tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90280106518689556112024-03-05T07:55:14.690+00:00Fifteen Days without a Head and other storiesA blog by children's author Dave Cousins.Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-13306142626399761322021-02-05T10:46:00.001+00:002021-02-05T10:49:18.617+00:00My Robot's Gone Wild! New Book in the Robot Babysitter series, Out Now!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5I51jVWg2dt66KEyY1iHUPFOsKxwG0lUrdrL_xI7WWNbAkG0TZMCSeWK7vkIUhtwu6rV0hmSABb3n-IVV6NifStTElYAc9lsztOC7sbW7PqNESnlXNhkgvpSO1BUVdiscYEPWZBLQO1K/s1024/My-Robots-Gone-Wild-splash-1024px.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1024" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5I51jVWg2dt66KEyY1iHUPFOsKxwG0lUrdrL_xI7WWNbAkG0TZMCSeWK7vkIUhtwu6rV0hmSABb3n-IVV6NifStTElYAc9lsztOC7sbW7PqNESnlXNhkgvpSO1BUVdiscYEPWZBLQO1K/w400-h308/My-Robots-Gone-Wild-splash-1024px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hi folks, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Belated best wishes for the New Year – I hope all is well with you and yours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm posting today to announce that the fourth (and final) book in the Robot Babysitter series is now available.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Emma, at <b>Primary Teacher Bookshelf</b>, did a great review that sums up the story very nicely. She kindly allowed me to use it here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">"<b>My Robot’s Gone Wild is an epic finale to this series of books … a real ‘coming-of-age,’ ‘moving on’ story, that will appeal to children in Year 6 thinking about their transition to high school and all the changes that lie ahead.</b> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jake, his twin sister, best friend Ali and school-friend Ivana are spending one last summer together before ‘big school’ camping in the Scottish Wilderness. They’re pitching up at Granny Anderson’s place and Jake can’t wait to see Robin his robot babysitter again. He’s also really looking forward to hanging out with his best mate, but it would seem Ali only has eyes for Ivana now and Jake’s worried he might have lost his best bud for good. His summer is looking lonely, but when Granny’s Highland cattle are stolen, Jake & his friends end up having one last adventure they’ll never forget … </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>There’s some really appealing themes between the pages alongside the adventure … that most upper primary pupils will identify with.</b>"– <a href="https://primaryteacherbookshelf.wordpress.com/2021/02/02/my-robots-gone-wild/?preview=true" target="_blank"><b><i>Emma Kuyateh, Primary Teacher Bookshelf</i></b></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you happen to have a robot fan to hand and would like to buy a copy … THANK YOU! I've set up a <a href="https://www.davecousins.net/bookshop/" target="_blank"><b>'bookshop'</b></a> of sorts on my website with links to various places you might like to purchase from.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To watch some videos and find out more about the rest of the stories in the series, <a href="https://www.davecousins.net/robot-babysitter-7/" target="_blank">click here for the robots page on my website</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thanks for reading.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Take care of yourselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Best wishes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dave</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-78486270866259844602020-12-18T15:16:00.000+00:002020-12-18T15:16:16.715+00:00Seasons Greetings!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQh0tR04cTbz1wDh7uFdZLlgQ20p_XnOeMQIDrP_YQ_viSSakOLg3M1Zghw5jUtslR7x64urzjOUb7jOawiwelH7FAXnWpUfGhqkeEDWm0b3xm6sttwU-AdY-mAGLm48u0sX6ex_PLFYv/s1000/dave-cousins-robot-sleigh-xmas-2020-1000px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1000" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQh0tR04cTbz1wDh7uFdZLlgQ20p_XnOeMQIDrP_YQ_viSSakOLg3M1Zghw5jUtslR7x64urzjOUb7jOawiwelH7FAXnWpUfGhqkeEDWm0b3xm6sttwU-AdY-mAGLm48u0sX6ex_PLFYv/w400-h291/dave-cousins-robot-sleigh-xmas-2020-1000px.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As we all know, <b>it's just not Christmas until you've seen a robot in a sleigh …</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You're telling me that's not a thing where you're from!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seriously?!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Just a quick post to say thanks, once again, for your support this year folks. I hope that you and yours are safe and well, and would like to wish you all the best for a the festive season. Here's hoping 2021 brings better news for everyone.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Take care and all the best, <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dave</span></span><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-40612848940864054562020-12-11T14:35:00.002+00:002021-01-07T13:55:23.705+00:00Signed Books for Christmas … and beyond!<p><b><span style="font-size: 20px;">Looking for a personalised gift for the
book lover in your life? Don't know what to buy for that robot-obsessed
whipper snapper in the family? Well, I might just be
able to help you out there …</span></b></p><p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">If you'd like to buy a copy of one of my books, first of all – <strong>thank you!</strong></span>
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 20px;">Ideally, you'll have a local bookshop
you can purchase from – one of those hallowed spaces where you can walk
around and browse the books on the shelves while
inhaling the heady scent of ink on paper … </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;">Sorry, where was I? Ah,
that's right – bookshops. Sadly, actual bricks and mortar bookshops are
an increasingly rare and endangered species, so if you
don't have a local shop you can visit in person, I've outlined a few
alternative options below.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o5Z26QcVkxDnM7nJw-fYy5PGjlPUNGAndCFhPhIzAy1hM17hLekszLa3q6kupAapuzJ1OO38xo8HMTvW9qjUicLtMI6hf6bQ2zrsjf5uvz5Kze4yjvj1lpYKADovuGwX3m-D0rg2w1Gf/s500/robot-babysitter-signed-bookplates-500px.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o5Z26QcVkxDnM7nJw-fYy5PGjlPUNGAndCFhPhIzAy1hM17hLekszLa3q6kupAapuzJ1OO38xo8HMTvW9qjUicLtMI6hf6bQ2zrsjf5uvz5Kze4yjvj1lpYKADovuGwX3m-D0rg2w1Gf/w400-h400/robot-babysitter-signed-bookplates-500px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 30px;"><strong><span style="color: #367614;"> </span></strong></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 30px;"><strong><span style="color: #367614;">ROBOT SERIES</span> BOOKS WITH <span style="color: #367614;">SIGNED BOOKPLATES</span> BY ILLUSTRATOR CATALINA ECHEVERRI AND
ME!<br /></strong></span>
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 20px;">As part of an initiative to support
independent bookshops in the current difficult times, <b>Catalina
Echeverri</b> – the brilliant illustrator of the Robot Babysitter
books – has designed some bespoke bookplates. Cata created and
signed all the bookplates, then posted them to me in Wales, where I
added my signature, then posted them on to <b>four</b><strong> independent bookshops</strong> who have joined us in this venture
(details below). Don't worry if you don't live locally to any of these
shops, as Alligator's, Chicken and Coles all take orders
online.</span> </p><p> </p><span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>THE ALLIGATOR'S MOUTH</strong>, Richmond TW9</span>
<p>
<a href="http://thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" title="thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/shop"><span style="font-size: 20px;">thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/shop</span></a>
</p>
<p><br /></p><p><strong style="font-size: 20px;">CHICKEN AND FROG</strong><span style="font-size: 20px;">, Brentwood CM14</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://chickenandfrog.com">chickenandfrog.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>COLES BOOKS</strong>, Bicester OX26</span>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://coles-books.co.uk" target="_blank" title="coles-books.co.uk"><span style="font-size: 20px;">coles-books.co.uk</span></a>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;"><strong>WIMBLEDON BOOKS</strong>, London SW19</span>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://wimbledonbooks.co.uk" target="_blank" title="wimbledonbooks.co.uk"><span style="font-size: 20px;">wimbledonbooks.co.uk</span></a>
