Greetings, dear readers,
This is my first “Creeksong” blog.
From now on, I’ll be blogging every other week with “behind-the-scenes” stories and insights into my audiobook-creation process. And I’ll share extracts from the audiobook.
Today, I’m thrilled to offer you an exclusive peek behind the curtain, into the creation of the Amazon bestselling 2023 audiobook, “Creeksong: One Woman Sings the Climate Blues” (check out www.facebook.com/creeksongbook ). As the producer of this remarkable project, I’ll be your guide through the challenges we faced, the bold choices we made, and the awe-inspiring transformation of Wendy Sarkissian’s compelling narrative into an immersive auditory adventure.
But before we delve into the heart of this extraordinary journey, let me confess something. When Wendy and I embarked on this adventure a couple of years ago, we were, in many ways, newcomers to the world of audiobooks. Neither of us had ever listened to an audiobook before taking on this audacious task. But as they say, the most incredible journeys often begin with the unexpected. And we were 73 and 79 years old when we began!
Choosing the Radio Play Style
Early in our discussions, Wendy and I made a pivotal decision that would become the cornerstone of our audiobook: we opted for a Radio Playstyle. Unlike traditional narration, this style infused our storytelling with richness and vibrancy, akin to a captivating cinematic experience. It introduced multiple voices, sound effects, and music, immersing listeners in a world of sensory delight.
While straight narration certainly has its charms, we believed that the theatrical and immersive elements of the Radio Play style were a perfect match for “Creeksong.” This choice was deeply influenced by one of the more dramatic settings for the story—the acoustically rich tropical forests of northern Australia, where Wendy’s remarkable journey unfolded. Especially at night, this environment came alive with a symphony of sounds, courtesy of the diverse array of nocturnal birds and land animals. Despite the additional complexity, we were compelled to embrace this more challenging style.
The Power of a Radio Play
Before we go any further, let’s briefly distinguish between traditional audiobook narration and the Radio Play technical recording task. The creation of this audiobook was a journey of exploration, experimentation, and creativity. I could merge my passion for soundscapes with the art of storytelling, resulting in an auditory experience that I hope resonates deeply with all of us.
Unique Experiences and Challenges
In “Creeksong,” we introduced a unique element—a solitary woman singing the blues in various settings, including a barren post-war Canadian suburb in the 1950s and a remote tropical Australian forest. This choice transformed the audiobook into an immersive masterpiece. It introduced multiple voices, including those of the forest itself. Carefully curated sound effects and music enhanced the storytelling, creating a sensory journey for the listener.
Extract from Breakfast at Kakadu: Natural And Unaccompanied Birdsong. Courtesy of Brett Neilsen (https://brettnielsen.com/breakfast-at-kakadu/), Australia. Recorded in the 1990s at Nourlangi Billabong in Australia’s Top End by Brett Neilsen, Australia’s first thalidomide child, who skillfully used his feet to edit many hours of recording tapes as others use their hands.
The Radio Play style adds layers of richness to the story, inviting the audience to experience its emotional depth and environmental themes in a captivating manner. It transports listeners into a powerful and acoustically rich environment—a tropical forest that overwhelms the lonely protagonist’s senses.
Listen here to the raucous call of a sulphur-crested cockatoo:
Contrasting Radio Play with Straight Narration Style
While straight narration has its appeal because of its intimate nature, it offers less engagement compared to the Radio Play style. It lacks the immersive elements of multiple sound effects, music, and different voices. As well, prolonged listening to a single narrator can lead to monotony, causing listeners to lose interest. It also lacks some of the theatrical or cinematic elements that the Radio Play style provides, making it less immersive for those seeking a more dynamic storytelling experience.
Join me on this sonic adventure
Our decision to embrace this audiobook style enriched our presentation of Wendy’s remarkable journey. It allowed every sound effect and piece of music to enrich the narrative’s depth and emotion and added a unique dimension to “Creeksong,” making it an unforgettable auditory journey.
In my next blog, I’ll take us deeper, exploring one specific chapter of the audiobook that illustrates the points I’ve discussed here.
And in the following blog, I’ll delve back “behind the scenes” into the practical aspects of creating the audiobook, from setting up our home studio to recording techniques. And more!
Thank you for joining me on this captivating journey of discovery. Please stay tuned for more insights into this extraordinary adventure.
Please do reach out to me by email: nusmata@me.com
Warmest regards,
Christopher Baudat: Creeksong audiobook producer, director and engineer
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