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Listening—a great way to become a better storyteller
The Storyteller #6
Sri Srikrishna
November 17, 2023
Each week, we share a practical technique to become a more effective storyteller and analyze a video that demonstrates its use in the real-world.
Quote
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.” Peter F. Drucker
photo: Ron Lach via pexels
Listening—a great way to become a better storyteller
My father, whenever he was home, never missed the 9PM news on the radio.
My siblings and I stuck around as the 15-minute news update was followed by a short episode of a serialized radio drama. For anyone who wonders what a radio drama is think of it as a podcast but over the airwaves!
"Radio (or audio) drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story:."
Most of us when we read a book, say a mystery novel, do so as a reader. Usually as one who seeks to be entertained. However, if you want to be a writer of mystery novels, it is not enough to read it to be entertained, but to read it as a writer.
In other words you don't merely consume, but you analyze.
One way to become a better storyteller is to listen to stories, not just passively seeking to be entertained but as a teller of stories.
And listening to radio—these days audio—stories is one of the best ways to hear great storytellers without the distraction of video. It is also a great way, to analyze how good storytellers do it. Some things to look for include
What words do they use? How do they use the words?
How do they open the story?
How do they use pauses?
How do they change their volume, pace or cadence?
When did you find your mind wandering?
When did you find yourself barely able to contain yourself for what comes next?
Fortunately there are numerous podcasts available for aspiring storytellers to listen to stories of every kind. My own favorite is the Moth Radio Hour.
Audio
In this week’s newsletter we will listen to an audio story, little under six minutes long, about Elizabeth Gray and her struggle in coming to grips with post-partum mental health.
As you listen to Elizabeth tell her story note the things she does well. It is just as important to see what does she not do and how these—the things she does and does not do, make her story more or less appealing.
How relatable was the story for you? And for those who are not moms? Why?
What would you incorporate in your own storytelling?
What would a listener take away from your story if they only heard an audio recording of it?
Share your favorite audio story.