</p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"> </span>
</p><p>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 30px;"><strong>SIGNED COPIES WITH A PERSONALISED DEDICATION</strong></span>
</p>
<p>
</p><span style="font-size: 20px;">I have a limited stock of the titles below and would be delighted to sign and dedicate a copy as requested.</span> <span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Books cost £8 each plus P&P.</span> Please <a href="mailto:dave@davecousins?subject=Signed books enquiry">email me</a> with the details and I'll confirm the full price
including postage. Thanks.</span><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QbdQTJL6PkaDkOBLkhxNBIRvijdslJZ43DXMQYl10DVdxDO6U0wtFKAX8RpiwoftgKMb72FHXDhkEiGhi_6s4APdJgmgKXe6viwfqrAmblRDaD_HM2BBmPF0wmqztP4TfC99YDTCgiLm/s1000/Dave-Cousins-books-4-sale-web-1000px.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="1000" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QbdQTJL6PkaDkOBLkhxNBIRvijdslJZ43DXMQYl10DVdxDO6U0wtFKAX8RpiwoftgKMb72FHXDhkEiGhi_6s4APdJgmgKXe6viwfqrAmblRDaD_HM2BBmPF0wmqztP4TfC99YDTCgiLm/w400-h136/Dave-Cousins-books-4-sale-web-1000px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p>
<span style="font-size: 30px;"><strong>BOOKSHOP.ORG</strong></span> <br /></p><p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">Again, in an effort to support independent bookshops I have joined the <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/pages/about" target="_blank" title="https://uk.bookshop.org/pages/about">bookshop.org</a> initiative. The copies available here are <strong>not signed</strong>,
but the full profit from your order will either go to a specific
local bookshop you'd like to support, or contribute to an earnings
pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookshops.<br /></span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">As well as copies of my own books, <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/DaveCousins" target="_blank" title="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/DaveCousins">my bookshop
page</a> also features lists of some of my favourite books. If
you're in need of some inspiration for Christmas presents, why not have a
browse?</span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">Thanks for your support. Enjoy the stories and have a great festive season!</span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">Take care and best wishes</span>
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 20px;">Dave</span>
</p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"> </span>
</p><p><span style="font-size: 20px;"> </span></p>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-30935033574670570612020-11-16T17:01:00.000+00:002020-11-16T17:01:30.820+00:00A VIEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS! Book Week Scotland 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYiZ47bb-JLEbfvOO7zi-y_MCdCty33kpr460wNMqzawbgsjSX2ihiaxY1DtnmJgp6BURpk_Fo5-kWvl2pZbybCGFbqjUzCrk9dn-H8QaDng077y12c1bVsi2Li3mHzNj0jm-65MPdYlp/s780/BookWeekScotland2020.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYiZ47bb-JLEbfvOO7zi-y_MCdCty33kpr460wNMqzawbgsjSX2ihiaxY1DtnmJgp6BURpk_Fo5-kWvl2pZbybCGFbqjUzCrk9dn-H8QaDng077y12c1bVsi2Li3mHzNj0jm-65MPdYlp/s320/BookWeekScotland2020.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>As part of the 2020 Book Week Scotland celebrations I was invited to make a short film where I share "a view of my favourite things".</b> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm a bit of a hoarder, so it was tough deciding which of my favourite things to talk about! If you'd like to find out what I chose, <b>the video is available to watch for FREE this Friday (20/11/20) by following the </b></span><a href="https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-week-scotland/events/2020/a-view-of-my-favourite-things-with-dave-cousins" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"><b>LINK HERE</b></a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> or via the Book Week Scotland website where you'll find details of lots of other great events. If you do decide to have a look, I hope you enjoy it – apologies in advance for the terrible noises! Thanks to Moira and Elaine in Dundee for inviting me to take part.</span></span></div><div><p><br /> </p></div>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-37809524362371965342020-08-17T12:28:00.000+01:002020-08-17T12:28:37.936+01:00National Literacy Trust #FitforLit Alternative Sports Day Challenge<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With COVID-19 set to have a disastrous impact on the literacy of the 4.6 million children living in poverty in the UK, the <b>National Literacy Trust is raising money to fund projects to support these children</b>. <br /><br /> The <b>#FITFORLIT Alternative Sports Day challenge</b> invites you to film or photograph yourself doing something active with a book – maybe set up a book obstacle course, or see how many books you can weight-lift! <br /><br /> I decided to attempt to read out loud the first chapter of <i><b>A Robot Ate My Grandma</b></i> while out running! Watch <b><a href="https://youtu.be/LlIZqMFbrD4" target="_blank">the video</a></b> below to find out how I got on.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="330" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LlIZqMFbrD4" width="478" youtube-src-id="LlIZqMFbrD4"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Why not have a go yourself?</b> Challenge three friends to join in too! Visit the <a href="https://literacytrust.org.uk/events/fitforlit/" target="_blank">Literacy Trust #FitforLit website</a> for more info and ideas for how to get involved. <br /><br /> <b>If you are able to donate</b> a few pounds it would be much appreciated and a huge help to this important project. Please visit <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fitforlit">https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fitforlit</a> or text FITFORLIT to 70085 to donate £3 (texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message). Thank you! <br /><br /> Thanks for reading and watching the video of my pain! Have fun with your own #FitforLit challenge. <br /><br /> Take care and all the best, Dave. </span></span></p>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-20613738501625814382020-08-06T00:30:00.000+01:002020-08-06T00:30:03.612+01:00A Robot Ate My Grandma – 3rd story in the Robot Babysitter series OUT NOW!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1jKDcdf3iTU" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hi folks, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope you're all doing OK and staying safe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There's not been much to celebrate these past few months, so I'm really pleased to have a small piece of good news to announce. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The third book in the Robot Babysitter series I've been doing for Stripes/Little Tiger Press comes out today!</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAChX-IAxvaXvI5wpV8d-qnpLtHwo91Y4gp7Tp9NMZqqwVrPyRQiK5u8PCtG0wS9NPdKSAEACFFnT-zOOpuNOUKC63um4qCWWv2XMWYSSiWeUKUiCtLhbkZQonflVkk8dAl3AZ8y3Qu8T/s1600/A-Robot-Ate-My-Grandma-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAChX-IAxvaXvI5wpV8d-qnpLtHwo91Y4gp7Tp9NMZqqwVrPyRQiK5u8PCtG0wS9NPdKSAEACFFnT-zOOpuNOUKC63um4qCWWv2XMWYSSiWeUKUiCtLhbkZQonflVkk8dAl3AZ8y3Qu8T/s320/A-Robot-Ate-My-Grandma-web.