Interview with a Narrator: Monica Jaye
Updated: Aug 17, 2018
Monica Jaye just completed Repeat with Me: I Am (Inspiring, Aspiring & Motivating) Success Every Moment: In the Spring! by Edward F T Charfauros. It is available now on iTunes, Amazon and Audible.
Hi Monica,
Thank you so much for connecting with us today! We are excited to learn more about the voice behind this book!
First, some particulars:
Your Name:
Monica Jaye
Title of the Book You Just Narrated For Us:
What City do you live in?
Reno, NV
IHS: What was your favorite part about listening to this book come to life?
Monica: Working with the author and I’m Hearing Stories. It was my first experience and they made it great.
IHS: How did you get into narrating audiobooks? Did you fall into it or was it planned?
Monica: Oh, I definitely fell into it. A friend of mine who has done it for years loves the sound of my voice and kept pushing me to do it. Finally I listened!
IHS: Do you have a theater background? Is it something you think is necessary to be a success? Monica: I only did drama class in high school. I always wanted to act but Radio got me first.
IHS: Were you an audiobook listener before you started narrating? Monica: Sorry to say, but no, I wasn't. It's been a fun experience going through the process.
IHS: Narrators seem to each have their favorite niche or genre, and things they don’t like to get into. What kinds of books do you stay away from? Monica: I don't want to do language books. I'm nervous about mispronouncing things. I liked doing this one. Something inspirational!
IHS: So… authors are kind of a unique breed of humans. Any funny stories about working authors? Monica: All the Authors i’ve worked with have been great except maybe one of them, we are like twins and love the same stuff.
IHS: Has anyone ever recognized you as a narrator from your voice? Monica: No, not from audiobooks yet. However, people always recognize me from Radio. I was on the same station for eighteen and a half years and it was number one for a long time.
IHS: Learning to narrate audiobooks can sometimes feel like going through the school of hard knocks. What was a the most unexpected lesson you got in your early narrating career? Monica: Oh yes! I was surprised that I had to produce my own stuff. I’ve lived a pampered life and have always had producers. I usually just sit down and talk.
IHS: Let’s talk reviews. Do you read your reviews and listener comments? Monica: I try not to because you can’t please everyone. I am a pretty emotional person and want to make everyone happy.
IHS: Do you research an author and book before taking on a project? If so, what do you most want to see? Monica: I do. I research the book to see how it is dong. Before I get started, I want to be sure that the book has sold lots of copies and had good reviews in print.
IHS: Once a book is finished, then the work of marketing begins. What do you do to spread the word about a new audiobook release? Monica: I usually post new stuff on my face book page and ask people to check it out. People often say they miss my voice on the radio so I tell them it’s a way to get me back in their car!
IHS: Any audiobook haters in your friends or family? People who are avid “page-turners” or those who think listening to audiobooks is not really reading? What do you say to them? Monica: That’s a hard discussion because I have always been a Die Hard book-in-hand type of gal. I guess I am the last one to the party! My family and friends all like the Audiobooks.
IHS: What were you most worried about when starting out as a narrator? Did the worry happen or was it unjustified? Monica: I am pretty self conscious so when I get rejected after an audition. I have a melt down that I suck and shouldn’t be doing it. My friend taught me it’s a numbers game and since i’m so new that might be apart of the rejection.
IHS: And, as a follow up, what should you ACTUALLY have been most worried about instead?? Monica: Setting schedules and time management. It takes a lot longer to read and edit an audiobook than people think.
IHS: So now, what advice would you give those who are thinking about becoming a narrator? Monica: Be ready to do multiple voices, male and female and lots of accents. Oh and beware of sore throats that can slow down your production - be sure to give yourself good brakes!
IHS: Finally, what advice would you give authors who are thinking about doing an audiobook?
Monica: The same advice I give clients in my Production business. Record some and listen to it first, then a trusted friend. Not everyone has a voice and personality to do this. You my be passionate about your work but if people can’t stand listening to it, you’re going to lose sales and fans.
Okay, now - We'd like to know your Top 10 Things I’d Do If I Get Ridiculously Rich. And in 10 words or less, Why?
Pay off all my mothers bills
Pay off all my bills
Buy a vacation home
Take my family and friends on an amazing vacation
Turn my book into a movie
Fund one of my best friends movies
Donate a lot of it to Shakespeare Animal fund and make it a National organization
Help as many people as I could
Start trust funds for my nephews
Help as many Animal Rescue centers as I could around the world
Why, Life is short. Share your passion.
That's so true! Okay - how about your Top 10 Reasons Authors Are Awesome. And in 10 words or less, Why?
They take you to another place
They teach you how to dream
They unleash desires
Help you see places you’ll never be able to go.
They educate
They help you realize your not along in struggle or pain
They help you laugh
They might see things you don’t
They make you think
They make you fall in love with characters and stories and invite you along for the ride
And why? The mind is a powerful thing, sometimes you need the right key or voice.
Thank you, Monica. And will you share with us your Author Bio?
After 30 years in radio telling people about the news, Monica Jaye figured out her favorite part of it was telling a story. She loves relaying emotion and creating theater of the mind for people. Monica will always love Radio but now she get to tell fun stories. She also loves being with people in their alone time, which is usually in the car. Monica like being their company...
Perfect! Thank you so much for your time today, Monica!
Folks, we give you: Monica Jaye!
Cheers!
Kimberly
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