Different Opinions about Narrators

We all know how different people and their opinions can be. This is very evident when looking at audiobook narrators where listeners have fewer chances to give their own interpretations to passages than they do when they read a book. In addition, there are differences of opinions on various aspects of the audible:

Do you prefer a male narrator or a female? (I tend to choose the one that the book has most of its points of view written in.)

Does the age of the narrator make a difference? (I want the age of the voice to be somewhat close to the main characters in the book.)

Should the accent of the narrator match the location of the setting? (I prefer this, but it's not crucial if the narrator has a general accent. However, they need to be able to handle any special accents within the manuscript.)

But apart from the issues and choices surrounding narrations, people look at the same thing so differently. For example, one reviewer wrote, "Narrator did a great job on the accents, emotions and differentiating the characters. Looking forward to Hopkins' next novel and hope she teams with this narrator again." However, another reviewer said of the same narrator: "Unfortunately the narrator didn’t do male voices at all so it was difficult to distinguish between the male and female voices and know who was speaking at times." A third reviewer added, "The reader has a smooth voice for this read and does the intonations well. She brings this book to life with her storytelling talents." But another observed, "Some of the voices were a bit choppy. Like the narrator was trying to slow down more."

All of this points to the fact that what appeals to some listeners will not others. The listener who gave a bad review above told me I should check the narrators of an author she liked. I did, but I didn't like those narrators at all and thought the ones I used were much better. There is truly no pleasing everyone. The author should just choose the best narrator possible, knowing that not everyone will like that choice. And perhaps the listener should be a bit more generous in their evaluations. Narrating is not easy, and most narrators hired by the big publishers will not accept books from indie authors.

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 Nurturing

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold a sower went forth to sow (Matthew 13:3).

If farmers want a good harvest, they have a lot of work to do. Even after they prepare the fields, and plant the seeds, their work is not done. They must keep the area free of weeds, and nurture the tender plants as they poke through the soil. They may even provide water during dry spells and nutrients to encourage growth.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up, and choked them (Matthew 13:7).

Christians should take note and follow this example. Too many times we plant Gospel seeds, and once they take root so that someone accepts Christ as their Savior, the witness thinks his or her job is done. A new Christian needs nurturing to grow strong in their faith. They need mentoring, so they can also lead others to Christ. Think about what would happen to that field if the farmer planted it and then abandoned it to itself.

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thiryfold (Matthew 13:8).

We should be examples to new Christians of what it means to live a Christian life and to love as Christ taught us. We should be willing to help them find answers to their questions and provide fellowship and support. A plant left on its own may never mature and bear much fruit, and we don't want that for our Christian friends. Let's make sure the new Christians around us fall on fertile soil and are nurtured.  

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Sterling Orphans

The second book in the Cactus Creek series, Sterling Orphans, has just been released. For fans who loved Second-Choice Bride, I think you'll like this one even better. Preston and Abby are still there as secondary characters, but Will (Billy) Hudson and Gray Fox (Lone Wolf's son) become main characters, along with two new characters, Rose Sterling and Letty Sawyer.

Amazon Link for Sterling Orphans

Needing to leave Sterling Orphan House at eighteen, Rose Sterling is to take toddler, Katie Hudson, to her father who works on the King Ranch in New Mexico Territory. She thought her biggest adventure would be getting there on the wagon train, but she was wrong. Will Hudson can’t believe he has a daughter. His wife had left him for a gambler, and he’s been trying to cope ever since. He doesn’t make the best impression on Rose Hudson at first, but he sees how much his little daughter loves and depends on her. Can he adjust to fatherhood, or will he always be a disappointment to the women in his life? Letty Sawyer is terrified of Indians since they killed her adoptive parents. When she ends up on the King Ranch, can Gray Fox show her that all Indians aren’t alike and that he would protect her with his life?

I am excited about the western series set in early New Mexico. My dual narrators are already hard at work producing the Audible version of Sterling Orphans. The Audible version of Second-Choice Bride is already out. The third book in the series, Poor Relation is with my editor now. It should be out toward the end of April or first of May.

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 Do You Visit with God?

