I have both the ebook and paperback copy for this story...the audiobook copy just made it complete. A
lovely paranormal story! Beautifully written and narrated. Will definitely be re-listening! :)
Listen to a sample of the audiobook - click here
Me:
Briefly tell me about yourself. What makes Paula Slade
tick?
My family, my friends, a house full of pets, and the day-to-day pleasure of enjoying a life filled with creative possibilities!
Me:
What made you want to become a narrator?
Paula:Audiobook narration has been a natural evolution for me. Most of my working life has been involved in the entertainment industry. Before beginning my career on radio, I majored in music at the American Conservatory in Chicago, studying voice and opera performance. Over the years, I’ve done everything from on-camera television and film, to theatre, plus behind the microphone, recording voice-overs for commercials and industrial training modules. I was also fortunate to be able to create programming (writing/producing/directing) for radio/crossover television. And, along the way there were reporting stints for newspapers, magazines and online sites. Seeing the burgeoning audiobook market take hold in the last few years was the impetus
Me:
I'm so impressed with your credentials! Do you always enjoy narrating stories? Was there ever a
time you became frustrated with this career?
Paula:
For the
most part I love it! I get to exercise
my acting and storytelling skills, plus learn something new almost every
day. The only frustrating part is
finding the right book, that is well written and is a good fit as far as
marketability and personal interests.
Me:
I think it would be hard to narrate a book that wasn't well written. I'm very happy you agreed to do mine! So tell me of a fun experience you had narrating a story.
Paula:
Actually, it was when we were recording your
wonderful book “Waiting for You.” I love
ghost stories, and I also love comedy. (Some of my theatrical training was at Second City
in Chicago
Me:
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the humor in my story!! And I'm glad you laughed at that part. When a reader climbs into my characters shoes, they need to know how they are feeling, and I'm glad you did.
How do you create such compelling voices? What goes
through your mind when you’re recording different characters?
Paula:
Before I
begin recording, I do a total read-through, and along the way I find myself
getting in sync with the author’s style, character development, and intent of
sub text in the dialogue. Once the
reading process is done, I have a full mental image of each of the characters
as well as the storyteller. When it
comes time to say, or act out a line, I envision (in my mind’s eye) myself as
the character or the storyteller. This
is quite a fascinating process, as sometimes it takes several days to shed
different personas. (Last year, I had to
come up with the voice for a talking Chihuahua in Jeff T. Bauer’s “Sadie Sapiens,”
and I still anthropomorphize one of our dogs.)
Me:
I would imagine doing this very thing, too! When you narrated, “Waiting for You”, there was a special
trick you did in the story when my hero was on the phone. Can you explain how
you did that?
Paula:
Ah, we thought
it would be fun to try something new for “Waiting for You.” We loved the first comedic
scene so much we were looking for something unexpected that would draw the
listener in even further. Our company’s
senior engineer and all around techie, Barry Gillogly (who is also my husband)
came up with the idea of using an FFT filter with customized settings. It worked out so well that we’ve employed a
similar technique in later books and the authors seem to love it! It was a fun creative choice that worked.
Me:
I feel so privileged that you tried this on my story first. It was amazing!
Do you have a website where other writers can find you if
they want to hire you as their narrator?
Paula:
Yes, through our company, Artistic Media Associates, Inc. in
the greater Boston area and online at www.artisticmediaassociates.com.
, Or, through my personal website Paula Slade: Audiobooks at www.paulaslade.com , which has links to
all my social media sites. Well, this has been so much fun Marie. Thank you so
much!
Me:
Paula, thank you so much for the interview. I feel as though I know you better now. I hope you'll consider recording another one of my stories in the future. I would be one lucky author if you agreed.
