tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297512112024-02-07T03:01:24.242+00:00Bob LockBob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-36075754031227125512014-10-19T19:28:00.000+00:002014-10-19T19:28:21.678+00:00Scardiff EventHad a day out in Cardiff today with Paul Lewis. We attended the second year of The Scardiff Event in The Masonic Hall and thoroughly enjoyed it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRSlAxKNYf5VUhBAwCmweJkENZXa0zz1g3DGokPcE0p9oYvCnInS2KDVm5YcAimdPu3UoQhH9MuGrc5IJHDLEnspBOBQXP8sgED7x5N1zU45Xngtid3LdIrnq8NFTAIngC8Xv/s1600/scardiff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRSlAxKNYf5VUhBAwCmweJkENZXa0zz1g3DGokPcE0p9oYvCnInS2KDVm5YcAimdPu3UoQhH9MuGrc5IJHDLEnspBOBQXP8sgED7x5N1zU45Xngtid3LdIrnq8NFTAIngC8Xv/s1600/scardiff.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a lot of cosplay going on, some creepy, some scary, some VERY scary, some sexy and then there was Paul and me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgt2kaK6kc7wADk2LOS4oZ3LRwLqUz_bcGlsVgH__3PrH89Y3TB4LJUhvkvYw24LIB57PSrufC6flDNBOyPUwdYpE2joO0Oc-Zpfn-R7Tsnvgn2aS7vGUTNJzUxtbkI99YaFw/s1600/me&paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgt2kaK6kc7wADk2LOS4oZ3LRwLqUz_bcGlsVgH__3PrH89Y3TB4LJUhvkvYw24LIB57PSrufC6flDNBOyPUwdYpE2joO0Oc-Zpfn-R7Tsnvgn2aS7vGUTNJzUxtbkI99YaFw/s1600/me&paul.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Met some old friends, including, Steve Upham, Steve Lockley, Mark Howard Jones, John Llewellyn Probert, Tim Lebbon, Chris Teague, Gwilym Games and some new friends were made, mainly ones I already knew online but haven't met in the flesh (and bones and gristle...) such as Adam Nevill. David Price, Wayne Simmons and <a href="http://www.theresa-derwin.co.uk/blog/knightwatch-press-chapbook-announcement/" target="_blank">Teresa Derwin of Knightwatch Press</a>, the publisher of the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Potatoes-Dana-Wright-ebook/dp/B00LGYQDBY" target="_blank">Potatoes Anthology</a>.<br />
There were snakes and spiders there too but we decided to give them a wide berth!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrg0ol23LqZ75ZYCR_mW3kSEPqORClPnrQUsS099vo2fTs-6WnV2C0fQQ5B5ZDp0fmi_l_p6wSXcXIAd-aRHvLjgjQXu4KktjgkkUTuwv06X0WGSdbS5X2abpl049CUhn9X5e/s1600/finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrg0ol23LqZ75ZYCR_mW3kSEPqORClPnrQUsS099vo2fTs-6WnV2C0fQQ5B5ZDp0fmi_l_p6wSXcXIAd-aRHvLjgjQXu4KktjgkkUTuwv06X0WGSdbS5X2abpl049CUhn9X5e/s1600/finger.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Steve Upham's table with severed hand and Paul Lewis's finger of doom...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwTmdJ5nA2BLvtUfkEbSHHVLKK1Vyhmxm9km3FodVKZHcPdJk6Bdn-Xi5snxbEot4sSe28VtaZPdcXpun_pjLyysSRXJ4tyVMpbaTA81v2OlsJGUFuqJsRnEb4bEACrFOw8Ih/s1600/DSCN8028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwTmdJ5nA2BLvtUfkEbSHHVLKK1Vyhmxm9km3FodVKZHcPdJk6Bdn-Xi5snxbEot4sSe28VtaZPdcXpun_pjLyysSRXJ4tyVMpbaTA81v2OlsJGUFuqJsRnEb4bEACrFOw8Ih/s1600/DSCN8028.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A young lady with a craving for our blood...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lunchtime was spent at Carluccios where the food was excellent and reasonably priced too. I was surprised how busy the centre of Cardiff was on a Sunday, nothing like the ghost-town of Swansea where the only things you'll see moving are the tumbleweeds, empty fast-food packaging and the zombies sobering up from the Saturday night binge in Wind Street.