The first good story that I’ve read on the internet.
Back in 1999, my first encounter in internet erotica was through storiesonline.net. The site was small at the time and there were few authors.
Lucky for me, the first story that I decided to read at the time was “Doing it all Over” by “Al Steiner“.
I was hooked and reeled in from the first paragraph.
It’s the story of a paramedic that is leading a boring, miserable life. On one of his shifts he’s asked to take an old, dying of cancer, Chinese man to the hospital. With his last few breaths, the old man asks our protagonist what his best wish was, and the answer is one most of us can relate to. He wishes to be 15 years-old again, but knowing what he now knows as an adult. Of course, strangely enough, our hero wakes up the next day in his old bedroom, in the body of his fifteen-year-old self, back in 1982.
From that point, the author takes us on a very interesting trip as our protagonist lives his teen years all over again, dealing with his past tribulations and handling them differently this time around. The author weaves a very compelling tale. Crafted with skill and a story-telling talent that few authors have.
Read the story. I’m sure that you won’t regret spending the few days that it may take you to read it.
While reading the story, I found myself reflecting on my own past life and thinking about what I would do if I had the chance to do it all over again. It’s a very powerful self exploration exercise. What would I change in my own life? All the bad experiences? Some of the good ones? If I changed all the bad experiences would I still be me? The bad experiences helped change me considerably. Would I like the new me if I didn’t live through the worst experiences of my life?
Things to ponder. What do you think? would you like to change a lot about your life?
I agree. ‘Doing It All Over’ was, I think, the first and is still the best of the ‘second chance’ genre. ‘Rewind’ by Frank Downey (now abandoned?) was in the same league – even though he was obsessed with Bruce Springsteen.
Al Steiner has been a favorite author since I’ve been reading stories on the ‘net. “Doing It All Over” probably is my second favorite. “Aftermath” would be the first, along with “A perfect World”. I don’t know why he isn’t a published author, although I think I’m glad he isn’t. Wouldn’t have any of his stories on the ‘net….
As far as changing things in my life, I think all of us have had that fantasy as some time in our lives. “Boy, if I could be 16 again, but know what I know now!”//
Will
Apologies for the pseudonym, but far more people in this community know me by that than know my RL name.
Quote: would you like to change a lot about your life?
Reply: I am 67 years old, and now I understand the answer my grandfather gave on his 90th birthday to a local newspaper.
He was asked, “If you had your life over again, would you make the same mistakes?”
He replied, “Oh, yes. But I would make them sooner.”
Most of my carefully laid plans have come to nothing. Serendipitous events and meetings have led to the most important and the most pleasant experiences of my life.
I hae to agree with your assessment of “Doing it All Over” by Al Steiner. That was one of the most compelling and profound sex stories of it’s time. The fact that it still packs a punch this many years later speaks volumes to the author’s ability. It is in my person top 20.
At first thought, I would say “Sure! where do I sign?”. But if I decide to do it, it would lead to some complicated paradoxes.
For example, if this -new me- as you say had changed so much due to different experiences, would ‘it’ agree with the prior decision of remaking your life? and if it doesn’t, could you go back AGAIN to leave everything as it was in the beginning?
Oh well, this is giving me a headache, but it’s nice to think life has a [undo] button ;-)
Hey John,
You should read all of Al Steiners Stories. I’ve been hooked since Aftermath. He is my utmost favorite author. I could see many of his novels turned into some sort of mini series or animated novel and have suggested it.
I’m currently dedicatly following Greenies, even without the sex is one of his best Story lines. Detailed and well thought out.
Anyhow. Keep posting and I’ll keep reading.
L0GiX
Al Steiner is one of the best authors on the net. I have enjoyed all his major stories.
I have read both Doing it all Over and Aftermath multiple times.
ByteBiter
Chalk up another Steiner fan, here. “Doing It All Over” saved my life.
From Doing It All Over by Al Steiner, Chapter 11:
“What’s wrong?” I asked, puzzled.
