“Why don’t you narrate your audiobook?”

When I initiated the process of producing an audiobook version of A Letter in the Wall, friends would ask why I wasn’t going to do the narration myself instead of hiring a professional voice actor. While there are some authors who’ve voiced their own books, it is definitely not a quick and easy process for a variety of reasons. And it was not something I felt prepared in any way to take on, so I proceeded to solicit auditions from voice actors.

After listening to demos from ten actors, I narrowed the pool down to three, then asked a couple friends who are avid audioboook listeners to give me their opinions. I ultimately hired Tanya Saari, who was a pleasure to work with and took direction and feedback so graciously. The book is my baby, and I know Joan intimately, so I appreciated Tanya’s willingness and ability to make sure the story was presented in a way that captured the protagonist in all her complexity and followed the tone of the story.

Here is an interview with Tanya to give you a little peek into her professional world:

You are a trained stage actor. How did you make the decision to enter the world of voice acting?

It was suggested to me, actually! I had done a couple of public presentations/recitations, and a couple of different people had commented that I should consider doing commercials, or voice acting. I discovered my local acting studio was holding a “beginner voice-over” class, so I signed up. That certainly got the ball rolling!

Did it initially feel “limiting” at all to put everything into just your voice as opposed to your entire body (as one would on a stage) or to not have a live audience or other actors to feed off of? Do you employ the same techniques one would in a play?

I wouldn’t use the word “limiting”, but they are two different animals, for sure! On stage, you can convey myriad messages with body language, your eyes, a gesture, etc., without saying a single word. For an audiobook, everything has to be conveyed with tone, phrasing, emphasis, etc. One of the main techniques I use would be paying attention to diction and clarity. Unless a character mumbles or otherwise affects their speech, everything needs to be clear.  

Were you already familiar with the technical aspects of audio narration (i.e., use of editing software, equipment, requirements of the various platforms like ACX, etc.) before beginning a career in voice acting?

Not at all! I spent a few weekends doing a deep-dive into YouTube tutorials and Googling and reading like crazy. It was a steep learning curve, and even now, I still learn new things all the time.

A Letter in the Wall is a book with many characters who come and go throughout the story. You did a really good job of distinguishing between characters within the same scenes, even when it was two women. It was often subtle, but it wasn’t difficult to hear the difference. What was the most challenging part of narrating the book and giving voices to the characters?

It is a huge challenge to come up with slightly different voices for characters! And it becomes even more challenging when there are many of them. Along those same lines, it can become a challenge to remember whose voice sounded like what, as well!

Do you have any type of “prep work” you do before turning on the microphone? Vocal warmups, meditation, drinking water? Eating or not eating before recording?

Absolutely lots of water. I have a terribly “sticky” mouth, so I tend to end up with clicks and mouth noises that all need to be edited out. Being hydrated helps with that a lot. Warmups are also important, so tongue twisters help, as well as any vocal drills used for singing.

Before I went ahead with soliciting auditions from actors, I had many friends questioning why I didn’t just narrate the book myself. I know all the reasons I was not going to do that, but can you shed some light on what it’s like to narrate an audiobook? Things which wouldn’t occur to many people? (e.g., dry mouth, mouth/teeth sounds, understanding the editing process, having a room/studio to work in, total recording time vs. finished hours, necessary equipment, speech modulation and control, etc. etc.)

All of those things you mention are part of the entire process, and what the public doesn’t see. Talking incessantly dries out the mouth and fatigues the vocal cords. Breath sounds, mouth clicks, and other noises all need to be cleaned up. A soundproofed recording booth is essential, as is good equipment. For every hour of actual recording, it can take two to three hours to clean and edit the audio files. In a way, you have to think of it like a marathon. You have to pace yourself. Nothing good can come of sprinting to the finish line!

What do you like best about voicing audiobooks?

I love bringing stories to life! I love acting, and this is just another type of it.

Any advice for authors seeking a voice actor for the first time? What should they factor into their choice?

Research, word of mouth, and personal recommendations! You’re probably not going to want someone who is brand-new to voice acting as a career. Look for someone who has completed projects under their belt, and read reviews from clients, if you’re able. Someone who has experience with stage acting is also going to be stronger at creating characters for you and bringing that story to life. Audiobook platforms will identify the readers of the audiobooks, so if you like how someone sounds, or the quality of their voice, that could be a great place to start!

Since you had to channel Joan throughout various phases of her life, any thoughts about her as a “person”? Without giving away any spoilers, do you feel she evolved? Devolved? Did you find her likeable? Relatable at all? Worthy of empathy? Or none of the above?!

Joan is such a complex woman! There were times I empathized strongly with her, and times I had trouble liking her! I think she would be quite relatable for many women.

You have children of your own. What advice would you give Joan when she was a new mother?

I know that Joan had her children at a time when families would typically join together and pitch in to help new mothers, but since her family relationships were strained and there weren’t many around to give her a hand, I would advise her to seek help elsewhere. For Joan, the church could have been an ideal help with caring for children. I would tell her to not be so stubborn, and just ask for help!

Lastly, you have experience in the publishing industry. Are you a reader and, if so, reading anything at the moment? (I realize your life is pretty busy so finding time to read might be a luxury right now!)

Yes! The other hat I wear is that of a freelance fiction editor. I was actually in the publishing industry for several years, but have been freelance for even longer, now. I don’t read as much for pleasure as I would like to, but I am trying to work on that. Reading for fun is such a luxury! I am actually between books right now, but the last couple I read were Oh Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes (light, fluffy, hilariously scandalous fun), and Duma Key by Stephen King (intense, gripping, and satisfying). My tastes do tend to vary widely, although I do tend to stay away from anything too dark or upsetting. Reading to me is an escape, and meant to make me feel good.

Contact Tanya at: https://www.tanyasaarivoice.com/