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGN_DhJSBsQfqlW6fboVkUtp-nUphFn-frxknAABn5_XM4q7sjhL_b2TgibNlMKkXVtI-wI204J1lZsMIgw7YSIO2WGYzosD0e1FQslzh3tzGrk8F20QEFflB7Qm3dbl3XSmy/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGN_DhJSBsQfqlW6fboVkUtp-nUphFn-frxknAABn5_XM4q7sjhL_b2TgibNlMKkXVtI-wI204J1lZsMIgw7YSIO2WGYzosD0e1FQslzh3tzGrk8F20QEFflB7Qm3dbl3XSmy/s1600/me.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me, taking a photo of Steve Upham, who was taking a photo of me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwTmdJ5nA2BLvtUfkEbSHHVLKK1Vyhmxm9km3FodVKZHcPdJk6Bdn-Xi5snxbEot4sSe28VtaZPdcXpun_pjLyysSRXJ4tyVMpbaTA81v2OlsJGUFuqJsRnEb4bEACrFOw8Ih/s1600/DSCN8028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-73018531316763264642014-10-17T21:38:00.000+00:002014-10-17T21:38:19.744+00:00Chuck Wendig Horror Spam Email Competition<span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Chuck Wendig has set a horror competition over at </span><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/10/17/flash-fiction-challenge-spammerpunk-horror/" target="_blank">Terrible Minds.Com SpammerPunk</a> The challenge this week was to write a horror story as spam mail. Here is my offering:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>WE PURCHASE ANY ORGAN</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations, your email address has been chosen by our
computer from a worldwide database of organ transplant patients. We have great satisfaction
in offering you a choice of the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heart</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lung</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pair of Lungs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liver</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spleen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To qualify for any of the above please sign the attached
form of consent for us to harvest from you one of the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eye</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ear</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kidney</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Testicle (or ovary – depending on gender)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hand</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Foot</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Immediately upon receipt of your signed consent form we will
arrange for our team of highly qualified surgeons to visit you in their
state-of-the-art mobile surgery to collect your chosen donation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
YES, YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE HOME!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you have recovered from the harvesting operation
(usually only a matter of weeks) be assured we will return with your choice of
organ to be transplanted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Contact us now as this offer is for a limited time only.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Doctor S Todd
– CEO – We Purchase Any Organ Ltd</i></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-89748076524100049602014-10-06T23:35:00.001+00:002014-10-06T23:35:52.459+00:00Blog Hiatus - Writing Hiatus - Hiatus in general<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surprise surprise! I'm still here!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was March really the last time I scribbled on this blog? It certainly looks like. As you've probably guessed I haven't done much writing lately, not even blog writing. I'm in one of my slow periods when my muse seems to have packed her bags and gone on vacation for a few months. I hope she gets back soon because I have a stack of unfinished writing to get on with.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I <i>have</i> written and finished some things, mostly short stories, one-liners (I sent to Newsjack but didn't have any success with) one was for example :</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pope