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>A ROBOT ATE MY GRANDMA</b> finds the gang in another mess of trouble – this time with a mystery to solve. When Grandma goes missing and appears to have been replaced by a mechanical version of herself (AKA RoboGran), the twins' robot babysitter Robin activates his built-in <i>detective mode</i> and gets on the case (with Digby the dog as Dr Watson!). Unfortunately, Robin starts malfunctioning, and then a pair of strange and unexpected visitors arrive. Will they provide what the gang needs to solve the mystery or make things even worse? Only time will tell …</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had a lot of fun writing this one and, as always, Catalina has produced some fantastic illustrations to bring the characters and the action alive on the page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">If you'd like a sneak preview, there's a video of me reading chapter one at the top of the page – I hope you enjoy it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take care and all the best</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dave</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">PS. If you'd like a sample of the second story in the series, you can watch <a href="https://davecousins.blogspot.com/2020/07/is-my-teacher-robot-video-extract.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Is My Teacher a Robot?</b></i> here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first two stories in the series are also <b><a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Is-My-Teacher-a-Robot-Audiobook/1839630906?plink=c1322351-5d17-47&ref=a_pd_My-Bab_c5_adblp13npbxx_1_1&pf_rd_p=cdd68838-37ce-47e6-b5cb-c61b95dce7e1&pf_rd_r=NKBJVQ1XBNZ64KFPJV0T" target="_blank">available as audiobooks</a></b>, read by the excellent Peter Kenny.</span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-35371081987298420762020-07-16T16:28:00.000+01:002020-07-16T16:28:59.069+01:00Is My Teacher a Robot? Video extract<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/agJfM3H5WrE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/agJfM3H5WrE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hi folks,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope all is well with you and yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Is My Teacher a Robot?</i></b> – the second story in the 'Robot Babysitter' series came out back in February and I've been meaning to record an extract ever since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With schools closed and events cancelled or postponed, I've put the unexpected free time to good use and finally put the above video together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's me reading the start of the story accompanied by <a href="https://www.cataverri.com/" target="_blank">Catalina Echeverri</a>'s excellent illustrations from the book. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Those of a certain age will spot that I'm channeling a 1970s <i>Jackanory</i> vibe here with the somewhat shoogly animation! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I'm thinking <i>Rhubarb and Custard</i> for the next one …?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Take care and all the best,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Dave </span><br />
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<br />Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-23351378510581409932020-05-21T12:55:00.000+01:002020-05-21T12:55:17.376+01:00Book at Bedtime? Robot Audiobooks Out Now!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hi folks,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope all is well with you and yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm currently in self-imposed lockdown in my shed and not allowed out until I've finished my new book! When it's done, this will be the fourth story in the series about twins Jake and Jess and their accident-prone robot. I've had a lot of fun writing these and it's been great to hear that readers are enjoying them too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgy5HIEG_pRxR-vGcoaZkqxSDVV8fSX-3-aQWvO962E2gVJWzOKSKyI_SkNDgTxSrPYX94fglq93Keuap55QYmyQBzK_Ptq1VOZ_N0V4rSqKNktcmpfuB3MeCR70c6BHn6cR7gU-kz333/s1600/dave-cousins-robot-babysitter-audiobooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgy5HIEG_pRxR-vGcoaZkqxSDVV8fSX-3-aQWvO962E2gVJWzOKSKyI_SkNDgTxSrPYX94fglq93Keuap55QYmyQBzK_Ptq1VOZ_N0V4rSqKNktcmpfuB3MeCR70c6BHn6cR7gU-kz333/s400/dave-cousins-robot-babysitter-audiobooks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I'm very happy to announce that <b>the first two stories are now available as audiobooks</b>, read by the brilliant Peter Kenny. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It's great hearing someone else read the story – almost like listening to someone else's book! I found myself laughing out loud, which to be honest, feels a bit weird when it's your own stuff – but with someone else reading it … well, I decided it was OK. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, if you're looking for a bedtime story or something to raise a smile on a wet Wednesday afternoon, why not have a listen?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Both audiobooks should be<b> available via your local library. </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Alternatively you can download from </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Audible</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">, here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/My-Babysitter-Is-a-Robot-Audiobook/1839630159?pf_rd_p=3a993200-e281-426d-b228-794441551983&pf_rd_r=388AK701H1K8SPFCAATB&ref=a_series_My_c4_lProduct_1_1" target="_blank"><b>MY BABYSITTER IS A ROBOT</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Is-My-Teacher-a-Robot-Audiobook/1839630906?plink=c1322351-5d17-47&ref=a_pd_My-Bab_c5_adblp13npbxx_1_1&pf_rd_p=cdd68838-37ce-47e6-b5cb-c61b95dce7e1&pf_rd_r=NKBJVQ1XBNZ64KFPJV0T" target="_blank"><b>IS MY TEACHER A ROBOT?</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh, and while we're on the subject … the next instalment of robot mayhem – <b>A ROBOT ATE MY GRANDMA!</b> should be out over the summer. Watch this space!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Look after yourselves …</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All the best</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dave</span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-32590841843910119432020-05-04T12:05:00.003+01:002020-05-04T12:05:50.450+01:00Writing Prompt – May The Fourth Be With You!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>In honour of the day, today's writing prompt challenge is to write a story or draw a comic set in space!</b> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sXDJgDO7i3dTgmjW1kK0s-XIQ_JZ-d-owFG5V2494MCOqyHLG-FH4FCD_6e1X5YLh9JBykM7H1CD9kWbh97pRwyMe-tnZOF62_ZwSRmdidMoy1C62j1hQbW2gf7j1eVBajqHsA1s8yZ/s1600/dave-cousins-man-on-the-moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="963" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sXDJgDO7i3dTgmjW1kK0s-XIQ_JZ-d-owFG5V2494MCOqyHLG-FH4FCD_6e1X5YLh9JBykM7H1CD9kWbh97pRwyMe-tnZOF62_ZwSRmdidMoy1C62j1hQbW2gf7j1eVBajqHsA1s8yZ/s400/dave-cousins-man-on-the-moon.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anybody who has heard me talk will know that one of my earliest ambitions was to be an astronaut. I even wrote to NASA asking how to join. (They wrote back!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">My favourite song was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Space Oddity</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> by David Bowie and I spent many hours dressed in my makeshift spacesuit and an old crash-helmet, moon-walking round the house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, back to the prompt … </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This is quite a wide brief – an opportunity for you to <i>boldly go</i> where ever your imagination decides to drag you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">However, if the vast expanse of space leaves you feeling overwhelmed, here are a few ideas that might spark something:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– Your story could be <b>set in a galaxy faraway</b> (like Star Wars, Futurama, Final Space …)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– Imagine it's years into the future – with Earth's resources dwindling, humans have begun the <b>colonisation of another planet</b> (maybe Mars or the Moon*) </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>*Not actually a planet.</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> What would life be like living in one of these new colonies? A different kind of isolation, perhaps? Your current experiences might be useful here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– Imagine taking one of the first <b>tourist flights into space</b>. Billed as "<i>The experience of a lifetime!