When I realized I could use the MovieMaker feature on my PC, I started downloading photos I could find from Facebook and other sites, which I assume are for public consumption. Music? That's when I learned something interesting. After searching through my CD collection, I downloaded some of these songs into my PC. Oh, snap! I can't transfer any of these songs to my trailer, and my computer informed me to remove the music file. Well, I didn't want any trouble, so no awesome music for my trailer. I pondered on this problem for a day or two. I was at my job at K-Mart, folding ladies' jeans, when I realized that my voice belongs only to me, so why don't I simply narrate the trailer? But how? I dropped the jeans, made sure a manager wasn't watching me, and dashed to the electronics department. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, maybe an MP3 player. I have never owned one but, as I roamed the aisles, passing the TV sets, CDs, and batteries, I found what I needed. A voice recorder. Forty bucks. The recorder might come in handy for other things, although I couldn't think of another use besides my trailer. At breaktime, I bought the recorder with my credit card.
I am one of those people; once I get started with any kind of project, I like to see it through. After returning home, I went to my computer. My mother, who is retired, has a tendency to keep the volume on her TV quite high. Rather than get into another discussion about hearing aides, I shut the door to my office room and sat down to figure out how to use a voice recorder and download my voice as a file. After installing the batteries(baby steps)and reading the instructions, I recorded my narration(Ray Thorpe is falling in love for the first time...). I played it back; it sounded okay. I don't like having my picture taken, and hearing the sound of my voice made feel almost as self-conscious. I then proceeded to download the voice file after figuring out the software(another baby step). This file was accepted by MovieMaker, so I could finish the trailer. Upon completion, I went to bed.
The next day, I watched my homemade trailer all the way through. I was satisfied with it, considering my inexperience. Time to upload. I went to my Facebook page first to post. Then I went to You Tube. To upload your video there, you have to remember your password, which I had failed to write down, so I had to make a new one(baby step #3). Then I had to change my .wimp file to a .wmv file(who wants to be a wimp, anyway?). More patience...patience. Keywords, other bullshit. Finally, my trailer was uploaded and ready for others to watch. I went to Twitter and Google+. My head hurt. I was neglecting my new writing in favor of more promotion for Blood In Trust. I wanted the book to be successful, but I'm an indie writer with an ebook. I don't have Anne Rice's PR machine, and there are indie authors with trailers slicker than mine. These trailers look almost like little movies, and there are people who make book trailers for a fee. However, I do not have a disposable income to hire other people to help me. The best thing about working for yourself is what you learn; such as how to use MovieMaker and uploading videos. I know, these are things most people under the age of twenty-five learn in high school. I'm a bit late, but I'm catching on. :)