There's a school of thought that says readers want to hear their favorite authors narrating their books. While this may or may not be true for all authors, I figured I'd give it a shot.
Even though I've ventured into podcasting and other audio projects, I was grossly unprepared for the enormity of what I was taking on when I decided to record FAMILY ALCHEMY. I started it some time back, and with the help of my Dear Husband, found some excellent production software and a mic and screen that would filter out the popping noises some letters make. I got through about ten chapters when I started to notice some other annoying "tics." A clucking tongue or a dropped consonant, for example. "Cleaning" the audio became a lesson in the new production software. Fading and muting and normalizing. The difference between wav files and mp3 files.
Despite all the frustration, I am not one to give up. The audiobook production became a challenge. With that being said, I did have to set it aside for a while considering just how frustrating it was becoming. Ever persistent, I went back at it a while later. Decided what I'd done wasn't so bad and pressed onward.
Another obstacle I came across was lack of a professional studio. I'd read how some people record in their closets where clothes mute the background noise. Fortunately for me, I live in a relatively quiet neighborhood. That doesn't help, however, on garbage days. Or on hot days with the air conditioning cycling on regularly. Or a variety of other unexpected noises. The spin cycle on the washing machine. Lawnmowers. Being in the runway pattern for the airport. The wind blowing from the train station.
I reached a point where I was "in the home stretch." Ten chapters to go. I could do this! As I was listening to one of the last chapters, I heard background noise, despite my best efforts to record around outside noise. In trying to filter the noise out, it became even MORE noticeable, so I had to rerecord parts of that chapter. In between air conditioning cycles. Yes, I know, I could turn the air off while I'm recording, but considering the heat wave we've been experiencing, that wasn't practical (and my husband would have something to say about it).
My experience with producing audiobooks -- it's a commitment. Much like editing a print book, there is the initial "getting it down" phase, then the reviewing phase, then the final editing phase. When all that is finished, one last listen to make sure each chapter sounds as good as you can make it. The professionals can complete an audiobook in a month. It took me A LOT longer. Maybe now that I know what I'm doing, it would be faster, but I also have other projects on the fire. New books to be written.
I'm hesitant to try another book. It's time-consuming, especially without the proper equipment and with other projects competing for attention. (Did I mention I'm working on my new haunted house series? 😁) But never say never. If you are so inclined to have a listen, I hope you'll let me know how I did. Positive reinforcement might persuade me to venture into the next Hillendale novel (there are five). If my performance detracts from the story, I'd like to know that, too. In a nice way, of course.
By now you all know about BEING NEIGHBORLY. Did you get your copy? Can't wait to hear what you think.
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