Inside the Narrator’s Studio: A Trace of Smoke

I’ve been trying to get an audio version of A Trace of Smoke created for years, but only recently re-acquired the rights. Then I faced my first quandary: should Hannah have a German accent when she speaks English? An American one? Or a British one? I decided that German might be too offputting for American listeners, so struck that out. An American accent felt wrong, too, as I often used British words (petrol instead of gas) to make Hannah’s world feel more European. So, English accent it was too be.

I opened the book up for auditions and was unprepared for the various accents and voices, but was thrilled to discover Beverly Murray. Her voice and delivery brought the novel to life. Would you like to hear how she did it? Me, too! So, I asked her over for an interview.

What led you to decide to start performing audiobooks? A theater bug, perhaps?
I used to take theatre and public speaking at school back in the UK, but then college, career and family took over. Last year I was asked to do some narration work for the Fine Arts director at my son’s high school. After hearing my narration of The Giving Tree for a dance show one of the parents at the school suggested I try audiobooks. He showed me the ropes in terms of the technical side too.

Where do you record? What’s an average recording day?
I record in our spare bedroom, where I have made a cosy little booth.

I am able to record, on average, 3 days a week as I also have a part-time job. I prefer to narrate in the morning when the house is quieter and I feel most alert. As I turn the air conditioning off before I record, early morning is cooler in the heat of a Texas summer too! I edit in the afternoon/evening.

We have a little rescue dog who follows me everywhere so I take off her collar (tags rattle) and let her sleep on her favorite cushion whilst I get to work.

How do you choose which projects to work on? What made you choose A Trace of Smoke?
I find it much easier to narrate a book I am engaged with. A Trace of Smoke is the genre of book I would anyhow read as I am a WW2 nut! 930s Berlin is fascinating. I love Hannah’s spirit and determination. I also liked the fact Ernest and his struggles are written with such compassion.

Do you do any warm-up voice exercises? If so, what?
I gargle with warm water and floss my teeth before I narrate. Weird I know but having a really clean mouth seems to make my diction more crisp.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a children’s book about magical travels around Europe. Great fun and I am more confident with accents in a children’s book as the author anyhow wants them exaggerated. After that a thriller set in Paris. I speak a little French.

Where can people hear more of your books?
A Trace of Smoke was my first audiobook. I have 3 more due to be released in November and early December and they will all be on Audible and iTunes.

Where can authors reach you to hire you as a narrator?
I can be reached through acx.com, Findaway Voices.com and Voices.com. My email is murrayvoices@gmail.com

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