From Author to Voice: A New Chapter and Free Gift
- Deb Carson
- Jul 24
- 4 min read
The Voice Behind the Words
It’s hard to believe it has been two years since I first launched my website devoted to my first book, Becoming FLO, A Mostly True Story.
What began as my journey to honor the remarkable life and memory of the person I knew and loved in life as Uncle Albert, and first learned of Flo forty years after her death, has been a story that has reached a multitude of readers for which I am heartened and grateful. So many have told me that Flo's story has lit a path out of darkness for them, just as it did for Flo. I hope I've 'done ya proud' Flo!
As I’ve grown, so has my craft. The seeds for what's next were first planted after concepting with my creative collaborator and book editor Nanette Wiser. I then scripted and performed on stages far and wide, "The FLO Show," a lively, colorful multimedia performance that added more dimension to so many of my book talks. This led me to want to record Flo's story in my own voice. And I did! With a big tip of the hat to Joy Katzen Guthrie & Mark Guthrie, aka Tunes of the Century Recording Studio, I had an incredible experience voicing the audiobook, released only a few months ago (see my special offer below!).
Recording the audiobook and simultaneously becoming immersed into the world of podcast hosting (click on the buttom below to listen to my conversations), richly broadened my creative pursuits. Oh, I'm still writing, and will never stop capturing incredible moments with my photography, sing, and I may even pick up my paintbrush again, but I have to say I'm thrilled to share perhaps, part of the next chapter - seeking out more voice work. It's such a blast, and (she humbly and quietly added) I think I'm kinda good at it. IDK, you tell me. My esteemed faculty and fellow students at Boston's Emerson College where decades ago I received the best training and education in the analysis and performance of Poetry, Prose and Drama - Oral Interpretation of Literature - would be so proud knowing that that I'm finally putting the fruits of our collective labors to good use. Stay tuned!
Warmly, Deb Carson
My Conversation with Pushcart Prize-Winning Author Bonnie Friedman
I recently had the privilege of interviewing nationally recognized author Bonnie Friedman for Radio St. Pete. Athough she just released her first novel, Don't Stop, Bonnie is a prolific writer and educator who authored the bestselling Writing Past Dark - named one of the Essential Books for Writers by the Center for Fiction, and Poets & Writers Magazine, along with memoirs and essays including The Thief of Happiness and PEN Award finalist Surrendering Oz. Bonnie's work has appeared in The New York Times, Ploughshares and numerous other literary journals. She has taught writing at NYU, University of Iowa and Dartmouth among others.
Although the focus of the interview was about her remarkable debut novel Don't Stop, we spoke a great deal about craft, and how she transitioned from essays, memoirs and gold-standard books for writers, to what many critics and readers have found to be a pretty racy tale. I asked her this: "Bonnie, Don't Stop is a fascinating read on so many levels, How do you feel about the characterization some have made about the story as being 'well mannered and humorous, while simultaneously erotic, explicit, taboo - 'the HEART rebelling against the MIND?"
We delved into the intricacies of that answer, about craft and about the courage it takes to put one's voice out into the world.
Listen: Becoming FLO, a FREE Gift for Your Ears
Experience Becoming FLO the audiobook, as it was meant to be heard.
I’ve narrated this story myself, and I invite you to listen to the five-minute clip.
Want more - for FREE? I've got promo codes for the asking! Simply email me at DebCarsonWrites@gmail.com, and I will send you your unique promo code for an immediate download.
Keep the code for yourself, or feel free to pass it on to a friend who might enjoy.
Even if you've already read the book, I think you'll find listening to the story offers a surprisingly different, more intimate experience -- I've been told by others this has held true for them.
Somewhere between the reading space of a print book, and the watching space of a film, listening seems to allow you to create the movie in your own head.
I always learn and from and inspired by what my readers and listeners have to say. So if the spirit moves after you've listened to the audiobook, I would so appreciate your thoughts by posting them on Good Reads, Audible, Amazon - or by simply sending a quick personal message to my inbox. Thank you!
Conversations, Podcasts and Insights
The evolution that's added voiceover to my creative work has opened doors to incredible dialogues. You can now explore my collections to date of conversations and interviews with amazing folks on Audioboom.
Comments