I have a cool voice.
There, I said it! I don’t often blatantly brag on myself, but yeah, I have a pretty cool voice. It’s why kids like listening to me at story time with my library job. It’s one of the reasons people like listening to Red Desert Role Play, and it’s the driving factor behind why I decided to narrate the “Blood of Olthetta” audiobook myself rather than hiring a narrator to do it for me.
Popular request from fans was that I narrate the audios myself, and I wanted to comply.
That is why the voice I ended up using for Patrick in the book surprised me a little. Patrick is a character I enjoyed writing because he experiences so much growth and change while remaining true to who he is at the start of the book.
When I’m writing, I have a very clear sound in my head of what the character’s voices sound like when they speak. Or, at least, I do by the time the manuscript is done because nailing the voice mentally is one of the things that helps cement the character in my mind. Naturally, one would think that this would give me an edge when recording my audiobook, but not as much as you’d think.
For one thing, some of the characters’ voices as they exist in my mind, I’m physically incapable of reproducing with my own voice. No failing on my part; it just can’t be done (or, in some cases, can’t be done without risking permanent damage to the vocal cords).
For another, some voices must be tweaked to be easily understood (a must for audiobooks, obviously).
In the case of Patrick, his mental voice, deeper and more resonant than what ended up in the final product of the audiobook, didn’t sound right when recorded. While it would feel fine as I read it, on playing it back, I’d find myself wondering who this stranger was invading my audiobook files and why he felt the need to plop himself down in my story where Patrick was supposed to be.
To make the voice match the character in the external realm, I had to go back to the drawing board and experiment with how to play him. Ultimately this came down to good old-fashioned acting and working to embody who Patrick was as a person. To allow the character to guide their own performance, as it were.
Patrick ended up sounding very different and a far cry from the typical fantasy hero, but his voice works and carries him well in the audiobook. He has an ever so slightly nasal quality (but not enough to be annoying, I assure you) and speaks from deep back in his throat, with just a hint of gravelly-ness that comes through now and again. Or at least that’s how I interpret it.
Either way, the combination of elements makes for a compelling character to listen to, in my humble opinion. I hope those of you who choose to listen agree with me.
Speaking of listening, click here to find “Blood of Olthetta” at an audiobook retailer near you. Don’t forget to leave an honest review after you read!
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