Romans, voice actors and graduation shoes

Dear Love and Laundry Readers,

As you all know, it took me a very long time to become a published author, and when that miracle finally happened, one of the most satisfying moments in the entire process involved the audio book.

The audio book producer sent me audition clips from three audiobook narrators in an email. Then I pressed “play,” and heard these incredibly talented voice actors read words that I had written. It made me cry.

We repeated this process a few months ago when I once again received audio book audition clips from three different voice actors for Behind White Picket Fences. Choosing an audio book narrator is a little bit like meeting your spouse. When you find the right one, you just know. And the moment I heard Emily Norman’s voice, I knew she was the right narrator for Behind White Picket Fences.

After the contract was signed and everything was official and recorded, I reached out to ask if I could introduce her to you all with an interview for Notes on Love and Laundry. This is the incredibly kind email I received in reply.

“I actually read Friends with Secrets last year and fell in love with your writing. I remember immediately looking to see what else you had written. So, narrating Behind White Picket Fences was an absolute joy for me!”

So, without further ado, please meet Emily Norman, the incredibly talented voice actor who is narrating the audio book version of Behind White Picket Fences.

Christine: How long does it take you to narrate an audio book?

Emily: I read the book all the way through before I start narrating to get to know the characters and the story. When I’m recording, it takes me 2 hours to get 1 finished hour of audio. Because it needs to be word perfect with no background noise (my stomach is often the culprit), there is a lot of stopping and starting!

Christine: Do you have a favorite genre or type of project?

Emily: If the book makes me laugh or cry, count me in! I am all about heartwarming stories and relatable characters.

Christine: What’s the hardest thing about narrating an audio book?

Emily: Because it’s a marathon, it takes a lot of focus and emotional and mental energy. I want the book to come to life for the listener, so I need to be dialed in!

Christine: What other forms of creativity do you enjoy?

Emily: Acting has always been my happy place. I’ve done a lot of theater and musical theater, but narrating audiobooks has been my favorite type of acting. I’m also a trained opera singer and used to be a professional calligrapher.

Christine: Do you really get to work from home in your pajamas?

Emily: As long as they don’t crinkle!

I became hooked on audio books back in the olden days when they were cassette tapes you could check out from the library and play on a tape recorder or a boom box or a Walkman. Remember those days?

I once listened to I, Claudius by Robert Graves on an interminable drive from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Grand Forks, North Dakota, an entirely straight, four hour shot northward on I-29. I still think of ancient Rome whenever I drive that particular stretch of prairie.

These days I actually listen to more books than I read, because I spend a lot of time in the car. I also listen to books whenever I’m doing anything mundane, like walking the dog or unloading the dishwasher or making dinner.

Some people claim that listening to a book does not count as reading a book, and I’m curious to know what you guys think. Do you listen to audio books or do you prefer a physical book? Or do you read on a Kindle? My husband switched over to Kindle years ago, and I have a Kindle, but I don’t love it. I still prefer to either listen or read a physical book.

In my fantasies, readers decide they just can’t choose, and they purchase all three forms of Behind White Picket Fences. Print! Kindle! Audio! But I will be extremely grateful to anyone who buys it in even just one format :-)

So, that’s what happening this month here at the Gunderson Ranch. I have to admit, I’m a little stressed right now. I’m doing podcast interviews to promote Behind White Picket Fences, waking up in the middle of the night twitching when I realize that I have a plot hole in Book #3 that needs to be fixed before I turn it in I turn it in to my editor on June 15th.

Plus I’m trying to ascertain as graduation day approaches if my son has dress shoes, and if so, where are they? And if they do exist and he can actually find them, do they still fit? But I think I should be given an enormous amount of credit for asking these questions now rather than waiting until the morning of graduation.

So. A lot going on, and (most) of it good, which I keep reminding myself when I veer into headless chicken mode. I leave you today with one of those good things.

As many of you know, I fantasize about being a gardener, cavorting among the bees in my suburban back yard in a large hat with a basket made from willow branches, sort of like Scarlett O’Hara with a garden trowel and a can of Miracle Grow. But in reality, I’m about as good at gardening as I am at algebra, which is really saying something.

However, this spring the peonies I planted two years ago finally bloomed, and they are magnificent.

Which proves that sometimes if we’re lucky, hope triumphs over skill.

Wishing you a wonderful May filled with both peonies and hope.

Much love,

Christine

This is both a shameless plea and a not very subtle reminder to please, please order yourself, and all your friends, relatives, and neighbors a copy of Behind White Picket Fences, which you can do by clicking HERE!