 AD a demon had requested sanctuary and requested to be baptized in order to save his soul. When he attempted to enter the sacred chapel, the floor opened and swallowed him into the earth.
Line 3: Mercifully hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and by Thy perpetual assistance keep this,Thine elect, Desdemona signed with the sign of the Lord’s cross, so that, preserving this first experience of the greatness of Thy glory, she may deserve, by keeping Thy commandments, to attain to the glory of regeneration. Through Christ our Lord.

Malachi (Spanish): Here is the face of evil. Desdemona’s half brother and the enforcing hand of Satan. He attempts to be as seductive as his father, but does not always succeed. Think Antonio Banderas as Armand but meaner.

Line 1: Padre is very upset with you querida and I can tell that these past few days have been tortuous to you. However, there is always the ability to redeem yourself.
Line 2: Let the power fill you and take control. Kill the priest and be welcomed home with open arms.
Line 3: Be warned, Abbot. You have taken one of our own. Now the war has begun.

Recurring Roles:

Fr. Laars (Dutch): Priest. Doesn’t speak English very well, but for the purposes of the story I have kept everything written and spoken in English. Always genuine in his concern and joy.

Line 1: You had quite an evening. Don’t be in a rush to get up just yet or you will hurt yourself.
Line 2: Oh don’t be so sour. You tried, that is the important thing.
Line 3: You have been pushing your eggs around for twenty minutes. What is on your mind, brother?

Fr. Edmond (Dutch): Priest. Does speak English. He is slightly full of himself and will never say he is wrong, only that the other person is right.

Line 1: And then the boy said, ‘Does that make Walter my god-brother?’
Line 2: Oh, right. You have your theories that medicines should come directly from nature as God intended… I apologize.
Line 3: I suppose there is some fraction of truth in your logic. You recommended this tea to help with my insomnia, and since then I have been sleeping better than ever, every night

Joseph McAdoo (American): US Army. He has a flirtatious sense of humor and a strong protective tone about him.

Line 1: I see you’re still the center of attention
Line 2: I know I should be really grateful for what you’ve done, but Dee, what the hell were you thinking?
Line 3: Aww, but I really wanted the Velociraptor that’s been coming up in my dreams,

Voice of God: Timeless child like voice. Wisdom far beyond her years. She appears in the form of an 8 year old child.

Line 1: Don’t cry. Everything will turn out okay. You’ll see.
Line 2: I see that the soldier inside of you is still there. That’s wonderful.
Line 3: To an extent, but sometimes it helps to say it out loud. Go ahead. You can scream, curse, or whatever you have to do to get all of the emotions of the situation out.

Satan: Smooth and charming one moment, dangerous the next. Think Tim Curry.

Line 1: The truth of the matter is that I got a very good hell hound out of the deal, and with time one can grow one’s thumb back. Well, I can at any rate.
Line 2: Keep your insolence to yourself
Line 3: It is true they are doing a fair enough job at corrupting themselves all in the name of God, but it is boring.

Raphael: Archangel. Compassionate, but no fluff about him. Easy sense of humor.

Line 1: There is another task that takes precedence before confronting the enemy.
Line 2: She was friends with our brother, Joseph and is therefore more invested in this than anyone.
Line 3: God knew you were going to make it, but I was not so sure. So let’s here a revised version of that prayer. One that is really you.

Mariska (Dutch): Sexy flirtatious, hot and dangerous.

Line 1: You have a lot of nerve coming back here,
Line 2: Free will is over rated.
Line 3: Welcome home, Desdemona. What took you so long?

Non-Recurring Roles:

Store Keeper (Dutch): Female 50’s

Line 1: Desdemona. There’s a customer here, American I need you to help.

Tour Guide:

Line 1: When Charlemagne was building this grand structure, it was bigger than his budget.
Line 2: Even back then, the people of Aachen were very cunning and figured out a loop hole in the agreement that Charlemagne had foolishly made.
Line 3: When it closed, his thumb got lodged in the lion’s head and tore off

Demons: Several one liners so give it your best and I will let you know where I put you.

Line 1: But they will kill me!
Line 2: You have betrayed us.
Line 3: It’s him! It’s the priest!

Shadow Demon: Shrill and high pitched. Hissy.

Line 1: Thou blood-traitor and vile temptress. Thou hast sullied the name of thy father by mingling with these agents of the Divine.
Line 2: Send me to him and I shall be glad to tell him of thy treachery.
Line 3: (Torturous Screams)

Initiate: Male

Line 1: She’s waking up!

Auditions close Friday January 14th, 2011.

Thanks for your participation and good luck!

2011 Goals

Laura — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 21:19:29 +0000

Hello my frequent visitors and friends,

Well it is 2011 and I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday. Mine was filled with a lot of laughter, great food, great people (thanks Val and Bri), and (I will admit) a little bit of alcohol. So everyone makes resolutions for the new year… and few stick to them. As for me I make goals. Sometimes I reach them and sometimes I don’t. Last year my goal was to finish the novella “Prisoners of the Alliance” with my partner in crime, David Sobkowiak. We succeeded and I also finished the first draft of another novel, which was pretty damn cool. It makes me think that a lot more things are possible having made those goals and I am very grateful for the people who supported me and challenged me all the way. I always did love a good competition (thanks Brand).

It was also stock full of new opportunities for me through meeting all my wonderful new friends at Balticon. I am doing everything in my power to get there again this year, hopefully as a guest or panelist. I have made more friends through that convention alone that I ever would have thought possible. You all know who you are and I am extremely happy to have you all in my life and to be a part of yours and I can’t wait to see you all again in May. That opportunity also indirectly brought me into the Flying Island Press group and now I get to be the bitch of the pirate ship and keep them scurvy pirates in line (yar)!

So what is in store for this year. First there are my goals:

Write: I will write at least 500 words per day on one of my stories (I am pretty sure I have 6 works in progress).
Stargazers: Ah my first born love child with Gwendolyn Jensen Woodard. I have not forgotten you but the muses were pulling me away. The goal for the year is to get up to episode 10 written and produced this year. Then we will look at the next season.
Voice Acting: I have several large roles in my future and I am happy to say that some of them are almost done so I can take on more roles because, let’s face it, I really enjoy acting. Anyone who wants to cast me as a villain, I am so there.
Get Published: Among my works in progress there are a couple of short stories that I will be submitting for publication. I have my fingers crossed that it will get approved, but early beta reads are promising.
Scriveners Circle: David and I have been on a hiatus but we are working to bring you new content. Once I get another WIP completed I will be casting for another audio book. I am debating if it will be my spy novel or my urban demonic fantasy… what do you all think?
Lose Inches: Every time I say I want to lose weight, I feel like I am doing well until I hit the scale. So, while I am listening to my friend Doc and his Shrinking Man Project, I will be measuring my progress more by my waist size than anything. Currently I wear a size 14 in pants. I want to get down to a size 12 by March and possibly a size 10 by the end of the year. To do this I have to make several life changes. I can’t have bread anymore, so that helps. I have also chosen to stay away from potato chips and soda (except at restaurants). I will also be working out 2x per day 5 days per week, and working out when I get bored to avoid snacking (my major weakness). Wish me luck.

So those are the major goals for me this year. Today I will likely get to writing a little for Stargazers and writing up the goals in pretty letters to post on the wall behind my monitor so that I keep on track.

I hope you all are doing well and I look forward to hearing from you and your efforts for the new year, as writers, voice actors, producers, and my friends. May 2011 give you all that you need and the means to go after what you want. (Word Count 763, Don’t worry I will be writing more later.)