</i>" But what if something went wrong?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– If you like scary stories, what about <b>a space monster story</b>? One of my favourite films is about the crew of space ship who find themselves trapped with an alien on board! Or what about an alien invasion? (To give it a twist, what if humans were the aliens doing the invading!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– Or maybe you get to live my dream and become an <b>astronaut</b>. What would that be like? Again, spending weeks on a space station might have quite a few similarities with your current lockdown isolation </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– there would certainly be restrictions on going outside!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">These are just a few ideas – I'm sure you can think of something much better. There's a LOT of space out there. Have fun with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Commencing countdown. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">10</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">8</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> …</span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-35837736164504181432020-04-27T10:25:00.001+01:002020-04-27T10:25:32.204+01:00Writing Prompt (First Line Series #1)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>First lines are important.</b> A great first line can hook a reader into a story, so they HAVE to read on and find out what happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A good first line can also take a story in many different directions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>This week I'm going to post a series a first line prompts.</b> I won't claim that they're all going to be killer hooks, but I'm hoping they'll spark an idea to get you writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, here we go …</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPDY46v1xPhyOd1_OIwgKrF06fInVBua2IjWfC9JWuyF1e6dtbWiJfSgDvCf6s06mZWRnR4gzfa5zPVygtC0LXRxM2b-MCFGi_-bud-6ffDhrle3ERTkCEw2-sTpdgPCyJ0Pih-o9TqNs/s1600/first-lines-series-no1-dave-cousins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="457" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPDY46v1xPhyOd1_OIwgKrF06fInVBua2IjWfC9JWuyF1e6dtbWiJfSgDvCf6s06mZWRnR4gzfa5zPVygtC0LXRxM2b-MCFGi_-bud-6ffDhrle3ERTkCEw2-sTpdgPCyJ0Pih-o9TqNs/s400/first-lines-series-no1-dave-cousins.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>A couple of quick tips:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These six words give you lots to work with. I've mentioned before that <b>asking questions is a great way to spark ideas.</b> For instance, there are four obvious questions that spring to mind here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. WHO is delivering the line of dialogue?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. WHO are they talking to? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. WHAT is the "that" being denied entry?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. WHERE is the "here"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just answering those questions should get you started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">There are more questions that naturally follow. For example:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">5. WHY is the protagonist (possibly the narrator themselves) trying to take the THING into the PLACE?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">6. What will happen if they are denied access? <b>What is at STAKE</b> here?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">7. What will happen if they get past the person denying them access, or find another way in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once you start writing I'm sure lots more questions will occur. Follow the answers and see where they lead you …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Good luck. Have fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PS. I'm going to be working on the next draft of my new book for the next few weeks. I'll keep posting prompts, but it may just be a couple a week as I'm going to be busy wrangling my own words for a while!</span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-55922740596792207022020-04-24T12:04:00.001+01:002020-04-24T12:04:56.798+01:00Writing Prompt (Title Series #4) – Unexpected Item in Bagging Area<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I went to the supermarket for supplies yesterday. As directed, I used one of the automatic checkout machines. I followed the on-screen instructions and everything was going fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Please swipe an item.</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Check.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Place the item in your bag.</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Check. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was getting into it, picking up some speed, getting a good rhythm … and then the following message flashed up on the screen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I looked at the bunch of bananas I'd just put in my bag. There was still a picture of them on the screen. The robot checkout had just told me to put them in there! How unexpected could they be???!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I won't bore you with what happened next – it's not a great story. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">On the way home I started thinking – <i><b>what is the most unexpected item you could find in the bagging area?</b></i> What if you found something REALLY weird? There could be a story in that, I thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So this is your challenge for today! <b>Write a story, or a poem, about finding something REALLY UNEXPECTED in the bagging area at your local supermarket.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>What's the weirdest thing you can think of?</b> A baby? An elephant?! A surface-to-air rocket launcher? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">What's the funniest thing you can imagine finding? What's it doing there and what are you going to do about it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>This one might be good for a cartoon, or a picture. </b>What's the strangest object you can draw, waiting in the bagging area? Design a weird and wonderful object so people have to try and work out what it is, what it's for and how it got there!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OK, I realise I said at the start of the week that I wouldn't give any hints for these prompts – but hey, it's Friday and I'm a generous kind of fella … so you're very welcome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have a great weekend. Y'all stay safe now!</span><br />
<br />Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-87592536040515327492020-04-23T12:08:00.000+01:002020-04-23T12:08:03.537+01:00Writing Prompt (Title Series #3) – LOST!
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<b><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today's title prompt is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">LOST!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>You could be lost</b> … in the dark, in the woods, in a strange unfamiliar city. Or maybe you've <b>lost something important</b>. What would be the WORST thing you could lose?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Or perhaps something, or someone, that WAS lost is <b>found</b> … by you. What happens next?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. I wanted to do a picture for this one and thought of a <i>lost pet poster</i> – which got me thinking about cats, which of course led me to my favourite cartoon feline – HOBBES, the tiger from <b><i>Calvin and Hobbes</i></b>. I attempted the above in respectful homage to the brilliant <b>Bill Watterson</b>. If you've never read any <i><b>Calvin and Hobbes</b></i> – seriously, go and check it out. NOW!!!</span></div>
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Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-418786561280801092020-04-22T11:09:00.000+01:002020-04-22T11:09:36.791+01:00Writing Prompt (Title Series #2) – I Laughed So Much I Cried!
