OK, so I'm rarely in jeopardy, but I write woman-in-jeopardy novels—otherwise called "Modern Gothics"—and this is my blog. It will probably have lots of time between posts, but I'll try not to bore you. Welcome.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Doing the Voices (and Giveaway)

Katherine Kellgren, Narrator of The Firebird, in the Studio at Audible
When my children were very young, reading them stories at bedtime brought certain demands. "Do the voices," they'd tell me, since Toad in The Wind in the Willows could not sound like Mole, any more than the Tin Man could sound like the Scarecrow, or Kanga like Winnie the Pooh. Every book was a challenge, remembering whose voice was whose.

So I have great respect for the narrators who bring my own books to life in their audio versions.

Whenever a narrator takes on one of my books, I'm always reminded of Neil Gaiman's reaction when he visited Pinewood Studios during the filming of his novel Stardust and saw the crew working to create the flying pirate ship: “I felt so guilty," he recalled in this MTV Interview. "I wasn't saying how great it was; I was going, 'I am so sorry I made it up!' Because it didn't cost me anything, just the price of whatever tea I was drinking and some ink. And now 70 people have spent two months working to build this thing and you can dance on the deck.”

I understand this guilt. I feel it in my gut each time I talk or correspond with those poor narrators who have to perform my books. Because I simply wrote the story as it came, and put the people in the mix with one another without ever once considering the headaches it would bring to any actor who would have to "do the voices".

Nicola Barber
For instance, it seemed natural when creating the heroine of my novel The Rose Garden to give her a wandering background: born in Cornwall, England, emigrating to the west coast of Canada as a child, and then moving south to California as a young adult, where she lived several years before returning "home" to Cornwall. I never once stopped to think that her resulting hybrid accent would be difficult to render into audio.

So I felt a bit guilty to dump it on narrator Nicola Barber, along with the various Cornish and West Country people my heroine meets, and the Irishman from County Cork, and a handful of Londoners, some of whom live in a previous century.

I felt guiltier still when I took the first phone call from Rosalyn Landor, who narrated The Winter Sea (for which she very deservedly won the Audie Award for Best Female Narration). Because she had to take on a Canadian first-person narrator and a host of characters, some fictional and some lifted right out of real history, whose accents came from very different areas of Scotland.

Rosalyn Landor (Photo by Arielle Rudman)
Accents are tricky. There's no one "Scottish accent" any more than there's one single "American accent", and just as a person from Tennessee doesn't sound anything like someone raised in Wisconsin, so too a Scot from Aberdeenshire sounds nothing like someone from Glasgow.

Roz was determined to get all my characters' voices exactly, from the Glaswegian doctor to the Perthshire-born past hero to the Doric-speaking landlord of my heroine. I listened in amazement as she mimicked all the voices I could hear so very clearly in my own head. But I still felt guilt.

And I'm surprised that Katherine Kellgren, when she called to go over the voices for The Firebird, didn't hang up on me right then and there.

Here's what she had to say, after the fact, about her experience with the novel:
"There were technical requirements in The Firebird in terms of the many dialects spoken in contemporary and historical scenes which made the book both a challenge and a joy to record. Luckily I was able to enlist the help of a wonderful and very experienced dialect coach when preparing to go into the studio - but we were both working overtime on this one! I was practically dreaming in Scots dialect by the time we were done!"

And here's why. When she first got in touch on the phone, we began with the Scottish voices. The Firebird, as a sort-of-sequel to The Winter Sea, contains a few of the same characters, so I was ready with the references I'd given Roz, sometimes matching the accent of a living actor to that of a character, to make things easier.

For example, Colonel Graeme, who's in both books, is a Perthshire man. He looks and sounds in my own mind like Scottish actor Brian Cox, which proved to be a useful thing for Katy, as she actually knows Brian Cox, so she's familiar with his voice.

Rob, the modern-day hero, is from Eyemouth, which becomes more problematic, since the accent is sui generis, unique to that one town, and even if you do it properly it can be somewhat difficult to follow. "But," I said to Katy in an effort to be helpful, "he'd modify the way he speaks when talking to the heroine, because she's English. So it would be sort of watered-down Eyemouth. Except when he's angry. Or drunk."

