Today I spontaneously decided to pay $45.00 that I probably can’t afford to see broadcaster and public speaker Ira Glass do a presentation entitled Re-Inventing Radio. Ira Glass is the host of popular radio show/podcast This American Life, a show I had a brief love affair with last year. The show usually has a theme and features three real stories that coincide to that topic.

Ira’s approach to news stories is very unique. His performance was an explanation on what makes This American Life a different approach to journalism, hence Re-inventing Radio. One example Ira gave was how a normal radio news bulletin might present a story. They might use dramatic music (He compared it to the background music of Battle Star Galactica). They approach a story with the idea that, “What you are about to hear is very important”. It’s gravely serious to the point, as Ira pointed out, it seems like they are afraid they will not be taken seriously.

This American Life treats stories differently. The interviewer is able to respond and talk to the interviewee. They don’t simply respond with follow up questions, they emotionally respond to an interview or situation, where traditionally most broadcasters avoid showing emotion or engaging with a story in a personal way.

What I found most engaging about Ira’s presentation (I’m almost tempted to call it a lecture) was his description of story. Ira has an incredible attention to what makes a story appealing and the importance of story in the world today. He said a few things that I’d like to remember them the next time I am writing.

In a story it should always feel like something is about to happen. It should always feel like it is going somewhere and something is developing. Story isn’t about logic, or reason it’s about motion. Something is happening, which leads to something else happening, which leads to something else etc. You can feel the forward motion. Every story is like a detective story. Questions should constantly be raised along the way. Some are small, some are big. A stories resolution comes from providing answers to these questions.

The fist thing that makes a good story is the action (or the forward motion), the second is know what it is about. What is it in this story we are relating to? Narrative is a back door into the brains of people. Reason and argument doesn’t hold sway. People should be able to connect to it on an emotional level. What is it?

I don’t have much more to say about the show. Ira is a very engaging speaker. He’s also very inspiring. I was talking to the group I went to the show with and we all felt the same urge to go home and write something. It was probably worth that $45.00 bucks, but I guess I’ll know for sure when I try to buy petrol and food this week.

My new year’s resolution is to write more. Something once a week. This doesn’t really mean more blog entries, but it won’t mean any less blog entries.

Tags: ira glass, this american life