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Do Not Underestimate the Writers’ Role in Society.

This Is Your Quest - Author Joanne Reed
Do not underestimate the writers' role in society. Photo by user 31947721 via freepik.com

We should not underestimate the writers’ role in society. From the beginning of time, knowledge was shared from generation to generation thanks to storytellers who used their artistry to pass on information, knowledge, and wisdom to their community. Writers start writing in solitude but once the work is done writers wish for their words to be read and shared with the public at large.

“A book is not finished until it has been read”

Anne Proulx

Getting attention from the public is what authors are craving for, not just to shine a light on themselves and their work, but to share some meaningful and impactful words with their audience. Well-chosen words breathe hope into us when our spirits are broken, revive us when our bodies are weary, lift our spirit up when we lose ourselves in an ocean of despair, redeem the wrong we feel, and make us stronger than we know.

Do not underestimate the importance of writing. Writers write because they contribute to society.

Do not underestimate the writers’ role in society. Photo by user 31947721 via freepik.com

The world is full of people who make a valuable and essential contribution to society. There is no point in me listing them here because you know who those people are, and the list can never be exhaustive. But taking aside those people, I would like to highlight the importance that writers have in society.

[Full disclosure: Please note that I am writing this article with a totally bias outlook and I have a personal interest in this subject matter].

Do not underestimate the writer’s role in society, because writers bring to the world something that no one else can… they shape the world. Writers have the power through their words to educate, heal and illuminate the mind.

Joanne Reed

The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who can step outside the frame; writers love stepping outside their comfort zone and outside the frame to get a new vantage point. Salman Rushie articulates this very well, so I will hand this point over to him.

A poet’s work is to name the unnameable, to point to fraud, to start arguments, to shape the world, and stop it going to sleep.

Writing is as close as we get to keeping a hold on the thousand and one things that go in the world uncertainty, doubts, dreams, love, deception … that go on, slipping like sand through our fingers.

To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world.

Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest place in human society and in the human spirit, where I go to find not absolute truth, but the truth of the tale, of the imagination of the heart.

Salman Rushdie

Why do writers write and what is their role in society

Do not underestimate the writers’ role in society. Photo by user 31947721 via freepik.com

I didn’t decide to become a writer, I discovered I was one because of a mysterious voice that pushed me to put my thoughts on paper and turn those thoughts into a manuscript, that turned into a book and then, as if it wasn’t enough to satiate my appetite for sharing my thoughts, I decided to become a blogger and share my thoughts on a regular basis with whoever could spare a minute or two to stop by the website and engage with my writing. I write to educate, entertain and inspire.

Every writer has their own unique narrative behind the reasons why they write. One day they decide to sit at their desk and write a piece to be shared with the public. By typing frantically on their laptop they are taking a leap of faith deciding to enter the literary arena, not knowing what will be waiting for them once they step foot inside. Will the readers be gracious or vicious? Picture Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator entering the arena for the first fight.

According to Dr. Lawrence R. Samuel (Ph.D. Psychology), the psychology behind the pursuit of literary life is not precisely clear. With rejection and criticism so much part of the literary experience and the fact that the income of the average American writer hovers around the poverty line, one has to wonder if writers have a streak of masochism in their genetic makeup to choose it as their profession. Why would anyone consent to the emotional, financial, spiritual, and even physical contortions that are necessary in order to lead a writer’s life?

Why do writers write? For posterity, money, legacy or some other reasons? All of the above and some other reasons too. Writers and storytellers write because there are passionate about writing and because they have something to say to the world.

Sharing. At a basic level, writing is about someone sharing something with someone else, making connection a key component of the pursuit. The possibility that a book can be deeply moving or at least interesting and informative to a reader is a prime motivation for writers to keep writing.

Creativity. Through their work writers have the potential of having a bond with far more people than they can in real life, a perspective that recast writing from its accepted view as a solitary and lonely exercise. From an expression of individual creativity, it shifts to a builder of relationships.

Liberation. Writing is a liberating force and something that is instrumental in allowing writers to be all they can be.

Therapy. Writing can also serve as a therapeutic release and many authors find their profession to be an ideal means of maintaining a sense of psychological well-being.

