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What’s trending in audiobooks right now?
 Apparently… not prepping.

In this episode, I’m digging into the growing conversation around “no prep” narration and why I don’t buy it. We’re talking about the difference between an actor being surprised and a character being surprised, the trust between narrator and listener, and why going in blind might actually be doing your performance a disservice.

I break down what prep really means (and no, it doesn’t have to look one specific way), why it matters even more in duet and dual narration, and how skipping it can shift the burden onto your co-narrator. We also get into the idea of authority in storytelling, and why knowing the arc doesn’t kill authenticity… it creates it.

If you’ve ever been told “just react and it’ll be more real,” this one’s for you.

⚠️ Disclaimer + Resources

I do mention AI tools in this episode as a supplement to prep, not a replacement for it. Tools like:

• Pozotron → https://www.pozotron.com
• VO Jumpstart’s Pre-Read → https://www.vojumpstart.com/pre-read

can be incredibly helpful for things like character lists, pronunciations, and quick summaries, especially on larger or more complex texts.

That said, these tools are not 100% accurate and should always be used alongside your own prep and judgment as a narrator.

Good Aural is hosted by audiobook narrator and actor Brenda Scott Wlazlo. We talk craft, business, performance, and the weird little things that make an audiobook actually work.

Come hang out. Let’s talk about it.

Brenda Reads Audiobooks Linktree

 website: Brendascottwlazlo.com

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