NK Chats To… Philip McDonald

Published March 15, 2025 | By Laura

Hi Philip. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your audiobook series, Caitlin and what inspired it?

Caitlin celebrates contentment in solitude. The tone is meditative and philosophical with hypnotic ambient music and soundscape. Told in snapshots of normality, the everyday poignant observations become epic, revelling in specific human details, celebrating the life of a serene and detached woman with a mindful focus on her life.

Caitlin is narrated by me in the third person as free indirect discourse but the social observations of the people around her will be very familiar to all. Caitlin is late 30s, living alone, but never lonely. Her contentment is lived and breathed, not uploaded. Frozen pizzas and cross-stitch for company. Saturday evenings become a Wham sing-along before falling asleep smelling of Tiger Balm. She’s a completely self-sufficient ecosystem, but her isolation is unusual. People say “Oh poor Caitlin…it’s so sad…” But it’s far from it.

What are the challenges when writing for this format alone rather than in novel form? What made you choose audio over written prose?

I was inspired by the idea of an introspective character living at peace with a Zen mindset becoming intimate and attached to an audience through audio. The pace and tone in which she experiences the world lends itself to audio in particular. People can enjoy it on a dog walk, drifting off to sleep or escaping the stress of a commute. I began producing this idea as a writing experiment with a new character but have been overwhelmed at the positive reaction. It’s reached quite a cult following now. The solitary life of such a modern hermit seems perfect for the intimate experience audio provides. It requires the right conditions to experience it however. I loved the idea of it being an episodic journey into the everyday minute occurrences but also an existential overview into humanity as a whole.

When you began, did you have a plan for many episodes, or do you approach each one as you go along? From idea to final draft, how long does the process take you?

Every week a new episode comes to me almost as soon as I have uploaded that week’s one. It’s like a new plant emerges to replace the old. It is almost always inspired by something I have done or seen that week, or a piece of music or aspect of the news or culture I want to weave into Caitlin’s life. I don’t have an overall plan for more than a week at a time. I have always written very quickly so I tend to write a first draft of an episode (usually 1000 words) in a couple of hours and then I refine it throughout the week until I record it on a Monday morning.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals?

I write the first draft on my laptop – it always seems to be when it’s dark outside – and I listen to the same music I use in the episodes to keep me company. Then the subsequent drafts and edits are on the document on my phone. I steal a few minutes throughout my day to look at it again and again.

How easy is the process of recording audiobooks in this way? What equipment do you need?

The process only takes a couple of hours maximum now. I record into a dynamic mic, which feeds into an audio interface and then into my laptop. My editing is basic, on free software, just to cut out the mistakes and boost the volume and add music. I’ve been known to create soundproofing with duvets and bunk beds too!

Do you have any advice in how to approach the research and editing processes? At what point do you feel you’ve done enough?

My advice is to write about what you see in life and what sticks with you as a thought or feeling in your day. I find the small details of human beings interesting to write about so research for me is just living, listening and remembering it all. In terms of editing, I read aloud to get a feel for how it sounds. I read it when I’m in different moods and in different places to see whether it changes it.

What’s your favourite and least favourite words and why?

I love words connected to nature. They seem to resonate with me from all my favourite stories, plays and poems. I have a big crush on verbs too. I don’t think I have any least favourite words. Maybe hollibobs.

If you were collating a playlist for Caitlin, which songs would you choose?

I have one of these. A lot of ambient tracks from The Lonely Bell (who provides all the music for Caitlin), Julianna Barwick and Lankum. I listen to a lot of Bach and other classical, especially cello for some reason. But there are loads of Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Kanye West, 2Pac and Burial in there too. Music is where it usually begins for me.

If another fictional character were to make a cameo in Caitlin, who would you pick and why?

I have always thought of Caitlin as being like Matilda in her middle ages, without the magical powers, so I would love them to meet.

Any other advice for anyone considering writing audio stories?

Make it as personal as you can. Keep it short. Consider how music can help set the tone. Avoid corny sound effects. Listen to it on loads of different speakers to hear the quality and then speak to some technical people about sound help (music teachers are a nice bunch for this).

Would you rather –

Have the ability to see into the future or be able to visit the past?

Caitlin would stick to the present so I’ll join her, sorry.

Have the ability to move things with your mind or read minds?

Move with your mind (my kitten without being scratched)

Sing or dance to your favourite song for the rest of your life?

Both.

Have money or power?

Power (but only over my kitten)

Have an endless summer or winter?

Winter every time.

Drink tea or coffee?

Black coffee all morning.

See the movie or read the book first?

I’m not precious over this one.

Read a Paperback or eBook?

Paperback always.

Would you rather have magical powers here on earth or live in a magical place without powers?

Magical place.

About Philip McDonald –

Philip has a background in Script Editing and has worked as a member of Development Teams in the UK film industry at BBC Films amongst others.

He currently works as an English teacher in a large secondary school in Newcastle upon Tyne.

As well as writing a number of different projects in different formats over the years, Caitlin is a long-running audio project very close to his heart that he considers a bit like a continuous novel.

Click here to listen to Caitlin on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Click to follow the Caitlin podcast on Instagram.

*****

My verdict on Caitlin –

Caitlin is a podcast featuring a fictional character named Caitlin.

My first impression is a wonderful character.

There’s something so reassuring, likeable and endearing about her self sufficiency and the acceptance she has of herself and her life. She is someone who is happy in her own company.

Philip McDonald narrates and has a soothing voice. The podcast is very calming. The stories are full of warmth and humour.

I listened via Apple Music and was pleased to see that you could also view the transcript if you prefer to read rather than listen but the listening experience, with the narration and music is lovely.

You can choose any episode to start. They are self contained.

Being a cat lover, I listened to a recent episode called The Kitten. It was adorable.

It didn’t take me long to hit the follow button for this podcast. I have become a fan. I recommend it.