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How to Write a Scripted Podcast at the End of the World

June 25, 2020 by Amy Suto Leave a Comment

We’re living in extraordinary times, from the pandemic to the incredible revolution sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s a reminder to all storytellers that we need to support the kinds of stories that reflect the reality we live in: that cop shows have glorified cops for far too long, that we haven’t been questioning underlying structures of our world in the way that we need to in order to create dangerously and be good allies.

I have a lot on my mind, but am still reading and learning and will return here at a later point in order to productively contribute to the allyship conversation when it comes to the role us writers need to play.

Stories retain power, even as it feels as if the world is falling apart. But now, the way we create and share stories needs to be different.

Enter: the scripted podcast.

What Are Fiction/Narrative/Scripted Podcasts?

You’ve probably heard them before: Homecoming, Limetown, Welcome to Nightvale, Carrier, etc. — there’s a ton of amazing scripted podcasts out in the world, and chances are you’ve listened to one of them.

What separates a scripted podcast from, say, a true crime podcast or unscripted podcast, is that the scripted podcast seeks to immerse you completely in a world and story.

Generally, scripted podcasts are more bite-sized than audiobooks, and feature clever uses of sound effects and perspective. The performance is the point, unlike audiobooks where the focus is on the words being read to you. (Usually, without any character shifts.)

Scripted podcasts are often reminiscent of early radio dramas like War of the Worlds, where your perspective comes through a radio host or journalist’s tape recorder — or something else that makes sense in terms of the structure and form of the show.

How to Write a Scripted Podcast

I recently wrote and produced my scripted podcast The Last Station, about a radio host broadcasting after the end of the world. She thinks she may be the only human left after apocalypse, but one day — someone calls in to the radio station. She’s not alone, and the caller himself presents a new set of mysteries. It’s a sci-fi/mystery series about finding hope at the end of the world.

What’s also cool is that the podcast will operate in part like an actual radio station, with music from real Los Angeles bands I love and have met through my company Kingdom of Pavement.

You can listen to The Last Station on apple podcasts here, or check out our website for our mailing list and all the other platforms we’re on.

Regardless of what form you’ve written in the past (novels, TV, features, limericks, etc.) anyone can write a scripted podcast.

Are you looking to write your own scripted podcast? Here’s how to do it:

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Content Writing: How to Get Hired as a Blogger and Actually Get Paid to Have Opinions on the Internet

May 9, 2020 by Amy Suto Leave a Comment

It’s 4pm, and I’m settled on my chaise lounge by my open window overlooking the LA skyline dotted by palm trees, a fresh breeze blowing gently.

The warm sunlight streams in as I type away on my laptop, sipping an iced tea as I share a steady stream of thoughts on the internet about why your five waffle irons are cluttering your kitchen, or how authors can connect with their audiences by showing the #struggles of what it’s like behind-the-scenes as we spin words into fiction.

This is my job: I’m a full-time writer of both blog and non-blog content, and it’s pretty breezy.

It’s taken me quite a bit of time to get here: I’ve been building my freelance writing career for the past few years alongside my TV writing work. I started out writing for peanuts, and now I’m able to do this shindig and pay my bills and have enough left over to hire other creatives I collaborate with for other projects we’ve got in the works.

I never even thought “blogging” was a real job when I was a kid: I just thought that it was a make-believe thing TV characters did.

But in actuality, brands, companies, and talented individuals need content. A lot of it, actually! In order to rank on Google, your website has to have a whole lotta words. If you found this article on Google — it’s in part because I’ve written a decade’s worth of words here 🙂 (And also used SEO strategies, backlinks, etc. etc. etc…)

Anyways, if you want people to come to your website, you need to have plenty of entry points for customers and leads to land on. Thus… content about waffle irons.

Suffice to say, I’m savoring every moment of being able to work from a cozy corner of my apartment.

If you’re looking to get hired and make money as a blogger, let’s break it down in terms of tools you’ll need in your content creation toolkit and also how not to sound like a robot when you’re implementing SEO strategies. (It’s possible! I promise!)

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Essay: Things I Want You to Remember

May 1, 2020 by Amy Suto Leave a Comment

In this time of both quiet and noise, there’s some things I’d like to remind you of.

I want you to remember that while you can’t pluck the stars from the sky, you can build the infrastructure to reach them.

There are beautiful contraptions that need to be built to transport you from here to the starry sky of your dreams. But you may need to invent them, first.

Pick the star, and then unroll your map. Allow yourself to make new discoveries along the way.

I want you to remember that vulnerability is not a hall pass.

Being vulnerable and open is an act of courage when paired with steps toward change.

The act of admission in itself might absolve your conscience or an obligation to a higher being, but if you want things to change — in life, in society — we all have to work for them, both individually and collectively.

You can share your confessions on Instagram, in therapy, to a significant other — but there’s a difference between living with a mess and actively cleaning out the hall closets and figuring out what needs to go.

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How to Hire and Work with Freelancer Writers

April 13, 2020 by Amy Suto Leave a Comment

When I’m not writing my scripted podcast, working in a TV writers’ room, or on the road traveling for work and for play, I’m a freelance writer and memoir ghostwriter.

I do a little bit of everything, and I love how varied my work is. I may be flying out to visit a client and interview them for their book one day, and I might be consulting on how best to build an online audience for a YouTube channel the next. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of awesome experiences getting hired to write for international art magazines, immersive theater shows, and memoirs for inspiring individuals.

The benefits of hiring a freelance writer are clear: in our digital age, content is king. Building your brand, telling your story, increasing your following — all of that requires engaging communication. Writers can help you assemble the building blocks of your empire, from Instagram captions all the way up to bestselling books.

Freelance writers also come with a variety of skills and backgrounds. My USC education, experience writing in Hollywood, and my own creative projects help me craft engaging stories, no matter the form.

Hiring a freelance writer can also save a lot of time. Time is of the essence, especially as you’re running a small business or startup. Getting high-quality content and communicating your message through a blog, social media, or in the form of a book is key to growing your brand and kickstarting passive income.

If you want talented freelance writers to work with you, however, you’ll need to know a thing or two about the etiquette of hiring and working with us.

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