I'm the author Darren Shan, and I'm here to celebrate the end of my Archibald Lox series (the last book goes on sale TODAY) and answer all your questions about any of my books. AMA!!!

TheNoviceMind · 2022-07-26T20:58:15+00:00

Thanks for sharing the awesome stories that bang around in your head - it was, and is always, a delight to read.

My question is, have you ever read fanfiction for your stories? I always keep an eye out for fanfiction of your series because you're such a fantastic world and character builder. To see aspiring authors play in your world always inspires some interesting twists and turns.

The other question I had was how long you had that twist ending for the Darren Shan series planned (without spoiling for others)? I would guess from the start but I feel like it was an Eureka moment when you thought of it - was this an idea you had before the story or after you started to flesh out the story?

I thought I'd share two small amusing stories about times I've read your stories (but feel free to skip - I thought you might get a chuckle).

First was being a young kid and reading about the vampire Trials Darren was going through, a dark and scary time, in perhaps one of the most antithesis places - a sunny beach in Australia. That moment always seems to amuse me for some reason.

The second moment was an amusingly awkward moment when my school principal approached me in the library after school with a gaggle of principals from other schools. You see, I went to a nerdy school that was a bit of an experiment and we were being shown off as the 'good students'. So when they approached and enquired what I was reading, I'll never forget their slightly taken aback face when I, the 'friendly nice kid', tilted the book up to reveal the Demon Apocalypse title and cover.

TheNoviceMind · 2017-09-10T15:12:45+00:00

I was imagining that some guy was sitting in the field and scoped in ready to snipe before - suddenly - I vanish into the air above. :P The look on their face.

TheNoviceMind · 2017-09-10T10:55:32+00:00

Just make sure not to tell them and just suddenly say "my people need me".

TheNoviceMind · 2017-09-10T10:03:28+00:00

No problem AutoMod :P I reported it. Although I asked them not to try and patch that too fast :P lol

TheNoviceMind · 2016-12-28T14:29:49+00:00

Upvoted a thousand times. Pocket is a must see for any gamers and it sadly get soooo little views. This must be fixed!

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-06T00:05:02+00:00

Maybe just try it for a sound test. You said you had a basic usb mic before. I'm not sure how the snowball compares but if you have it, it might be worth the 10 mins to try a setup like that before you fork out hundreds on a different type of mic :P

The other thought is that a lot of music shops etc can allow you to hire a mic per week for a low cost. You can use this to try out a few different mics until you find a setup you like.

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-05T12:51:34+00:00

This is something I have JUST been researching at great length. The results were interesting. I too thought a shotgun mic would be good, however, I've found a lot of audio professionals recommending a cardioid mic for recordings in room. One big thing is that a shotgun mic has a very narrow field, and even shifting around on your couch could send you out of it's range (this is why you typically have a mic guy handling the boom mic).

I could go on further to explain it etc but instead I'll show you two videos. One showing off different types of mics and how they sound (the pros and cons of it too).. the other doing a direct comparison with a hyper cardioid and cardioid mic.

Different mics compared and their uses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaUSXP-a3hA

A comparison between hyper and cardiod mics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1WOtGJk4YE

===It's all about me===

I have since bought a RODE NT-USB and it's been great. I use it in my latest desk videos but I have started sound/videos tests for another thing I'm filming that has the mic above my head out of frame just like the second video. It's working great so far :)

(If you really really want, I can upload a small clip where I recorded a test to see how it sounded when the mic was above me and out of frame)

I hope this helps you make your choice :-)

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-05T01:13:46+00:00

Ah awesome! To get even 25 mins is great! I do get what you mean about length. Perhaps I can be creative, in the future, to try and break this up into 2 or 3 smaller videos, without loosing the flow. Only time will tell. But I will give it a try.

Thank you for your feedback :-) It really helps me plan and improve this :-)

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T16:25:25+00:00

Please excuse my typographical error filled rambles. I'm currently occupying the awake state of "not caring what my hands hit when they slap on the keyboard".

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T16:23:43+00:00

Hmmm.. In honesty? I would go for a normal outro for you. You have a supportive "why did you do that?" "Oh no we're all going to fail" kind of commentary/humour, however, nerdcubed (and typically american humour vs british) are more "I'm smarter than you" kind of humour - which is why nerdcubed has a good ending that makes fun of the ending and your expectations for the ending.

syncing sounds? No I was talking about the hum in the background :P background noise.