I could hear Katy jotting that down, at her end of the phone. 

We moved on, to the cast of historical characters. Irish nuns in Flanders. Siberian servants in St. Petersburg. In the house of General Lacy, who was also in St. Petersburg, we had the general's wife, who was Livonian; their children, who had been raised on the general's estate in Livonia; Edmund O'Connor, an Irishman from County Kerry; the family priest, who would most likely be Italian, and the general himself, who had come out of Ireland as a young teenager and lived abroad ever since. "So his accent," I said, "would have altered a bit, though it may become stronger when he's speaking to other Irishmen."

"Right," Katy said. More notes jotted. "And Charles, the nephew of Vice-Admiral Gordon...?"

"Well, Charles," I said, "is a second-generation expatriate Scot. His father was born and raised near Aberdeen and sent as a young man to serve under a Scottish general in Russia, where there was a fairly large community of British expatriates, so Charles would most probably have grown up speaking English with an Aberdonian inflection but also some influence from his mother, who may or may not have been Russian…"

And that's where she should have hung up on me, really.

I'm glad that she didn't, because her performance is beautiful, as were the others. (Below you'll find samples of all three American audio books, so you'll see what I mean when I say I've been much more than lucky with all of my Audible narrators). 

I still do feel guilty for making my narrators build the equivalent of a full-scale flying pirate ship out of the voices I've put on the page. But it is always an awesome experience seeing that ship built, and getting to dance on the deck.

Thanks to the generosity of Audible, I have three copies of the audiobook of The Firebird to give away to American listeners. Leave a comment below before midnight on Saturday, September 7th, and I'll choose three winners at random from all who have commented. Best of luck!




52 comments:

  1. Please include me in this drawing. I loved the book & would enjoy hearing this audio version---especially since my cousin told me she's not giving my copy back any time soon :) Thanks to you & Audible for the generous offer! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  2. I love both The Winter Sea and The Firebird, and now I can't wait to listen to the audiobooks as well. It sure takes talent and hard work on the narrator's part to transform a great book into an exceptional performance.

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  3. I just finished reading the book and completely loved it. I would be glad to have a copy for my Audible library

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  4. Thank you so much for the giveaway! I've loved audiobooks for my drive to work and I think this would be a wonderful book to listen to :)

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  5. The Winter Sea is one of my all-time favorite books. I'm reading The Rose Garden right now. Can't wait to get to Firebird. I'd love to do it on audio.

    Thanks for showing us a little behind-the-scenes of the audio books. I've never really thought about the need for talent to consult with the author before. That is really cool. And as someone who has dreams of her books being made into audio books, it's also very comforting!

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  6. Very exciting to read (and now, listen) to your books!

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  7. I am new to your books but have now finished (& really enjoyed) both The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden. Thank you for the lovely stories and now for the insight into the recording of their audio-book versions!

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  8. Love, love, love your books! Just started Firebird and was so excited to learn that you have tied The Winter Sea and Shadowy Horses into this book! Your creativity astonishes me! Thanks for keeping me so emotionally invested in your stories. :)

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  9. Love your books - thanks for the audio giveaway.

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  10. Mariana was my first experience with your wonderful tales. From the first page I was hooked. I have since read the Rose Garden and the Winter Sea, and am about to start Shadowy Horses. Although I've read them on my Kindle I plan on purchasing 'real' books as well to add to my collection of those books I treasure the most. I would also love to experience one of your stories read aloud.

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  12. I have read The Firebird twice and have read The Winter Sea countless times. I love these characters and would so love to win the audio version of The Firebird. Just love that story. Also loved The Shadowy Horses and am so glad that Robbie is a main character in The Firebird. Have loved reading all of your books, Susanna.

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  13. I enjoy reading what goes into making an audiobook, especially when the characters and times are as varied as they are in your novels. You really put those narrators through the ringer (and they love you for it, no doubt)! I just purchased all five of your books on Sunday - I blazed through "Mariana" and am now reading "The Rose Garden".

