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An interview about podcasting with audio writer, Neil Noon

Insights

We spoke to writer, broadcaster and former journalist, Neil Noon, who joins us for June’s First Tuesday Writers Club.

Curious about writing for podcasts or looking for some techniques to improve your podcast writing? Join Neil for Writing for podcasts — soundworlds and storytelling at 7:30pm on 3 June, online.

 

1. So I’m curious about starting a podcast but don’t know where to start? What would your advice be?

I’d say the first thing is to decide on the scale of what you want to do. More ambitious projects – full-cast dramas, for example – will generate a huge amount more work than a single-voice storytelling or poetry pod. This includes whether the style you adopt requires location ambience, sound effects and music. Length of episode is another thing to think about – they all have their place, but the shorter the easier, obviously.

There are three basic routes in – contributing, collaborating or creating.

Creators determined to build something from scratch themselves will face a learning curve (though, again, this depends on the scale of the project). The good news for wannabe DIY Auteurs is that audio equipment is more affordable than ever before – and software is increasingly able to assist new producers.

2. What are some key differences between writing for podcasts versus other forms of writing?

I’m a big believer that storytelling podcasts (whether via prose, verse or dialogue) will increasingly take their place alongside fringe shows, chapbooks and short films as a way to get work to audiences.
Genre work, especially, tends to land really well – and it’s one of the few options available to writers to tell serialised stories. You can get an idea of the range from a handful of leading UK examples over at a site I made for the Arts Council, How to Make Waves, including apocalyptic horror, musical fables, found footage mysteries and chaotic comedies.
Even more excitingly, putting out shows this way has led to book deals, guest spots by TV stars and more.

3. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to sharing/exploring at First Tuesday Writers?

I’m always keen to show writers just how accessible podcasting can be – you can make it at home, but you can share it…everywhere. 
 
One click and you’re hearing the voice – one link you can share with peers, with groups, with industry contacts. With no cameras to worry about, no venue to hire – keeping it simple keeps costs low.  In audio, you can take the listener into space, into history – wherever and whenever.
 
And, with my experience writing for BBC Radio, Audible, indie podcasts and my own series (launching this summer!) I see my job as helping writers hone their text and their delivery for the voice – and the ear. 
 
We’ll be doing a few exercises that will demonstrate ways of working with the spoken word, with sound effects, with location recordings – ultimately, all the possibilities this platform makes possible. 

Join Neil Noon on 3 June for First Tuesday Writers Club to explore the podcast writing with an experienced writer for audio platforms. 

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