Meaning. Writing is a search for something meaningful, a longing to create something of value; to have an impact. There is an intimate relationship between the writer and the reader. The writer makes the first move and takes the first leap of faith, releasing their inner makings to the world for all to see. There is a great risk when it comes to writing, releasing content freely and openly. Content can be received graciously and given applause or simply dismembered and torn apart by readers and reviewers. Writing is a journey with its unique ups and downs.

Exploration. Writing takes you out of your comfort zone. It is the push, the striving, the discomfort. Writers write because it pushed them beyond the barriers of everyday existence into a world of opportunity, an infinite variety of maybes and what-ifs. A vast plain of words that might describe the world in which we live. For a writer, no two days are the same. The path may not always be smooth and predictable, but there are always new sights to see. There is always more to explore. Like any great journey, writing is full of ups and downs. Sometimes it feels like a roller coaster, other times it is like riding a donkey. It is an isolated but far from lonely experience. With our words and fellow travelers/readers to keep us company, adventure lurks around every corner. Writing can never be a waste of time because it takes you to places you would never go.

Do not underestimate the writer’s role in society, because writers bring to the world something that no one else can… they shape the world. Writers have the power through their words to educate, heal and illuminate the mind.

Joanne Reed

Personal Note

DDI Chat – Personal Growth – One-to-one Chat with Joanne Reed

In addition to publishing my articles on my website, I have also been publishing on Medium. I have been working closely for the past months with Data-Driven Investor (DDI) Publication.  DDI has recently launched a new marketplace/platform where people can book a paid one-to-one session with an expert of their choice.  DDI asked me to join their panel of advisors/experts in the Leadership, Coaching, and Personal Growth category.  Here is my profile. If you wish to book a one-to-one chat with me you can do so on this platform.

For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com

How to Make a Long Story Short

Long story short

How to make a long story short

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves, and about others. One can’t underestimate the power of storytelling. From the beginning of time, knowledge was shared from generation to generation thanks to storytellers who used their artistry to pass on information, knowledge, and wisdom to their community. While ancient storytellers probably had rather limited repertoires, a problem today is information overload. With all the data and information that is available, it can be difficult to extricate useful lessons from all the stories that are out there. This article is my attempt to help declutter your mind and make a long story short.

Cutting long stories short, from the beginning of time

From the beginning of human history, our ancestors’ primary concern came from the necessity to survive. Back then, our ancestors had evolved sufficient intelligence to allow them to understand their environment, sense when changes of climate became less favorable, and when necessary, to migrate in order to find more hospitable lands. Our ancestors developed tools for hunting resulting in the introduction of meat to their diet which was a key factor in their physical development and their ability to move away from the familiar plant species they used to rely on for nutrition.

Photo by PV Production via freepik.com Long story short

Our ancestors’ Quest was to find food was made easier by utilizing the resources they had available (i.e., the tools they invented) and the improved physical capabilities of their bodies made stronger by their meat diet. Human interaction and community living were practiced from the beginning of time and helped tribes prosper and thrive. Our ancestors’ daily activities and concerns, such as having sufficient resources to survive, a community to interact with and rely on, and an improved diet that enhanced their physical and mental ability, are similar to what motivates us today, i.e., Money, Love, and Health.

Long story short, from the beginning of human history till now, our concerns remain the same i.e. resources/money to survive, love and health.

The accepted theory was that the Earth was flat

For thousands of years, the Earth was thought to be flat. The flat earth society of ancient civilization included the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, and the early Greeks. This belief (and it was a belief, there was no proof of a flat earth) was changed by the Greeks using the scientific method to demonstrate that the Earth was round, even coming up with the first calculation of the Earth’s circumference. The Greeks were pioneers in science, politics, architecture, medicine, and philosophy and are deservedly recognized as the most advanced civilization of their time.

It was Pythagoras1, who in 500 BC provided the earliest arguments as to why the Earth was round; he reached this conclusion by observing the Moon. The Moon, he noted, is a sphere, so it would follow that the Earth is round as well.

Later, it was Aristotle2, (Plato’s3 greatest student) who offered the best explanation for a round Earth. He stated that the Earth was spherical because the position of the stars and constellations seemed to change as a person traveled either North or South. In his book On the Heavens, he wrote:

“Again, our observations of the stars make it evident, not only that the Earth is circular, but also that it is a circle of no great size. For quite a small change of position to south or north causes a manifest alteration of the horizon.”

