Heather Firth graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Dramatic Arts and extensive experience in theatre. In 2015 she fell in love with romance books and started Naughty Book Blog. She also discovered Audiobooks and became an avid listener. After listening to Colleen Hoover’s November 9 on Audio (the heroine is an audiobook narrator), she realized she could combine her education in acting with her love of books. It was then that the idea for “Naughty Narration” was born.
What got you interested in performing audiobooks in the first place?
That’s a long story! I got into performing arts in Junior High. I continued with it all through High School and then majored in Performing Arts in University. After I graduated, I got married and had kids and never pursued my dream of being an actress. In 2015, my friend invited me to go see the movie Fifty Shades of Grey. I didn’t think it was “my thing,” but it was a night out with the girls so I went! Turns out, I couldn’t deal with the cliffhanger so I went and bought the Fifty Shades box set the next day. As it also turns out, it really was my thing. I went on to become an avid reader and reviewer and started Naughty Book Blog in the summer of 2015. It was through there that I found audiobooks and became an avid listener as well. It was during Colleen Hoover’s audiobook of November 9 that I realized that Audiobook Narrators work from home! I then realized I could combine my love of books with my university degree in acting, so I began to research and study what I needed to know.
You specialize in narrating romance books. Most narrators do a variety of genres. What made you decide to stick to romance?
I had intended to stick to romance, but my first four titles were a science fiction series. My entire experience as a listener had been romance audiobooks. I had never listened to anything else. I worried that I was going to be painting myself into a corner, so to speak, and after a discussion with my coach we agreed that I would stick to fiction and focus on romance, sci-fi, mysteries, and thrillers.
Your website is called Naughty Narration. How did you come up with this title?
I wanted to pay tribute to my book blog, Naughty Book Blog, which a big part of the reason I ended up becoming a narrator.
How do you prepare to record an audiobook?
First step, read the entire book. I need to get a feel for the tone of the book. I highlight important information related to characters or plot development. Then I break the manuscript down and save each chapter as its own file. I change the font to Verdana, 26 pt, 1.5 spaced. That makes it much easier for me to read in Word when I’m working. I also highlight character dialogue and give each character their own color.
What did you do to learn the technical details of recording and editing?
I started out with an online course called Audiobooks With Audacity. Audacity is a free software program that many narrators use. The course went through many things, including ACX’s (Audible) standards and requirement for audiofiles. Then I joined a couple Facebook groups and I soon realized that in order to produce a higher quality of audio, I needed to spend some money on some more high tech software. I invested in Studio One (because when you’re doing long form narration, you NEED to punch & roll) and Izotope’s RX6. I also invested in coaching from the amazing Don Baarns on how to set up and use that software. I would have been totally lost without his instruction.
How did you get your first narration job?
My first four titles were a zombie apocalypse series by Kate L. Mary. I had just updated my profile on ACX and Kate messaged me asking me to audition for the series. I’m extremely grateful she allowed me the opportunity to work with her. I produced all four titles in the Twisted World series. I’m going to be working with her again later this year on The Loudest Silence, another post-apocalyptic story.
What questions did you have for your coaches as you went into audiobook narration?
So many! I’ve been working with coaches since last October or November and still I always have so many questions. Some of them I’ve never even gotten around to asking yet! But my initial question was what the heck I should put on my ACX profile when I was just starting out and had zero titles and no portfolio. Andi Arndt was a huge help to me in that department, as well as the performance coaching as well. I am extremely blessed to say I have been able to work with such an amazing talent and a fantastic human being.
Are the books narrated by jumping around, or done as a straight through read? And, how in the world do you keep all their voices straight?
Unlike shooting a movie when scenes can be shot out of order, I record start to finish. I don’t jump around. I think for me it would really disrupt the flow of the story if I didn’t record in chronological order. As for character voices, there are many tips and tricks you learn as a narrator. Changing your posture or facial expression can change your voice. Sometimes I have a real life person in mind for the character. In my current project, the heroine’s boss (in my mind), is Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. So when I speak her lines I’m thinking of Meryl sitting at that desk being a condescending, ungrateful witch to Anne Hathaway.
How long do you record at a time, on average? What is it about a book that will shorten or lengthen this?
How long I record is entirely dependant upon how many hours I’m alone in the house on any given day. I built a recording studio in the basement of my house, but it’s not 100% soundproof and I find it works out best if I’m the only one in the house, or at the very least only one of my children is home and I can banish said child to their room and not make any noise in the house. I usually record anywhere between 2 and 4 hours a day. Any longer than 4 hours and my voice starts to suffer. As for anything that makes the process shorter or longer? Nothing about producing audio is a short process. Sometimes I get hung up on a sentence or even just a simple word and I have to do two dozen retakes before I think it sounds right or I’m happy with it. I’m very much a perfectionist and that can make it even more time consuming. Sometimes I’ll have to stop and Google a word pronunciation.
What narrators do you like to listen to for inspiration?
It’s so hard to pick a few favorites. There are so many I not only enjoy, but I also admire and look up to as well. I think Xe Sands is amazing. She has such a rich and soothing voice. This past summer I started coaching with Jayme Mattler so I started listening to some of her performances. She has that easy, conversational style that draws you into the story, like she’s speaking directly to you. I absolutely adore Erin Mallon and Andi Arndt as well. There are so many amazing narrators out there. When I’m listening I’m always trying to dissect what they are doing and trying to learn something from it, as well as enjoy the story. Becoming a narrator has completely changed the way I listen to audio.
You can learn more about Heather at the following sites:
Portfolio: https://naughtynarration.com/credits-and-reviews (includes buy links for Audible)
Facebook Page
Instagram: @heatherfirthnarrator
Twitter: @HeatherFirthVO