This is the way many Christians try to live their lives. They visit God at church once or twice a week. If they are particularly faithful, they also visit Him daily in a short time of Bible study and prayer and perhaps with grace at mealtimes. Some have relegated Him to only visiting on Christmas and Easter as if that takes care of their duty.

But this is not what Christ meant when He said to abide in Him. Visiting with God, no matter how many times you do it, is not enough. It's not how He designed us. We should have an intimate, close relationship so that we live every moment with Him. Scheduling visiting rights is insufficient.

If we focus too strongly on our physical world instead of the spiritual realm and our faith, it will pull us away from God. More than what we do, God wants us, our hearts, and our devotion. He made mankind so that He could have relationships with us and objects for His vast love. He sent His son to die an agonizing death on a cross to restore the relationship our sin ripped apart. He wants to be a part of whatever we do. If we can't include Him, we shouldn't be doing it. Don't just visit with God; live every moment with Him.

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Second-Choice Bride - New Audible 

Link to Second-Choice Bride

The Audible version of Second-Choice Bride is now out. When I started to publish a new five-book series set in New Mexico, I knew this would be a family saga, and the audible book would need so many voices it would be challenging. Therefore, I thought dual male and female narrators might be the best. When a team recommended by another author didn't respond, I contacted Douglas Birk, who had done several audible books for me, and asked if he knew of anyone he could team with. He started making plans to put out audition invitations when he asked me if I had a female narrator I could ask. I did, and Jennifer Groberg, who has done more of my Audible books than anyone, agreed. I had my team.  

Doug thought it would be a good idea to begin on the Audible before the first book, Second-Choice Bride, was actually published. He always does audio files before uploading them to ACX anyway. This way, there shouldn't have been as long a wait-time before the Audible was released. They had about three-fourths of the book finished when the print versions were released on Amazon. Doug handled all the scheduling, organizing, and coordinating. I just approved each chapter or asked for corrections when needed. But it still took ACX over 6 weeks to release the Audible book.

I'm glad this went so well because we have four more books to do after this one. In fact, we are working on Sterling Orphans, the second book in the series, now. I appreciate these two narrators more all the time. Even though Doug lives in Missouri and Jen lives in Utah, they've been able to get together via the internet to record. I'm excited about what I've heard, and I feel my listeners will love it. See my recent blog for more on Second-Choice Bride.  

Link to Second-Choice Bride blog - https://janicecolehopkins.blogspot.com/2021/01/second-choice-bride-second-choice-bride.html

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"Me Do It"

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4:10).

I can still hear one of my children crying, "Me do it," when they were toddlers and struggling for some independence. Even as adults, we sometimes act the same way with God. We try to do things in our own power, and that's often a recipe for disaster. But in a society that teaches us to take charge and achieve, letting go can be difficult. We like to think we have it all covered.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

At a former church, several members talked about being unable to witness to others. Again, they were depending too much on their abilities and not relying enough on God. Christians have the Holy Spirit residing within them, and He has all the power and abilities they need. We just need to surrender and give Him the lead.

Submit yourselves therefore to God (James 4:7a).

In fact, we often put too much emphasis on our wise choices and good works. God cares more about our hearts and to whom we belong. He created us to have a close, intimate relationship with Him. That should be our first priority. When we have that, wise choices and good works will be a natural outgrowth. Let's not try to do things ourselves but let God do them through us.

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 Videos Can Help or Hurt 

Are poor quality videos and podcasts worse than not having them at all? As these media forms get more popular and easier to record and post, I see many unimpressive ones, especially marketing books or telling about authors. They do not make me want to buy. In fact, I would be less likely to purchase the book than if I hadn't seen the video. Last year, I participated in an all-day author event that had many of these.

Some authors seem to think that the object is to get themselves and their books out there. They don't consider the quality of what they present. I've seen some videos where the presenter looked so ridiculous or did such a poor job that I was embarrassed for them. Often they come across with such cheerful enthusiasm they seem fake and overdramatic -- not a good recommendation for their work. 

In contrast, I have an author friend whose husband is adept at producing quality media material, including videos. Her excellent clips are always appealing, and I'm sure they pull readers in, make new fans, and increase her sales. If you want to make a video, critique some of the ones out there and decide what you should and shouldn't do.

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