Aristotle

Some travelers, he pointed out, noticed stars and constellations in Egypt and Cyprus unique to their sky. It also pointed out that the Earth must be spherical because of the shape of the Earth’s shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse. In the 2nd century AD the Greek mathematician, astronomer, geographer, and astrologer Ptolemy created a map that portrayed the Earth as being round.

Photo by Kuzmich Studio via freepik.comLong story short Sailor Captain

By the 8th century AD, very few people from the civilized world were still arguing that the Earth was flat. Though Europeans and Middle Easterners had recognized the spherical Earth, it wasn’t put to the test until the 15th century, when Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, sailing out of Spain with finances from the Spanish crown. What gave Magellan the confidence to risk his life and the lives of his men to go on an expedition around the world and prove to all that the world was round? His faith lay entirely on a shadow!

“The Church says the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church.”

Magellan

Scientists who, in the early days, ventured to put forward theories different from the accepted theory faced prosecution from the authorities. In 1633, the physicist and astronomer Galileo4 was prosecuted by the Chief Inquisitor appointed by Pope Urban VIII, for his belief that the Earth revolved around the Sun. This belief was deemed heretical by the Catholic Church who refused to accept the belief (despite scientific evidence to the contrary) that the Earth was not the center of the Universe. The punishment for Galileo came in the form of the following Order:

“We order that by a public edict the book of Dialogues of Galileo Galilei be prohibited, and We condemn thee to the prison of the Holy Office during Our will and pleasure, and as a salutary penance; We enjoin on thee that for the space of three years thou shalt recite once a week the Seven Penitential Psalms.”

Galileo agreed not to teach heresy anymore and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. It took more than 300 years for the Church to admit that Galileo was, in fact, correct and to clear his name of heresy.

“Of all the offspring of time, error is the most ancient, and is so old and familiar an acquaintance, that Truth, when discovered, comes upon most of us like an intruder, and meets the intruder’s welcome.”

Charles Mackay

“Long story short the truth is sometimes very inconvenient, leading some people to spend a huge amount of energy and every ounce of power they have to bury it as long as they can.”

For more on these fascinating stories, feel free to check Chapter 1 and 4 of my book “This Is Your Quest”

For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com.

The audio version of my book “This Is your Quest ” is available. Feel free to check it out and use this special Promotion code

Audiobooks and the Art of Storytelling. English or French? En Francais S’il Vous Plait!

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling

Audiobooks and the Art of storytelling English or French?  

En Francais S’il vous Plait

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling are having a moment and are becoming more and more popular. The audio version of my book ‘This Is Your Quest’ is available in both English and French!

This Is Your Quest

La version audio de mon livre ” En Quête du Bonheur ‘ est disponible en anglais et en Français!

En Quête du Bonheur

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling are having a moment; they are in the midst of a boom as they soar in popularity. They are one of the greatest and more recent gifts to lifelong learners. The beauty of audiobooks is that you don’t have to set aside some quiet time away from everything and everyone in order to read a book anymore.  You can continue to do all the things that you have listed on your to-do-list whilst having someone whispering in your ear a story that you want to hear.

Les livres audio et l’art de raconter des histoires sont en plein essor et leur popularité est en hausse. Ils constituent l’un des plus récents cadeaux aux lecteurs enthousiates. La beauté des livres audio est qu’il n’est plus nécessaire de réserver un moment de calme loin de tout et de tous pour lire un livre.  Vous pouvez continuer à faire toutes les choses que vous avez énumérées sur votre liste tout en ayant quelqu’un qui vous chuchote à l’oreille une histoire que vous voulez entendre

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling allow you direct access to a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom.  Books allow the smartest people within every field to share their knowledge and experience with you so that you can learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes. But even for people who love books, finding the opportunity to read can be a challenge. This is where audiobooks come into the frame, they come to the rescue of those who have no time to sit in a quiet corner to read because of their daily commute, their work, their house chores and so many other things that need to be done.

Audiobooks and the Art of Storytelling allow you direct access to a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom.