Francis' skull cap has reached over a hundred thousand euros on Ebay. We
interviewed a group of nuns in St Peter's square who expressed a worry that it
could become a habit.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately it didn't impress them, neither did my others :(</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Other news is my story 'King Edward's Mines' is out in the <a href="http://www.scorchedflower.co.uk/knightwatch/" target="_blank">Knightwatch Press</a> Anthology <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Potatoes-Dana-Wright/dp/1909573167/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412637141&sr=1-8&keywords=potatoes" target="_blank">'Potatoes'</a> and the book has received favourable blurb and two 5 star ratings so far on Amazon.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHX9OWsAQgYQopLp3LHsRai0AGW5sI2sUpYpuyA4jSf-UoGzUyjjoajn0zzshfPCph46eU2wsanWRJx_-yfBBLTrSFXs6RPQDv2_pE9_cdj4i9-41Yhf9Us3JXA0Na8znRmFZ/s1600/pots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHX9OWsAQgYQopLp3LHsRai0AGW5sI2sUpYpuyA4jSf-UoGzUyjjoajn0zzshfPCph46eU2wsanWRJx_-yfBBLTrSFXs6RPQDv2_pE9_cdj4i9-41Yhf9Us3JXA0Na8znRmFZ/s1600/pots.jpg" height="320" width="208" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I also have a couple of poems coming out shortly in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swansea-and-District-Writers-Circle/183386015060585?sk=info" target="_blank">Swansea And District Writers' Circle</a> (the site is down at the moment so linked to their Facebook page) anthology of WW1 </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Finally I have two horror short stories coming out in <a href="http://shop.ticketyboopress.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank">Tickety Boo Press's Anthology</a> 'Malevolence' which should be released soon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabd5CCm38TzqePrfTPfK0bHwWuuz65T3RUd1lFSXGmLAsxkXcxR2tRxvmvIaUS7Hi5KgsOQ-Zi2P5qxT8q5WPetCd0amcI3jDDW0R0kzkmJ5Tm8Newi2NSkzD7uDN0p_9996/s1600/mal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGabd5CCm38TzqePrfTPfK0bHwWuuz65T3RUd1lFSXGmLAsxkXcxR2tRxvmvIaUS7Hi5KgsOQ-Zi2P5qxT8q5WPetCd0amcI3jDDW0R0kzkmJ5Tm8Newi2NSkzD7uDN0p_9996/s1600/mal.png" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I suppose I have been writing, it just seems that I haven't done enough. Perhaps now that winter is coming (wow that's a good phrase, perhaps I can use that in a story somehow) I'll be able to concentrate a bit more and not have the distraction of a lovely sunny day to keep me from the keyboard. Bye bye for now :)</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-35131758222565319192014-03-11T18:05:00.001+00:002014-03-11T18:05:39.794+00:00Gimme The Prize!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWs8F8aDmSKLSnvcGbIT4sjyt5adfsKedJ2UfgH2gbb2jnlrCQHoRQDdFG7EQ6A8vSzX1SX3r_PdVkBPF31Ku3h-qsDLGrbwilnzXEhcBTwshNv5Khj0F1FDEuj5Vino1omqh/s1600/europa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWs8F8aDmSKLSnvcGbIT4sjyt5adfsKedJ2UfgH2gbb2jnlrCQHoRQDdFG7EQ6A8vSzX1SX3r_PdVkBPF31Ku3h-qsDLGrbwilnzXEhcBTwshNv5Khj0F1FDEuj5Vino1omqh/s1600/europa.