Listening to podcast, reading a book, listening to an audiobook and watching films isn't waste of time. It's how somebody becomes wise! Deyth Banger
I am an avid listener of Podcasts. Last year, I spent a lot of time in the car driving to and from work. This trip took me anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes. Listening to podcasts made driving enjoyable—even better when I was stuck in traffic. They are excellent company.
As a writer, podcasts have been a fantastic way to virtually connect with other writers and have been integral in furthering my learning about the craft. When this article is published, I would’ve started a new teaching position. The drive won’t be as long, but I’m actually pleased it will be long enough to listen to a decent chunk, if not a complete episode, of one of my favourite podcasts.
Our lives are now filled with access to a variety of technological activities, and podcasts are another wonderful thing to do. To ensure I get my regular podcast fix, I have started to schedule in time to listen to them. The same way I plan time to read, attend workshops and conferences and socialise.
There are so many great podcasts now and my library is full of episodes waiting to be listened to. They have joined my world of lists— I am the high priestess of lists—lists for Netflix, SBS On Demand and ABC iView. This is before I even get to my piles—I’m talking towers— of fiction to read.
The reality is time is finite—just twenty-four hours in one day. But how do you find the time? The article ‘Why are podcasts so popular in 2020’, says that 49% of podcasts are listened to at home, 27% while driving, followed by 11% at work and 8% when exercising. What I have started to do is schedule and plan my podcasts. I have begun to listen to specific podcasts during certain activities. Podcasts do allow you to multitask. You don’t even have to note down any resources, as most of them have associated blogs that provide further links. It’s a multimodal candy store.
I have continued to find time to listen to my favourite podcasts: in the car, when I shower, when I go for a run and cleaning the house. I usually allocate a particular podcast to a specific activity. For example, The Well-Storied Podcast and Amy Kaufman on Writing podcasts are suitable lengths when I take a shower. The Fiction Writing Made Easy and Helping Writers Become Authors podcasts are perfect for my thirty-minute runs. I always get through two episodes during these cardio sessions. The So You Want to Be a Writer, and In Writing with Hattie Crisell are my go-to for the drive to and from work. Who says life is boring?
As a writer, podcasts have allowed me to connect to other writers: their process, advice and any new material they have published. Podcasts have also been an excellent way for debut authors to get themselves and their book out into the world.
Podcasts have only been around for sixteen years, invented in 2004 by Adam Curry and Dave Winer. It got its name from combining two words: iPod and broadcasting—Apple iPods were the dominant devices owned at the time. Even though smartphones have replaced iPods, we’ve accepted this label. As with all mediums, there are some great, and not so great, podcasts out there. I’ve found that most writing podcasts are of excellent quality, in content and delivery. Below are links to my favourite podcasts.
Amy Kaufman On Writing Podcast
Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast
Helping Writers Become Authors Podcast
In Writing with Hattie Crisell Podcast
Kill Your Darlings Podcast
So You Want to Be a Writer Podcast
Stories Behind the Book Podcast
The Creative Penn Podcast
The Well-Storied Podcast
Write Minded Podcast
The Writers Room
Writes 4 Women Podcast
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Reference: Podcasthero.com (2020) 'What is a podcast? https://www.podcasthero.com/what-is-a-podcast/