“I’m sorry Bill.” She said, her voice worried. “I don’t think I’m going to make it tonight. Daddy’s sick.”
“Sick?” I said, “What’s wrong with him?”
She shook her head. “He says it’s just the stomach flu but I don’t think so. He was sitting in his chair after dinner and he started getting all fidgety. Then he started throwing up. He’s all pale right now and sweaty and he looks like he’s not breathing right.”
“Sweaty?” I asked, feeling an instant return of my paramedic instinct. When people were sweaty for no good reason, something was usually very wrong. That in conjunction with “not breathing right” made me immediately concerned.
“Yes.” Nina nodded. “I’ve seen people in the ER that look like he does now.” She told me. “And usually they’re very sick. I’m worried about him Bill. I’ve been trying to get him to let me take him to the hospital but he’s being stubborn. He’s scared, I can tell, but he won’t go. I want to stay here in case something happens.”
“Let me see him.” I said suddenly.
“Bill,” She shook her head. “I don’t think…”
I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I pushed past her and entered the Blackmore house for the first time in many months.
“Bill!” Nina protested.
“Where is he?” I asked her.
She looked at me for a moment, her eyes scared, her own face pale. She pointed to the kitchen. “In the den.” She said. “Through there.”
“Come on.” I told her, heading that way.
Mr. Blackmore’s den was a room that had been built to house a bedroom. He had long since converted it to his own personal use. An oak, roll-top desk was the dominant piece of furniture. It sat against the far wall. It’s surface was scattered with books containing lovingly placed stamps beneath plastic covers. On the wall above the desk a deer rifle sat in a rack. On either side of this were large racks taken from an elk and a deer. On a small love seat next to the desk was Mr. Blackmore.
“Jesus.” I muttered, looking at him.
He looked worse than Nina had led me to believe. His skin was not merely pale but was gray and ashen. Sweat was glistening off of him, his shirt was damp with it. His mouth was open and he was breathing rapidly, seeming to struggle to get air in. His right arm was massaging his left shoulder.
“What are YOU doing here?” Mrs. Blackmore, who was sitting next to him, asked sharply.
I ignored her. “Mr. Blackmore.” I told him, walking over. “You need to go to the hospital. Now.”
He looked up at me. “Bill,” He said, shaking his head. “I think you’d better leave. Sorry to have to postpone your little date.” This last was said quite sarcastically.
I reached down and grabbed his wrist, feeling for a pulse.
“You will LEAVE this house immediately!” Mrs. Blackmore told me, ripping his hand away from mine.
“I know what I’m doing.” I said forcefully, meeting her gaze. We stared for a second and she finally dropped her eyes.
I took his wrist back, finding his radial pulse. It was beating rapidly and irregularly, sometimes not pulsating for as long as six seconds. I noticed that when I could not feel the pulsations, Mr. Blackmore’s breathing became more ragged at the same time. Though I did not have a cardiac monitor on me, I had a pretty good idea of why this was happening.
“Nina,” I said. “Go call 911 and get an ambulance here.”
“What?” Mr. Blackmore said. “I don’t think…”
“Do it now.” I told Nina calmly and with unmistakable command in my voice.
She gave a quick glance towards her father. “No Nina.” He told her. “I’ll be all right.”
“Do it Nina.” I said firmly. “Tell them he’s having a heart attack.”
Nina was convinced. She rushed to the phone. Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore were not. They called once after her but quickly realized it was futile. When she was gone they turned to me.
“How dare you come into this house and…” Mrs. Blackmore started.
“What do you think you’re…” Mr. Blackmore started.
“Quiet, both of you!” I barked. It had the desired effect.
“Mr. Blackmore.” I said, looking at him. “Are you having chest pain right now?”
“No.” He told me. “Just some indigestion. She made some spicy food tonight and it didn’t agree with me.”