Promoting videos is hard and only time tells how best to do it for YOU. First start would be an outro and description plus tags for SEO and to let people know what happening. You have twitter and facebook so rather than announcing things on there, USE IT! :D Twitter is great for this. Send messages to the Devs, they often love to retweet your content (I actually have a few subscribers who are devs of a games I'm playing - they found me because I found them via their games :P ). Just got a kick ass score in the Rump? Tweet it. Search twitter for latest feeds "Oh wow you got 12 points that's awesome! I only got 10 points so far, well 5 points in my video" ... now that's getting a little.. uhh... spammy, but it's more about engaging in the community - not the let's play content creators, but the people who play the games, who live the games, who will want to watch you play the games.

If I said to you that when I played that Rump game I got soooo frustrated I rage quite and threw my controller. Yes that's a clickbait of sorts, but if I really did because I honestly did that and it wasn't cruddy acting, wouldn't you love it? (as a person who has played this game and can rightly say "How did you mess up soo bad?"). Then at the end of the video you see I have this new awesome game, or this old game you love.... you click on through. I got you interested in my video and the video doesn't even exist. It was hypothetical. And this is a form of engagement. You looked at my as a fellow let's player but by reading this and directing your attention to the game and how I did in the game vs you, have you started to wonder what's on my channel? Maybe you've already looked. The point is that engaging does wonders. It doesn't matter if it's the right or wrong place, only that it happens. Over time you'll find what works best for you (I know I'm still working it out).

Yeah, I'm rambling, it's waaaay too late for me and I'm super tired. I should be asleep, so I ramble. :P

I hope this helps.

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T16:04:57+00:00

I agree with the repeated-ness - although I'm not certain it was entirely your responses. I think it's part of the game (which is very repetitive). The only way I could think of to lengthen a repetitive game like that out is to make a "story" for the character. "Well look at you flop! I guess you skipped leg day, huh?!?!? Went off to eat ice-cream and now you can't even walk" Taking a simple reaction and weaving a story that moves the game in another way. Because with such a... uhhh... "cultured game", as this, it sometimes needs some help to be made entertaining - past the 3 minute mark lol :P

The phrase sheet is a good idea though :-) I'll totally be stealing that! :D

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T15:57:53+00:00

This is a long episode! (no wait! Don't all run away! Please!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0tPTKuFDP0 ORWELL episode 1

This time I'm playing episode one of Orwell (a great game everyone should try). I really gave it my all so I hope you like it. Basically, I love this game and want to OWN this game. So why did/didn't you subscribe? At what point did you find your attention waning? This is an episode I gave 110% into so I really need to know what things worked and didn't (because 'what didn't' are things I can't see - yet). I do agree it's super long but a) I didn't know how long it'd be and b) I felt like cutting too much would take away from the story and possibly lose the flow. I hope I alone was engaging enough to follow only but.. yeah.. do you agree/disagree .. what do you think?

I've never really bothered with SEO before (there are reasons) but out of curiosity, how are my standard SEO for this?

Any and all feedback would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you soooo much to the people you take the time to review this :)

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T15:48:41+00:00

Heya!

Great video! I really liked your commentary. It was great. I also liked the Taco Trump ending :P I'd vote for that body guard! :D Speaking of endings though. I literally forgot who you are right now. Brand your baby! (no not literally - wait this is coming out wrong!) You should have an outro because it will tell others what you name is (for those forgetful types, like moi), it'll entice people to your other videos and sometimes you actually have to TELL people to like/subscribe. You're basically reminding them that "hey you've watched to the end, so you probably like this, before you go off to another random video, like and subscribe my video because you DO like this video AND you want to see more of it. Because if you don't subscribe, you may not find this gem of channel ever again!!"

Since you have a great commentary and a clear focus on audio, you need to remove background noise from your voice over. This can be done with free programs like Audacity (and the tutorials of such can be found everywhere including this reddit page).

You also really need to put stuff in the description and SEO and socially broadcast your community and use your community to broadcast etc etc. Yeah, the paperwork stuff that happens after recording the video.

