Enough emphasis can't be placed on how immense the changes to how we access literature have been. Thanks to the advent and continued evolution of technology, authors have been given the means to get their work to consumers with unprecedented ease and take advantage of the earning potential that these innovative new formats offer.

Mankind has seemingly evolved to become tethered to electronic devices, similar to the tether these devices have to the internet, where the ability to function adequately is incumbent on its availability. Our reliance on these devices has gotten so advanced that there is a gadget or an app for every imaginable task. 

Access to the digital formats of books, particularly e-books, has become the norm and offers an immeasurable amount of convenience and opportunity to expand a publisher's audience. Within the sphere of possibilities that the application of technology has made possible, e-books have only scratched the surface of what digital media can offer in terms of how we access the different literary formats.

Audiobook Essentials

Audiobooks are a relatively new category to the growing mainstream transformation of the digital spectrum of books and have already had an indelible impact. The continued demand for audiobooks has resulted in authors adapting a style of engaging audiobook writing that is more conducive to its consumption. The principles for this somewhat new discipline are not set in stone, there are however a few guidelines available that we will be exploring further.

An audiobook is, as the name suggests, the audio version of a book. Instead of being read, this format of a book has been narrated, thus allowing it to be listened to. The audio versions of books are not a new concept; the cassette version of books that we listened to on Walkmans will surely bring back memories for some of us older folks.

The mainstream adaptation and realization of its profitability have resulted in more publishers not only making their books available in an audio format but also going a step further by tailoring the content of their books to be pliable for audiobooks.

There has to be a noticeable difference in perception due to the variances when reading, which employs sight and allows the reader to set the pace in their minds. This makes it possible to skim over details and place a voice to the characters. Audiobooks differ as the pace of the book will be determined by the narrator. While re-reading a passage in a written book is easy, constantly rewinding an audiobook will negatively impact its fluidity and immersive storytelling.

Evolution of Audiobooks

The earlier adaptations of books in an audio format were aimed at benefiting members of the special needs community, more specifically visually impaired persons, and being an aid to students in their academic pursuits.

Audiobooks are ideal for persons with a busy schedule or for those who are otherwise engaged where they cannot focus on reading; truck drivers are a perfect fit as they have to remain vigilant while driving but will appreciate being engaged and entertained during a long transit.

Other prospective listeners of audiobooks may prefer the experience of listening to a story, this may be due to the calming nature of it or it may invoke a sense of nostalgia with being read to as a child.

Whatever the reason for choosing to publish an audiobook— and there exist many that benefit both readers and publishers—there are methods for writing that, if used correctly, will vastly improve the quality and, by extension, the listener's experience.

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Monologue and Dialogue Techniques

A character's vocal expressions within any book are a vital literary device and a great tool within writing that not only moves the story forward but personalizes the characters and, through their words, offers an unfiltered insight into the character as each statement reveals a bit more about that character.

The two types of speech that will appear in a story are known as dialogue and monologue. These two speech types function differently; dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters, while monologue is a single character delivering an address to another character or a group with no rebuts or replies.

Crafting Dynamic Dialogue

The word dialogue comes from the Greek word dialogos which is translated to the English word conversation. Within literary works, dialogue is a conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue is a vital aspect of many forms of literature, including films, short stories, novels, and dramas. Works of drama, otherwise known as plays, rely heavily on conversations.

Dialogue plays a significant role in the development of the plot of a story; it also allows the reader to form an opinion regarding the personalities of characters based on their interactions, choices, and evolution. The elements of a story may be revealed through dialogue; descriptions, settings, characters, and conflict may be spoken about 

Monologue in Writing

A monologue is a speech delivered uninterrupted by a single character, a monologue may be addressed to another character or a group and gives an insight into the emotional make-up or aspirations of the character delivering the speech which would not have otherwise not been revealed. Monologues are akin to a confessional or rant where the character either comes clean and shows their cards or spews their discontent with a situation, person, or group.

This expression of self by the character may either be a dramatic monologue, which is an address to other characters and the reader or an internal monologue, which is only directed at the reader or, in the case of dramas, the audience. This should not be mistaken for a soliloquy, which is a character speaking directly to themself, other characters may or may not be witness to this speech but it's not meant for the ears of other characters.

A monologue is meant to give an unfiltered look into the mindset and motivators of a character; it is a revelation where the character opens up or declares something that is often pertinent to the story and leaves the anticipation of the eventual outcome.

Monologue Writing Tips

It should be your objective to achieve and maintain fluidity throughout the monologue passage; this is accomplished by structuring the sentences based on the intended rhythm and flow of speech. It is also important that fillers are removed to reduce wordiness, which reduces the impact of monologue.

When a speech is given, it is usually related to an event that had already occurred, and a monologue is no different; the structure of a monologue is similar to a story as there is a descriptive start, conflict leading up to a conflict in the middle and an ending that is either a solution or a commitment. 

Audiobook Production

Audiobooks can be created through either a text-to-speech application, or you may opt to have it read by a person and recorded. Both of these options are sufficient to provide a satisfactory version.

The automated text-to-speech system is advanced enough to mimic a human voice competently. Its realism coupled with the ease of access makes it a viable option, however, for unparalleled efficiency and an assurance that the intended outcome will be met there can be no contrast to an actual human narrating. 

The publisher will, of course, be privy to performing the narration themselves and may produce a good rendition that would've been further aided by the author/publisher having first-hand knowledge of the intended outcome. The other option for an actual human recording that is sure to leave the publisher pleasantly surprised by the expertise and quality is the hiring of a top-tier professional freelance narrator from The Urban Writers.

Narration Tips

What sets the freelancers associated with The Urban Writers apart from the multitude of other narrating service providers is the commitment to quality and the culture of remaining abreast of updated knowledge and practices.

Creating an engaging audiobook starts with taking the time to become acquainted with the following writing techniques for audiobooks:

• Include dialogue tags: with a written book, the reader is capable of easily deciphering which character a passage of dialogue is attributed to. Being consistent and clear will ensure that the listener is always aware of who said what. The tags being used are not required to complex a simple 'he said' or 'she said' will suffice. With an audio version, however, there needs to be clear ownership established through the use of dialogue tags.
• Pacing is key: When the written version of a book is being read it is with the intent of being entertained, the same is true for audiobooks that feat however is a bit more challenging. While it's easy to skip over passages while reading when audio is being played, all the drawn-out sections have to be listened to.
• Write enthralling conversations: A book being read aloud has the potential to be far more exciting than the paper version; this is mainly due to the conversations being had. Therefore, it's essential to include more action and cliffhanger scenes that capture the listener's attention and have them anticipate what comes next.
• Include literary devices: The play on words can work magic within an otherwise plain sentence. Take for example an alliteration which is the use of three words that rhyme consecutively, when such a passage is said aloud the way those words roll off the tongue is guaranteed to captivate the listener.
• Let names stand out: While it's a good thing to have other parts of the passages rhyme when it comes to names, similar-sounding names run the risk of leaving the listener confused.

 Conclusion

Technology has given authors and publishers a type of independence that had not been the norm but now opens the door to possibly going through the entire process from writing to publishing solo. While it's tempting to rely on all these tools to go at it alone, the most reliable tool you can have is the expertise offered by The Urban Writers.