Killa's voice burr - A Meeting of Minds

Jul 8 2006, 02:35 AM

I always wanted to ask this at the KT and never got around to it.
If I remember correctly, in the beginning of CS Killa has to leave the conservatory because a burr in her voice makes her fail her final examination, right?
I've always read short bios on Anne, and sometimes the fact that she studied voice is mentioned briefly. So, is the Killa character based to some degree on her own experiences? Sort of like Robinton being based on Robinson? Does Anne have a burr? I've always wondered.

And completely off topic: I've missed posting so much! I'm so relieved I finally settled down long enough to find MoM, KT withdrawal was driving me nuts.

granath · Jul 8 2006, 04:56 AM

I do remember reading somewhere that her voice had an imperfection of some sort, which prevented her from pursuing a solo career. She turned to stage direction and writing instead, after nine years of studying voice. I can't remember where I saw the specific quote, unfortunately.

**Cheryl** · Jul 8 2006, 08:30 AM

If I remember correctly, I think it was while Anne was in Germany, that the training she did under a vocal coach she there emphasized a flaw in her own voice. I'd have to dig through my various biographic sources to find more details -- which I'm happy to if you'd like!

Welcome to MoM, Khanath!

c_ris · Jul 8 2006, 01:40 PM

It is mentioned in Dragonholder... something to do with training her voice too high, and a flaw in the E, F and G notes (or something similar). It is mentioned several times that it was her own experience that she based Killa's situation.

***Pam*** · Jul 8 2006, 05:30 PM

Here's the quote in Dragonholder p. 37

Quote:

The trip to Germany was a real wrench, as "Robie" had offered Anne a plum role in a modern opera. Worse, in Germany Anne's teacher, Canadian tenor Ron Stewart, decided that she was a contralto and commenced to train her in that lower range. It was a mistake. Singing in the lower range, Anne had flaws in the E, F, and G notes in the middle voice. Her maestro never allowed her to sing anywhere except in his studio, so she never noticed the flaw herself. When he finally told her about it, her devestation was traumatic.

Years later Anne bequeathed her emotions to Killashandra Ree, in The Crystal Singer. "I've repertoire! I've worked hard and now--now you tell me I've no voice!"

And then on page 41

Quote:

Unlike Killashandra Ree of The Crystal Singer, Anne had sweet revenge. When she returned to the States she discovered that all that concentration on her lower range had actually shot her higher notes up to the E above high C and she continued to sing as a soprano, although the flaw in the lowest E, F, and G remained.

c_ris · Jul 8 2006, 08:14 PM

Nearly right then!

Jul 9 2006, 07:53 PM

ooh, yay, thanks!

Multi-Facets · Aug 28 2006, 12:32 AM

Wow. So I guess writers really do put little bits of themselves into everything they do.

P'ter · Aug 28 2006, 06:55 AM

You always write best when you write something you KNOW.

Multi-Facets · Sep 1 2006, 04:31 PM

But it never hurts to venture into areas you don't know as long as you do your research, right? I mean, right? ^n_n^

Weyrwoman Kalina · Sep 5 2006, 06:12 PM

If you put some of yourself into your writing... something you REALLY know... it can most definitely make it more believable!

Lady Maelin · Sep 14 2006, 12:23 PM

I am so glad that I came in here today and found this...I have just finished "Killashandra" again after quite a long time between readings. I had a hunch that Anne might have had a problem with her voice...but had not gotten far enough into Dragonholder to read the quoted passages. Thank for posting them...does put a more personal stamp on the book now.

T'mynn · Sep 30 2008, 01:06 PM

It oesn't seem to me she had a 'flaw' merely being mistrianed by the vocal instructor. If they're a good one, they'll train the voice to be it's best an help strengthen flaws.

Brenda · Sep 30 2008, 11:41 PM

Apparently the flaw was evident from the start, and the Maestro assumed he could train it away, but was unsuccessful.

Jandolyn · Feb 23 2009, 09:52 PM

Wow, this is exactly the kind of thing I hoped to find when I joined MoM!! I wrote Anne a letter when I was a sophomore in high school for an English project and one of the questions I asked her was whether any of her stories were based on her life. Unfortunately, I got only a vague answer: "No, since I have never been in space!"
Oh, it feels so good to assuage my curiosity!!!!! (and next time I will be more specific!!!)

**Cheryl** · Feb 24 2009, 08:32 AM

Authors get tired of that question, I think, and some find it downright offensive. So many people ask it, and so many are under the misunderstanding that there must be all sorts of autobiographic details in their books as if an author can't imagine something s/he hasn't experienced (which is why authors are sometimes offended by it).

So I guess I'm not surprised you didn't get much of an answer on that question.