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  14. I don't think I realized ALL that went into the recording of a book. Hope the voices sound as good as the ones in my head!

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  15. I have so much respect for those who can replicate various accents - and I imagine that the many Scottish dialects are not easy! It seems to me that it is not easy to create a realistic audiobook of complex, multi-accented books like yours - I am in awe of those who can correctly perform various accents and who can create wonderful audio versions of fantastic books.

    I think it goes without saying that I love your books! I wouldn't have visited your blog or come to your presentation and signing in Houston if I were not a huge fan!

    I have not had the pleasure of hearing any of your books on audio (other than the excerpts that you've provided) - and, I would love to have a copy of the audio version of The Firebird to add to my library!

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  16. it's an honor to be able to "listen to a story" - thanks for all the hard work that goes into them !!

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  17. Amazing what goes into the audio recordings of the books. Since my commute to work as increased, listening has definitely helped pass the time (and my "road rage" lol). But nothing is like a real book. love love your books!!

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  18. I would love to win a copy of the audio version of your book "The Firebird". So much work goes into the making of a book in this manner. I am one of your biggest fans and have just about read all of your books....but they are so intriguing and I have read some more than once. It would be exciting to have your book to "hear". I would listen to mine (if I win a copy) and then donate it to our local library for so many others to enjoy. Thank you for your stories ....... I enjoy them so very much. Wishing you well. Charlotte Kosa :D


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  19. The narrators who can build the pirate ship of voices really bring books to life in audio recordings. I've heard great things about Firebird, and would love to opportunity to win a copy of the audio.

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  20. Ahh, Katie Kellgren is one of my favorite narrator's. Would love to win this book, thanks for the contest.

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    1. Hi Judy, and congratulations! You're one of the three winners of the giveaway. Please email me at susanna(underscore)kearsley(at)yahoo(dot)ca and I'll send you the redemption code for your audiobook.
      Best,
      Susanna

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  21. Wow, I guess I never gave much thought to what the narrators do to prepare. Thanks so much for the blog post and the opportunity to win a copy of "Firebird".

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  22. This has made me see the audio narrators in a totally different light. I've listened to Davina Porter numerous times and an totally fascinated and amazed by her abilities with male/female, age, heritage, etc.

    I have read The Winter Sea too many times to count and I am now in my second reading of Firebird and never really gave the complications of their accents much thought, but your descriptions above make me all the more eager to hear them!!

    Thank you for the opportunity to win this!!
    Donna

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  23. Interesting post!

    I am a new reader of your books. You recently came to one of the libraries in Fredericksburg, VA and although I wasn't able to make it to the event I have since read all of your books, but never listened to one. It would be a real treat to listen to Firebird on audio book!

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  24. Awesome! I just heard about your books and heard the soundbites. I hope I get to read them soon!

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  25. I'm a big fan and enjoy your books so much. After my husband lost his site I now have him enjoying them in audio. Keep it up aways waiting for the next one.

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  26. I'm in awe of audiobook narrators who go above and beyond simply "reading" the book. It makes the listening experience a true joy.

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  27. Loved reading both Winter Sea and Firebird, bet it would be even better in audio with all the accents! I've got Rose Garden up on my reading list next, looking forward to it immensely :)

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  28. I just finished The Winter Sea and I loved it! that is the first Susanna Kearsley book I have read. I then decided to find her and like her on facebook so I can see what other awesome books she has written! Now I found this site, where maybe, just maybe I could win a free copy of Firebird!!! EEEEE, that would be soooo exciting :)

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  29. I would LOVE to hear the Audible version of The Firebird. Fabulous book.

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  30. I'm an audiobook fanatic and Katherine Kellgren is my favorite narrator! I'd love to win a copy of The Firebird!

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    1. Hi Tiffany, and congratulations! You're one of the three winners of the giveaway. Please email me at susanna(underscore)kearsley
      at)yahoo(dot)ca and I'll send you the redemption code for your audiobook.
      Best,
      Susanna

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  31. I love Katherine Kellgren's voice and would love to hear the firebird. please enter me in the contest. thanks

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  32. I'm always on the lookout for good listens for my commute. It would be fun to win.