Les livres audios et l’art du récit vous permettent d’accéder directement à un trésor de connaissances et de sagesse.  Les livres permettent aux experts de partager leurs connaissances et leur expérience avec vous afin que vous puissiez bénéficier de la sagesse acquise péniblement et éviter de commettre les mêmes erreurs.  Même pour les lecteurs enthousiastes, trouver du temps pour lire n’est pas chose facile. C’est à ce moment là que les livres audio entrent en jeu, ils viennent au secours de ceux qui n’ont pas le temps de s’asseoir dans un coin tranquille pour lire à cause de leur trajet quotidien, de leur travail, de leurs tâches ménagères et de tant d’autres choses qui doivent être faites.

For those who are experiencing some decline in their eye sights because of old age, don’t despair, you can still have access to all the information and knowledge that you want, just press the play button and off you go. For those who are dyslexic don’t be put off by the thought of struggling your way through a book. Do you want to read Harry Potter? Sure you can and please don’t fret and don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. You don’t have to read it, listen to it, instead.

Pour ceux qui voient leur vue diminuer en raison de l’âge, ne désespérez pas, vous pouvez toujours avoir accès à toutes les informations et connaissances que vous souhaitez, il suffit d’appuyer sur le bouton ‘play‘ et c’est parti. Pour les personnes dyslexiques, ne vous découragez pas. Vous voulez lire Harry Potter ? Aucun problême, vous pouvez le faire, ne vous inquiétez pas et ne vous laissez pas intimider par la taille du livre. Vous n’êtes pas obligé de le lire, mais plutôt de l’écouter.

One should not underestimate the power of storytelling. From the beginning of time, knowledge was shared from generation to generation thanks to story tellers who used their artistry to pass on information, knowledge and wisdom to their community.  The rise of audiobooks seems to be a natural progression back to the oral learning tradition that was so common in the olden days.

Il ne faut pas sous-estimer le pouvoir du récit. Dès le début des temps, le savoir a été partagé de génération en génération grâce aux conteurs d’histoires qui ont utilisé leur talent artistique pour transmettre des informations, des connaissances et de la sagesse à leur communauté.  L’essor des livres audios semble être un retour naturel vers la tradition de l’apprentissage oral qui était si répandue autrefois.

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling. Being read stories aloud is not reserved for children only

Les livres audios ou l’art de raconter des histoires. La lecture d’histoires à haute voix n’est pas réservée aux enfants.

I am a fan of audiobooks; but be aware that I am totally biased on this subject because I recently released the audio version of my book ‘This Is Your Quest‘; and right now I would like to invite you to listen to the sweet and smooth voice of Nita Slater, my English/American narrator, and Sylvie Racine, my French Narrator, who will be whispering in your ear a story you want to hear.

Je suis une fan des livres audios ; mais sachez que je suis totalement partial sur ce sujet car je viens de sortir la version audio de mon livre ” En Quête Du Bonheur ” ; je voudrais vous inviter à écouter la voix douce et suave de Nita Slater, ma narratrice Americaine et de Sylvie Racine, ma narratrice Française qui vont vous murmurer à l’oreille une histoire que vous voulez entendre.

Audio books and the art of storytelling – What happens when a storyteller meets two professional voice actresses?

What happens when a storyteller meets two professional voice actresses? They create something beautiful that fills the silence that exists when one just sits alone in a quiet corner with a book.  When I became an author, I found my voice, and by doing so I also found my new purpose in life, which is helping others find theirs.  And now, I have found two amazing voices to narrate and bring to life the stories that I wrote in my book. I am delighted to inform all my readers that the audio version of my book This Is Your Quest is now available, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to my narrator Nita Slater.  Nita is an artist with many talents, but her most amazing feature is her voice it is like honey sweet and smooth.

Que se passe-t-il lorsqu’une conteuse d’histoires rencontre deux narrarices professionnelle? Elles créent quelque chose de beau qui remplit le silence qui existe quand on est simplement assis seul dans un coin tranquille avec un livre.  Quand je suis devenu auteur, j’ai trouvé ma voix, et ce faisant, j’ai aussi trouvé mon nouveau but dans la vie, qui est d’aider les autres à trouver la leur.  Et maintenant, j’ai trouvé deux voix incroyable pour raconter et donner vie aux histoires que j’ai écrites dans mon livre. J’ai le plaisir d’informer tous mes lecteurs que la version audio de mon livre ‘his Is Your Quest‘ est maintenant disponible en anglaise et en Francais.

