Every character I write has a distinctive voice in my ear. Different word choices and inflections. Idioms and euphemisms. Or a way of saying a certain sentence different from all the others because it’s a line from a movie or a song. On a good day I feel like I’m merely the typist lucky enough to hear their story first.
Though I try to capture those nuances, all of that uniqueness doesn’t carry over into the printed version. Only I hear it. Which is why I truly love reading my work aloud. (Possibly because it makes this process sound a little less crazy, but I digress.)
Finally, I can use the voice of Bugs Bunny, or add the Winnie the Pooh think-think-think sound, so that they are part of the experience of the story for the reader the way it has been for me for oh so many years.
When I decided to undertake this production, I quickly realized the biggest luxury of the project was not being under a time limit to get through a scene. I could slow down and breathe, huzzah! I missed the live audience reaction, but I also got used to that.
While my performance may not be the high polish of the professional narrators out there, I hope that my personal attachment to the characters comes across in the reading, as if we were gathered in a cozy bookstore, safe and together, while I read it.
Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, I think it’s a great length for commutes. I hope it’s a story you’ll look forward to every year.
One last thing: I treasure constructive, critical feedback. Please leave a review. Tell me what you thought here or post a review at the site where you purchased it. And I thank you for the gift of your time! Your feedback will count in the decision to do further projects.
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