- 05/18/2017
- Posted by: Mike O'Malley
- Category: air talent, coaching, radio programming, storytelling
Listen to songwriters talk about their craft and you’re highly likely to come away with something profoundly valuable for your life or profession – or both.
One such nugget came via this year’s Key West Songwriters Festival. In fact, I heard it several times over the weekend from writers including Luke Combs and Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey.
The wisdom is actually a question: “What does that mean?”
I asked CMA/ACM/Grammy Award winning artist Maren Morris about the phrase. She, like Luke and Old Matthew, said this is a question typically asked when a title is suggested at a writing session. “What does that mean” encourages the author to explain the vision and/or circumstances behind the title. The subsequent discussion ideally starts the creative process toward a song.
It seems to me that “What does that mean?” (or “What COULD that mean?”) is a useful question to ask at the start of any number of creative projects including developing content for your show.
Just as the song creation process can begin with a title, something we see/hear/experience can be our song title that launches a great story.
Start with something you see – perhaps a smiling child in a stroller fascinated by the pinwheel she’s holding.
“What does/could that mean?”
- This child is having a wonderful day – perhaps because the sun and the breeze and he presence of a loved one.
- The child’s fascination with the pinwheel is a metaphor for taking enjoyment in simple things.
- The pinwheel is the forerunner of the Fidget Spinner.
Or you see a driver, alone in his car, angrily yelling about something and pounding the steering wheel.
“What does/could that mean?”
- He’s continuing the argument he had this morning with his spouse, making a few more points he hadn’t thought of (or didn’t have the nerve to say) earlier.
- He can’t believe the dolts that run favorite sports team just traded away his favorite player.
- He really hates the drivers in (fill in any state you like here).
Any of these could lead to a potentially interesting story.
There’s an unlimited amount of content within in your grasp every day. Part of your skill set as a storyteller is simply recognizing it.
Then do what our format’s amazing song writers do: ask, “What does that mean.”
Related: Infographic: How to Create Amazing Content for Every Show, Every Day in Seven Steps