My mission as a storyteller is to weave interesting information into a compelling story that will keep my readers captivated and entertained. Story telling becomes magical when you add a smooth and engaging voice into the equation, making the experience more engaging, memorable and multi-dimensional.  Being read stories aloud is not reserved for children only, adults can also indulge in this pleasure.

Ma mission en tant que conteur est de tisser des informations intéressantes dans une histoire captivante qui gardera mes lecteurs captivés et divertis. Le récit devient magique lorsque vous ajoutez une voix douce et engageante à l’équation, rendant l’expérience plus engageante, mémorable et multidimensionnelle.  La lecture d’histoires à haute voix n’est pas réservée aux enfants, les adultes peuvent également se livrer à ce plaisir.

If you liked this post you can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, or you may also like:

For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com.

How to Gain Wisdom? Read some of Aesop’s Fables

How to gain wisdom? Read some Aesop’s fables

Everyone wants to gain wisdom. Wisdom is one of the greatest qualities that human beings can possess. So, seek it, hold on to it, share it and treasure it. Why? Because it will help you navigate through choppy waters, it will lift you up from the depths of despair, it will help you put everything into perspective, and ultimately it will turn you into the hero of your own story. But, how do you gain wisdom? I suggest that you start by reading some of Aesop’s fables.

Never underestimate the power of fables

With the possible exception of the New Testament, no works written in Greek have been more widespread and better known than Aesop’s fables. For more than 2500 years, Aesop fables have been teaching people of all ages valuable life lessons in the most entertaining and cynical way.

Want to hear a rags-to-riches story? Meet Aesop the Wise-Fool

Aesop’s life reads just like one of his fables. Aesop is believed to have lived between the period from 620 to 560 BC. He began his life as a slave and was said to have been remarkably ugly with some physical deformities and as this wasn’t enough misfortune, he was born mute, unable to utter a word. On the positive side, he was intelligent, resourceful and kind. His life took a turn for the better after he rescued a priestess of the goddess Isis from a difficult situation after she had strayed from the road and became lost.

From Slavery to greatness – Meet Aesop also known as the Wise-Fool

His divine reward for this act of kindness was the gift of speech and a remarkable ability to conceive and elaborate wise tales in Greek. His talent for storytelling, his wisdom and wit set him free literally. Aesop acquired freedom, fame and fortune in the same breath. Not bad for an ugly, deformed mute. He acquired some kind of celebrity status by hanging out with the most prominent and powerful personalities of the time offering to solve their problems, giving them sound advice and telling fables along the way. But in the end, it was his very success that lead him to his ruin.

Aesop made a good living as a storyteller travelling from city to city to perform his art, acquiring fame and fortune along the way. When he arrived in Delphi, he realized that his wit and sarcasm didn’t work so well on the Delphian audience, who refused to give him any reward for his performance. Disappointed and vexed by this cold treatment he lashed out and mocked the Delphians comparing them to driftwood (something worthwhile at a distance but is revealed to be worthless when see closed-up). He should have stopped there, but continued his tirade realizing too late how outraged the Delphians were by his insults. They kicked him out of town, but unbeknown to him they hid a golden cup from the Temple of Apollo in his luggage and as he was leaving the city he was arrested, charged, sentenced to death, and executed unceremoniously by being pushed off a cliff.

Moral of the story: Storytelling and wit can set you free; but it can also make you fly off a cliff.

Want to survive a bad situation? Follow the cat and not the fox

I don’t know what was Aesop’s final thought before he died but I am going to speculate that he may have recited to himself the Fox and the Cat fable that he himself wrote a little while before.

Want to survive a bad situation? Don’t follow the fox, follow the cat

The Fox and the Cat

A fox was boasting to a cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies. “I have a whole bag of tricks,” he said, “which contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies.”

“I have only one,” said the cat. “But I can generally manage with that.”

Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds coming towards them, and the cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs.

“This is my plan,” said the cat. “What are you going to do?”

The fox thought first of one way, then of another, and while he was debating, the hounds came nearer and nearer, and at last the fox in his confusion was caught up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen.

Miss Puss, who had been looking on, said, “Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon.“

Aesop

Want to hear another truly inspirational tale? Meet The Peddlar of Swaffham

Please allow me to take you to Norfolk, England in a small village called Swaffham, where you will hear the extraordinary tale of the Peddlar of Swaffham.

Gain some wisdom by listening to the tale of the Peddlar of Swaffham

The Pedlar of Swaffham

“Tradition says that there lived in former times in Swaffham, Norfolk, a certain pedlar, who dreamed that if he went to London Bridge, and stood there, he would hear some very joyful news, which he at first slighted, but afterwards, his dream being doubled and trebled upon, he resolved to try the issue of it, and accordingly went to London and stood on the bridge there for two or three days, looking about him, but heard nothing that might yield him any comfort.  

At last, it happened that a shop keeper there, having noted his fruitless standing, seeing that he neither sold any wares nor asked any alms, went to him and most earnestly begged to know what he wanted there, or what his business was; to which the pedlar honestly answered that he had dreamed that if he came to London and stood there upon the bridge he should hear good news; at which the shop keeper lighted heartily, asking him if he was such a fool as to take a journey on such a silly errand, adding:

“I will tell you country fellow, last night I dreamed that I was in Swaffham, in Norfolk, a place utterly unknown to me where I thought that behind a pedlar’s house in a certain orchard, and under a great oak tree, if I dig I should find a vast treasure! Now think you, says he, that I am such a fool to take such a long journey upon me upon the instigation of a silly dream? No. No. No. I am wiser. Therefore, good fellow, learn wit from me, and get you home and mind your business.”  

The pedlar observing his words what he had said he dreamed and knowing they concerned him, glad of such joyful news, went speedily home, and dug and found a prodigious great treasure, with which he grew exceedingly rich; and Swaffham Church being for the most part fallen down, he set on workmen and rectified it most sumptuously, at his own charges; and to this day, there is a statute therein with his pack at his back and his dog at his heels; and his memory is also preserved by the same form of picture in most of the old glass windows, taverns and ale houses of that town unto this day.”

Source: Sidney Hartland – English Diary and Other Folks Tales (London, ca. 1890) which in turn refers to the Diary of Abraham Dela Pryme – 1699. Text available under Creative Commons CC-By-SA-4.0 License.
In this video I am taking you to Norfolk, UK, in the village of Swaffham, where the fable of the Peddlar of Swaffham originates. Come along with me …

This English tale resonates with me because of its candor and the moral that emanates from it.

My own reflection on this tale is that the moral of the story is as follows:

  • Listen to your inner voice, your intuition, your gut feeling, your inner compass;
  • Don’t be afraid to be ridiculed. Be patient. Have grit. Have resilience. Have faith;
  • Have the courage to act upon your dream and remember that a thousand-mile journey starts with the first step;
  • The journey will no doubt be marred with uncertainties, danger, surprises and some intriguing encounters;
  • Pay attention. Listen to the signs. Listen to the messages, the tips you receive on your journey. There may be joyful news awaiting you;
  • In the end, your courage, your efforts, your convictions will pay off and success will flow towards you, abundance will flow into your life;
  • When prosperity falls upon you do not hold tight to the wealth you seek but keep a healthy vision of its power to heal and the power it will give you to fulfil your purpose and spread goodness all around you.

And this, my Dear Companion, is Your Quest!

If you liked this post you can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, or you may also like:

The audio version of my book “This Is your Quest ” is available. Feel free to check it out and use this special Promotion code

For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com.

Audiobooks and the Art of Story Telling.

Why the rise of audiobooks is a story you want to hear

Audiobooks and the art of story telling

Audiobooks and the art of story telling are having a moment; they are in the midst of a boom as they soar in popularity. They are one of the greatest and more recent gifts to life long learners. The beauty of audiobooks is that you don’t have to set aside some quiet time away from everything and everyone in order to read a book anymore.  You can continue to do all the things that you have listed on your to-do-list whilst having someone whispering in your ear a story that you want to hear.

Audiobooks and the art of story telling allow you direct access to a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom.  Books allow the smartest people within every field to share their knowledge and experience with you so that you can learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes. But even for people who love books, finding the opportunity to read can be a challenge. This is where audiobooks come into the frame, they come to the rescue of those who have no time to sit in a quiet corner to read because of their daily commute, their work, their house chores and so many other things that need to be done. For those who are experiencing some decline in their eye sights because of old age, don’t despair, you can still have access to all the information and knowledge that you want, just press the play button and off you go. For those who are dyslexic don’t  be put off by the thought of struggling your way through a book. Do you want to read Harry Potter? Sure you can and please don’t fret and don’t be intimidated by the size of the book. You don’t have to read it, listen to it, instead.

One should not underestimate the power of storytelling. From the beginning of time, knowledge was shared from generation to generation thanks to story tellers who used their artistry to pass on information, knowledge and wisdom to their community.  The rise of audiobooks seems to be a natural progression back to the oral learning tradition that was so common in the olden days.

Audiobooks or the art of story telling

I am a fan of audiobooks; but be aware that I am totally biased on this subject because I just released the audio version of my book ‘This Is Your Quest‘; and right now I would like to invite you to listen to the sweet and smooth voice of Nita Slater, my narrator, who will be whispering in your ear a story you want to hear.

This Is Your quest – A story you want to hear – Audiobook sample

What happens when a storyteller meets a professional singer and voice actress? They create something beautiful that fills the silence that exists when one just sits alone in a quiet corner with a book.  When I became an author, I found my voice, and by doing so I also found my new purpose in life, which is helping others find theirs.  And now, I have found an amazing voice to narrate and bring to life the stories that I wrote in my book. I am delighted to inform all my readers that the audio version of my book This Is Your Quest is now available, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to my narrator Nita Slater.  Nita is an artist with many talents, but her most amazing feature is her voice it is like honey sweet and smooth.

My mission as a storyteller is to weave interesting information into a compelling story that will keep my readers captivated and entertained. Story telling becomes magical when you add a smooth and engaging voice into the equation, making the experience more engaging, memorable and multi-dimensional.  Being read stories aloud is not reserved for children only, adults can also indulge in this pleasure.

I wanted to find out more about this fascinating profession, so, I asked Nita a few questions.  In this blog article I would like to bring to you an artist’s perspective from behind-the-scenes.

The Art of Story telling, backstage story. Meet Nita, my narrator. Can you tell us about you and in particular how did you become a book narrator?

I have been a professional singer most of my life and have also been involved with some musical comedy theatre productions along the way. Along with my experience doing radio commercials and narrating corporate videos, I felt that the combination of these experiences could quite possibly open up some opportunities within the realm of audiobooks. Plus, I love to read, and I love to learn, so narrating This is Your Quest has been a very enjoyable experience!

Audiobook and the art of story telling – This Is Your Quest is the audiobook you want to hear – Trust me I am the narrator

How do you select which book to narrate? 

When selecting a book to narrate, I first want to make sure that the content of the book is a good match for my delivery style. While I believe that my acting has provided me some versatility, enabling me to produce different styles across different genres, there are some titles for which I may just not be the best match. I want to make sure that my voice effectively complements the book’s contents. And, of course, I want to make sure that the book is one to which I would be proud to have my name attached.

What drew you to take on ‘This Is Your Quest’ as a project?

I was very intrigued after reading an excerpt from the book and knew it was something that I would actually enjoy reading. I also felt that the tone of the book was something for which my voice was well-suited. I enjoyed how the narrative takes you through history — the lives, the loves, the myths, the controversies. I found it to be not only educational, but thoroughly entertaining as well.

Audiobooks and the art of story telling – This Is Your Quest is the audiobook you want to hear. Trust me I am the author

In terms of the production process, this was the first audiobook I produced for ACX as well as one of the first projects I completed in my home studio. The editing process is quite tedious and extremely time-consuming, thereby taking slightly more than 2 months of daily attention to complete this 300+ page manuscript. I’ve learned from some of the more experience professionals that this is the usual amount of time typically required to complete a project of this size. So, while challenging at times, it’s also been quite a learning experienced for which I am very grateful.

What was the most fun chapter to record? Why?

I especially enjoyed Part Four on Love, all 9 chapters! It was not only very interesting, but it allowed me to be a bit more playful with my delivery, a bit less journalistic reporter. In that same vein, I also particularly enjoyed Chapter 3 discussing Fables & Fiction.

What was the most difficult chapter to record? Why?

Chapter 7 – So You Think You Are Free was rather challenging from both a narration and editing perspective due to its length. One of the things that narrators must be particularly aware of is maintaining and communicating a certain tone and energy in order to achieve a consistent sound, especially throughout a particular chapter. Without getting into specifics, there are different factors that can affect these levels. It becomes quite challenging when reading (and editing) 44 pages that you remain cognizant of these levels. And just when you think you’re finished and you’ve mastered the narration, you listen back and say, “Oh no, I sound really tired there, I got a little sloppy with that…Redo!!”

How important is it to get the author’s feedback/input on the recording?

The author’s feedback is everything! This book is your child, and it is my responsibility to make you and your book shine!

Audiobooks and the art of storytelling

Do you work from your own home studio?

I do work from a home studio. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many of us to think creatively! I’m very fortunate to have a very quiet environment in which to work, and to know lots of musicians and engineers who have provided some great advice along the way.

How do you prepare for a recording session? As a professional voice actor are there special techniques you use to care and condition your voice?

I’m not sure what other actors do to prepare, but I do have a routine. Being a singer, I’ve already developed good health habits, like eating well, drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated, no smoking, no alcohol, and lots of good old-fashioned sleep! Prior to narration, I have a good breakfast, my morning coffee, then typically sing for about 30 minutes just to wake up my vocal cords. That’s really about it…nothing exotic here!

How does the experience of recording an audiobook compare with the experience of recording a voice over commercial?

The biggest difference, of course, is the length of time; the difference between reading a 9-and-a-half-hour book vs. a 30-second radio spot. They both provide a great deal of satisfaction and pride when they’re completed.

What do you love most about being an artist?

I love singing, I love acting, I love reading, I love speaking. I love the versatility and freedom this profession provides in terms of allowing me to choose what I want to work on and when, working from home is a plus, and it’s also allowed me to meet some really fun and interesting people. It’s also very rewarding to know that someone enjoys listening to me read to them! God blessed me with a nice voice, I owe it to Him to put it to good use.

The key message of this blog article is that If you have a voice use!

“Don’t let fear keep you quiet, you have a voice, so use it. Speak up. Raise your hands. Shout your answer. Make yourself heard. Whatever it takes just find your voice and when you do, fill the damn silence”

Unknown Author

For those willing to give it a go use this special Promotion code

And, this my dear friend, is your Quest!

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For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com.

A Compass to a Meaningful Life

This Is Your Quest Written by Joanne Reed

For a writer, book reviews can open doors to new and bigger audiences; writers know it, readers know it, publishers know it. What people are saying about your book can be a huge factor in its success, and you must know how to spot a good review when you see it. ‘A compass to a meaningful life’ is just such a review.

Author Joanne Reed, Double Take (French and English Versions)

Steve Watkins, a fellow lawyer, blogger (SWatkinLaw’s Blog), and aspiring author was kind enough to read my book and wrote a most impressive review which has just been published on Amazon.com.

A Compass to a Meaningful Life

Author Joanne Reed is a powerful storyteller, and provides cogent perspectives on a myriad of topics; her “pagan trinity” is Money, Health, and Love, and she makes compelling arguments for why we need each, and in the proper balance, in order to lead meaningful lives. She weaves deep philosophical concepts into easily-understood thematic treatments, and her points are well-presented and well-taken.

Her background as a lawyer is vividly displayed by virtue of her rigorous attention to providing all appropriate credits when and where due. Her sources reveal that she is an extraordinarily well-read, highly-intelligent, and deeply insightful thinker whose prowess with the written word is supported by the massive amount of work she has undertaken to craft this book.

If you are looking for significant insights into living a fulfilled, happy life; one with meaning, and brimming with joy; a life full of purpose, then this is the book for you. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deep and valuable perspective into the human condition and wise and passionate views about what truly matters in life.

I have been following Steve’s own writing, his last post on the Four Elements of Self Image was insightful and describes how to create a positive, purpose-filled life, based on joy, excitement, enthusiasm, and eagerness to be the best one can be.

Book reviews make books a known quantity, they save readers time, prepare them for what they will find and offer them a greater chance of connecting with a particular book, even before they read the first page!

They also make their authors very happy. Thank you Steve, thank you to everyone else who has read my book and particularly to those who have taken the time to post a review as well.

And this my Dear Readers, is Your Quest!


If you liked this post you can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook, or you may also like:

For more on this subject you can purchase my book This is Your Quest online at BookLocker, from Amazon or from Barnes & Noble.  The Ebook version is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple (iBooks) & Kobo. Check out my Amazon Author Page here or my listing on Booksradar.com.