An Interview with Erin Lillis - Voice Artist and Audio Producer

Over the last eight months I have had the pleasure to work with a number of wonderful audio producers. Eight of my nine books have been transformed from words into audible reality. Each of the producers has been professional, insightful and really hard working. For all of the authors out there who are thinking about releasing audio books these interviews will provide and insight into what producers are looking for. What's more, audio producers are friendly and are always looking for great books to bring to life. So this week I intend to post a couple of interviews with some of the wonderful people I have been fortunate to work with. I am so grateful that they dedicated their precious hours into bringing my books to life. The first in a series of interview is with Erin Lillis.

An Interview With Erin Lillis -  Voice Artist and Audio Producer (U.S.)

 

How did you get into producing audio books?

It was the next logical step in my voice over journey towards being a voice heard at an amusement park! :)

This is true. One day I had the idea that I’d like to be the voice you heard announcing the fireworks or the parade at Disneyland. It’s something simple and informative yet those voices have the power to stick with a person and bring back wonderful sense memories when heard years later.

It was that plus people telling me I should do voices and my secondary love for sound design and recording that I’d picked up when working on projects in film school.

In recent years I’ve been working on a slow but steady path towards doing work in the voice over industry. I'm building up to putting together a professional demo. I started by doing voicemail gigs on a freelance site and when I felt I’d finally figured out the timing and quality aspects I moved up to short voiceovers. I discovered ACX (the Audiobooks Creators Exchange) in a conversation with another person on a similar path and signed up. At the same time I also began writing, producing and recording my own podcast (SubverCity Transmit subvercitytransmit.com) to get more practice in the art of reading fiction.


What do you look for when choosing to work on an audio book?

Since my projects with ACX are done via a profit share model, my first book was done on a gamble. I picked and auditioned for titles that seemed like they’d be a good bet for a steady stream of residuals. My audition was approved and I produced my first book. When I did that I discovered that the process of recording and producing a complete (albeit a very short ebook) was very time intensive and an arduous process.

I took a break after that experience but after I saw that the title was earning me some passive income I decided to dive in again. This time, however, I decided that I would only audition for titles and topics that thoroughly interested me since I knew I would be spending a lot of time with the product.

What are some of your funniest/ weirdest and most awkward experiences within audio production?

As far as awkward goes, after a process of moving around my apartment to find the best location for sound recording (which originally included the kitchen and having to turn off and remembering to turn back ON the refrigerator), I finally managed to make a makeshift sound booth in my hallway closet. My first time recording in there I was noticing that I was getting breathier and breathier until suddenly the room was spinning and I nearly fainted. I quickly learned that there is no air in the closet and I was essentially poisoning myself the more I talked! Awkward and dangerous! I learned a life lesson there (the lesson being “keep the door open”).


What was it about A Short Course in Creative Writing  that appealed?

As I mentioned earlier, I decided to only audition for titles  that were going to be of interest to me. At the time that I started the audiobook I was also attending a “bootcamp” for creative writing and prepping for a writer’s retreat. The audiobook project was a way for me to keep the lessons alive and active. What I ultimately liked best about the book was the lists of questions that I (and other readers) could use to beef up my characters, scenes and settings.


What are your favourite bits of A Short Course In Creative writing that the readers should listen out for?

Personally the little tid bits I enjoyed were reading some obviously British words and phrases like “mum” and “she fancied him” in my very American accent. It made me smile each time.

As for content, I enjoyed the section on "Defining Moments in Character." I'm, at the time of this interview, attempting the NaNoWriMo challenge (which is a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November). My intention was to do a bunch of plot outlines and character backstories in October so come November 1st I could hit the ground running but that didn't happen as planned. Instead I'm using my November to do all of this pre-work and I'm spending a great deal of time now working on my characters' backstories and THEIR defining moments in character. I'm actually working through the audiobook instead of just narrating it!

I also enjoy the references to writing as catharsis. A reader could totally throw out the fiction/non-fiction writing aspects of the book and entirely use the workshop chapters as guidelines for journaling and self help. It's the "free gift with purchase" aspect of the book.

To hear Erin in Action:

LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

 

 

LINK TO BUY ON AUDIBLE:

http://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Development/A-Short-Course-In-Creative-Writing-Audiobook/B012OVUKE8/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1443260320&sr=1-1

 

LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM

A Short Course in Creative Writing
by Ms Ruby Allure
Link: http://amzn.com/1517234832
      

What other listeners thought:

"Fantastic Beginner Or Refresher 4 Creative Writers"

This short, two-hour, recording is packed full of writing tips, instruction and almost everything one would need to write any type of book. This includes nonfiction or fiction and Ruby Allure breaks down each subject into helpful steps to achieve your story!

I found myself marking each section so that I could go back and reference it as needed.

Though I doubt I have the discipline to ever write anything, I found that this would be an excellent resource should I ever try. Ruby Allure, it is excellent, thank you.

Erin B. Lillis narrates this text in an engaging and clear tone. Excellent and easy to understand.

*I received this book in exchange for my review. However, I am going to keep this very handy to me and would recommend it for anyone who is contemplating writing in all categories.

I NEVER really know what to expect when agreeing to these "listen in exchange for review" relationships. Lately, they have been one home run after another! This is no exception. A short course in creative writing: a compilation of lessons may not be for everyone (those who don't ever plan on writing a book) but for everyone who has ever considered it, this is a fantastic resource, four stars!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. If you found it helpful in your decision to purchase (or not), would you take a moment and select yes directly beneath this text? Thank you.

"Short & Sweet Writing Course"

Any additional comments?

While the book was short at 2 hours, it took me much longer to get through it. It is packed full of lessons and idea prompts to make you think. Everything is covered from making a mind map to get your ideas down, should you use 1st or 3rd person and the differences between them, to which POV to use.

The ideas here are very practical and give you ideas on how to tame the mass of ideas floating around in your head(I'm guilty of this) and bringing one down to Earth to start your story.

She covers uses the senses, and even trying to think from some one else perspective, like a friend, or someone you know. Good exercises to help you find your characters voice.

There are so many tips to help you get going if you don't know where to start. And enough practical advice for those that do but still need a bit of guidance. I have many books on writing, but having this in audio format is almost like having a teacher right there with you. It leaves your hands free to write and explore the ideas put down to make you think, and to help get your story down on paper. I myself will be using it to help with my own writing.

*I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".

Reviews for CLAN DESTINE

 

Clan Destine Reviews

 

Now imagine this - after having an intensive day at work where all manner of incident is kicking off, you have an intuition and think I just fancy reminding myself of my books and I find these two lovely reviews for CLAN DESTINE. I can tell you  - they made my day! Thank you!

"Drama, Drama and more Drama....in a good way"

 

This was definitely a very good book. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book which adds a nice bit of suspense to the mystery of Eve's previous life and her current situation. The main character, Eve/Jane, was psychologically messed with so much that at times it seemed a bit much. While the premise is not that original and some aspects of the book were a bit out there, I still enjoyed it very much. The narration was excellent and I highly recommend this book to lovers of mystery, suspense and thriller novels. On a serious note, the statistics noted in the novel with regard to domestic violence and crimes against women was a real eye opener.

More Less

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

 

Frode 10-20-15

Frode 10-20-15 Member Since 2015

Norwegian in a English world!

 

"Dead Women Have Books"

Clan Destine: Dead Women Have Vendettas by Ruby Allure is my third book by Ruby Allure. AND: Its the best! Money Farm and The Office Zoo are both funny and good. This is darker, and i like, no wait; I freaking love it! Yes this not the most funny one, no it does not have the lough out loud moments, but the humor works even where it is a thriller. I recommend all the books i read by Ruby, and i cant wait to see what she is going to do next.

