Audiobook: Practicing

My bedroom has the most sound absorbing closet I’ve ever experienced. Even without a door, from inside you can’t hear your spouse yell from the adjacent bedroom. Of course, an idea struck me instantly: recording studio!

I purchased a microphone and a boom for it. I also got a stand for my MacBook Air (which has no fan, so it’s silent, perfect for recording). Apple’s Logic Pro software is more than capable for recording and editing voice files. All that remains is a voice that’s ready to go.

I’ve been told for years that I should do narration. I was so busy writing, though, that I never practiced. I’m still  busy writing, but I can’t put this off any longer. It’s time to record an audiobook of Under Shōko’s Bed, my first novel, and after that, Neyuki. I want to use a full cast recording for each, so I’ll only be reading the narration and  the male protagonists’ dialogue. That’s David in Under Shōko’s Bed and Will in Neyuki.

Still, as I learn more about what’s involved, I realize each book will surely take the bulk of my time for weeks. The hardest thing is getting comfortable with whatever voicing I’ll do. I have to figure out how loud to speak, how dynamically and energetically, and what timbre to use. Then there’s pacing, varying emotions, and surely a lot of things I don’t even know about yet. Luckily, through the League of Utah Writers I know Ashley Bigbie, the woman running AudioBee Productions, a Utah audiobook production house for indie authors and small presses. I trust her to listen to what I am putting out as I get up to speed and tell me whether it’s going to meet the standards for a professional production.

I’ve already started practicing. I’ll post a sample in a month or two, some passages from Under Shōko’s Bed. I’d love your feedback.