Comments on: Writing to be Heard: Audiobooks http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/ about the craft and business of fiction Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Anica Lewis http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120790 Anica Lewis Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:04:22 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120790 I'd heard the "read your work aloud" advice many times before trying it. It didn't seem like it should be that different from reading in my head, but it was a totally new experience. I caught word and phrase repetitions, awkwardness (especially in dialogue!), and other issues that numerous silent read-throughs had never yielded. It can feel a little awkward, reading aloud when no one's there - unless you happen to know someone who wants to listen as you read a whole novel out loud! - but I think it's well worth it. I’d heard the “read your work aloud” advice many times before trying it. It didn’t seem like it should be that different from reading in my head, but it was a totally new experience. I caught word and phrase repetitions, awkwardness (especially in dialogue!), and other issues that numerous silent read-throughs had never yielded. It can feel a little awkward, reading aloud when no one’s there – unless you happen to know someone who wants to listen as you read a whole novel out loud! – but I think it’s well worth it.

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]]> By: Chris Warren http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120552 Chris Warren Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:36:50 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120552 I am seeing (and hearing) more and more over the recent past about audio books which has caused me to consider the possiblilty of my book - Randolph's Challenge Book One-The Pendulum Swings - being produced as an audio offering. So I read some of it out loud (and recorded it) and was struck by a couple of things. First, writing with the possibility of audio presentation in your mind from the start is important - some of the simple adjustments from what is fine in print but might be better delivered if it is to be audio presented leap out at you. Just things like phraseology, sentence construction, etc. Second is, unless you are blessed with an easy to listen to natural voice and one which can offer variety of tone, accent, pitch, etc. for different characters, then a professional reader is vital. Chris Warren Author and Freelance Writer Randolph's Challenge Book One-The Pendulum Swings I am seeing (and hearing) more and more over the recent past about audio books which has caused me to consider the possiblilty of my book – Randolph’s Challenge Book One-The Pendulum Swings – being produced as an audio offering. So I read some of it out loud (and recorded it) and was struck by a couple of things.

First, writing with the possibility of audio presentation in your mind from the start is important – some of the simple adjustments from what is fine in print but might be better delivered if it is to be audio presented leap out at you. Just things like phraseology, sentence construction, etc.

Second is, unless you are blessed with an easy to listen to natural voice and one which can offer variety of tone, accent, pitch, etc. for different characters, then a professional reader is vital.

Chris Warren
Author and Freelance Writer
Randolph’s Challenge Book One-The Pendulum Swings

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]]> By: Shruti Chandra Gupta http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120525 Shruti Chandra Gupta Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:25:55 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120525 Hi, When I write I don't think that my writing will be read aloud. And even when I am editing, I read my text in my head. And once when I tried to read my work, it just fell off. I think how you read a work matters a lot, and writers are not radio jockeys. In short, I am not comfortable with this idea. Hi,

When I write I don’t think that my writing will be read aloud. And even when I am editing, I read my text in my head.

And once when I tried to read my work, it just fell off. I think how you read a work matters a lot, and writers are not radio jockeys.

In short, I am not comfortable with this idea.

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120519 Juliet Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:20:37 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120519 Reading your work aloud is absolutely vital to get a sense of rhythm, flow and balance. It helps iron out all kinds of problems - it's amazing what flaws you may miss on the manuscript, but pick up aurally. I am convinced that studying music was one of my best foundations for writing, because it taught me analytical listening. Reading your work aloud is absolutely vital to get a sense of rhythm, flow and balance. It helps iron out all kinds of problems – it’s amazing what flaws you may miss on the manuscript, but pick up aurally. I am convinced that studying music was one of my best foundations for writing, because it taught me analytical listening.

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]]> By: Lorna Suzuki http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120517 Lorna Suzuki Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:09:26 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120517 What an interesting post! I never gave it much thought until one of my writing friends produced his first audiobook and is experiencing success with this medium. I strongly recommend to all members of my writing group to read their works aloud because what may look good on paper, may not necessarily translate as well when read out loud. Also, you tend to catch mistakes that your eyes may have originally overlooked. And as Kathleen said, it gives you a sense of flow and rhythm. Even if it never becomes an audiobook, you may be invited to do a reading and there's nothing worse than to discover too late that you've got a problem with rambling sentences, repeated words, etc. What an interesting post! I never gave it much thought until one of my writing friends produced his first audiobook and is experiencing success with this medium.
I strongly recommend to all members of my writing group to read their works aloud because what may look good on paper, may not necessarily translate as well when read out loud. Also, you tend to catch mistakes that your eyes may have originally overlooked.
And as Kathleen said, it gives you a sense of flow and rhythm. Even if it never becomes an audiobook, you may be invited to do a reading and there’s nothing worse than to discover too late that you’ve got a problem with rambling sentences, repeated words, etc.

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]]> By: Michelle http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120503 Michelle Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:53:54 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120503 Kathleen! Imagine doing housework AND reading a book at the same time. Sitting in traffic and reading at the same time. Relaxing, glasses off, eyes closed, in the sun (or shade)... and reading at the same time! Now go and get yourself a good audiobook! To comment on the article, I think the secret to a good audiobook is good narration -- carefully paced and attentive to the author's style and phrasing. I admit I also like a narrator who "does voices." That said, no amount of talent can make a bad book more interesting. Kathleen! Imagine doing housework AND reading a book at the same time. Sitting in traffic and reading at the same time. Relaxing, glasses off, eyes closed, in the sun (or shade)… and reading at the same time!

Now go and get yourself a good audiobook!

To comment on the article, I think the secret to a good audiobook is good narration — carefully paced and attentive to the author’s style and phrasing. I admit I also like a narrator who “does voices.” That said, no amount of talent can make a bad book more interesting.

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120494 Kathleen Bolton Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:41:49 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120494 Rhythm is so important to good writing; I think hearing it helps in that respect. But for some reason, I've never really gotten into audio books. Now that I have an iTouch, I should look into it. Rhythm is so important to good writing; I think hearing it helps in that respect. But for some reason, I’ve never really gotten into audio books. Now that I have an iTouch, I should look into it.

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]]> By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120486 Kristan Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:12:27 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/14/writing-to-be-heard-audiobooks/#comment-120486 Personally I don't like "writing to be read" (otherwise I'd be a speaker not a writer!) BUT I do think reading one's work aloud can help you catch all sort of issues (namely the ones you mentioned above). And I think by default, MOST good writing will sound good read aloud. :) Personally I don’t like “writing to be read” (otherwise I’d be a speaker not a writer!) BUT I do think reading one’s work aloud can help you catch all sort of issues (namely the ones you mentioned above). And I think by default, MOST good writing will sound good read aloud. :)

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