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  33. I love audio-books and your description of the process makes me appreciate both author and narrator even more.

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  34. The Firebird is my favorite novel of yours so far, and I enjoy listening to audio books. There's just something soothing to me in being read to. I'd love to win a copy but will have to check it out no matter what!

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  35. I LOVE ALL Your novels!! We are reading Mariana this moth for my bookclub this month! I can't wait to share you with them. I know they will be hooked!! Firebird was wonderful and I loved how your incorporated characters from The Winter Sea AND Shadowy Horses. Made it even more real. Love your books!

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  36. I enjoyed the book and would love to hear the audiobook.

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  37. I've read all three books at least three times! There's always something new to be discovered during each re-read. I listen to audio books when I'm at the gym and when I'm driving, so winning one of yours would make me very, very happy!

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  38. I'm reading the Firebird right now! Thanks for the opportunity to win the audio book. And thank you for taking us back to Eyemouth and Cruden Bay and Rob! I might have teared up a little when Rob took Nicola to his parents' house and we got an update on Jeannie and the Sentinel. And when Nicola mentioned the horses. Thank you for your books, period.

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  39. Love, love, love your books, Susanna! I adore your creative meld of magic, romance, history, and family! Keep up the great work! :)

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  40. I'd love a chance to win The Firebird in audio (love Rob all grown up!). I listen to far more audio books than I do music, these days. Susanna is one of my favorite authors.

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  41. This sounds like a wonderful process, discussing the characters and their voices and getting it just right. What a treat it would be to hear this story come to life on audio. I just finished The Firebird and thought it was exquisite - just beautiful. And I learn something new with each of your books.

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  42. Awesome blog about the process of audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks all the time and have been for years. Audiobooks have come a long way. The Firebird is a great book, I read when it came out in the UK. (Order my copy from over seas, had to wait to 2 weeks for shipping but well worth it) can't wait to listen to the book.

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  43. You are my favorite author :) I love all your books in general and I love many authors but I don't own all their books like I own yours, haha. I wrote this on your facebook a while back but The Firebird just stole my heart. The Winter Sea has always been my favorite but everything that left a sorrowful crook in my heart from what life denied Sophia and John... I about died with surprise, when you twisted fate to bring them back together in honestly the strange and wonderful way life really kind of works. And I'm not often jealous of book characters but Nicola found herself a good one, lol! But we all knew in the Shadowy Horses that Rob was going to grow up to be a good one :) I'm so excited about The Firebird being on audio! I'm a kindergarten teacher and don't have a lot of time to read during the school week, so I binge read in large amounts! ;) It's going to be wonderful to be able to listen to it on the way to work or back home! Thank you again for your stories and sharing your worlds and characters/friends with us :)

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  44. I love your books! I own all of them and re read them many times... I even named my daughter after Sophia! I would love a chance to win this audio book!

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  45. Thank goodness for Kindle Daily Deals! I bought The Shadowy Horses when it was featured on Amazon, and I am so glad I did! Since then I have devoured The Winter Sea and The Firebird. I'm now in the middle of The Rose Garden. Next in line is Mariana, and I just purchased Named of the Dragon from the UK! I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on A Desperate Fortune. I can't stop! I'm addicted!

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  46. Dear Susanna:

    Only days ago I completed Mariana, and thus completed my "Summer of Susanna" reading all of your books. It began, harmlessly enough, back in June when I discovered "The Winter Sea". It's been a whirlwind of reading, ending with the perfectly lovely Mariana.

    I have also begun listening to "The Winter Sea" on audio, and it is a lovely bedtime story.

    It would be a great pleasure to listen to "The Firebird"....

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    1. Hi Lianne, and congratulations! You're one of the three winners of the giveaway. Please email me at susanna(underscore)kearsley
      at)yahoo(dot)ca and I'll send you the redemption code for your audiobook.
      Best,
      Susanna

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  47. Just finished a reread of The Shadowy Horses so I could get acquainted with Robbie again. Now ready to dive into The Firebird!

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  48. All three of these audio books are just beautiful. I keep checking to see if you have any more Audible releases.

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