september 2015

Hello!

The second instalment of “Wassans” is the September addition to alisonearlsALOUD. So if you’ve been intrigued by Chapter 1, you can read “Wassans Chapter 2” this month by clicking on the links here or listen by heading to the ‘longer stories‘ page to access the media player or download link. And if you haven’t had the chance to read/listen to Chapter 1, you can binge by consuming both if you’ve got half an hour to spare! And of course, there’s more to come in this serialised story so stay tuned for more Wassans in upcoming months … interspersed with other bits of fiction to keep the variety coming.

Thanks for reading/listening!

Alison

may 2012

Hello!

May at alisonearlsALOUD brings two new stories to the site. “A Cranky Man” has been specifically written as a companion piece to last month’s addition to the ‘children’s stories‘ page, “A Quiet Man“. If the two stories were ever to be published, I think they’d probably work well in one volume because they illustrate the different approaches and personalities of two men who find themselves in similar situations. As a child, I never considered the lives of my retired neighbours and I don’t expect these stories to alter the intrinsically self-focussed outlook of any child. However, I thought it might be worth giving the under 8s a few minutes insight into the daily routine of those old people they might encounter in their street and add a few suggestions as to why they might be the way they are.

For the more mature reader/listener, “Cottonmouth” has been added to the ‘short stories‘ page. A story of growing isolation, the alarmingly familiar trajectory indicates that the challenges that others in our community face can ultimately impact us all.

So it seems that the theme for May is Other Peoples’ Lives. Whether we’re 8 or 80, in a world where we can find ourselves so busy with our own tasks and struggles, any amount of time we can think beyond ourselves is probably time well spent. Understanding might be something that few of us will master but making the effort just might get us a little closer to the peace and harmony we all aspire to.

I hope the stories take you out of your own lives for a few moments before you have to get back to the daily grind. As much as themes and messages might provoke thought, there are unfortunately always things to clean, repairs to organise and food to prepare. So hopefully a fictional interlude can provide a short break from the mundane aspects of your day!

Thanks to all for reading/listening!

Alison

april 2012

Hello and Welcome to April at alisonearlsALOUD!

No April Fools pranks here – just a hoax-free addition to  the ‘children’s stories‘ page.

“A Quiet Man” might not fully capture the attention of those who enjoyed “Over the Wall” as the new story’s content and style are more suited to older children than the audience that responds so well to brevity and repetition. Aimed at listeners/readers 6 years and up, it’s hoped that a peaceful moment with “A Quiet Man” might trigger some insights into the lives of those who live around us as well as acting as a calm and soothing interlude into sometimes hyperactive lives. So for those well ‘up’ from 6 years, it could also provide some respite in a hectic day … along with reassurances that the life you find yourself living is all about your attitude to your circumstances. It’s only 4 minutes – see how you feel once you’ve heard/read “A Quiet Man”.

Thanks again for subscribing and/or taking the time to visit the site. Writing stories is all about other people reading them so your interest is the prime motivation for my words.

Alison

september 2011

Who would have thought that my Seinfeldian musings over the word ‘ruthless’ (i.e. if one can be ‘ruthLESS’, is it then possible to ‘HAVE ruth’?) would lead to this month’s story? The tone and style are certainly a long way from the renowned comedic wordsmithery of Jerry and the gang. But the story seemed to evolve in quite a natural way to become a portrait of loss and loneliness … and the low that is the bridge back to living in the world. But even without its references to soup nazis, close talkers and big salads, I hope you find something resonant in “To Have Ruth“.  As usual, you can listen to the audio version or head directly to the text page to read the story.

(And for those still musing over “Grandidier’s Vontsira“, the answer lies in the lower right corner of the story icon. A click on the last two words of the text version provides the solution … as does a traditional googling, of course.)

Thanks for listening/reading and do spread the word about alisonearlsALOUD when you can.

Alison