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When was the last time you did this? <b>Write about something funny that happened, or make up something that might!</b><br /><br />Continuing the series of title prompts – just a single word or phrase to spark an idea.<br /><br />Write a short story, a poem, a song, draw a comic, make a film, weave flowers into an ornate tapestry of hilarity – it's totally up to you. (PS. If anyone does that last one, please post a picture!)<br /><br />Good luck. See if you can have a laugh with this one …</span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-67908316894089038252020-04-21T11:25:00.002+01:002020-04-21T11:25:23.371+01:00Writing Prompt – Big Up The Small Things! (In honour of National Tea Day)<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Poet <b>John Cooper Clarke</b> said that you can “underline the importance of everyday things when you big them up in a poem … the kind of things that people (usually) ignore”.<br /><br />Today’s challenge is to <b>write a poem about something that people don’t normally give a second thought to</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Life has changed a lot for everyone recently, and that can affect how we see things. Stuff we took for granted suddenly becomes important. Is there something apparently small and insignificant that means a lot to you, especially now? Maybe it’s something you really miss that you took for granted before.<br /><br />In honour of <b>National Tea Day</b>, I've had a go at writing something about one of my most favourite "small things" …</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq5Iwl0CQEz2M_RCThPcgtUC4yewY08LdxqszSqesFWOrrJZBaU8JvEJRxOu8V4Xum0LwM_cnkiwUd-_lMfGfEw6W5APnRV1vEn_6k8cFhqa4dq2egyQLSSq_-nX1HsZnSvM6UftelCgS/s1600/dave-cousins-tea-rant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq5Iwl0CQEz2M_RCThPcgtUC4yewY08LdxqszSqesFWOrrJZBaU8JvEJRxOu8V4Xum0LwM_cnkiwUd-_lMfGfEw6W5APnRV1vEn_6k8cFhqa4dq2egyQLSSq_-nX1HsZnSvM6UftelCgS/s320/dave-cousins-tea-rant.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with a beloved brew! <br />(And, no that's not a tea cosy on my head … What? It's cold in the shed. Shut up!)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">LIFE TASTES BETTER WITH TEA!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(AKA MY TEA RANT!)</span><br /><br /><br />it’s a cup of tea<br />for me<br />a mug’s better <br />actually<br />no messing about with saucers <br />and you get more tea in a mug!<br /><br />a cuppa<br />a brew<br />a mash up<br />one lump or two?<br /><br />you want to know the secret <br />for making a perfect cuppa?<br />I’m a generous fella<br />So I’ll tell ya<br /><br />for a start<br />YOU DON’T PUT THE MILK IN FIRST!<br /><br />boiling water<br />from a kettle<br />(not one of those satanic urns<br />that constantly churns<br />simmering until the water tastes like tin<br />and your tea’s only fit for the bin)<br /><br />tea bag <br />in mug<br />boiling water<br />then give the bag a bit of a stir<br />GENTLY!<br />don’t bludgeon the poor thing to death<br /><br />tea needs time <br /> and space <br /> to bloom<br />you need to coax those tannin textures<br />set free the earthy delights<br />exotic notes from the far flung fields of Hebden Bridge<br /><br />tea should be the colour of beer<br />not lager (another travesty to the taste buds)<br />then put the milk in while the bag is still brewing<br />and give it a stir<br /><br />then check the colour<br />and if you need to confer<br />a Pantone Colour Matching Chart<br />can be a useful aid<br />available online<br />expensive <br />but a worthwhile addition to your shopping cart<br /><br />bag in the recycle bin<br />and then you’re done<br /><br />now for me <br />tea tastes best out of doors<br />but take yours where it belongs<br /><br />purists will tell you<br />that the only way to make proper tea <br />is with leaves and I’d probably agree<br />but if I started on that <br />this poor excuse for a poem<br />would become epic<br /><br />we’re here today to talk about the small things<br />and as my mother always told me<br />if you can’t be good<br />be brief<br /><br />(failed again, Ma!)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I think I've earned a cuppa after that! Sure you can do much better too. Have fun. Post your poems in the comments below! Now, I wonder if there's any biscuits left …</span><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>PS. Normal service and the Title Prompt Series I started yesterday will continue tomorrow. I couldn't ignore National Tea Day!</i></span></span></div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-6832875276596827102020-04-20T13:08:00.002+01:002020-04-20T13:08:39.692+01:00Writing Prompt – LIAR!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hi folks, Hope everyone is doing OK.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>This week I’m going to post a series of titles – a single word or a phrase. No hints or examples, just a set-up that will hopefully spark an idea.</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Today’s title prompt is just one word:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkma7bI4d0IROyk8QufMJ-4BbmcybUE3Qp3VSqHcBESlJN9cJ8APOlaK8KNOJBMe5NM0Tc3NiiVHsPbq89UXYohmpOWcJUANI2INO8Mg385oU4rtXsmaiGMngJAgBESDwPraGz2vdKhMt/s1600/LIAR-prompt-graphic-dave-cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkma7bI4d0IROyk8QufMJ-4BbmcybUE3Qp3VSqHcBESlJN9cJ8APOlaK8KNOJBMe5NM0Tc3NiiVHsPbq89UXYohmpOWcJUANI2INO8Mg385oU4rtXsmaiGMngJAgBESDwPraGz2vdKhMt/s320/LIAR-prompt-graphic-dave-cousins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As it’s Monday, and we all need a bit of help to get going, I've drafted a few questions below that might get you thinking. </span><br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: large;">I find that<b> writing stuff down really helps when I’m trying to come up with an idea.</b> I can sit and chew my pen staring into space for hours trying to THINK up an idea. But if I write out what I’m thinking – a few questions to answer – before I know it, I’m writing! I call it <b>THINKING WITH YOUR HANDS!</b> Give it a go, you might be pleasantly surprised.</span><br /><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: large;">For this prompt you might write questions like:</span><br /><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;">– WHO IS THE LIAR? Is it YOU, the narrator? </span><span style="font-size: large;">If so, can we believe anything you write?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">– WHY DO YOU LIE? Can you simply not help yourself? </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Do you lie to be kind or to get your own way, or to stay out of trouble? Can you simply not help yourself? </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">– OR IS IT A BIGGER LIE? Are you hiding a huge secret that means your entire life is a lie?!!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">– WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN BY LYING?</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">– DO YOU FEEL BAD ABOUT LYING TO PEOPLE?</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">– WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU TOLD THE TRUTH?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">– WHAT TROUBLE WILL THE LIES GET YOU INTO? This is the best one. Remember: <b>Stories get good when things go wrong for the characters!</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good luck! Have fun. Let me know how you get on.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-34831850666229186432020-04-08T12:55:00.001+01:002020-04-08T12:55:36.671+01:00Writing Prompt – FEAR! Writing Out Our Worries.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f_GUINU4maUqB8o2l1Y8v4UnB6jYYXwlrVbmryKioXE4dQWs-BLIanOA8xUHz4SAr3iy2toHyBg6ecPvQwptiIkYeSxIFgEt_ORNnFiDZYuxXR2aCiygcj0BDgB3FqeFAHb5mUlbVGKV/s1600/dave-cousins-fear-prompt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="800" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2f_GUINU4maUqB8o2l1Y8v4UnB6jYYXwlrVbmryKioXE4dQWs-BLIanOA8xUHz4SAr3iy2toHyBg6ecPvQwptiIkYeSxIFgEt_ORNnFiDZYuxXR2aCiygcj0BDgB3FqeFAHb5mUlbVGKV/s400/dave-cousins-fear-prompt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Everyone gets worried or scared from time to time.</b> The way things are at the moment means there is more than usual to worry about! Often it helps to distract yourself by doing something you like, but sometimes that doesn’t work and the only thing to do is to face those fears and acknowledge them. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I find that <b>the simple act of writing down what’s bothering me can help</b>. It’s almost as if some of the worry is actually transferred from my head onto the page! OK, I know that probably sounds hard to believe, but give it a go – you might be pleasantly surprised.<br /><br />Another thing you could try, is to write a story or poem, or draw a comic strip, about a character who is afraid. <b>Sometimes it’s easier to give your feelings to someone else and help them to work it out.</b><br /><br />When we watch a film or read a story about someone going through a scary experience – we share their anxiety and fear. But when we see the character survive and emerge stronger for the experience, we realise that it's possible to get through these things and can feel more able to deal with our own fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">TIP – Stories get good when things go bad for the main character! </span></b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, in this story your character should find themselves in a situation where they are forced to face their greatest fear. This will give you instant TENSION and CONFLICT – two <b>essential ingredients for a story that will keep readers turning the page</b>. </span><br /><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />Remember Indiana Jones in the film <i><b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b></i>? He suffers from ophidiophobia – a fear of snakes. So when Indy finally finds the location of the Lost Ark and is lowered into the chamber, what does he find? Snakes – of course! But Indy keeps going, he gets past the snakes and survives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One final thought – not being afraid doesn’t mean we’re brave. Courage is when we face our fears, <i>despite</i> being scared.</span>
