This week has taken my writing experience in a new direction.
I’ve entered BBC Writersroom competitions for years in an attempt to get my stories and plays onto the radio. When you hear that you’re out of the competition, you never really know why. The best rejection is one that comes later in the competition that you did the year before. It can all feel like a bit of a lottery.
Until I came across BBC Radio Kent’s Upload programme during lockdown. Now, everything’s changed.
A Ray Of Hope
This amazing programme, hosted by Leo Ulph, is a radio showcase of talent, featuring music, podcasts, stories, plays, poems and all sorts of little gems.
Suddenly, the door to the BBC felt as if it had opened a little.
Technical Vegetable
Submitting material for consideration was easy – and I speak as someone who is about as technical as a parsnip. I sent my story in in PDF format. Leo then contacted me to ask if I could voice record it – and he kindly explained to me how I could do this when I was flummoxed by the technology.
The weeks ticked by. I was just beginning to wonder if they had decided not to use it, when I got an email saying it would be on that evening! Leo had skilfully structured the recording to break it into four episodes, and I was stunned that this would mean four evenings of exposure for my story.
Episode One
The first night, I tuned in with my family. The excitement I felt quickly turned to horror as I heard my own voice on the radio. I went through all the I don’t sound like that, do I? paranoia, and couldn’t enjoy it. I also realised that my story was a bit heavy on description for the radio. I wasn’t sure I could bear to listen to myself again.
Episode Two
I snuck to the radio alone, this time, and put the volume on low. I decided that I needed to treat this as a learning experience. However I was in for a lovely surprise. As the dialogue kicked in and the action kicked off, I found myself actually enjoying hearing my story.
Leo had edited it with sound effects, and they made the words come alive in a whole new way. What blew my mind was how generous Leo was in his support of my work. It was like getting a great big hug from the BBC: after twenty years of rejections from them, this experience made me tearful with gratitude.
Episode Three
It was getting easier to listen to myself, and I felt I was beginning to hear better what bits of my writing worked best.
An email today from Leo said he’d like to interview me after the final instalment tomorrow. The thought was utterly terrifying, but I knew I’d be a fool to say no to such an opportunity.
Episode Four
The final part of the story flew by, and Leo continued in his fabulously encouraging support. Then came the interview. Thankfully, it had been recorded a couple of hours earlier (much to my relief).
At the time, I’d been so scared that the phone had been shaking against my ear, but when I listened to it back, you’d never have guessed it. I think Leo was just so kind and enthusiastic, that he made it all ok.
Looking back on the experience…
This week has fulfilled a dream: to hear my work on the radio. It’s also taught me an incredible amount about what works well and what doesn’t. I shall definitely submit more pieces to Upload.
Stepping out like this is terrifying. When you share your work, you know that some people will listen and say, “That was rubbish!” But, sitting here now, on the other side of the experience, I realise that something in me has changed this week. I have felt that fear, and done it anyway. I feel just a little more confident than I did last week.
That Naked Feeling…
Putting your work out for people to criticise can make you feel very vulnerable. I’ve found it difficult after each of my short story collections have come out. I’ve walked around feeling as if I’m naked in front of strangers for a while each time. I think I’ve got better at handling that, maybe. Radio took it to a whole new level, and I look forward to getting braver at that, now.
Most of all, this has shown me that the BBC is not a closed shop. Leo’s generosity of support is a real helping hand for people trying to express themselves creatively. I would recommend the experience whole-heartedly. If you’ve got something that you’d like to share, this will move you on in your own creative journey.
The Amazing Leo Ulph
Thank you, Leo, for your amazing support for creative people in Kent. You are making a massive difference, taking them seriously and showcasing their work professionally with enthusiasm and dedication.
Here are the four episodes – my story begins about 10 minutes in on the first three, and 17 minutes in on the last one. Each part lasts about four or five minutes – just right for a cuppa and a listen!
Radio pic by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash.com / Breathe pic by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash
This is great Liz! It is so interesting to hear about your experience of uploading your material and fab to hear you reading your story on the radio as your stories have helped bring a lovely bit of escapism and joy to my days during lockdown. I look forward to hearing more of them on the radio and might send in a recording of my music.