Mil Nicholson is the perfect voice for this book, her british accent is just what this book need. It is read with love and i do feel that. 11 hrs and 17 mins never feels boring, uninteresting or just bad. It feels right!

Ruby Allure is maybe new to you, but i see all bright things in her future.

I was given this book for a honest review.

 

 

Publisher's Summary

How would you feel if you knew there were women out there who worked to protect the innocent from the cruel, depraved, and vindictive people who walked Earth? The Feminas, an elite group of women trained to assassinate in calculated feminine ways, work for the CLAN. They don't use guns or their bodies as lures; instead they are calculated, precise, and not easily traced when removing their targets. They are the "grey women" who blend in, observe, and create perfect accidents.
Eve, one of the Feminas, excels at target eradication. However, her compulsion for perfection causes the CLAN concern. The more she attempts to conceal her tapping to the beat of 10, the more she feels she's breaking down. The problem is that when one suppresses emotions, then the trauma will rise in other ways. So how can Eve maintain her perfect targeting record and reconcile her denied self without facing a whitewash process?
©2015 Ruby Allure (P)2015 Ruby Allure

To listen on audible: http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B015YJ3P8K&action_code=AUDORWS0424159DCE

http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B015YJ3P8K&action_code=AUDORWS0424159DCE

 

Do You Want To Feel The Creative Writing Juices Flow?

So you want to feel the creative writing juices flow?

 

This week, in celebration of The Short Course In Creative Writing reaching the Amazon market place in paperback, I will be posting 5 consecutive lessons in Creative Writing. Fun! Fun! Fun! In addition, I will add in the sample of the audio book sections that has been posted on Sound Cloud - where you can listen to them for free!

LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

So before we get all literary and fluid, let me ask you to dispose of your inner critic - the major dam and hindrance to enabling creativity to flow. I would then ask you to ask the inner saboteur to take a vacation too. The saboteur is the clever little part of you that keeps telling you that your writing is not good enough and that you have to delete it before other people see it. Admittedly, these two 'baddies' are useful in life. They protect your from ridicule, they keep you safe and keep you from experiencing change. In fact, they cleverly keep you stuck in the creative rut. So be very aware before you begin this epic writing adventure that these rather shady inner characters will cleverly find ways to sneak into consciousness and find clever procrastinations and distractions!

 

On the counter balance we have the inner optimist, who is often held hostage and gagged by the critic and saboteur. Well, ask that inner optimist to rise to the surface along with the inner coach. These two aspects of the personality are the ones that enable you to experience the now and find good things about your work. Sometimes they may even say 'hang on that is pretty good!' Imagine. So are you ready for those creative juices to flow? You might want to check out my previous blog on 'When do you have your best ideas?' And then Monday will be a whole new week of luscious creativity!

In the meantime, have a listen to the lovely Erin on SOUNDCLOUD and see how you feel:)

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/creativewriting-edit-99-retail-sample-mastered

LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM

A Short Course in Creative Writing
by Ms Ruby Allure
Link: http://amzn.com/1517234832

 

Money Farm Chapter 4

MONEY FARM CHAPTER 4

 

 

Link to Paperback on Amazon:Link: http://amzn.com/151230526X

CHAPTER 4

COLLAPSE, CRISIS AND CATHARSIS

When something breaks it can be rebuilt, better and stronger.

When one denies something is broken it will remain broken.

I spent hours consumed in thought and observing the financial system during the years leading up to the first and second collapses, demonstrations were rife, but unfortunately no alternative systems were offered. The small fires were put out but the inferno beyond was concealed. The talkers talked at and about the system but there was no evidential action. Figures were modified prior to elections, new currencies were introduced and debt as the debt solution continued. Society remained focused on that which did not work, so much so, a new way remained elusive. People were in debt, banks were in debt and sovereigns were in debt. Mass debt and mass denial. Keep the façade, maintain a smile and never disclose your wealth or lack of it for one could be shamed.

