Good news, everybody! This morning I got an email from David Lane Pusey, the narrator who would be recording the audiobook for Awaken the Three, saying that he had finished the recording and editing. All that is left now is for me to give it a final listen to make sure that it meets Audible’s standards (and my own) and it goes off to Audible for processing.  It is incredibly exciting for a few reasons, the least of all being me getting to hear his take on all my characters.

Some collected thoughts, in no particular order:

I’m amazed at his range.

One of the reasons I put out a request for a “British (general)” narrator was because of the wide cast of characters in the book, and I knew I was going to have to have someone with a diverse enough vocal range and accent range to make the characters seem unique. I will sheepishly admit that, despite narrating the first audiobook myself, the vocal cast in this one was daunting — which is why I’m so pleased with David’s ability. His performance of High Khyth Yetz, in fact, almost sounded like it was voiced by an entirely different person. It’s truly impressive.

Listening to a book is different than reading — and even writing — it.

The strangest thing happened when I was listening to an early chapter where Thornton travels to Ellenos, during a certain passage where they traverse a stone bridge peeking out of the water. I don’t know how it happened, but I actually pictured it more vividly than I did when I first wrote it. I know that sounds crazy — and it probably is — but it was almost a relief; the narration was so seamless that I actually found myself being transported into the scene.

Again, I credit David’s talent implicitly.

There are differences, and they’re all good

I definitely have versions of the characters in my head when I write them; usually I base them on someone I know so I can fully picture their mannerisms and hear their voices. In listening to David’s portrayal of the characters, I have been surprised a few times — all of them pleasantly. One character, Evram, I had pictured like Josh Hartnett.

But the way David voiced him made him sounds more thuggish, like Bullet Tooth Tony from the movie “Snatch.”

Obviously I loved it.

I get to fall in love with my characters all over again

This is far and away my favorite part of listening to the audiobook. It’s one thing to write a character; it’s another to listen to them work and watch their actions play out. I won’t say who my favorite character is to write, but it also happens to be my favorite to listen to. My favorite chapter in both books happen to be one where this character is at the forefront.

That being said, Tuesday is the big day and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m hoping that the audiobook will be approved in time for the launch, but I’m not going to hold my breath. The good news is, though, that it won’t be far behind.

Until then, you can always refresh yourself of the events that got us here.

Cheers!