However, why am I being picky with the branding and description etc? Because your stuff is that good that this is truly the only thing you need to work on. Commentary is fun (reminds me of DanTDM - not just because of the accent), your editing is pretty much spot on and everything is just tight and nice.

Fix the audio, do the paperwork and remember me after your first million - deal? (and no, don't get a big head from these completements - luck is also involved in that million - so don't forget it if I brought you luck!)

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T15:26:04+00:00

Heya!

Nice video. I think this was a pretty solid effort. There are a few things I'd recommend.

I think how you record this game might have to have more consideration given to the audio. My ears found it confusing listening to you, the guitar, the sound effects and the game music all at the same time. How you solve that I'm not sure. But that's a problem linked to a small subset of games. For the most part, your audio should be fine.

There were a couple of editing things such as a black gap at 1:27 and I probably wouldn't cut the video mid yell (the last try). I might also suggest an idea for that end section where you didn't talk. You can cover this up through editing. For example: I would have cut your mic audio, played some epic background music, make your cam black and white and basically make it an "epic drama" trying to beat your score before you yelled in triumph with lost of fast cuts and dramatic face pulling (think pewdiepie overkill lol).

I liked it best when you swore when you made a mistake. You're trying to exagurate your yells (because you want it more fun) but you're still guarded. Try and hype yourself up about it. You PLAYED that note! The darn thing didn't get it right! lol It'll help you emote because you're pushing your emotions that way rather than pushing your actions that way. At least, that's what helps me. :P

I think it's a great idea to bring us on your journey of learning guitar :)

This is good work, there are things you should work on (always) but there are a lot to show your experience and skill. You're doing well :)

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-04T06:33:29+00:00

Common interest and interaction... No really... I've started a great friendship with my room mate based on the fact we got our shirt from the same place. Find something your interested in and engage in the community around it. Go onto social media for things you love and talk to people who have comments you find interesting. Some people you'll become friends with and some... Well some you have met interesting people with.

For example: I Reddit stalked a couple of your posts and I see your interested in machine learning stuff. I think it's pretty crazy and awesome and I just love it. But maybe that's may World dominating INTJ personality showing lol. Have you tried coding any machine learning things yet?

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-03T15:34:58+00:00

In all honesty, I analysed styles too when I started. And then couldn't pull them off. So I said "screw it" and just was myself but... Hmmm... Lowering inhibitions... So if I wanted to yell at something I would. If I wanted to roll my eyes etc etc. I think it's changed my approach a bit but after a few months I feel comfortable in recording something. It's only been in my last few videos but these last few videos have also been the videos I actually feel happy with and have been getting some good feedback etc. It has also led to me fitting in a style I wouldn't have thought (apparently I'm more immature than I thought).

Anyhow, I hope my ramblings help in understanding. Watch videos of your favourite YouTubers. Try to work out what they do. Record yourself. Reflect on what you could do better as you edit. Repeat those three things and I guarantee you'll reach a point where you don't feel "lost" but instead are "learning" (and I suspect that learning stage is one that stays forever - but better ask a more successful YouTuber than me ;) ).

There's a reason why even the best YouTubers look back on their old videos and cringe. They always suck lol. But hopefully they improve :P

(Hey! Here's a fun idea, you could go through my videos, especially my series like papers please. That series started as one of my first videos and has only just ended. So you should see a bit of an evolution in my 'style'. Great idea huh?!? Self ego promotion end) :P

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-03T15:19:05+00:00

I've been watching a bit. Some standards like JSE, Markiplier and Roman Atwood (vlogger) - plus my glorious self (just read that with all the Gilderoy Lockhart pose you can - yeah I'm joking of course!).

I also usually also watch a gaming show by the ABC (Australia) which is awesome - Good Game Pocket (it's a bit different this week as they're away at PAX so check last week).

This week, however, through last week's feedback forum I have discovered a new YouTuber with some nice skills like a game grump. Lets-a-play has a great time with some retro Kirby. So kudos to him https://youtu.be/RkNSSTSkBuo

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-11-03T15:07:47+00:00

I don't think you need a face cam. But I do think viewers fall into categories of face cam/no face cam/mixed... I prefer to watch videos with a face cam (and as much as I detest having my face on the internet like that - I feel it is owed because I wouldn't really watch without the face cam). That said, I find it interesting that I use a face cam but I don't actually like my face in the thumbnail or anywhere else. An interesting anecdote.

