Tall And True Short Reads

In October 2017, I attended a premiere screening of Three Summers. After the film, there was a Q&A session with the writer/director, Ben Elton. As I commented in a film review on the Tall And True writers' website, I have admired Ben's work since watching him do stand-up comedy on TV in England in 1987. Signed Stark by Ben Elton is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written a...

"Ladies and gentlemen, though I use that term loosely," the pub laughed, and the MC smiled. Laughter signalled the crowd was well lubricated. The publican would be happy. Lagermind is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . Read Lagermind: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/lagermind Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortrea...

In these days of instant gratification, it's hard to believe once upon a time, wanna-be writers would type and print their manuscripts, post them to publishers with a reply-paid, self-addressed envelope. And then wait and wait and wait, for an offer to publish or, more likely, a feared rejection letter. Days of Gentle Rejections is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and n...

Penguin Books Australia posted a question on Facebook in August 2017: What is the last book that made you cry? The books could evoke tears of joy or sadness, and I immediately thought of three books, all for the latter category. And here are my top three tearjerkers. The Last Book That Made You Cry is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . Re...

The Tall And True Short Reads podcast features short stories, blog posts and other writing written and narrated by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website. At the end of each episode, Robert provides insight into the featured writing. Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads Buy Robert's short...

Bad News - Part Two (England, 1993): I woke in the middle of the night with a full bladder from the beers and more than a little aroused from a dream I’d just had. As I sat in the bathroom, waiting to pee, the dream replayed in my head. I was glad my wife was asleep. She’s a mind reader, and I’d be dead if she knew what I’d been dreaming. Both Sides of the Story is a collection of short stories&nb...

Bad News - Part One (England, 1993): The evening news was depressing—all bad as usual—and the weekend weather looked just as gloomy. I got up and went to the kitchen. "Do you want another wine?" I called back to my wife. No response. I'd swear she's going deaf, but she hears everything I mutter under my breath. Both Sides of the Story is a collection of short stories from the  Tall And T...

The Gym (England, 1993): "Come on, Winnie, push." Winston arched his back and strained against the bar. "Push!" The muscles in Winston's arms and chest burned. He closed his eyes, let out a primal roar and fully locked his arms. The weights rattled for a moment before Winston steadied the bar. "Yes!" Both Sides of the Story is a collection of short stories from the  Tall And True writers...

A Council Flat (England, 1993): The sound of the twins fighting in the bedroom filled the flat. Their screams drowned out the drone of sport on the TV and the sizzle and bubble of dinner on the kitchen cooktop. "For Christ's sake, Ruth," Stu bellowed over the TV, "shut those bloody kids up, will you!" Warning: This podcast episode contains strong language and themes that may distress some listener...

(Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1993): The roar of explosives devastated the peace of the valley. Tibor had covered his ears with his hands before Milo flicked the detonator switch, but the thudding explosion set off the bells in his head again. He dropped his hands as dust and grit rained down on him and his men. When the dust cleared, it revealed the shattered shell of the century-old farmhouse. ...

Westminster (England, 1993): "Madam Speaker, I —" Baxter groaned and lifted the pen. He stuck the end in his mouth and sucked on it, searching for a better opening line. He crossed out the first words and started again. "Madam Speaker, the —" His pen froze again. "Damn it, why won't the words flow?" Both Sides of the Story is a collection of short stories from the  Tall And True  wr...

Phil Collins released Both Sides of the Story in October 1993. It was a catchy song, but I remember it more for the music video. Scenes of homelessness, domestic violence, military patrols on streets and a ghetto kid mugging a white man, juxtaposed with Collins crooning, 'We need to hear both sides of the story.' Both Sides of the Story is a collection of short stories from the Tall And True...

At primary school in Perth, Western Australia, in the 1970s, I had a teacher who was also a lay preacher on the weekends. Before schoolwork, he started the day at our (supposedly) secular state school with the Lord's Prayer and gospel readings. And his favourite scripture topic was Signs of the Second Coming. Signs of the Second Coming is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, writ...

The sky-blue swell pounded the breakwater at Borthel on Sea in a steady rhythm. John gazed out at the mountains across the broad bay and drew a deep calming breath. The anxiety that had built up and wracked him in recent months and on his spontaneous long drive from the city eased its intensity. Memories and Marshmallows is a short story from the Tall And True writers’ website, written and narrate...

The headmaster sighed and shut out the old memory. He leaned forward on his desk. "Edwards, your marks and behaviour this year have been poor enough to earn expulsion several times over." Hamilton watched the boy's chin drop. He shook his head and sighed again. Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . The podcast version of...

Hamilton leaned back, tapping the tips of his fingers together in contemplation. "An interesting dream, Edwards. What do you make of it?" Charlie shifted nervously from leg to leg. "Well, sir, I've been giving it a lot of thought since last night, and I think it was a premonition." Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . Th...

Hamilton held up a hand. "You mean to tell me, Edwards, you dreamed about the house where you live with your parents?" The boy shook his head. "No, sir, I've never seen this house before, but in my dream, I knew it was mine. And I'm not married, sir, and I don't have any kids." Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . The po...

Charlie took another deep breath to calm himself. "Well, Mr Hamilton, it was the weirdest dream I've ever had. It was more like watching TV than a dream. Only, it was me on the TV." Scenes started replaying through Charlie's head as he recounted his dream to the headmaster. Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead . The podcas...

The headmaster tapped his pen on the punishment column in the discipline file. "I'm waiting, Edwards. Why do you want to come back to school next year?" Charlie's mouth still felt dry. "Because I want to sit my exams, sir." "Yes, but why?" "Um, err—" Charlie struggled to find the words. Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fai...

The wooden bench in the hallway outside the headmaster's office was hard. It made you squirm. But once you'd sat on it, you daren't wriggle to relieve the creeping pins and needles. Because if you did, old Heavy-Handed Hamilton would look up through his glass office door and note your fidgeting. Back to School is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert...

Three minutes into the performance, and I stifled a yawn. Crammed in the front row with a clutch of fellow bored hacks, I hoped no one had noticed. However, the acclaimed actor and playwright and recently appointed head of NATS, Barry Lazarus, turned and fixed a beady eye on me from centre stage. The Performance is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robe...

By its definition, the key to good microfiction is brevity. There is no time for plot and character development; every word must count. The writer plunges the reader into the story and wrenches them back out, leaving it to the reader's imagination to reflect upon what they have read. Three Minute Microfiction features three microfiction pieces from the Tall And True writers' website, written and n...

We hit the road at sunrise. Anna complained about packing the bikes in the pre-dawn dark. But we had to make up for the kilometres we'd lost yesterday to punctures and her mishap. Our reward was a crimson landscape when the sun crested the horizon. I rode ahead, and Anna fell behind, as usual. The Choice is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairh...

My class had a lesson on "conservation" at school today. Miss said it's where people reuse old things or use new things more thoughtfully. Or do stuff differently to stop using up the Earth's resources. She said conservation is important because our planet is sick, and we need to help make it healthy again. Classroom Conservation is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written an...

"Happy anniversary, Darl." My blank look doesn't wipe the smile from his face. "It's our double anniversary, remember?" he prompts, presenting me with a single red rose. "Nine months since the party and six months since you moved in." My nan taught me to tell the truth. "Of course I remember," I lie. The Gift is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert...