“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
After a conversation with Victor Acquista, I decided it was time to discuss a subject on which I have a few opinions and preferences yet no knowledge of how to actualize.(Emphasis on opinions and preferences.)
As a reader, I love a good book. As the years go by and the more I read, I like to think my reading sophistication increases. Books I read as a teen and young adult no longer capture my attention. Maybe it’s because I got what I wanted from them? Maybe it’s because I’ve read enough I can now discern the difference between well written and poorly written? Maybe. The point is, through experience, I have determined what engages my attention and what does not. I know what I like to read.
About ten years ago, my daughter introduced me to Audible. I was reluctant and didn’t see the point. I had a Kindle and had reduced the amount of physical books I owned, which is anathema to my love of shelves and shelves full of books. I often thought my dream home would be a large library. Reality revised that dream. Over the years, and several cross-country moves, I discovered packing, unpacking and hauling books to be tedious and time consuming. Kindle solved that problem. I could read, why listen? Reading is a quiet activity. Then I discovered listening to books while doing boring mundane chores like laundry, dishes and commuting.
I’m hooked. I’m also a snob. In much the same way I refuse to slog through a poorly written book, I also refuse to listen to one that is poorly narrated.
As a consumer of stories, I have the choice to read, or listen to a book. If I put it down, it’s because I simply can’t get lost in the story. A poorly written book is on the writer. I’m less certain who to blame for a poor narration. Who chooses the narrator? I’m certain the cost is a factor. Perhaps the publisher decides? Victor’s experience leads me to believe the choice is not always under the writer’s control.
Perry Palin has shared some insight into the publishing and marketing process of writing. The process is not for the dreamer hoping someday their fairy godmother will hand them a royalty check. Adding narration to the process is the superhero level of publishing.
Yet, readers care nothing about this. They want a good book and a good narration.
A crap narrator can do a lot of harm to the writer. So how does a writer ensure a competent narrator performs their book? I don’t know.
As a reader, I prefer the writer to narrate their own work. There is a depth only the author can add. But not every writer can narrate. Second choice is listening to work narrated by a voice actor. This, I assume, is a pricey option for the writer and according to Perry’s accounts of the publishing journey, there are no simple routes to decent book sales, therefore relying on a sub par narrator seems detrimental to this process.
Personally, should I ever get to a stage where I’m able to consider turning my work in to an audio book, I know I fall into the category of ‘crap narrator’, therefore I will shop for someone else to do the work.
“Yo! Fairy godmother, get me Luke Daniels!”
That laughter you hear tinkling in the distance? That’s my fairy godmother, telling me I’m a comedian.
WRITERS CO-OP: A WRITER COMMUNITY FOR YOU. 