A Good Story, Well Told

Audiobook, Voice Over Genres

Musings at the Mic 

 – BY SCOTT THOMAS                                                                                 

One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that audio can be a very powerful trigger for memories.  Most of us at one point or another have heard a certain song that instantly catapults us back to a distant place and time.  Well, audiobooks have had the same effect on me.  After all…there’s nothing like a good story, well told.

An Avid Audiobook Listener

I always have at least one audiobook I bob in and out of just about every single day.  That said, I guess you could call me an avid audiobook listener.  Have been for over fifteen years now.
Every now and then, I’ll re-listen to an audiobook, and vivid memories from years gone by will flutter in my mind’s eye.  Like listening to a particular Stephen King novel for the second time:  I had moments that sent me right back to the time when I spent a weekend on a home improvement project while listening to that same audiobook.  Bam!  Memory trigger!
Or the time I listened to a Jonathan Maberry thriller while on vacation in the Bahamas.  When I listened again years later, distant memories of aqua water and white sand were a welcome guest in my mind.

The Big Shift:  Becoming an Audiobook Narrator

Years after becoming an audiobook listener, I decided to dive into the world of audiobook narration.  I had two things going for me:  I’d been listening to audiobooks for years, and I already had a background in voice overs.  These two factors combined to give me a keen sense as to when a narrator is really engaged, or just going through the motions.  If you’ve ever listened to an audiobook that made you laugh out loud, cry, get goose bumps or scream at the heavens – then most likely the narration was spot-on.
On the flip side, there have been stories I had to stop listening to because the narrator was.  just.  reading.  the.  words.
An excellent audiobook experience starts with the story.  Narrators are tasked with telling the author’s truth.  They have a responsibility to the listener to bring them into the story and keep them there.  Authors and narrators, readers and listeners all understand the impact a good story can have.

A Narrator’s Legacy

There are very few genres of voice over that stand the test of time.  Video game characters, animation and audiobooks are examples that will be around for generations.  I consider these genres to be a voice actor’s legacy work.  I’m honored and humbled by the notion that listeners, for decades to come, will become immersed in a story I narrated.
A story they can’t wait to get back to.
A story that makes drives more enjoyable.
One where every available minute is taken up – by diving back in.
A story that’s worth listening to again.  And sparking a memory or two.
It’s just one of the joys we receive from audiobooks.   Truly, the power of a good story, well-told…

 

 

Audiobook Narration

Voice Over Genres

Musings at the Mic

 – BY SCOTT THOMAS

 

Have you ever run a marathon?  To narrators and voice actors, audiobook narration IS the marathon of voice overs.  On average, we’re talking around five hours of continuous recording every day – day after day, possibly week after week…and that’s just to complete one project.

Finish one, start another.

Audiobook narration is not for everyone.  For one thing – narrating a book is definitely not a case of someone just going through the motions and spitting out words from a page.

Audiobook Narration is Storytelling.

In the history of the world, how important is storytelling to human beings?  I mean, who doesn’t love a good story, well told??  I think I read somewhere that the earliest form of entertainment for us humans was sitting around in a group with someone telling tales of hunting and gathering and barely escaping saber toothed tigers and what not.  Ya’ know…storytelling!   

Obviously, audiobook narration is storytelling, but more specifically, it’s reading the words on a page.

That’s different.

Know the words, tell the story…

Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Even non-fiction titles have elements of storytelling.  All good narrators engage the listener by truly connecting with the script.  Even if it’s a non-fiction account of the history of paint drying, your job as a narrator is to speak the author’s truth, and make it compelling.  However, I’ve heard it said that there’s a fine line between truly connecting with the story, and overacting – so beware.  Gotta’ find the sweet spot.

More on that down the road…

Generally, there are two categories of books:  fiction and non-fiction.  Bear in mind, most audiobooks are read cover-to-cover by one narrator.  Yes, that means performing all the characters in fiction stories. You could be looking at a 100,000 word story containing dialogue with several dozen diverse characters, possibly with many different accents and dialect…plus, opposite gender characters, young or old characters, human and superhuman beings – you perform them all.

If you think you can handle that, then fiction might be in your wheelhouse.

If you lean less towards acting, and more towards narrating, you may be more comfortable with non-fiction.  Either way, though, one thing you have to have is stamina.  Not just with your voice, but with staying connected to the script.  Can you endure recording for five or six hours in one session, all while being focused and engaged with the script?  Yes?  Then, read on…

Audiobook Narrating – Next Steps

First, you should know upfront that audiobook narrating is not the highest paying form of voice over.  At least not starting out.  Making $500 per finished hour is a good rate, but it’s rare to hit that mark early on in the game.

Next, I highly recommend finding a reputable voice acting coach who specializes in your category of narration.   She or he will be able to guide you in the finer details of audiobook narrating (and there are many).   Having multiple coaches and mentors is likely to happen as you navigate these waters.  This is good.  It’s what’s supposed to happen.

Finally, check into ACX, which is the author-to-narrator “match-maker” owned by Amazon.  There are others that you’ll soon discover during your search, but ACX is a good place to start.

Unlike other forms of voice over, narrating audiobooks is a labor of love that endures through the ages for all to see and hear.  I think it’s pretty cool to imagine that one day, my great-great-grandkids will be able to hear the stories I brought to life.

Makes those long hours acting like a marathon runner seem kinda’ worth it.

 

 

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