A few weeks ago I recorded a conversation with the lovely Mary O’Malley of the famed Anderson’s Bookshop in Illinois. Anderson’s history dates from 1875, and six generations of family have kept the bookstore a vibrant presence regionally and nationally, so it was truly an honor to be invited to contribute to their Three Questions With Mary series; any business that has such a deep commitment to books and to its community has a huge fan in me!
And lucky for me, Mary is good friends with Julia Claiborne Johnson, writer of Be Frank With Me, the fantastic debut novel for which I won the Best Female Narrator Audie Award last year. Thus, I’m the first audiobook narrator to be a part of Mary’s literary interview series, and I’m grateful to both Mary and Julia for giving me a chance to talk about audiobooks and my recording process and philosophy.
So check out the video interview below, and then don’t rush away! Other great interviews featured on the Anderson’s Bookshop YouTube channel include Mary Kubica, Benjamin Ludwig, and more.
Great interview, Tavia~ I just love hearing you talk about the similarities in terms of things that go into writing and things that go into narration. I really think it comes down to connection to characters and heart. I’ll listen to the Mary Kubica one when I get the chance~ she’s a college friend of my sisters and I’ve met her several times.
If there’s anyone who understands heart and character, it’s you, Jessica. You CHANNEL heart.
I’ve begun to work with writers regularly, helping them perform their work aloud with confidence and courage, and the more I develop the curriculum, the less of a difference I see in writing craft and performance craft. The choices on the page are the same as the choices behind the mic or in front of an audience. I find it so exciting to consider the parallels.
Thanks for commenting, Jessica!