Obviously it dawned on me: the reality was that the world needed to understand what worked and increase that instead of focusing and repeating that which did not work. For change to happen the fragments of society needed to unite and work together. They needed to accept one another’s differences and celebrate a variety of thought. Rather than work against each other, they had to move as one – the swarm mentality. Effective change could take place quickly once the swarm formed and motioned in unison. All the while the swarm was unaware of itself and its potential; instead, bees stung bees and fragments financially combusted.

Another revelation came to me: leadership was not management. The mass were being managed rather than led. Where was the visionary who could see the potential in the mass, their minds and their potential unity? Whoever it was remained hidden, maybe they were mad amongst the mass mania. Maybe the one who sees the truth was labelled as the oddity. Needless to say, the lack of information and leadership stopped positive action taking place and fear stopped people uniting through the fear of difference. Imagine if people stopped fearing each other and united and connected. That would be a disaster for the rulers because they would have lost control generated by fear and the repetitious false message clearly recommended in The Prince written by Machiavelli. Positive change could not take place until people united in their hearts, minds and souls. A united connection between all souls and all people could transform the world into a state of paradise. It was just that people were so consumed in survival that they had not seen the vision of absolute potential. Positive enthusiasm was needed to connect the individuals in a common purpose and cause.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINK  TO HEAR ON AUDIO - SOUND CLOUD

 

https://soundcloud.com/ruby-allure/01-money-farm-ch01

 

 

"Smartly Written, Thought Provoking Read!"

Narration - Helen Lloyd - Kick A$$!
Really Great Narration - Brits and Aussies and Germans and more. Lovely voice to listen to and she even captured the rather robotic nature of the cult-like members of the Money Farm.

This is a really terrific book - and is it bad that for the majority of the book I was thinking "sign me up!" (or at least sign up one of my grand-kids and let me move into one of the retirement neighborhoods).

The Money's are all 'their best selves' due to the nutrition and fitness requirements along with a few other treatments along the way which are tailored to each individual and allow them to reach their full potential. All their needs are met, they have no debts, no worries, they are appreciated and they all live in really nice digs. (like I said...sign me up!)

It's a smartly written and thought provoking book of a Dystopian/Eutopian society where our heroine Jyllian finds her-self jobless with her savings running out. She ends up being selected to join the M.O.N.E.Y.'s as a "breaker" because of her intelligent & rebellious way of thinking. She is to challenge their systems and find ways to break them, all in the name of making them better.

The story follows her and a few other select characters through their introduction to Money, their training, their indoctrination and ultimately through their discovery of what Money's goals really are.

I can't really say much more without giving away too much, but I thought it was a really terrific book. It was hard for me to 'get into it' in the beginning, but I plan to listen to the start again.

It's smartly written and filled with intricate details about these two "worlds". Really an interesting book about the state of the worlds finances! Loved it! I'm actually stunned that I'm only the second review of this book on Goodreads. READ or LISTEN to it! It's a keeper!

I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from Audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.

 

An Intense Week and How to Structure Time

I think spinning ten spaghetti filled plates on sticks might have been easier than the level of focus I have had to apply to writing this week.

As many of you know, eight of my novels are being turned into audiobooks. It is a wonderful process and enables you to work with some fantastically talented people. It is a real joy to hear a professional producer interpret your story and characters into an audible reality. I love it. The thing that is the struggle for me is the amount of time spent listening to the books to finalise approval. Not only do I work full time, I write books, audio edit and attempt to maintain a life. It is an incredibly varied life; yet, it is about spinning numerous plates simultaneously. There are only so many hours in the week and a certain potential productivity.

With the above in mind, I have been asked how I do it all. The answer is quite simple: - I got rid of my television. I realised that I was spending at least two hours per night watching television in a state of mindless numbness. Two hours over seven days resulted in wasting 14 hours a week that I could dedicate to achieving my dreams. If you multiply that by 56 weeks in a year then you have 784 hours which is 32 and a half days. Thought of spending one month per year in front of a television horrified me. It was that realisation that made me take back my time.