“Uh huh.” I nodded. “Why are you rubbing your shoulder like that?”
“It’s sore.” He said. “What business is this…”
“Show me where your chest hurts.” I told him. “Point with your finger.”
Rolling his eyes upward he put a finger right in the middle of his chest. “Right here.” He told me. “It’s just indigestion.”
“Indigestion doesn’t hurt right there.” I told him. “It hurts down here.” I put my finger just under his rib cage. “And it doesn’t radiate up to your left shoulder either. And it doesn’t make you short of breath or sweaty. It doesn’t make you throw up. And it most definitely doesn’t make your pulse irregular. Have you ever had heart problems before?”
“No!” He said.
“You’re having them now.” I said. “You’re having a heart attack Mr. Blackmore and a very dangerous one if I’m right about what I’m feeling in your pulse. You need to get to the hospital, now.”
“What the hell do you know about it?” He asked angrily. “You’re just a kid.”
I smiled, gazing at him meaningfully. “We’ve had this conversation before.” I said. “Do we need to rehash it? I think you’re having a heart attack. Go to the hospital with the ambulance when it gets here. If I’m wrong, then you’ll get to say I told you so.”
Before he could answer Mary Blackmore spoke up. “Jack.” She said softly. “Why don’t you do what he says?”
I looked over at her in surprise. She was the last person in the world I expected to have as an ally in this thing. I saw raw, naked fear in her eyes. I think she knew that I was right and she was terrified that she was about to lose her husband. So terrified that she was even willing to listen to me.
“Listen to your wife Sir.” I told him. “You want to see your grandkids someday don’t you?”
“Okay.” He nodded. “Once again young man, you’ve stated your case well.”
So, it’s Sunday Evening, December 19, 2004. I’m (as usual) all alone in my house. I’ve had arm pain in the right arm for weeks. (Relax – it’s a humorous nerve thing, as it turns out. Causes pain and numbness. But still…) After dinner, the pain migrates to the left arm and chest as well. I regret dinner, but “this discomfort will pass.” I nap, maybe 90 minutes. Up again, still hurts. I try to relax it away, with less and less success.
Finally, 1 AM approaches, and Al Steiner’s scene above plays through my head, all of it. Nausea? No, not really. Sweaty? You betcha. Buckets and rivers. Chest pain, radiating to the arms? Bingo. Breathing difficulty? If it weren’t for short breathes, I’da had none at all. Denial? Up to now, you betcha. But Al Steiner’s punk kid Billie would be sure I was having a heart attack. Best I call for an ambulance – I can always make fun of Al Steiner afterwards, right? Instead, I’m publicly thanking Al for writing a scene that Saved My Life.
Oh, we still had some drama to go. I called my daughter first. “Jennifer, I think I’m having a heart attack. Can you take me to the hospital?” Instant panicked 19YO with 1YO baby at 1AM, and it’s 18° outside. “Dad, call 911! They’ll send an ambulance!”
Hang up. Dial 911. Explain the emergency. “Sir, do you have someone who can take you? The local rescue vehicle is tied up elsewhere, yada yada yada, at least an hour”
Hang up. Call my daughter. Explain again. (Well, I don’t expect HER to drive me, but my grandson does have a father…) Ronnie didn’t drive. In his own way, he’s as sensitive and panicky as Jennifer. Sandy Drove. Sandy, “my housekeeper,” the young woman who comes in every 2 weeks to straighten me up. Ronnie came with, and Josh, her husband. Sandy delivered me, on icy roads in the (pardon the expression) dead of night.
DIAO is a Damn Fine Story!
Wow… Just, wow.
WOW. I found a PDF file of “Doing it all Over” dont remember where but I found it. I started reading it and that is how i found SOL. Back when you could download as many stories as you wanted per day. I would say pushing 6yrs at least. Amazing how one great story can bring people to the same place.
I’ve read this one many times. Certain spots still bring a tear. One favorite scene is in the hospital after Jack’s heart attack where Mary finally figures out that Bill isn’t going to break Nina’s heart and talks to Bill about it.
One of my all time favorites. Too bad it has a bit too much sex to be published. Actually, considering what gets published today, why shouldn’t it be published. Same with Aftermath and A Perfect World.
I would not consider Al Steiner’s work unpublished. It may not be published on paper, but unpublished the work certainly is not.
Just from reactions on this site, it is clear that there are a large number of persons that have read and, dare I say continue to, enjoy his work. Copyright law does still apply. I for one am glad that Al Steiner has chosen the electronic form of publishing. It allows me to look for his work when I want wherever I want.
just my 2 cents
regards
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I think he may also be a mainstream author from comments I’ve read by him. No idea who, though.
Sure I would change a few things in my life one big one would be a surfing acident I got into just before my last year of HS and the other would be a car acident where I ran into a phone pole! It would be nice to go back in time but still know what I know now or get sent into the future where space/time travel is posable ;-)!
Simple. I would have divorced my wife the first time she cheated on me. Once a cheater — always a cheater. There’s no hope for rehabilitation — only more pain.
I enjoyed “Doing It All Over,” and enjoy that type of story, but I really think “Aftermath” is the better story.
“Aftermath” I have read two or three times, and is a yarn Al can be really proud of. Erotic and action packed, It’s like a darkside sequel to Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle’s “Lucifer Hammer,” a great book I read in my youth, But I think “Aftermath” has a more realistic view of the horror and ugliness that would occur.
‘Aftermath’ and ‘Doing it all Over’ are totatlly different genre’s. They have no crossover.
‘Doing it all Over’ is a ‘what if’ with a warning. A how you (as a person with morals and life experience) might wish you would have dealt with the situations you were faced with as a teenager, and did not.
‘Aftermath’ is a journey into the dark side of human nature, exacerbated by adverse conditions. A complete re-evaluation of social mores, and ethics is needed for survival.
These two genre’s do not compete. Both have a message. Each worth listening to. Neither invalidates the other.
My distintion here is:
there is no ‘better’ they _are_ different each commenting on and elucidating their respective points of view. That an author is capable of writing in both genre’s, and succeeding in touching a heart, is praise-worthy. That is what makes Al Steiner an author I enjoy reading.
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Of Topic:
Regarding re-evaluation of social mores and ehtics F.M. Busby’s ‘The Breeds of Man’ springs to mind.
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Al Steiner is one of my favorite authors. He’s also a writer of more ‘mainstream’ works. He included an example ‘Sacking the Quaterback’ at StoriesOnline from a reader request.
‘Doing It All Over’ and ‘Aftermath’ are both saved in my ‘Favorites’ folder on my hard drive.
Al Steiner asks and answers political, ethical and moral questions in a literary genre that most Americans seem to think is immoral. I am so encouraged to see the thoughtful and admiring comments in this string on his work. I too hope that he will be published on paper, if for no other reasons than it would broaden his audience and perhaps reward him monetarily for his fine (and often, very sexy) work.
LCL
I have devoured all of Al Steiner’s novels and short stories. Once I start reading his stories I can’t stop until I finish. When I come to the end of a chapter in the “in progress” stories I am like a junkie waiting for a fix.
Al Steiner is by far the best writer published on SOL, and much better than many writers published on paper. His level of detail without boredom is excellent.
I have often wondered if he is not publshed on paper using a different name. If so, I would love to know his pen name.
Ken
My reaction is “Yeah–what Ken said.”
I can’t claim to have seen the work of all the authors who’ve contributed to StoriesOnLine.net, but many have been sampled. Hands down, Al Steiner is the best. I loved “Doing It All Over”, “Aftermath”, “A Perfect World”, “Intemperance”, and all the shorter stories. SOL is a frequent stop, checking for the next “Greenies” chapter. Having this stuff on a Palm device is even handier than carrying around a paperback.
Maybe willyb220 is right–it would be great to see a novel by Al Steiner on a shelf in a bookstore…as long as we could still have the first crack at it on-line.
If I could go back and do it all over, life would be better. You get to keep what you know now, right? I’d have already read the collected works of Al Steiner.
Swede
Toned down a little (;-)) Aftermath would make one hell of a Spielberg blockbuster. After all, it has everything. I have now read it five times, each time I love it even more. DIAO I most certainly enjoyed, but Aftermath is far and away my favourite. I’m pretty sure I sent a similar email to Al Steiner when I read Aftermath first of all but I probably should just send a copy of it to Spielberg!
Onya, Al!
“Doing it all over” was my first internet story I have ever read. I just finished it and it was hands down a great great story off the net or on. I look forward to reading everything Al Steiner has ever written. Thanks for a great read. I loved it more than I can say. I have passed it on to every person I know.
DIAO was one of the best stories I have ever read on-line or off. Just the premise of being able to start over is mindboggling. I know a few things I would have to change(my 1st marriage for sure), but, would it have a negative outcome for the rest of my life as they were important aspects in molding me to the person I am today. A conundrum.
The Steiner story that I believe Spielberg could have the most fun with is A Perfect World. Aftermath is great too, and I couldn’t choose which is better. I do wonder about Greenies. It seems like we must already know the ending, having read A Perfect World before Greenies was posted. But I do eagerly await each chapter. And I also eagerly anticipate another installment of Intemperance.
I discovered Al Steiner when I accidentally logged in to Stories on line. Both Aftermath and DIAO are among the greats in this genre. But what about Tajod’s “CHOICES”. It’s from Oz and I think that it”s a terrific story (tear jerker romance if you like) and I would like to hear from people about this great story. But no mistake about Aftermath and DIAO. Today I log regularly into Stories on line and when my net cionnection went sour I really had a bad case of withdrawal.
Khalid Mehta
MALAYSIA.
As many have already said, Al Steiner is a great writer. As one who has tried to write I sincerely envy his depth of character development — not just a couple of primary characters, but virtually every one in each of his texts.
I, too, am hooked on “Greenies” and find myself checking daily to see if he’s posted anything additional. This one, along with “A Perfect World” would make a great pair of films. These days, they wouldn’t even have to be edited very much.
Aftermath was one of the first adult stories I’ve ever read. DIAO followed much later, and of Al Steiners stories I like A Perfect World best. Actually I’m hesitating to start reading Greenings because I’m quite sure it can only pale in comparison to A Perfect World, and even may tone the latter down.
I generally avoid to start reading a story before it is finished, and although I waited probably a year for Greenies to be finished, I still only have started to read the first half of the Prolog. But I will read it, that’s for sure.
Unfortunately I cannot read a story twice. Although I do not have a photographic memory, I remember everything as soon as I start reading a once read story again. My wife can read a story, or watch a movie in cinema, and will have forgotten everything in a year and can savour it completely new again. I wish, I could do that. Besides that, reading a story a second time takes the time I could read a new story. I’m just to curious to miss this chance ;-) .
I think I have read all major “second-chance” stories. While reading such a story, I am wondering if I would like such a thing happen to me. I’m struggling, since taking a second chance would mean to give up the first chance. What again would mean to give up my wife, the love of my life. I don’t think I want to do that. However, if it just happens, as in some of that stories, I definitly would take the second chance I try to make the best out of it. And I’m quite sure that I would do a lot of things either different or more efficient.
Seing at my life at the age of nearly 50, I see that I have missed a lot of chances and definitly haven’t made the best out of it. But afterwards you always know better.
DIAO has been one of my favorite stories of all time. Another story to read if you want something very erotic.
Adventures of Me and Martha Jane by Santos J. Romeo. He wrote only the one story but It has become my all time favorite.
Perhaps this is the wrong place to post this but I could not find another place to add my 2 cents.
