Reading for Radio

At Elwood Writers we are preparing our stories for Cover to Cover, a literary program broadcast on Vision Australia Radio. On this occasion Helen, Barry and I are choosing a selection of our pieces, including past favourites. ‘The Writers’ Choice’, as we’ve named it, has no set theme, although one does inevitably emerge. A hint: the program might air around the time of ‘Allhallowtide’, a religious commemoration of All Souls Day, All Saints Day and the ever-popular Halloween.

My short memoir piece is about a significant childhood friend who died earlier this year. I’ve been doing the usual writerly culling, otherwise known as editing. Because the story is for radio, it’s incumbent on me to practise reading it aloud. I often do this down at the local river, where the wood spirits help me remember my days with Tommy. I hear words and phrases differently in this setting, listening for syntax, smooth narrative flow and the noisy opinion of the birds.

But mostly I listen for the feel of love. Memoir can be a revealing process, leaving the first person narrator exposed. It can also give shape to events that would otherwise be hard to fathom. This essay does not bring back my special friend, but helps me look at his leaving in new ways. By marking his death with my memories, I pay homage to an ever-youthful ‘esprit’ who lit up my world.

Members of Elwood Writers look forward to recording our stories and poems with host Tim McQueen in mid-October and sharing them with you and the Cover to Cover audience in the weeks to come. We’ll keep you posted.