Quick Narration Tip to Play With

Some tips seem obvious, but obvious can also be mind-blowing

While coaching a class and then being coached in a class, I had an epiphany. I don’t know why, but I suddenly realized that the old phrase “Acting is Reacting” applies to audiobook narration too.

We know this, of course. We know that when you don’t have a line in a play or film, you are still actively reacting with your face to what the other person is saying.

In life, we do this too. We nod, we say: “Yeah. Sure. No way!” We look displeased. We look comforted.

Sometimes when we’re talking to someone, and especially in a fight with them and when we’re not using I Statements and ‘being healthy’ we might even mimic what someone has said to us. We might up the tension by how we say something, not just by what we say.

In narration, we’re usually focused on propelling the text forward. We read what happens, and then what happens next. We do a character voice and then respond with a different character voice.

Here’s the quick tip to help you connect more with the text:

Try actively reacting.

Yes, I know you’re reacting, essentially, to yourself, but if you let this idea sink in, then I think your dialogue and the reality of the world you’re building expands.

You’re IN the moment.

One character says something and the other character, hearing their words for the first time, reacts. This makes the dialogue connected; not isolated.

Does that make sense?

Add in subtext (someone’s lying, someone’s hot & bothered but doesn’t want to be, etc.) the feelings beneath a conversation along with characters reacting to each other, and you’ve got a whole lot to play with.

Hope this little tip helps!

Do you have any quick tips? I’d love to hear them!

COMING UP:

Coming up in this Substack: deep dives into genre, guest writers, and more.

If you would like to attend the next Teatime Talk about Audiobooks, please fill out this quick Google form. This online course is a good way to dip your toes into narration, or to get a little refresher. We’ll listen to 6 readers and respond as a class with feedback. Teatime Talk: Tuesday, May 26 1-2 PM. This is free for paid subscribers to this Substack, and $10 for others.

The next Teatime will be June 16, 1-2 PM EST so save the date!