New program: New Voices
Fri, 27 March 2020
2RPH is delivering a suite of new programs in 2020, a handful of which are focused on disability programming. After establishing Disability News as a segment in Breakfast on Wednesdays, the second disability program to be launched is New Voices. 2RPH Deputy Chair and presenter Maria Issaris Walsh describes the program below.
What can listeners expect of this new program?
They can expect to be inspired to write! Or, failing that, to be intrigued by burgeoning new talent from writers who are not mainstream published authors. Storytelling is an ancient way of bonding a community/tribe, offering comfort, lessons, insights, wisdom and sheer entertainment.
New Voices interviews new writers (most yet to be published) and puts them through their paces. They give writing tips and methods and then read a sample of their work. There are some beautiful pieces I can assure you. To top it all off, a third person - someone completely unknown to the writer and who has not heard their work before, is interviewed by me and together we critique the writer’s work.
How did you come to be involved with the program?
I had been attending a writer’s group for a couple of years during which I became involved in publishing and editing, and myself went through the process of writing my first book (I’m now onto the second one). I met some wonderful writers from all walks of life (doctors, lawyers, cleaners, insurance assessor, auditors, public servants), and the writing group was such a bonding intimate experience bringing us together despite our hugely different backgrounds.
Writing reveals some very surprising elements of who you (and others) are. It is cathartic and healing, and many times brilliantly entertaining. At the same time I was working closely with the GM here (Sancha Donald) who had just submitted for funding for a literary program on new writers. The two bits just seemed to click together.
What have you enjoyed about the process of producing the program so far?
So, much, fun. The learning curve on recording and editing interviews was very steep but both John Berry (Volunteer Technical Trainer) and Peter Worthington (Technical Manager) were excellent teachers. Also, Barbara Sullivan (Volunteer Presenter and Producer) helped me right in the beginning when I had my first interviewees lined up outside in the cutting area and I was trying not to look like I was going into a panic - (which was the record button again? - she calmly took over the technical process letting me focus on the interview.
Any memorable moments while recording this program?
The look on the critiquer’s faces when they hear the recorded interview of the writer, and hear the piece they are to critique for the first time. Stunned, appreciative, enjoying themselves, moved. They are total strangers to the writers and now all of them want to meet each other!
What do you hope listeners take away from this program?
That writing is an art form that can be practised at any level, just like painting. Not everyone is going to be hung in the national gallery, but their work will give many people joy and connection. These days, publishing has become a very streamlined. and quite profit-centred business. This program is about getting back to why we all want to read and write stories to begin with - to share experiences, make sense of the world, and to create worlds with words.
This program will go to air in April! Stay tuned for specific dates and times.
Images 1: Presenter Maria Issaris Walsh interviewing Wil Roach, Writer, for the new program in one of the 2RPH studios. Image 2: Wil Roach being interviewed for Episode 1 of New Voices.