Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison C. Marie.
Hi Madison C. Marie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a professional actor for over 20 years, and storytelling has always been at the heart of everything I do. I earned my master’s degree in acting and have had the opportunity to work professionally on stage, in commercials, and in voice-over.
Interestingly, my journey into audiobook narration happened almost unexpectedly. A dear friend introduced me to the world of narrating, and honestly, I had no idea what she was talking about at first! It may sound crazy because I knew audiobooks existed, but I had never really imagined myself narrating them or considered it something I would do.
Audiobook narration has allowed me to combine my years of acting experience with a new creative medium, and I love everything about the process.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road?! Wait that exists (laughs) absolutely not! It takes a special skill to be able to tell a story. It’s not just reading. You have to be able to bring the words that these amazing authors have written to life and visually creative the world for the listener.
As an actress, I compare it to doing a table read to a new play. You have to understand the story, the characters, and the intention behind the words. You have to know when to emphasize action words, honor punctuation, and allow the listener to feel what is happening without ever seeing it. That is an art and a skill in itself.
And that’s only the narration part! The engineering side brought a completely different set of challenges. I wouldn’t necessarily call them struggles, but learning how to become my own engineer was definitely a learning experience. Recording in my own studio (which I built myself) meant learning about equipment, sound, recording, editing, and all the technical aspects that happen behind the scenes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For work, I am a audiobook narrator and my job is to bring stories to life with the fullness of every part of me. When I started I planned on narrating fantasy and young adult, however the romance genre has gotten a hold of me and won’t let me go (laughs). I really do enjoy it though but I am open to expanding out to other genres.
What am I known for? Mmm that’s a great question, I think for my comedic timing and the realness I bring to the characters I embody. I love a good laugh and if it’s mixed with a little bit of drama… chileeee we are in for a good read!
Oh my goodness I have had the pleasure of narrating some amazing manuscripts!! It’s so hard to choose what I am most proud of! I will say that narrating 1201 written by Bella Jay pushed me in a way that surprised myself.
How do you think about luck?
Honestly, I don’t really believe in luck. I believe in prayer, timing, and the idea that what’s for me is for me. PERIOD. And I apply that mindset to everything in my life.
When it comes to business, I truly believe that networking and building genuine connections in the fields I work in have opened doors and placed me in rooms with some amazing peoples. And honestly, I have to give credit to my dear friend, Joniece. If it hadn’t been for her, the narrating world may have never stepped foot in my house! (Laughs) Her knowledge, guidance and will power to be like, “friend you need to get in this audiobook world girl, you got it!” Definitely set that spark I just needed to light the flame.
But when it comes to my life overall, I don’t necessarily look at things as being good or bad luck. I believe everything has its own timing. Things may not happen when YOU want them to happen, but they will happen when they’re supposed to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Madisonc_marie
