January is Braille Literacy Awareness Month ~~
Annie Donnellon is passionate about both Braille literacy and performing. Audiobook narration became the natural way to bring her two passions together. Annie’s impactful work in the world of accessibility, literature, and her Christian faith makes for an excellent fit for narrating Dial E for Endearment. When I met blind narrator Annie Donnellon, we instantly connected, and I knew she was God-sent.
Heidi: Welcome Annie. Thank you for chatting with me so readers can know the voice behind Dial E for Endearment.
Annie: Thank you. What an honor to be here!
Heidi: When we connected through our mutual friend, Emma Faye, I knew you were the perfect narrator for this book, not just because we have blindness in common but because of your heart for Christ and exceptional voice. What do you love most about narrating audiobooks?
Annie: I am a strong advocate for braille literacy. I also have a passion for performing. Audiobook narration allows me the opportunity to marry both passions together!
Heidi: This is a perfect month to release the sneak peek for the audiobook version of Dial E for Endearment since it’s Braille Literacy Awareness Month. We didn’t plan it that way, but I think that’s pretty cool. Can you share with our readers a little about you and how you got into narration.
Annie: I started training in VoiceOver about seven or eight years ago. At one point during the pandemic, I had a conversation with a friend I’d met who is also an author, and she mentioned that I might be interested in narrating one of her children’s books. Only at that time, I didn’t have “formal training” in narration specifically.
About four summers ago, I stumbled upon a Clubhouse room where other narrators were talking about their journeys, and the host, Elise Arsenault, was offering her signature course, “The Great Audiobook Adventure!” It was just the course I needed! I learned more about the craft, recording Software options, and more. I was delighted to witness her enthusiasm and commitment to making her materials accessible. I could go on and on!
In the beginning, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was navigating the noise of the braille display. Technology is not my strong suit, but my brain can retain insight, thank goodness. Once I got a dynamic mic, I was amazed at how well it quieted the braille display. I could relax and focus on my performance!
Heidi: I can’t imagine doing two things simultaneously—reading braille AND recording your voice. Seriously, I can’t even master the braille numbers! How do you select a book to narrate? Do you prefer a specific genre or type of character?
Annie: Well, first of all, as with anything in life, I pray. I think of the books I enjoy listening to and how well they might suit my voice. When I listen to a genre or narrator I particularly enjoy, I often think, “I wonder if I could do that?” Whether lighthearted or serious, I love a character I can relate to and root for.
When prepping a book, I often pick out lessons I could learn from the characters and apply them to my life. For instance, in “Dial E for Endearment,” Evie reminds me of the importance of forgiveness and choosing joy in every circumstance. I could stand to do that more often myself!
I prefer characters on equal footing, or at least try to get to that point—I want to laugh at their mishaps, cry with them in their pain, and share their passions. As for genres, I enjoy: Children’s literature, young adult fiction, women’s fiction, and faith-based anything.
Heidi: The process of recording a book seems daunting. Do you read the book several times before recording it, or do you memorize it?
Annie: Oh goodness! I may be a line-memorizing machine when it comes to acting in a theatre production, but this is not a practice I would ever implement when it comes to audiobooks 😊. When I first get a manuscript, I read through the book once to familiarize myself with the characters, the scenery, and the voices I envision to make each character stand out.
Heidi: How do you decide on a specific voice for the characters?
Annie: I look at the descriptions of the character’s personality traits and try to cast them accordingly. Oftentimes, my cast includes people from my own life, the younger or older versions of these individuals, depending on the story.
Heidi: It sounds like how I write my characters! Do you have a ritual or routine before sitting down to record?
Annie: Breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, and articulation exercises are the name of my game. Either I’ll take a lengthy passage from a book or use a common one such as:
“Betty Bauter bought some butter, but she said the butter’s bitter,” ETC. Another go-to is:
“You know New York? Unique New York! You know you need Unique New York.” Especially if you’re a performer. LOL. Kind of ironic considering I was born and raised in Ohio, huh?
Heidi: I’d be so tongue-tied I couldn’t get anything else out! You and I both enjoy audiobooks. Can you name one audiobook you love to listen to? What about the narration made it special?
Annie: Gosh, you want me to pick just one? One that stands out to me is “Part Of My World,” the memoir of Jodi Benson,* the woman who played Ariel in Disney’s animated film “The Little Mermaid.”
I can see why it was voted one of the finalists in The Audies for faith-based inspiration. If you’ve seen The Little Mermaid any number of times, you remember Ariel’s beautiful, melodious voice, youthful energy, and adorable laugh! That’s Jodi Benson—and she’s still got it all these years later. The joy of the Lord shines through every word she speaks. Same with Paige O’Hara (Belle in the animated Beauty and the Beast) as she gives her warm introduction to Jodi. It’s like sitting on your neighbor’s back patio enjoying coffee and conversation. Trust me, once you start this book, you won’t want to turn it off!
Heidi: I listened to Jodi’s audiobook. It was fabulous. I knew Ariel’s voice actor was a Christian and was impressed by the strength of her testimony and the clarity with which she shares the gospel. That is a strong quality to have as an actor of any type in today’s world. What qualities make a good narrator?
Annie: I admire narrators who have the versatility to speak in various voices and dialects. Whether fiction or non-fiction, it takes a special person to seriously bring it to life. There are so many incredible narrators out there! Scott Brick, Julia Whellan, and Cassandra Campbell are a few. I want to be that versatile when I grow up 😊.
Heidi: You did a great job capturing Evie’s voice. What was a scene you enjoyed narrating in Dial E for Endearment?
Annie: Having a background in radio, I really enjoyed playing out the scenes in which Evie gives advice to several Christian single men and women. Also, having a customer service background, I get to talk to a wide variety of people, including the young kid who can’t articulate what he wants as well as the guy who is extremely emotional and forward—you name it, I’ve probably talked to that person.
Heidi: I laughed out loud when I listened to you narrating those two scenes. I wondered if you’ve experienced those situations before because they came alive! Is there a scene that was especially difficult to narrate?
Annie: Well, to an extent. I couldn’t help but get a little emotional when Evie had that moment with her mom. I can’t imagine how challenging it would be for either party when re-kindling a serious relationship like that. By the grace of God, though, I was able to separate myself just enough to convey the emotional intensity necessary to perform the scene effectively.
Heidi: Writing that scene was challenging as well. I come from a loving family where this would not have been played out in our home, so getting into Evie’s character to understand her feelings was challenging.
When prepping a book, I often pick out lessons I could learn from the characters and apply them to my life.
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Thank you, Annie, for sharing your experience narrating my book and for the work you do with Braille Literacy. You have been a joy to work with, and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again as we collaborate on Dial P for Perfect, Ginger’s story in the You Are On The Air series.
Annie: Thank you for having me! Yes, this is only the beginning, and I look forward to all the ways God will continue moving as we collaborate.
Author Bio: Annie Donnellon is a young woman of faith who has a passion for using her voice to bring stories to life. She has narrated several children’s and young adult titles, including “Apple Batter-Up,” “The ABC’s Of Inclusion,” and “Dial E for Endearment.”
To connect with Annie, visit her on social media:
Website: http://anniedonnellon.com/narration
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anniedonnellondavis
Twitter: @donnellino86
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