Without a television as distraction, I immersed myself in writing and creating. The two hours a day of television became two hours of writing. In two hours I can write 5000 words. They might not be good words but they enable a book draft every couple of months. The time in edit enables the word-sithing and literary crafting. So I write a book, leave it to brew, edit a book and then write another. I have quite a back-log at the moment. There are times when I wonder why I spend hours of my time immersed in literary dreams and the answer is simple - I am driven to do it. It is a compulsion and part of me. When I don't do it, well I miss it. What's more, fragments of stories circle my mind like asteroids. The writing lands those asteroids and when I am being particularly creative there is a meteor shower.

I realised a few years ago that I will write my whole life whether or not it sold. It was something I was just going to do because it was my passion. As soon as that decision came to conscious, it was then the books began to sell because I was not doing it for money.  With all of the above in mind, time is precious and if you can create a structure and not be distracted by the noisy television screen in the corner, then you have taken the first step to working towards your dreams.

Ruby Allure Books:

AUDIBLE LINK FOR A SHORT COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING: http://amzn.com/B01390THLK

21/08/15

 

"An Unexpected Gem"

***I was provided a copy of this audio book for the purpose of a review ***

With the required disclaimer out of the way, let me be brutally honest, I had not expected this little gem. In fact, I had expected my listening would be a bit rough and was fortified by it being less than 2 hours.

The synopsis says the author wrote the book as a takeaway from her evening classes on creative writing. My mental context was ... Community Ed evening classes ...and expected a well intended but kind of amateur product. However, I am interested in adult education, and batter my own nerd head against a giant personal creativity brick wall.

So you have an idea of my mind set... low expectations along with high interest.

Amateur hour it was NOT.

I don't know where the author teaches her class, but Sign Me Up! And bring the narrator. Wow. Two hours of unadulterated, straight up, right on, good learning material delivered by a close friend just sharing the material. The narrator's voice was warm, sincere without any artifact or pompous patronising, and well modulated throughout. The material was mind opening for me, with the right mix of the mechanics of writing exercises, sufficient context that using prompts now makes sense to me, and a sprinkling of the inner heart work of creativity through written material.

This was just what I didn't dare hope for in a how to creative writing listen.

Truly an unexpected gem and a learning and growing experience for me.

A keeper and one I will return to many times as I deconstruct my own wall, one block at a time.

Thank You, Ruby and Thank You, Erin.

 

TO BUY MONEY FARM ON AMAZON.com http://amzn.com/B010F04W9O

· Frode

06/08/15

5 STAR

"M.O.N.E.Y. is bad? This book is not!"

So Money Farm by Ruby Allure was a surprise! When I REALLY did not read things about this book I review for Audiobook Blast, I sometimes get books I don't know something about. BTW: I read 99% about the books I want to review, but this book I can't remember I did that for. Anyways: This was a nice surprise, and I think it is one of those books that is better the second time you read it. No joke! I listen to this twice before I made this! Money Farm makes you thin, and who does not like to hear a book that makes you think? It is an awesome book, that I will recommend to all that likes audiobooks, and really to people that does not!

Helen Lloyd English accent its the topic like a glow and a hand! Her "lady like" voice is so cold, and clear I feel that the author made this book thinking that Helen Lloyd would read it out loud! That is how I feel those two fits together! The 2 times 14 hrs and 6 mins I spend with her never feels boring or uninteresting! I would love to spend it again, and I will because this book I will hear again, and again, even when it is 14 hrs and 6 mins long! That is saying something!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

MONEY FARM

· "Incredibly thought provoking..."

What did you like most about Money Farm?

It was an eye opener.

 

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way it made you think about the way normal everyday life is here and now, and the future...

 

Have you listened to any of Helen Lloyd’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Helen Lloyd narrated this fairly long audiobook brilliantly. Although the story content was very intense and thought provoking, her lovely smooth voice was very easy to listen to and I thought it was just perfect, a fascinating book wonderfully narrated.

 

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was, although it is too long to do so.