What I’m learning from narrating my audiobook

Things to know for writers who might one day want to read their work & a case for making reading aloud a practice for all

I hadn’t planned on writing about this because, frankly, I didn’t think there would be much to say. Arrogance or naivety? But two days in with one to go, I thought it might be useful for folk thinking of recording their writing, or who as fans of audiobooks are simply curious about what recording is like behind the scenes. I would write it at the end, but I know I will want to lie face down on my bed for a week.

I’m one of those people who don’t think to do research before embarking on a new experience, instead preferring to see for myself what it’s like without preconceptions. A fortnight ago, I went to see Peter Kay live and was taken aback that someone next to me had already searched for what to expect on YouTube. Likewise, travelling this year I met an American woman who had watched videos of the hike we were making, before flying over to do it herself. I was perplexed, though I could see the merits. But I like surprises, and I like to be surprised. I like to learn things my own way. And so it was that I entered the Sheffield studio on Tuesday to record Weathering, largely unsuspecting, and assuming that I would sit down for three days, and eventually leave again. Easy, surely. Job done.

But I was wrong. Really wrong.

And here’s why: