Transmission of information and stories via the oral medium is the origin of all narrative. It is not surprising, therefore, that its appeal continues to be universal in the modern era. Part of the reason is convenience. When life keeps people too busy to sit down and read they can still listen to an audio rendition as they travel from one destination to another, complete the chores or perform a hobby.

I've always loved reading yet being read to held certain special glow. Part of it was the family interaction. When dad read to my sister and I he was theatrically engaged, performing unique character voices and gesticulating to embellish the story. Our mother's readings were less dramatic yet more contemplative, encouraging reflection of the material. I appreciate both methods of storytelling and would place my own style as somewhere between the two.

My readings lack the exuberance of my father's yet I am gradually expanding my repertoire of voices and inflections. The voice I use when reading description is soft and I imagine that some of the thoughts I have while reading are subtly communicated through my voice. The creation of unique voices, complete with accents, is an area of audio storytelling that I must work at improving. Even before I decided to create audio renditions of my work I enjoyed reading aloud since it adds another element to even a familiar story.

This topic is relevant since I have begun experimenting with narrating some of my short stories. I love the idea of bringing them to life in another medium and thereby making them more accessible. In addition to improving my reading technique, the issue of audio technology is a new area I must navigate. A quality microphone is key as well as the software to capture the recordings then share them with the wider world.

At the moment I am exploring using Windows Movie Maker to create a video file that I can upload to Youtube. Much like the other audio books and stories that can be found there, I would use an image associated with the story but the entertainment value would come exclusively from the audio content.

What are your thoughts on audio stories? What do you like or dislike about ones you've heard?

Grassroots Reflections, my nonfiction account of growing up in a rural reality, illustrates how agriculture has played an important part in my life. At this time of year, when the trees and plants are lush with new leaves, the first flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing between blossoms, the itch to interact with the natural world makes me restless.

Now embedded in city life, I don't have many opportunities to play in the soil so I satisfy my interest by reading about food and gardening. Currently I am enjoying a book on permaculture, a style of gardening that's much more in tune with the cycles of nature than modern farming. The concept of permaculture is relatively simple: construct gardens that mimic nature.

For instance, if you want to have your own apples, install an apple tree then assemble plants around it to support its needs. These plants can and should be multi-functional. Some should attract beneficial insects, others fix nutrients into the soil. Still more should have deep root structures to break-up compacted soil and facilitate aeration. These guilds can incorporate a vast array of plants since a variety of species can perform the functions an apple tree needs.

My priority in these guilds would be food plants since I love being able to eat the fruits (and veggies) of my efforts. The runner up would be plants that encourage a diversity of wildlife who will not compete with me for my food plants. An excellent book on the subject is 'Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture' by Toby Hemenway. It clearly illustrates the benefits of guild planting and how to design an ecological garden. A lot of upfront planning is required but that planning should lead to a self-sufficient garden.

Writing is food for the soul rather than the belly yet both are important in human existence. The initial burst of inspiration is full of potential yet must be nurtured to maturity when it will provide the greatest benefit. The act of writing, much like gardening, can be therapeutic. It is a time for reflection and acknowledgment that one is part of something larger.

Both art and food are largely taken for granted now, although there are movements of dedicated people who recognise the importance of each and educate others about them. You are what you eat and what you read. A story can transform one's perspective of the world and influence the course of their life. Few activities are as important as the labours that put food on our table. Equally important for us in the information age is the exposure to diverse ideas and concepts that will help us shape the most positive world possible.