OK everyone has raised the flag fro Al but not too many answered the original question, “Would you do it again”?.
I am 67 yrs old and had a very diverse life. I do not think I would change one iota of my life. I have been a merchant seaman, convict(4 times), drug dealer, biker, radio personality, husband (3 times) father (3 times) and generally an asshole. I have 17 yrs sober and today I like life and live it to the max, and I would not change anything.
Yes, I want to a second chance. There was always (small or big) mistakes in this life that you hoped you didn’t do.
And Yes, Al Steiner is and will always be my most favorite writer.
My other favorite authors are Nick Scipio, Cat5, Rev. Cotton Mather, Daniellekitten, DG Hear, Patricia51, El Sol, EON, Frank Downey, Argon-3, also not forgeting Santos J. Romeo that believe everyone of us(men) have a Martha Jane in our live.
Ah, youth is wasted on the young or so I’ve heard.
Would I go back and change anything if I could?
No, for to do so would not necessarily be for the better and would wipe out the good that has come of this adventure that is, laughingly, called Life.–Zaffen
http://allpoetry.com/Zaffen
Something has me worried. Al hasn’t updated “Intemperance, Volume 2-Standing On Top” since November 24th, 2006. That’s not like him. I hope all is well and he was just busy with the holidays.
One of the first stories I read online was “Doing it all Over.†It was one of the best stories available on the web at that time. I say that because Al Steiner added so many stories since then and they keep improving.
After reading A Perfect World a character started running around in my head. By the time he finally became fully developed Al was writing “Greenies.†Al Steiner graciously consented to my use of his universe to write the story of David Reed, a man that fate places in the right place at the right time. By this time next year I hope to complete his story so he will give me some rest.
As to the question would I live my life differently? I do not think I would. Although, I made countless blunders and mistakes during my fifty plus years of life; the end result is, I ended up where I am today. Some of the major errors I made early in life actually put me on a course where I met the two people who mean more to me than life itself. Anything which would change that would make me a poorer person in the things that matter most.
I did not intend to send the previous comments anonymously. For some reason when I submitted them the name was erased.
Mocha1120
I would love to live my life over again and know all that I know now. I would save for retirement with the knowledge of how fast the years go by; I would study hard and milk every opporturnity to prepare for a wealthier future. I would definately drop some friends and take on others. In the process, I suppose I would make new mistakes and wish that I could do it all over again and perhaps, do it the way I did this time around after all. Oh, I’ll never know. Thank God. Once around is probably enough!
I would rate this one of best stories I have read, published or unpublished. I have read it many times over. I still read parts of story, especially interaction between Protagonist and Nina.
I would suggest “stitch in time” by Marsh Alien, not upto the same caliber but close.
I hate to ignite a flame war but I found Rewind better. In a way, I felt that Doing It All Over had too much sex at the begining, but it was a great read. Many times since I read Rewind I have envisioned myself in such a situation. Also, Rewind is the only story ever, print and internet, to nearly make me cry. The scene with Eddie and Beth still wrenches my heart to this day. I wish he would finish it. That is what DIAO has that Rewind does not, you know how it ends. I wish Frank would finish someday.
I would rate when Bill talks to Nina at the hospital as one of my top scenes though. You could feel how Bill felt as he poured his heart out to Nina, trying to win her back. It is one of the truest depictions of emotion I have ever read. I don’t know how I would change my life if I could, but I know there are things I would change.
DIAO was one of my first stories. And honestly, it spoiled me! I just started reading online stories and decided to read that one first. From then on I’ve been looking for stories of the same caliber. I’ve come close! Rewind, for me, starts almost exactly like DIAO, but quickly develops to a seriously enjoyable story, though at the end it became apparent that the author either got sick of writing the story or ran out of juice. The tearjerker with Ed and Beffie made my heart ache! Haha! So, that’s my 2(South African) cents! Anyone wanna point me to some equally talented writers? Much appreciated! Dankie! Thank you.