Interview with Carol Pawlak, Narrator, Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve

Life works in mysterious ways. When choosing a narrator to record my memoir, I knew the instant I heard Carol’s voice she was the perfect fit. Carol’s warm, sensitive demeanor shined through. I laughed at some of the mispronunciations of the Jewish words like Chai, and Yom Kippur. Carol graciously suggested we speak so that she would hear the correct pronunciation. The moment we spoke, an instant connection formed. Little did I know, our bond cemented beyond working together on Celebration of Sisters.

Judy: Please share with us your background and how you came to be a narrator.

Carol: I’ve been a creative as long as I can remember. As a child, I would write, direct plays using my Barbie dolls as the actors, putting on the plays for my family and friends. I loved to sing and roleplay (once as Mother Nature sitting in a field of flowers and charging five cents for a visit with me and sharing what I knew about the world around me… all improv of course) Always had a flair for voices, making up cartoons and loving all the different characters I could create.  As an adult, I made a career of working in the television industry as an actor, rehearsal actor and stand-in for other actors on Sitcoms and children’s shows. During the Pandemic, everything had shut down, and wanted to find something to do to continue my love of acting and found the world of voice over so interesting and fun. I was able to work from my own home sound treated booth. I have enjoyed this new career to be lots of fun and rewarding. Reading memoirs and non-fiction narration is my favorite. I also enjoy the cartoon characters, but I think sharing someone’s story is the most rewarding.

Judy: Why were you drawn to Celebration of Sisters?

Carol: As the fourth sister in a family of five, I was drawn to the title, Celebration of Sisters. It sounded familiar, so much my own relationship with my own three older sisters.   
The love we share and the memories we have.

Judy: What was it about Judy’s story that resonated with your own life?

Carol: As I continued to look further, It is Never too Late to Grieve, grabbed my heartstrings, as I had recently lost my own sister to AML. I wanted to read Judy’s story, hoping to find some peace for myself, and help others along the way who needed to hear it. I realized reading her story, and the timeline between her loss and the book’s publishing was inspiring. I loved the stories of their lives together, their childhoods, the places they visited and the family’s devotion to each other; living in Boston, the vacations, and the memories they shared. It felt much like my own life as a young girl.  There were lots of similarities Judy and I shared, and even through her struggles with the loss of her sisters, I felt the closeness that she carried with her through the years. I know that loss, I felt her sadness and yet I could celebrate with her the accomplishments through the Celebration Events. The Ice Skate was a special reminder of my own childhood memories. I was able to begin to celebrate my own beautiful sister and her gifts she gave me.

Judy: What advice would you give to someone who may be interested in recording an audiobook, or an author recording their own book?

Carol: I’m speaking in the world of non-fiction. If you are an author, I think that narrating your own book is a wonderful idea. Your words can come to life because you have lived it.   You don’t need to have the “perfect voice” as most people might believe. All you need is to do is “talk” to the person who is listening, tell your story. Create an intimate relationship though the story, and your heart will follow.
As a narrator, make sure to invest some time to explore the book, to get to know your author by reading the book first. Create a relationship between you and the author even if you have never met. By taking those steps, the narration will come to life though your heart as well.  

Judy: In addition to being a talented narrator and voice over individual, rumor has it you are a stellar baker, what is the most memorable cake you made?
​
Carol: Yes, that is another creative avenue I pursued for many years to stay home and raise my children. When I started working in the television industry, it basically brought the two together, and I was hired to also bake cakes, cupcakes and cookies for props and the cast and crew of various shows I worked on and others. My most memorable cakes were created for our beloved Betty White. The most favorite… has been the Luau Cake for her 93rd Birthday.   It’s been shared many times by magazines and such.   Most of all, everyone enjoyed the cakes I created, and gives me great memories of working with some wonderful people in the last 20+ years.