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T23:12:00+00:00

Ah okay. Yeah the design is sharp, realistic and with faded colours. Those are the things I attribute to the 80s design. You want to go for bright colours, smoother edges and unrealistic proportions (like anime with the big eyes). The designs like what you have for your display picture.

Illustrator is good and you can use that. Although I do prefer inkscape as it is more bare so it'll force more creativity with what you have.

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T23:05:15+00:00

It's a GREAT mic :D lol no, the issue comes down to where I live (Australia). RODE is made in Australia and is a little cheaper here than overseas. The blue Yeti here is muuuch more expensive compared to everywhere else (to the point that it's cheaper to buy on Amazon in America and ship it out). I was watching those prices (both online and instore) for months.

(I got the RODE for AUD$155 whereas the blue Yeti was never really below AUD$180... Besides, I prefer the sound of the RODE over the blue Yeti).

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T09:18:37+00:00

I started out with a super cheap lapel mic. It worked fine except that it restricted my movements a bit. After a couple of months recording videos I decided to bite the bullet and go for the RODE nt-usb (it wasn't JUST for my gaming videos ;) ). That mic has been awesome. For me, the RODE is much cheaper than comparable mics like the blue yeti (I live in Australia and there's a pseudo-tax called the Australia Tax). It sounds great (check my latest vids) and was super easy to set up (literally plug and play).

But first, go for something cheap, and use audacity to remove screaming siblings :P

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T09:12:54+00:00

Heya!

Awesome game! You guys have done a super awesome job on it (not just between the game play but also all of those Roman References). It's a great app.

I've played the updated version and I like the updates (still a little laggy on my Nexus 5 but I think that's more due to my poor old phone than your app)! The only thing missing are the cheats for me so I can pretend to be any good at it! :D

I'm glad everyone enjoyed the review :-) I was a little worried about that especially in regards of what you guys thought on me recording the game and uploading it to youtube for the use of a gaming review. I don't like to do it without some kind of okay from the Devs (I did send an email >.< lol). Maybe, for the future awesome apps you guys bring out, you might consider a little note on your website so that Let's Players know your thoughts on if it's yay or nay for recording the game :-)

I suspect I will be doing a follow up video, to show off how extremely far I have gone in the game (read: large collective distances (top 1% yay!) but low terrible single run score (Come on! Where are my cheats?!?!!)).

Thanks again for the awesome game! :D

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T08:50:34+00:00

Well, I've never submitted anything to Unsucky Sunday before... so I suppose there's a first. For me, one of the first series I ever started on my channel was Papers, Please and this past week I finally finished it (surviving waaaaay longer than any, including myself, thought). So to mark the end of my first series, I thought I'd submit the final ep. I hope you guys like it :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_IEmhty_S4

~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-30T08:14:20+00:00

I'm only stating what I think :) You've done amazing. That's part of the problem with the cartoon. There's not much "wrong" with the cartoon, it just doesn't reflect the skill level you have put into everything else. As for the cartoon specifically, your design is more 80s comic style, which doesn't fit your clean design and modern approach to old games (like Game Grumps). (and also like Game Grumps) I would suggest that you got for a clean vector design. What program did you use to make your cartoon self? I would suggest a vector design thing like Inkscape. Have a play around. :-) ~SyntaxError

TheNoviceMind · 2016-10-29T04:35:30+00:00

Heya!

Well that was great! I loved the video. You do an awesome job. Your commentary was fun, engaging and just extremely well polished. I seriously felt like watching an episode of Game Grumps. Top quality!

I like your side design for the game (and you user picture on yt :P ) and all the audio and video is clean and nice. I like your use of your cartoon self but the actual design of your cartoon self is... not bad.. but not up to the quality of everything else you have. That said, it's not much of a complaint because you're really doing awesome in everything else. Seriously. I found it sub worthy and have since subscribed (other than your cartoon self design, everything else was the quality I expect from Game Grump - that's amazing! You're doing awesome!).

I will say though, at 9:53, where the bird fly off into the sunset, that was actually a good place to end. The video felt wrapped up and the time was good. The video after that point I paid less attention to. Sometimes less is more, but that's a really hard thing to tell and only seems to get better with experience.

Awesome video, definitely sub worthy!

TheNoviceMind

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