ADWIT: The Audio Drama Writers' Independent Toolkit

Tying Up Loose Ends: Short Topics For Your Audio Drama Writing Practice

Click here to tell us what you think! Here are all the short yet important topics that don't justify their own episode, yet make a difference for writers. Ever wondered what truly stops creative writers from finishing their audio dramas? It's the invisible barriers we construct for ourselves. For our season finale, we tackle those stubborn obstacles head-on, offering practical solutions to help you move your scripts from perpetual development into production.Money concerns often top the list of excuses, but we challenge the notion that compelling audio drama requires significant funding. Some of the most gripping stories focus on intimate human relationships rather than elaborate productions. We explore how to craft scripts that match your available resources while maintaining creative integrity. Perhaps the most insidious barrier is our emotional attachment to our work. We lovingly but firmly remind you that "your script is not a baby"—treating it as precious and untouchable prevents necessary growth and revision. Through personal stories of creative "disasters" that ultimately strengthened our craft, we demonstrate why finishing projects and embracing feedback matters more than perfection.We also dive into practical advice for crafting podcast descriptions that entice listeners, approaching producers with your work, and finding community members who will hold you accountable. The audio drama world is filled with creators eager to collaborate—you simply need to connect with them.Remember: the biggest obstacles to creating great audio drama exist primarily in your mind, and we're here to help you overcome them.Get the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly. Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org. Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! Sarah and Lindsay

The Power of Feedback: Transforming Your Audio Drama Through Table Reads

Click here to tell us what you think! Table reads are an essential tool for audio drama writers to hear their work aloud and gather feedback for improvement before production. The process helps identify issues with dialogue, pacing, and storytelling that may not be apparent on the page.• Type of table reads: in-person versus video conferencing, each with benefits and challenges• Finding participants: seek people with strong reading comprehension, not necessarily professional actors• Preparation: provide scripts 24+ hours in advance, include pronunciation guides if needed• Technical considerations: choose appropriate platforms, plan for time zones, prepare for technical hiccups• Soliciting feedback: use the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process for constructive critique• Handling feedback: distinguish between actionable feedback and unhelpful criticism• Rewriting process: take a break after the read, consider rewriting from memory• Celebrating completion: recognize the achievement of finishing a draft and braving feedbackSend us your table read experiences at writersadwit@gmail.com and join our Discord to continue the conversation! Ah Gwan!Thank you for listening! We would love your support in getting this to folks so please do share it - and also….review! We truly hope these episodes are useful - email us on writersadwit@gmail.com with any thoughts or suggestions with our hearty thanks!Remember to #CelebrateTheWin! Happy writing!Sarah and LindsayLinks mentioned in the showJulie Hoverson’s Discord group for reading  scriptsSivan Raz DirectorLiz Lerman critical response processConference Connection toolsALITUCleanfeedZoomRiversideDiscordSquadcastGoogle MeetGet the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly. Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org. Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! Sarah and Lindsay

Writer Tools of the Audio Drama Trade - Part Two

Click here to tell us what you think! Hello!We continue our chat with...Brendon Connelly of CirclesEmily Inkpen of Alternative Stories and The Dex LegacyFlloyd Kennedy of Am I Old Yet? and Baked Off!Shannon K. Perry of Oz 9 and Audiotocracy Podcast Production.... about their writing tools of choice for audio drama scripts. Some  strategies to keep in your back pocket: • Pronunciation guides with bold words in scripts help actors with difficult or made-up words• Voice actors need clear notation for vocalizations (grunts, sighs, gasps) or they won't exist in the audio world• Creating banks of reaction sounds provides useful resources for editing• The importance of actors truly listening rather than just waiting to deliver their lines• Audio drama is arguably "the most visual medium" because it creates images in listeners' minds• Research shows listeners have stronger physiological responses to audio than visual media• Remote recording challenges include actors working at 2AM when it's quiet enough• Modern audio scripts need better notation systems for sound design elements like "helmet on/off"• Writing tool preferences vary widely: Google Docs for collaboration, index cards for structure visualization• Color coding scenes helps track tension levels and plot arcs throughout episodesContact us at writersadwit@gmail.com with your preferred writing tools and experiences and to share any thoughts on these episodes or ping us a review! Thank you!Tools discussed and listed in the showSCRIVENER - £50GOOGLE DOCS - FREECELTX - $240 FOR 2 ‘SEATS’Get the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly. Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org. Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! Sarah and Lindsay