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<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Good luck and take care.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Best wishes</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dave</span></div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-75900821526094385692020-04-06T11:43:00.000+01:002020-04-06T11:43:47.994+01:00Writing Prompt – The Secret Life of Pets!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvMW55q3strBIyRJhoEP6UYU2joEAb9dWVSaF6Nqz9yrYGDJMltVJLZPYK8RUUvh7Sf_4_gzZ6919LaKNTcqGzHB2XnXG1l0mRYJHGzlqmJHmaSFLMzfA7rMwws1KTonyeMi-kmYrk-x7/s1600/cat-flap-drawing-dave-cousins.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvMW55q3strBIyRJhoEP6UYU2joEAb9dWVSaF6Nqz9yrYGDJMltVJLZPYK8RUUvh7Sf_4_gzZ6919LaKNTcqGzHB2XnXG1l0mRYJHGzlqmJHmaSFLMzfA7rMwws1KTonyeMi-kmYrk-x7/s400/cat-flap-drawing-dave-cousins.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><div>
<b>What do pets get up to when their owners go to sleep or leave the house? When the cat disappears through the cat flap and over the fence, where does she go? </b>Perhaps she explores for miles to go on daring adventures … or maybe she just finds a nice warm spot on someone’s roof to go to sleep, like our cat!?</div>
<br /><b>Today's challenge is to write or draw from the point of view of a pet</b> animal/bird/fish/reptile/insect etc. If you have pets at home, you could write as one of them.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Think about how the world appears to an animal or bird</b>. You might have to get down on your hands and knees to find out what things look like from carpet level or on high (</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Please don't try to find out what it feels like to fly though! You can take research too far and it's bound to end badly.</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">) </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />• What do pets think about? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• What do they think of us? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• Do they understand what we say to them? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• What’s the most important thing in their daily lives? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You could write about what happens when they wake up. Do they wait patiently for you to appear and let them outside, or do they go and hassle you for food?<br /><br /><b>Have a think about how your pet might actually write! What words would they use?</b> Listen to “<a href="https://youtu.be/hn0yDHiDvRM" target="_blank"><b>Big Dog’s Best Poem</b>” by <b>Nick Toczek</b></a> for some inspiration!<br /><br />Have some fun with it and don’t forget to let me know how you get on.</span></div>
</div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-64537277841905468992020-04-03T10:40:00.000+01:002020-04-03T10:40:32.198+01:00Writing Prompt – Random Words Story Generator!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Today’s challenge is to create a poem, story, comic strip,
song, painting, origami animal </b>(OK, maybe not that last one …)<b> from three words
chosen at random.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You
can take the words from a dictionary, novel, magazine, comic book, newspaper,
item of food packaging – anywhere you can find a good selection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For example – find a dictionary, then close your eyes and open it at a random page. Then, with
your eyes still closed (no cheating!) point to a spot on the pages and open
them again. The word you are pointing at is your first random word. Repeat this
twice (or more, if you want to increase the challenge) until you have three
words to work with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next, <b>write something that includes the three words you picked</b>. Simple, huh?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had a go with these three words I picked at random from a carton of orange juice: <i>APPROXIMATELY, DELICIOUS AND SQUEEZED</i>. From which I wrote the following.
(<b><span style="color: red;">WARNING: Don’t read this if you’re eating!</span></b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The spot was <b>approximately</b><br />five centimetres in diameter<br />Ripe and ready to pop<br />“<b>Delicious</b>!” she said<br />and <b>squeezed</b>.</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Sorry!
But you were warned.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OK,
I’ll admit that probably isn’t my best work. I was a bit disappointed, so I had another go – this time selecting the words from a dictionary. My finger landed on:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>SARRUSOPHONE
(a brass musical instrument resembling an oboe with a metal tube) <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>CLING
(to adhere closely by grasping or embracing)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>MORTIFY
(to humiliate or wound)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This
is what I came up with:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I found the SARRUSOPHONE under a hedge.<br />I thought it was dead –<br />Until I nudged it with my foot<br />And heard it gasp a rasping breath.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>“You don’t look too good, mate!”<br />I said, not wishing to MORTIFY.<br />The sarrusophone groaned<br />and opened one eye.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It looked so sad I picked it up<br /> and took the bus home.<br />“One adult and one sarrusophone!”<br />The driver raised an eyebrow<br />at the strange thing shivering in my arms.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>“You’re safe now, mate!”<br />I told it. “No need to CLING!”<br />Finally the sarrusophone relaxed<br />And then it started to sing.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A strangely mournful honking sound<br />that wasn’t to everyone’s taste.<br />This I discovered when they threw us off the bus<br />then drove away in haste.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We landed underneath a hedge<br />and I didn’t know what to say.<br />“Who’d have thought,” said the sarrusophone<br />“that the same thing could happen<br /> twice in one day!”</i></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think this is an improvement on the spot one, but I’m sure you could do better!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You’ll
notice that I took a few liberties with the word SARRUSOPHONE. To me it sounded
more like a creature than a musical instrument, so I went with it! But that’s OK. The words are
there to spark your imagination – don’t be afraid to follow where ever it
leads!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have fun, and let me know how you get on.</span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-54458867117873033742020-04-01T10:11:00.001+01:002020-04-01T10:11:16.783+01:00Writing Prompt – Tiny Diary, Big Secrets!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If
you haven’t already seen it, <b>there’s a great online project starting over at <a href="https://www.ourcoronadiary.com/">https://www.ourcoronadiary.com/</a> with a huge resource of writing and drawing tips from LOADS of great authors and illustrators. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A
couple of my writer mates were involved in putting the project together and
kindly invited me to supply a diary themed writing prompt. So here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">TINY DIARY, BIG SECRETS!</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwfSm66_pKBhcC9Uw90_PTIGjq8oAadKPu8tyu4mcajtYKTLL8Go_kKP0pDSug_JEjmYVlMePb9yqBquVN8ZJdo9-v4Ofmb_4ifn991fMdFndsmyZNUL3s90wkiRwWldDPNKWzOKJDV7A/s1600/Dave-Cousins-Lockdown-Diary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwfSm66_pKBhcC9Uw90_PTIGjq8oAadKPu8tyu4mcajtYKTLL8Go_kKP0pDSug_JEjmYVlMePb9yqBquVN8ZJdo9-v4Ofmb_4ifn991fMdFndsmyZNUL3s90wkiRwWldDPNKWzOKJDV7A/s320/Dave-Cousins-Lockdown-Diary.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>One
of the best things about keeping a diary </b>(at any time)<b> is that you can be
totally honest about how you feel.</b> Have a rant, vent some spleen, write down
all the things you’re too polite to actually say out loud! Be honest and get
any frustration, fears and anger you might be keeping to yourself, out onto the page –
it might help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For
instance:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• <b>What’s the worst part</b> about being
stuck indoors? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• <b>Who is the most annoying person</b>
