Podcasts and Guildelines

A podcast is, simply, an audio story or essay. Click here for samples. Below are some instructions on how to write and then record your audio piece. And we also discuss ways to get your piece considered for broadcast on Vermont Public Radio. IMPORTANT: When you create a podcast, put the word ... podcasts ... in the keywords so everyone can find them.

What is podcasting? Essentially it is writing something -- an essay, poem, story, speech -- which you then record into a digital recorder and then upload that audio file to the Web. In order to do an audio story, you need to approach it as you would any story or poem or essay. Here is an idea for a podcast that helps you understand how to do it. The idea is A Memorable Moment.

• 1. Brainstorm. Think of an emotional moment in your life; it could be an event, something that happened to you or something you witnessed; it could be something that you remember clearly about something you're passionate about -- a great play on a soccer field, or stepping onto the stage in a play. What happened? What was the drama? Why was it so memorable? What details do you remember? How do you tell the story? How do you start?
• 2. The Idea. Jot down your story idea. One graph or two. Just get down the elements to the story.
• 3. First draft. Write the story of your moment.
• 4. Revision. Read it aloud. Any place your tongue trips up, smooth out the words.
• 5. Final read. Read the second version aloud. Like it? Is it your natural voice? Any words sound unwieldy, like something you wouldn't speak? Change them.

Now it's time to create your podcast. So here's the technical stuff for recording without equipment and it's very easy to do. (If you have equipment, record yourself and save as a mp3 file.) :

• 1. Gcast account. First, create an account a http://www.gcast.com. If you don't have a working email address, then ask your parents or teacher to set it up for you.
• 2. Record. With your piece ready, call the toll-free number that is provided at gcast.com. Follow the prompts and then record your piece. When done, hang up.
• 3. Download. Return to the gcast.com site and download the mp3 file from your account onto your computer.
• 4. Create Podcast. Go to this site, login in and, under "Group Details" Create Podcast. Give it a title, keywords (the assigned keyword and a word that describes your topic) and paste your written copy into the body.
• 5. Upload. Now upload your file ... Click the "browse" button and find the mp3 recording on your computer. It takes a few minutes, so be patient.
• 6. Finishing up. Once the file appears where the browse button was, you're all set. Go down to the bottom, preview and then submit.

YOU DID IT!

Here are some thoughts on getting your work considered for radio broadcast:

We are looking for stories about your daily lives. We want conversational pieces about something you have experienced or are experiencing -- the lunch room, mean girls (or boys), graduation, the prom, the big game, SATs, pressure to drink, whatever.

You could focus on everyday life or something extraordinary, life at home or at school or in the community. You can take a theme and interview friends or neighbors.

These should be focused on one point and they should represent a strong point of view. Some tips:

• Read the story by Caleb Daniloff, an experienced radio commentator.
• One idea. Focus on one main idea -- the thing that interests you most -- and stick with it.
• Value. Is it interesting to someone else? Will the listener care?
• Write it out. What is the idea? Write down the jist of it or, even, an intro and outline.
• Casual. When you record your commentary, imagine yourself sitting down at a table with a friend or a neighbor. Be casual but be direct; tell them the story.
• Conversational tone. Write and record as you normally speak, with informal narrative structure and conversational choice of words.
• Keep it simple. Use simple language, declarative sentences and a narrative style — think storytelling.
• Keep it short. If you write it out, realize that 500 words is about three minutes.
• Deep breath. Before you record, test volume. When you record, take a deep breath BEFORE you start; be calm. Put the microphone or recorder below you, don't talk directly into it. Talk for a minute or so.
• Avoid slang. Avoid slang or jargon and words or structures that may "snag" a listener's attention and cause them to miss the next few words or sentences of your text. If a listener gets hung up on a word or phrase, you may lose them entirely.
• Divisive turns off. Concentrate on issues and avoid personal attacks or statements of an overtly divisive political nature. While you may feel very strongly about the foibles of a political leader, being strident or nasty may also cause listeners to become distracted or tune out. And they may be the very listeners you most want to keep listening through your concluding remarks.

Other ideas. We'll be posting some more examples as we go. ... Do an audio journal of a trip or your job ... Sound is just as powerful as a photograph -- if it's appropriate capture external sound that helps us appreciate your story.

Copyright and ownership issues will be addressed in the contract process. Young Writers Project always signs back to the writer the right to use the written commentary however the author wishes.