But Anne does insert bits of her life in books here and there, like Killa's voice burr. Other bits include young Todd of the Doona books being based on her own son Todd, and the beginning part of Stitch in Snow where the protagonist meets a handsome man when he picks up a dropped ball of yarn in an airport.

GinnyStar · Feb 25 2009, 12:27 AM

Well I got no music abilty. I do enjoy the Crystal Singer books. Out side of missing one which I don't have in my collection Killashandra and my copy copy of Crystal Singer is falling apart

I know it can hapen to hardback books were the spice could carack but for a paperback it well happen soon or later!

For I read some many times many are falling apart.

Also its good to remember that Dragonholder is another great book which some of backstore written in to Anne books.

Also if I recall right she got a bit back on him after he moved to America "Shrug shorulders"

Jandolyn · Feb 25 2009, 03:01 PM

Thanks, Cheryl! I suppose authors would get tired of being asked that question. I wasn't really thinking of that as a 10th grader though.

I am delighted to finally find answers to my questions!!

Jul 8 2006, 02:35 AM	#1
Khanath Guest	Killa's voice burr I always wanted to ask this at the KT and never got around to it. If I remember correctly, in the beginning of CS Killa has to leave the conservatory because a burr in her voice makes her fail her final examination, right? I've always read short bios on Anne, and sometimes the fact that she studied voice is mentioned briefly. So, is the Killa character based to some degree on her own experiences? Sort of like Robinton being based on Robinson? Does Anne have a burr? I've always wondered. And completely off topic: I've missed posting so much! I'm so relieved I finally settled down long enough to find MoM, KT withdrawal was driving me nuts.

Jul 8 2006, 04:56 AM	#2
granath Talent Tower Prime Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Proud Mom! Gender: F Fan of: Afra Lyon Now Reading: Faye Upton: Dragonchoice 3	Re: Killa's voice burr I do remember reading somewhere that her voice had an imperfection of some sort, which prevented her from pursuing a solo career. She turned to stage direction and writing instead, after nine years of studying voice. I can't remember where I saw the specific quote, unfortunately. __________________ Decaf coffee is an oxymoron. Instant coffee is an abomination. Give me the real thing and nobody gets hurt. "Do. Or do not. There is no try" -- Yoda VP of the Afra Lyon fan club!

Jul 8 2006, 08:30 AM	#3
Cheryl Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland, USA Gender: F Fan of: Pern! Now Reading: Paladin of Souls (Bujold)	Re: Killa's voice burr If I remember correctly, I think it was while Anne was in Germany, that the training she did under a vocal coach she there emphasized a flaw in her own voice. I'd have to dig through my various biographic sources to find more details -- which I'm happy to if you'd like! Welcome to MoM, Khanath! __________________ Visit one of the other sites of Cheryl's Anne McCaffrey Triad: Sariel's Guide to Pern: a detailed guide to the series The Many Works of Anne McCaffrey: largest fan site about Anne and ALL of her works McCaffrey Quest: annual trivia contest.

Jul 8 2006, 01:40 PM	#4
c_ris Journeyman Harper Roedin Wing Second Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Great Britain Gender: M Fan of: the Dragonriders of Pern! Now Reading: The Elder Gods - Eddings	Re: Killa's voice burr It is mentioned in Dragonholder... something to do with training her voice too high, and a flaw in the E, F and G notes (or something similar). It is mentioned several times that it was her own experience that she based Killa's situation. __________________ Roedin Of Pern "When a harper is silenced, all men should listen harder." AtWoP

Jul 8 2006, 08:14 PM	#6
c_ris Journeyman Harper Roedin Wing Second Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Great Britain Gender: M Fan of: the Dragonriders of Pern! Now Reading: The Elder Gods - Eddings	Re: Killa's voice burr Nearly right then! __________________ Roedin Of Pern "When a harper is silenced, all men should listen harder." AtWoP

Jul 9 2006, 07:53 PM	#7
Khanath Guest	Re: Killa's voice burr ooh, yay, thanks!

Aug 28 2006, 12:32 AM	#8
Multi-Facets Insert Witty Title Here. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Gender: F Fan of: Girl Who Heard Dragons Now Reading: Newflesh/Mira Grant.	Re: Killa's voice burr Wow. So I guess writers really do put little bits of themselves into everything they do.