Audio Drama Writing Software, Tools and Formatting: Won't Someone Protect the Widows and Orphans?

Click here to tell us what you think! The day a software developer creates software for audio drama scriptwriters that has BBC Radio Drama-style formatting, the option to include line numbers on the script page, page numbers, and a reasonable price, a zillion scriptwriters will give them wads of money hand over fist. Until that fateful day, audio drama writers will debate which software, strategy, or tool spins their story into gold. Fortunately, ADWIT, The Audio Drama Writers' Independent Toolkit, gathers a cornucopia of experienced audio drama podcast writers to share their software and formatting experience, preferences, and strategies. In fact, we shared so much, this is the first part of the conversation. Part 2 is on its way. Let us help you on the path to the right tool for your story.What do audio drama podcast scriptwriters need to craft a script that anyone can proudly hand to a production team, knowing they'll understand it? We sat down with seasoned experts, including: Brendon Connelly of CirclesEmily Inkpen of Alternative Stories and The Dex LegacyFlloyd Kennedy of Am I Old Yet? and Baked Off!Shannon K. Perry of Oz 9 and Audiotocracy Podcast ProductionDoes font size matter? What about blank space? Won't someone please think of the widow and orphan protection? We explore these questions so you can improve your fiction podcast writing. Get the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly. Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org. Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! Sarah and Lindsay

Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

Click here to tell us what you think! Welcome to another jam packed episode of ADWIT with Lindsay Harris-Friel and Sarah Golding!Dialogue is the lifeblood of audio drama, serving both the author's intent to move the plot forward and revealing what characters truly want. We explore how effective dialogue communicates information while entertaining the audience and avoiding the pitfalls of unnecessary exposition.• Good dialogue has two essential jobs: communicating what the author wants and what the character wants• Audio storytelling creates stronger physiological responses than visual media, according to research by University College London• Dialogue doesn't need to spell everything out – trust the audience to fill in blanks with their imagination• All dialogue should move the story forward into future action, not dwell in the past• "The Dark End of the Mall" by The Truth podcast demonstrates masterful dialogue techniques• Small talk can establish character dynamics but should be minimal in audio dramaWriting exercise: Create a standalone podcast episode based on the folktale about the woman who always wore a ribbon around her neck (see below or research!) focusing on the wedding night conversation between the two main characters.A LINK TO The Green Ribbon   ...But there are many! Send your script excerpt to our Discord channel - hereOr ping to our email - writersadwit@gmail.com - thank youLinks Talked about herein!The Dark end of the mall - The Truth PodcastJohn Yorke Into the woods – a five act journey into storyThat's no moon Hitchikers Guide To The GalaxyAudible commissioned UCL survey infoSherlock HolmesWhat is a beat?The Automatics by Lindsay!Give me awayWireless DEAD LONDONTalking points written by Lindsay Harris Friel. Edited by Sarah Golding.Music by Vince Friel.HAPPY WRITING!Get the scoop on audio drama news, opportunities, creative resources and more with The Fiction Podcast Weekly newsletter. For more info, visit The Podcast Host's Fiction Podcast Weekly. Want to get in touch? You can send us a text message with the link at the top, email us at writersadwit@gmail.com, join our Discord server, or visit our website at adwit.org. Share the love. Please write a review on Podchaser or on Apple Podcasts. Thank you! Sarah and Lindsay