I found out a while back that Penguin Random House Canada had decided to produce an audio book version of “The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen.” Two of my books (“We Are All Made of Molecules” and “Optimists Die First”) have audio versions, produced in the States; but this is the first one to be done in Canada, and certainly the first time I had the great privilege of getting to sit in on a recording session, because it’s being produced right here in Vancouver!
Ann Jansen at PRH and Heather Brown, producer in Vancouver, auditioned a number of people. I was sent a few of the auditions to listen to, and Ashleigh Ball, a highly experienced actor/voice actor blew me away. Within moments I had this very chilling feeling that Henry had come alive in the room. She somehow managed to sound like a typical, yet broken, 13 year old boy. Unbelievable, and honestly a bit eerie. She was available, hooray.
So late last week, I drove over to the Sound Kitchen (awesome space), where I met Heather, and audio master Chris McLaren (who, it turns out, I met years before, when I was writing for the animated series What About Mimi?). Ashleigh arrived (she is gorgeous and looks nothing like a chubby 13 year old boy, ha!).
Ashleigh, me, Chris
It was fascinating, sitting in on the morning session. Even with my TV background, I’m amazed at how much hard work it is. These are true professionals, and they do a lot of “takes,” refining, changing inflection, getting rid of “pops” etc. It’s also a particular challenge because it’s a first-person narrative – it’s all Henry’s thoughts. And when he has to deliver other characters’ dialogue, it’s “his” voice imitating others … but it still has to sound like Henry, of course. Really fascinating!
Ashleigh is brilliant … she was reading some rather heartbreaking bits, and I confess I was getting teary-eyed, hearing Henry questioning his mother’s love. Gah. Very cool to hear Henry come to life in this way. I’m so excited to hear the final product. And thrilled that PRH will be doing an audio version of my new novel, “No Fixed Address,” as well!