you’re confined with? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• <b>What do you miss</b> about life as it was
before? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>But
also, what’s the best part about being in lockdown?</b> See if you can think of one
good thing to go with every bad aspect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">OR … you could use YOUR experience to
write about somebody else – a fictional character who finds themselves in
confinement.</b> They might not even
be in our world or time! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• Who are they? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• Where are they? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• What is their ‘prison’ like? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• Why can’t they leave? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• What would happen if they managed to
escape? Will they try? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">• How do they pass the time in
confinement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes
it’s easier to write about how YOU feel by giving your feelings to a fictional
character and seeing how THEY deal with the situation. A fictional character
can say and do things that maybe you can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To give a twist to this challenge, try
writing or drawing your diary on very small pieces of paper.</b> (They will be a lot easier to hide
from prying eyes if they’re small!) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Maybe
your character in confinement isn’t supposed to be writing so they have to hide
their diary too? Or perhaps paper is in short supply, so they have to write on
whatever scraps they can find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The idea is that your story will be
physically confined to a small space too!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For
example, you could take a sheet of A4 and cut it into long thin strips (like
bookmarks), then write or draw a comic strip on those. If you have some very
small <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Post It notes</i>, you could use
those. You could even cut up a sheet of A4 to make a tiny book to write or draw
in! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2JzTjuBfByGtFys4IPlBQ5uPKTsKI3pX-9Ovu6v-pm1cPFkNGb8hHKdMc8fWlj5OK0Lqh_wrJzQ_xLIEFWBouf9S97DYZwLP7_BdwEFNlEZeOXyk4GHwv88ywfpD8Dk1q31uOAklvaqx/s1600/Dave-Cousins-Tiny-Diary-pages.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2JzTjuBfByGtFys4IPlBQ5uPKTsKI3pX-9Ovu6v-pm1cPFkNGb8hHKdMc8fWlj5OK0Lqh_wrJzQ_xLIEFWBouf9S97DYZwLP7_BdwEFNlEZeOXyk4GHwv88ywfpD8Dk1q31uOAklvaqx/s320/Dave-Cousins-Tiny-Diary-pages.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What’s
the smallest space you can find to write a story? It would be great to see how
you get on, and how small a space you managed to squeeze a story into!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have
fun and don't forget to check out all the other great ideas and suggestions over at the <a href="https://www.ourcoronadiary.com/" target="_blank">Our Corona Diary project</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Stay safe and all the best,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dave</span></div>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-798080429944456022020-03-30T10:53:00.000+01:002020-03-30T10:53:32.144+01:00Writing Prompt – With great power …
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>It’s
Monday! Wahey!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>OK
… I appreciate that Monday isn’t most people’s favourite day of the week,
so I thought I’d make today’s writing prompt a bit of fun.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>So
… <b>if you could have a super power, what would it be?</b> More importantly, what
would you do with it? </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Note – <b>stories get GOOD when things go BAD for the characters.</b> Try to find some downsides to your new power. Maybe you can fly but discover that you
are scared of heights or suffer from air sickness! Perhaps you can become
invisible but only for as long as you can hold your breath … Problems create conflict and tension in a story, and that's what keeps us turning the pages.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>And
don’t forget – with great power comes … (you know the rest!)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span>Have fun and don’t forget to design yourself a
good outfit. “No capes darling …”</span>
</span></span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-73399776385106417422020-03-27T08:17:00.000+00:002020-03-27T08:17:34.836+00:00Writing Prompt – To be continued …<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ptkT3n0ueFn2GSlRLefPd0r4iNyE1v2RYoHcgIipvV16iT0w2FN3UYaPNgw6osyti022h87YzjVE1i8lpXCM90obFWiZr0pXGaAm8InDbmQVBBGtSd4-H7zxtiN-JxiNbEhamXPwK3qf/s1600/DC+Comet+Comic+Prompt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1593" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ptkT3n0ueFn2GSlRLefPd0r4iNyE1v2RYoHcgIipvV16iT0w2FN3UYaPNgw6osyti022h87YzjVE1i8lpXCM90obFWiZr0pXGaAm8InDbmQVBBGtSd4-H7zxtiN-JxiNbEhamXPwK3qf/s400/DC+Comet+Comic+Prompt.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2JNToj8jvfH8V7OhKW86GT8w2n60BZS7HYKvM9raTm2ljrVPLw6jYVvwhLQiA8V2iTroDexk_NcdeWw8sI2JnuUpV-kB-FeF1ZX75J44BqQGTMSx33-ZsPqh0mtUfXs4p77EdcJ6b8z/s1600/DC+Comet+Comic+p3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2JNToj8jvfH8V7OhKW86GT8w2n60BZS7HYKvM9raTm2ljrVPLw6jYVvwhLQiA8V2iTroDexk_NcdeWw8sI2JnuUpV-kB-FeF1ZX75J44BqQGTMSx33-ZsPqh0mtUfXs4p77EdcJ6b8z/s640/DC+Comet+Comic+p3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-18000146345965826262020-03-26T12:14:00.000+00:002020-03-26T12:14:13.708+00:00Writing Prompt – ABC …
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Your challenge today is to <b>write a story of no more than 26
words, each one starting with a different letter of the alphabet … in
order!</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>This
one can be quite a laugh and produces some interesting and
unexpected results! </span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>It
might help to <b>start by writing the letters of the alphabet</b> across the top of a
piece of paper, or screen. Then write a story where the first word begins with
A, the second B, the third C, and so on. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Here
are a couple of my attempts from earlier today – I’m sure you can do
better:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>A big cat drooled</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Eager for grub</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>He insisted,</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> "Just kill like me!"</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Nice!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>One plump queen rat</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>So tasty!<br />
Unusually velvety whiskers</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Xcellent!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Yawn</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Zzzzzzz!
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>“AAAAAAAAGGH!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> beasts
cried</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Deafening everyone.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Former
guard, Harold</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>instinctively
jumped</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>“Keep
Low Miss! Not one peep!” </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>“Quiet,”
Rachel suggested</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>tracking
unseen vultures with x-rays</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>“Yikes,
Zoos!!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>A bat came diving </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Eerily floating</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Gnashing her inky jaws</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Killing little monsters noiselessly</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>One pounce quick!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Riding silent under velvet wings</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>X-raying …</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Yelling
Za-ha!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>I’ll
admit X and Z can be tricky (so I often cheat a bit, as above!), but give it a
go. See if you can make something that makes sense using each letter once in
the right order. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Nonsense is OK too – just play with the words and see what
happens. <b>Like most of these prompts, this is just a spark to help get some
words on paper.</b> Once you have something down, you can do what you like
with it.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>For
example, you might want to add some extra words in the next draft to help it make sense, or
rhyme.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span><b>For
another challenge</b> try one word for every letter but in any order you like! Will
this be easier or harder? Try it and let me know.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span>Good
luck!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-54831398413910107452020-03-25T11:55:00.003+00:002020-03-25T11:55:59.183+00:00Writing Prompt - IN THE BAG!
