Radio Essays 101

I’m excited because tomorrow I’m going in to WVTF, my local public radio station to record a couple of radio essays. I love the folks there and I love the form of the radio essay—which I’m still learning, but my good friend Janis Jaquith is an expert in. Click on her name to check out her website and delightful book.
As you all know, I made my living as a freelance writer for many years. One of the hurdles that’s hardest for me to get over these days is the fact that everybody wants your writing for free. I take issue with that. Sure there are plenty of decent writers out there that will provide copy for you, but are they professional enough to know the difference between that and which? Or to check out their facts, not just once, but several times with several sources? In any case, that’s probably better left for another post.
For me, there are only a few outlets I say yes to even though there is no pay. One of those places is public radio. Many writers don’t even think about this opportunity. I know I didn’t until I met Janis. Local public radio stations need good copy. If you’re a writer, you can provide it. And I’m here to tell you that you can also record it—even though that seems daunting at first, sitting in front of that microphone. I’ve been doing it a few years and it gets easier every time. The key is to practice a good bit before you go in to record. As Janis says, the vocal chords have muscle memory so it really does help to practice. Also, there is a time limit—mine is three minutes—and you must come in under that limit.
So, check out the guidelines of your local station’s website, or call them up to ask what they need.
Here’s a few more pointers:
1. Remember that you are writing for the ear. So listen to yourself when you practice. If you are tripping up on a word, find another one.
2. Make sure you are pronouncing things correctly. This can be tough when it comes to regional dialects.
3. Take your time when you’re reading. You’re always reading faster than you think. So slow down. If you come in over your time limit, you can edit something out or record again.
So if your asking yourself why to put yourself through all this when what you really want to be doing is writing your stories, the word is publicity. You can’t ask for better free publicity than that little tagline that comes after your essay.
As a freelancer, and now as a novelist, I’ve learned to put my time where it counts. You can’t really measure this in terms of book sales—but it’s one of those things that helps to keep your name out there.
Have you ever been on the radio?

Gifts Made By Hand with Love

Handmade.

No longer a perjorative, today this word marks a turning point in our culture. A silent revolution. A change of heart. A slow turning away from quick and the commonplace. A detour whereby we take up knitting needles and glue bottles as a way of proclaiming, “Despite the turmoil of our times, despite a world in which I hold so little sway, I am important because I can create.”

This week the owner of a local independent scrapbook store told me her business was doing well. In fact, she says it's never been better! And I’m not surprised. This is the era of the handmade, the homemade, the presents wrestled into being by love, skill and creativity.

And I am not immune! I’m focusing on handmade gifts for this holiday. I’m not interested in spending a lot of money. I am interested in turning back the tide of mass-produced, ordinary and meaningless THINGs which seem to be overwhelming my family. I am thrilled to think that my little fingers can produce unique items that by their very existence proclaim, “I love you.”

Here are some simple, heart-felt gift ideas:

I-Pod Purses--From a Goodwill or thrift store buy an all-wool sweater of a color you like. Throw it in the washer, soak it in hot water, and run it through the dryer until it becomes a soft and pliant felt. (The finished fabric will be about 2/3 the original size.) Cut a pattern of newspaper, 14” long and 4 ½” wide. Pin it to your felt and cut. On another piece of paper, draw a letter (the initial of the person for whom you are making the gift), thicken it up, and cut it out of felt. Add stitching with embroidery thread. Sew the initial onto the bag. Add a button and button hole (stitch around it with pink embroidery floss). See the photo for placement. Blanket stitch the sides together, and blanket stitch the flap. Add ribbon handles.

Memory Jar—Find an empty jar or plastic canister with a lid. (You can buy an inexpensive jar from Walmart). Create a “label” out of attractive scrapbook paper. Add sticker lettering to create your recipient’s name. (You might also add a saying like, “Beautiful Memories.”) On your computer or by hand, write down happy memories. (They’ll read: “Remember the time we took a walk by the beach and saw the turtles hatching? Remember the time we slid down the hill on flattened boxes?”) Put the memories in the jar.

I’ll share some more ideas next week! Meanwhile, to hear more about how crafts have become the revolutionary icon of the next generation, go to

http://www.wpr.org/book/081214a.cfm