Part of the challenge of being self-employed (audiobook narrator) while simultaneously growing an additional business (lettering artist) is that at any given time I can feel like I am neglecting one of these pursuits. Sure, I’m creating lettering artwork every day, but when was the last time I did vocal exercises to strengthen my character work? #toughlove
Considering myself “in-process” with how to hold this tension, I can swing wide from feeling like I’m moving the ball down the field to feeling like I’m on the outside of the arena listening to the crowd going wild while I’m unable to find my ticket. #justme?
While I am halfway through my month of creating lettering every day, last week I got out my monthly email to publishers and content creators. #checkmeout
That specific communication can vary from samples of recent audiobook projects to sharing new developments in my work. Periodically it includes 1-minute videos that I describe as “the intersection of my vocation and my love of lettering.” #betruetoyou
For those who haven’t seen it I’m including it in this post. Or maybe you have seen it, but it’s only a minute long, so feel free to watch it again.
For funsies, and cuz I am committed to sharing all-the-things with my audience, I’m also including a 30-second compilation video of behind-the-scenes recording.
Anyone who does any kind of creating with video, KNOWS it takes a lot more time than people realize and even a relatively simple looking video may take a few swings at bat before you get it right. SIDENOTE: What’s with all the sports metaphors this week? Maybe cuz of the Super Bowl this past weekend, I’m still really feeling the sports. #imsuchajock
Final thing I want to share this week is that I did something I have never done before in my audiobook career, and I’m not referring to successfully recording:
“A tutor who tooted the flute tried to tutor two tooters to toot. Said the two to the tutor, “Is it harder to toot or to tutor two tooters to toot?” #nailedit
I recently turned down a project because I was not in agreement about the content. Over the years the types of books I have worked on have run the gamut. Some were well-written and compelling; others may have been earnest in their intention but maybe could have used a little more help. #workinprogress
Some books were on topics that held little interest to me personally, while others I considered it a privilege to narrate. And while I don’t believe that narrators need to be perfectly aligned with every book they narrate it is an interesting process to consider what it means to have your name associated with a particular title.
However, let’s be real, it’s not easy to say no to a paycheck. And I’ll be honest, I did strongly consider it.
In the end, I realized if I said yes, it would be out of a scarcity mindset, rather than trusting there is plenty of work to go around. And the truth is there is another narrator out there that would be perfect for this project and it would be a disservice to everyone if that book didn’t get someone who would do that content justice.
I share all of that to say that hard moments can be opportunities to get clear on what is really important. Even when we look back at past choices that we wish would have gone differently, maybe it’s a matter of learning from it rather than getting it “right” all the time. So take what you can learn and trust me, there will always be another chance at bat. #sportsanalogytrifecta
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