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today’s
prompt is the start of a story. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have no idea what happens next. The only way
to find out is to start writing … </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or
draw a comic strip. Maybe start by drawing the opening I’ve written below, then carry on
with the discovery of what is in the bag. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or write a poem, or make a video
… whatever idea it sparks in you. After all, <b>there could be anything in
that bag …</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">IT
STARTED like a million other Mondays. Sleepy. Late for school. A vague bad mood
hovering. There was nothing to suggest that something was about to happen that
would change my life forever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then Mac leaned across my desk
during registration. ‘Meet us by the bins at break,’ he said. ‘Got something to
show you.’ The gleam in his eyes triggered a familiar shiver—one part
excitement, one part dread.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My stomach was jumping by the time I
arrived at the back of the school kitchens two hours later. The others were
already there—gathered around an old maroon Adidas kit bag, all scuffed up and
covered in graffiti. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘You
dragged me here for that?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tash rolled her eyes. ‘Look inside,’ she
said, grinning in a way that made me suspect I was being set-up. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All eyes were on me, so I shrugged like
this was no biggie, then crouched over the bag, my guts squirming like a sack
of snakes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowing Mac, there could be ANYTHING in
here—a dead cat, stolen booze, a live rat perhaps . . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pulled back the zip, bracing myself
not to react.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ll be honest—of all the
possibilities scrolling through my mind, none of them prepared me for what was
actually inside.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
swore. ‘Is that . . .?’</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-74553170349828239832020-03-24T11:38:00.000+00:002020-03-24T11:38:02.879+00:00The Great Escape! Writing Prompts.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi folks,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hope you and yours are well, and coping with these unusual and difficult times.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We might be physically confined to our homes at the moment, but stories provide a great way to escape. In stories we can go anywhere, at any time, with anyone!</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With this in mind I thought I'd <b>post a daily writing prompt</b> in case they might be of interest to anyone looking for some ideas on how to fill these school and work-free days.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm hoping these prompts will provide a spark. <b>Let your imagination run</b> with them any way you like. Write a story, a poem, draw a comic strip, compose a song or a piece of music, make a video, an animated flick book, draw something, make a sculpture from pasta shells, blu-tack and unicorn tears – whatever idea drops into your head. (Just don't go outside hunting for unicorns, as I suspect that's on the forbidden list).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Most importantly – have some fun with it and I hope you'll feel a sense of freedom! Let me know how you get on. You can tag me on social media or contact via the usual place on my website. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Look after yourselves and each other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cheers,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dave</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>WRITING PROMPT 240320 – <b>THE GREAT ESCAPE</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In stories we can go anywhere. If you could go anywhere right now – where would you go? Who would you go with? What would you do when you got there? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">PS. I'll post the next one around noon tomorrow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9028010651868955611.post-15685260631027191662020-02-21T11:26:00.000+00:002020-02-21T11:26:46.730+00:00ROBOTS! EVERYWHERE! "Is My Teacher a Robot?" paperback and "My Babysitter is a Robot" AUDIOBOOK - OUT NOW!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi folks,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know how you can sit around for ages waiting for a robot to arrive and then suddenly two show up at once? No wait … that's buses! (Does that joke still work in these days of service cuts? Let's not go there.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I am very happy to announce that the next book in the series, that started with <a href="http://littletiger.co.uk/my-babysitter-is-a-robot/my-babysitter-is-a-robot-2" target="_blank"><i><b>My Babysitter is a Robot</b></i></a> last year, is now available.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN1R_G-__bB2RlwFad2_FkODp5kYFTuU8UJFUdCaqcLAKQL-Vb_acfq6TfVajL6DmwS0FpI06NdyyHJ1E2r4aiY3-NrAaOZuF__UlzlJhwe9NV2eLP-fLB2jZUI8lQQPO2lUDz03qud-W/s1600/is-my-teacher-a-robot-dave-cousins-blurb-spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN1R_G-__bB2RlwFad2_FkODp5kYFTuU8UJFUdCaqcLAKQL-Vb_acfq6TfVajL6DmwS0FpI06NdyyHJ1E2r4aiY3-NrAaOZuF__UlzlJhwe9NV2eLP-fLB2jZUI8lQQPO2lUDz03qud-W/s400/is-my-teacher-a-robot-dave-cousins-blurb-spread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://littletiger.co.uk/is-my-teacher-a-robot-1" target="_blank"><b>IS MY TEACHER A ROBOT?</b></a> is illustrated by the very talented <a href="https://www.cataverri.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Catalina Echeverri</i></b></a> who is currently working on the pages for the third installment, due out in August.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of stories start with an idle <i>WHAT IF?</i> For example, <i>what if</i> you woke up one day and could understand what animals were saying? (Feed me, probably!) Or maybe, <i>what if</i> you turned up at school to discover that your teacher had been replaced by a robot. Would that be good or bad? The answers are all here!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I promised you two robots and I'm a man of my word …</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I've always been a big fan of audiobooks. </b>From the days when I would sit in my bedroom making Airfix models while listening to <b>James Herriot</b>'s vet books on cassette and getting gently high on the fumes of Polystyrene Cement and White Spirit (as a result Herriot has always been the Hendrix of the literary world for me!) to long car journeys with my own kids listening to <b>Terry Pratchett</b>'s <i>Wee Free Men</i>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZrKr-kpRdmPp0wVUlEHdTOF7ca6hvefjzFu_SQAybLNp_3bYlGUt6YdwTgjtWpOD2cTY-rDetOCKYu1sJkmSTuBbUj64XW3DdhbMbOWoi5Sd_IqboezpkZnRGfgf5uoSgbBW9oQVyJ1h/s1600/dave-cousins-my-babysitter-is-a-robot-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZrKr-kpRdmPp0wVUlEHdTOF7ca6hvefjzFu_SQAybLNp_3bYlGUt6YdwTgjtWpOD2cTY-rDetOCKYu1sJkmSTuBbUj64XW3DdhbMbOWoi5Sd_IqboezpkZnRGfgf5uoSgbBW9oQVyJ1h/s320/dave-cousins-my-babysitter-is-a-robot-web.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, I was delighted to be invited to narrate the <a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Waiting-for-Gonzo-Audiobook/B00CQ6SALW?qid=1389380949&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srImg" target="_blank">audiobook for <i><b>WAITING FOR GONZO</b></i></a> a few years ago, but even more chuffed to discover that <b>Peter Kenny</b> would be reading the first two robot stories. <a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/My-Babysitter-Is-a-Robot-Audiobook/1839630159?pf_rd_p=3a993200-e281-426d-b228-794441551983&pf_rd_r=388AK701H1K8SPFCAATB&ref=a_series_My_c4_lProduct_1_1" target="_blank"><b><i>My Babysitter is a Robot audiobook</i></b></a> is available now and had me laughing out loud (I'm probably not supposed to say that, but hey …) So if you need something to keep the nippers quiet on the motorway up to see Grandma …</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's it. No more robots until the summer, unless you happen to see me at an event somewhere, in which case please do come and say hello. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As always, thanks for your support and for taking the time to read this rambling nonsense.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take care of yourselves</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dave</span></span>Dave Cousinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.com0