Hi An audio drama is like a TV show… but without the TV. (Think bingeable episodes, multiple actors, music, and sound effects that sweep your listeners away—no camera crew required!) It’s a ridiculously fun and wildly immersive storytelling format that doesn’t require you to win the lottery before producing. Why Write an Audio Drama?Because it’s awesome, yes. But also because:
Writing for Audio: Same But Totally DifferentWriting an audio drama isn’t like writing a novel or a screenplay. It’s… kinda like both, but also its own delightful beast. Like a TV script, it has action lines, settings, and dialogue, but it also packs in more sensory detail than your average film script. Why? Because listeners don’t get visuals. You’re painting with sound. Writing for audio means constantly asking yourself, “What can I tell through sound, and what absolutely must go in the dialogue?” Your toolkit has three parts:
Pro tip: Need a character’s inner monologue? Have them record a journal entry, or leave a voice memo. Multi-voice performance and killer sound design are audio drama’s superpowers. Lean into them. Adapting Your Existing WorkGot a screenplay or novel you’re itching to adapt? Awesome! Just be honest about how well it fits the audio format:
Pro Tip: Final Draft has a podcast template and Scrivener has an audio play template. Why Audio Drama RocksWhen you strip away the visuals, you’re left with the raw, intimate power of sound. Listeners become co-creators, building the world in their heads as your story unfolds in their ears. You’ll be amazed at how freeing—and fun—this medium is. What are you waiting for? Your story wants to be heard. Literally.
Listen to Audio DramasWicked Dames– (Thriller) In World War II Germany, a group of women seduces and kills Nazi officers. Edith – (Historical comedy) When President Woodrow Wilson has a stroke, his wife runs the country. As an old movie fan, I also love old radio dramas from the 1940s and 50s. Sirus XM has an old timey radio drama channel – Radio Classics - that is a lot of fun. Listen to the radio plays that started it all. The Thrilling Adventure Hour – (Comedy) New audio dramas in the style of old radio plays. A list of some popular scripted podcasts Just for fun:Remember WENN is a television show about a radio station in the 1940s creating shows that you can stream on AMC+. Read Audio ScriptsMore How to InformationHow to Write a Killer Audio Drama The Creative Penn: Writing and Directing Audio Drama The Creative Penn: Writing and Producing Audio Drama How to Make a Fiction Podcast by Matthew McClean & Robert Cudmore Bombs Aways Beep: Creating Modern Audio Theater by KC Wayland Writing Audio Drama by Richard Toscan Stories Told Through Sound by Barry M. Putt, Jr In Case You Missed ItHow to Make Money Writing Magazine Articles Heroes, Rebels, and Underdogs Cheers, Lindsey Thanks for reading! You can share this article here. Was this week's newsletter useful? Help me to improve! Click on a link to vote: 👍Super! - 😐 Meh - 👎 Not my jam |
Hi, I’m Lindsey. I love helping people discover their superpower, create compelling content, and feel excited about pitching and networking. I teach people how to pitch like a boss, network like a VIP, and write like an Oscar winner. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for actionable creativity and career tips.
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