Kate Fisher, who narrated the audiobook version of my novel Reagan’s Ashes, and I recently sat down to talk about narration, getting in character, and greyhounds’ pointy heads. You don’t want to miss out on this:
Tell us about you and why you got into audiobook narration.
I grew up listening to Morning Edition on my way to school every morning. After a few years I began idolizing public radio journalists. It was my dream to hear my own name on public radio in the style of a Carl Kasell or Lakshmi Singh signoff. I achieved my dream in 2009 after a piece I produced made it onto public radio. With nothing left to strive for, I went into audiobooks.
Interpreting an author’s intent to capture the spirit of the text for audiobook seems like an arduous task. How do you get to the bottom of a story?
There’s no substitute for reading and re-reading a manuscript. I actually read Reagan’s Ashes three times by the end of recording. I always highlight my script and take notes on story and structure. It’s like being in English class all over again. Finally, my liberal arts degree serves a purpose.
You used a number of accents and distinct voices for the characters in Reagan’s Ashes. How do you determine who sounds like what?
I use people from my own life for inspiration. Spoon’s accent in Reagan’s Ashes is a perfect example. My dad is Australian, so I used him as a starting point. Although, I did have to shave a few decades off his voice. Sorry, Dad!
If you could do it all over again, which mistakes would you make more quickly this time?
I spent years trying to find a creatively fulfilling job. Turns out the corporate world is the wrong place to look. I would have ditched my search sooner if I’d known how much fun recording audiobooks is. Besides, you can only pull off a young adult aged voice for so many years. I have to make up for lost time!
Tell us something we don’t know.
The Czech auto manufacturer Škoda translates to shame in English.
You volunteer for a greyhound welfare organization. What’s up with their little pointy heads? Are they related to anteaters?
They look like regular dogs as puppies, but grow anteater faces as adults. Just do an image search for greyhound puppy and you’ll see what I mean. Greyhounds are walking contradictions. They are the fastest dog breed, but all they want to do is take naps. They have almost zero body odor, but their flatulence is so potent it can clear the room. Make up your minds, guys!