Romance Audiobooks discussion
Narrator Discussions
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Comments from Narrator Xe Sands
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Thanks for pasting this from the SOA column, Brenda. I think I need to make more of a point to check back in with the comments thread to pick up stuff like this.I love the insight into the narrator's job/perspective/process. Probably because if I had ever had an ounce of the obsessive squeeing fan-girl personality (which I didn't, even as a teenager) it would be directed at a narrator rather than an author. I know they say people learn by listening, reading, seeing, or doing and I guess I am just aurally-oriented.
it would be directed at a narrator rather than an author. Kelli your comment makes me wonder if narrators get fan mail? Some type of positive reinforcement from audio fans, especially when they take an authors book to a new level of enjoyment. They deserve it if they don't.
It would be nice to have a way, to do what Xe Sands is mentioning with these words -
"....it would be great for narrators to have the opportunity to find out what interests listeners, what you look for in a “good listen.” "
Although when it comes to romance I'd say she knows what fans of the genre are after ... "especially in the romance genre where the performance needs to be so nuanced…sensual at times, powerful at others, etc."...
Now to pass that "requirement" around to the new narrators, and a few of the old standbys. :)
At some time in the near future, I plan to talk with Xe further and see if Speaking of Audiobooks can facilitate something along these lines.
I too found that interesting. Since I listen to audiobooks sooo much, I enjoy getting a little insight into the process and production. I also enjoy hearing from those who are constantly whispering in my ear... ;)
Also, we are talking with Tantor in April about choosing a narrator.
Sounds like there's interesting stuff coming up! If romance audiobook listeners could catch a couple of listening ears with audiobook producers, not only could we let them know that the heroes voice and demeanor is crucial when it comes to romance, but we could also point them or new narrators to the best examples to learn from. Can we say ANNA FIELDS...
There would be some differing opinions on who the best narrators in romance are but the best of the best would filter up.
Who better to glean opinions from for future successful sales than the audience they're aiming for?
Oh that would be great Lea - I'm really interested in how they do the narrations.I'd missed Xe's comments in the earlier thread at AAR so it was good to see them here (thx Brenda!). I wonder about things like whether narrators get to re-record bits they're not happy with or when they get bits wrong (reading dialogue in the wrong voice frex - sometimes the tagging is at the end of the sentence and it isn't obvious at first) - enough of those get through the finished products that I wondered if there was any scope to fix things.
Xe Sands did a fabulous job on FIRE AND ICE, but some readers, even ones I've liked, will occasionally get a word wrong and leave it that way because it's narrated so smoothly only the author would notice. I remember the first time that happened and I was horrified that I'd used the wrong word. Turns out I hadn't.It seems to me to be a really difficult job. A friend of mine is considering doing her own, and I suppose that's a possibility for the really old books. My voice isn't bad and I have some acting experience. But I'd just be reading. The best of audio books are a performance.
It brought to mind this post by Xe Sands, narrator of Anne Stuart's Fire and Ice, etc. I really appreciated the fact that she mentions, towards the end, that she would appreciate feedback from those that enjoy the romance genre, she'd like to know what they consider a "good listen" when they listen to romance.
Cut and pasted from the 1-10-11 SOA column discussion found here: http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=5594
Xe Sands says:
January 10, 2011 at 1:06 pm (Quote)
Thanks for the welcome!
Melinda: Q&A with narrators would is a wonderful idea! I think that narrators learn a great deal from listeners, and are very amenable to discussing the process. I can give you my perspective on the fly, in answer to your questions.
In my experience, this has gone both ways. Sometimes, the narrator is initially responsible for researching all pronunciations, with the publisher requesting corrections based on their own research. But, this is dependent on the publisher as some do the research ahead of the onset of narration and provide research support to the narrator . In prep for Fire and Ice, I sat down with a Japanese friend and had her record all Japanese words, as well as give me a rundown of the cultural and literal significance of the setting, concepts and language Stuart used.
As far as direction and re-recording sections that don’t seem to flow, that again depends on the publisher producing the title. Some publishers provide full direction, while others provide access to the author for narrator inquiries. Sometimes, the narrator works without official direction, relying on their own sense of author’s intent and input from other narrators. As a side note, for Fire and Ice, I had quite a lively discussion with other narrators regarding the use of accents, both those called out specifically in the text, and not. I also worked with another narrator specifically on the handling of the more sensual scenes. Such resources were instrumental in developing the characterizations and flow that I ultimately chose.
As for character voices…I assume this varies narrator to narrator. For me, character voices begin in my head as I read the book through, ahead of narration. Then comes the task of matching my voice to what I hear in my head – LOL! A challenge at times. Often, I record several versions of a character and review prior to recording to see what matches. I have been known to re-record whole swaths of dialog if I feel that the character’s voice should be delivered differently, especially as I get into the narration a bit and start to get a real feel for the flow of the narrative and how the voice “fits.” Don’t even ask how many times I recorded Reno, for example – gracious!
As for men learning to do women’s voices more accurately…SO interesting to hear this comment as the last discussion I participated in regarding this went the other way. It is certainly challenging to provide an authentic sound for the opposite gender, especially in the romance genre where the performance needs to be so nuanced…sensual at times, powerful at others, etc.
So yes, a Q&A with narrators would be fabulous! I would certainly welcome reading the experiences of other narrators (for this genre, specifically as it has some unique challenges) and think it would be great for narrators to have the opportunity to find out what interests listeners, what you look for in a “good listen.”
Hope that wasn’t horribly dull and boring for y’all. I’ve found the blog and commentary entertaining and certainly educational. Thanks for letting me “listen in.”