Kimberly Fish's Blog - Posts Tagged "books"

I've been working with a professional actor, talking through characterization, place, and nuance about the characters of my debut novel, The Big Inch, as we prepare to go into production for Audible. Because many of the characters in The Big Inch are Texan, and many have southern roots, you'd think it would be easy. Au Contraire. This roster of distinctive voices would give any actor a challenge. Since a listener can't see who's talking from the sentence structure, it's up to the narrator to give vocal cues and--here's the kicker--maintain those cues through hours and hours of a dialogue-based novel. God Bless the woman who's taking on this opportunity and her knack for mimicking the distinctives of a regional accent that needs just enough variation between the old and young women, those that are celebrating their southern roots, and those that are hiding from them.

To be fair, when I was writing The Big Inch, I never dreamed it would one day become an Audible book that would rely on a strong vocal actor bringing the characters to life for those listening while stuck in traffic or on an extended road trip. I trusted my reader's imagination. Now, though, I'm trusting someone to give sass and vigor to people that previously existed in my head. Stay tuned, I'll keep you in the loop as to how this is progressing, and what some of the tips I'm using to inspire the narrator to hear the characters as they sound inside my imagination.

Because I love to read, and I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, I've joined the international group Historical Novel Society. One of the features of this group is they publish a magazine 5 times a year giving thorough reviews of books published in this genre. I've joined in as one of the reviewers and look forward to getting a world wide sample of books debuting in historical fiction. I'll let you know what I think, and like, and hopefully, together, we'll help distribute quality books to the big world of readers.

It's summer. Go fishing. And if you don't like the idea of squirmy cold bass, how about snagging me as a @GoodReads friend? I'm much nicer than any old trout and I talk books, book news, book reviews, and well, books with friends. Be my friend? Like my page? Let's stay connected.

As crazy busy as we all are, and it's okay to admit there's not enough hours in the week to sit on the couch and read, sometime the best way to get a mental vacation, is to listen to an audio book.

The Big Inch was narrated by a fantastic Texas actress who carefully investigated the characters (and there are a lot of them!) in The Big Inch to make sure she got their voices correct for narrating the story. She got it right.

Maybe you're new to @Audible and want to sign up for a free 30-day trial when you download The Big Inch or maybe you have credits to burn--either way, load the WWII spy thriller onto your book list and let the mundane tasks of folding clothes, driving the highways, or whatever you do while listening, and enjoy a story that will tell you the crazy big things that were done in the name of WWII and the spirit of strong women, nearly broken by the espionage business, who solve the spy dramas on the American homefront.

Audio books were always my go to for road trip travel--from the days of cassettes and CDs. Now, they couldn't be easier to download and bluetooth to your car stereos. No more near accidents for reaching for that clumsy CD case and trying to find the next chapter.
Thanks to a beautifully narrated production--my first novel, The Big Inch, has gained a toe-hold with @Audible listeners and I'm hoping it becomes an entire hand grip before too much longer.
The WWII historical thriller is like ear-candy to those who need to hear their stories. If you know someone that spends a lot of time in commutes, or hands-on work where they can listen to music, please suggest they try out @Audible--they're offering a 30-day trial for free! And if you think your friends like to be entertained while they're being informed about America's contribution to the WWII effort--then please, suggest they download #TheBigInch.

Visiting with readers these days is a tricky thing, but I'm thankful that creative retailers are finding ways to maintain social distancing and germ warfare. The folks I met this weekend in San Antonio were lovely, kind, and definite book fans! I was stunned folks drove so far to find me and it gave me a shot of encouragement to keep on writing. Even from behind a mask, the human heart seeks out the community found from a love of books.
While in Comfort, Texas at the 8th Street Market, I talked with someone who asked my why I write stories set in that Hill Country town and I replied "because I want to write about a world I'd want to live in." Not sure what that says about me, but the friend groups in the Comfort stories are expanding and my mind drifts back there often, wondering what the characters are doing and how they'd react to circumstances. I think of the series of novels and novellas of "At Home in Comfort" and who doesn't long for a sweet home?
Hope you all stay safe and healthy this Thanksgiving week, and that you are surrounded by books that open new worlds to you.