Aug 28 2006, 06:55 AM	#9
P'ter Crafter Craftmaster Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Gender: M Fan of: Favorite? Now Reading: avidly	Re: Killa's voice burr You always write best when you write something you KNOW. __________________ "Truth is stranger than fiction: fiction has to make sense." Leo Rosten. "When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." C. S. Lewis "I find television very educational. Whenever somebody switches it on I go in the other room and read a book." (attributed to Groucho Marx) The Pedants are revolting! (against bad grammar)

Sep 1 2006, 04:31 PM	#10
Multi-Facets Insert Witty Title Here. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Gender: F Fan of: Girl Who Heard Dragons Now Reading: Newflesh/Mira Grant.	Re: Killa's voice burr But it never hurts to venture into areas you don't know as long as you do your research, right? I mean, right? ^n_n^

Sep 5 2006, 06:12 PM	#11
Weyrwoman Kalina Inactive Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wherever I am :D Gender: F Fan of: Crystal Singer series! Now Reading: Moreta	Re: Killa's voice burr If you put some of yourself into your writing... something you REALLY know... it can most definitely make it more believable!

Sep 14 2006, 12:23 PM	#12
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Gender: F Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: Killa's voice burr I am so glad that I came in here today and found this...I have just finished "Killashandra" again after quite a long time between readings. I had a hunch that Anne might have had a problem with her voice...but had not gotten far enough into Dragonholder to read the quoted passages. Thank for posting them...does put a more personal stamp on the book now. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Sep 30 2008, 01:06 PM	#13
T'mynn Inactive Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anywhere, Everywhere. Maybe Pern.:-) Gender: F Fan of: All books Now Reading: Chronicles of Pern	Re: Killa's voice burr It oesn't seem to me she had a 'flaw' merely being mistrianed by the vocal instructor. If they're a good one, they'll train the voice to be it's best an help strengthen flaws.

Sep 30 2008, 11:41 PM	#14
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis Gender: F	Re: Killa's voice burr Apparently the flaw was evident from the start, and the Maestro assumed he could train it away, but was unsuccessful. __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Feb 23 2009, 09:52 PM	#15
Jandolyn Inactive Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Idaho Gender: F Fan of: The Crystal Singer Series Now Reading: The Skies of Pern	Re: Killa's voice burr Wow, this is exactly the kind of thing I hoped to find when I joined MoM!! I wrote Anne a letter when I was a sophomore in high school for an English project and one of the questions I asked her was whether any of her stories were based on her life. Unfortunately, I got only a vague answer: "No, since I have never been in space!" Oh, it feels so good to assuage my curiosity!!!!! (and next time I will be more specific!!!)

Feb 24 2009, 08:32 AM	#16
Cheryl Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland, USA Gender: F Fan of: Pern! Now Reading: Paladin of Souls (Bujold)	Re: Killa's voice burr Authors get tired of that question, I think, and some find it downright offensive. So many people ask it, and so many are under the misunderstanding that there must be all sorts of autobiographic details in their books as if an author can't imagine something s/he hasn't experienced (which is why authors are sometimes offended by it). So I guess I'm not surprised you didn't get much of an answer on that question. But Anne does insert bits of her life in books here and there, like Killa's voice burr. Other bits include young Todd of the Doona books being based on her own son Todd, and the beginning part of Stitch in Snow where the protagonist meets a handsome man when he picks up a dropped ball of yarn in an airport. __________________ Visit one of the other sites of Cheryl's Anne McCaffrey Triad: Sariel's Guide to Pern: a detailed guide to the series The Many Works of Anne McCaffrey: largest fan site about Anne and ALL of her works McCaffrey Quest: annual trivia contest.

Feb 25 2009, 12:27 AM	#17
GinnyStar Dolphineer Craftmaster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wausau, WI USA, Central Standard Time Gender: F Fan of: Pern, other SF works Now Reading: Dragonback Bargain	Re: Killa's voice burr Well I got no music abilty. I do enjoy the Crystal Singer books. Out side of missing one which I don't have in my collection Killashandra and my copy copy of Crystal Singer is falling apart I know it can hapen to hardback books were the spice could carack but for a paperback it well happen soon or later! For I read some many times many are falling apart. Also its good to remember that Dragonholder is another great book which some of backstore written in to Anne books. Also if I recall right she got a bit back on him after he moved to America "Shrug shorulders" __________________ Lover s s, s and friends Lover of and beads, http://www.change.org/profiles/GinnyStar Dragoncave GinnyStar2 Jellied Dragons Lair of Dragons http://dragcave.net/user/GinnyStar2 Thanks! Others: None at this time WIP http://archiveofourown.org/works/252259 http://www.daisy.org/learning-difficulties

Feb 25 2009, 03:01 PM	#18
Jandolyn Inactive Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Idaho Gender: F Fan of: The Crystal Singer Series Now Reading: The Skies of Pern	Re: Killa's voice burr Thanks, Cheryl! I suppose authors would get tired of being asked that question. I wasn't really thinking of that as a 10th grader though. I am delighted to finally find answers to my questions!!