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGykTZiFOFFko2vwTXuCprCxLrqc15wUOPkGPcOG8UlZmuHO1NA42Rw0jZetG7aMZi_42UOdwz4ipHWo3-Blz3IE2AhWlcj0xWLgsHrvYvLP77EYMOaEgSLrxM_pq6SSM8O5Ks/s1600/europa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqLenIxbWiYwtnQEUxKSu3574gNGPU8fTSMEeo5yhxNyNNy_PF6II9q4CpcZMmL61sToRLUeBhXUIBv-hzh3gBCxYgK33ot6zbg9LmoExMzZiGvepS4Rye07CyEvvqjBK-rBa/s1600/europa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO69UDepBMhEGEE6bOwt_nPcurq3Gx4te2-jiCTjxKyduZuWrjQ9rNrIbu4tmKy7LRsIFCE9rke2T22-H0r0N_1SIQ2Qk-8QycXX6qd2W9w-EiP1_s7fE1S1RFcG-n4r7jqrI/s1600/europa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO69UDepBMhEGEE6bOwt_nPcurq3Gx4te2-jiCTjxKyduZuWrjQ9rNrIbu4tmKy7LRsIFCE9rke2T22-H0r0N_1SIQ2Qk-8QycXX6qd2W9w-EiP1_s7fE1S1RFcG-n4r7jqrI/s1600/europa4.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had a parcel though the post today from <a href="http://start-media.com/start-publishing/" target="_blank">Start Publishing</a> which contained my prize for winning the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theskinner.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Neal Asher</a> competition, a short story to describe the book cover of his novel The Departure. The parcel contained a large and colourful cinema poster of The Europa Report signed by the writer<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3664884/" target="_blank"> Philip Gelatt </a>and a Blu-ray disc of the film too, again signed. Many thanks Philip and guys! And a special thanks to Anjelica of <a href="http://start-media.com/" target="_blank">Start Media</a> who organised the signing and delivery.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGykTZiFOFFko2vwTXuCprCxLrqc15wUOPkGPcOG8UlZmuHO1NA42Rw0jZetG7aMZi_42UOdwz4ipHWo3-Blz3IE2AhWlcj0xWLgsHrvYvLP77EYMOaEgSLrxM_pq6SSM8O5Ks/s1600/europa2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGykTZiFOFFko2vwTXuCprCxLrqc15wUOPkGPcOG8UlZmuHO1NA42Rw0jZetG7aMZi_42UOdwz4ipHWo3-Blz3IE2AhWlcj0xWLgsHrvYvLP77EYMOaEgSLrxM_pq6SSM8O5Ks/s1600/europa2.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqLenIxbWiYwtnQEUxKSu3574gNGPU8fTSMEeo5yhxNyNNy_PF6II9q4CpcZMmL61sToRLUeBhXUIBv-hzh3gBCxYgK33ot6zbg9LmoExMzZiGvepS4Rye07CyEvvqjBK-rBa/s1600/europa3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqLenIxbWiYwtnQEUxKSu3574gNGPU8fTSMEeo5yhxNyNNy_PF6II9q4CpcZMmL61sToRLUeBhXUIBv-hzh3gBCxYgK33ot6zbg9LmoExMzZiGvepS4Rye07CyEvvqjBK-rBa/s1600/europa3.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2051879/" target="_blank">The Europa Report</a> is a SF film about a mission to Europa (one of Jupiter's moons) to discover if life exists there and the outcome of their exploration, good stuff and the sort of film I enjoy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thought I'd post the story which won me the competition in case you are interested and fancy a read.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTWmDv_pzF17bnC_0hjxDeTRytnCb17sS1GuHZeAKuYGTCLgHphmUBG7-AccjA-M1RCY8rMVzM55OrB2iySwcvAm4DYn-y0u6UYeiBUb_BUpl9FXFIhfJX5bFMy4jjDgI8bN_/s1600/the-departure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTWmDv_pzF17bnC_0hjxDeTRytnCb17sS1GuHZeAKuYGTCLgHphmUBG7-AccjA-M1RCY8rMVzM55OrB2iySwcvAm4DYn-y0u6UYeiBUb_BUpl9FXFIhfJX5bFMy4jjDgI8bN_/s1600/the-departure.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1 class="entry-title">
The Shell Game by Bob Lock</h1>
Kyle Benedict’s eyes opened and took in the scene of devastation.
The colony’s control room was wrecked. A last remaining monitor
flickered intermittently whilst a thin ribbon of smoke curled up from
the bullet-shattered desk. The smell of burnt flesh, cordite and
plasma-discharge crept its way through his ruined suit’s filters.
Benedict groaned. He’d survived the Prador incursion. ‘Shit!’<br />
‘I am Captain Samark. I am so pleased you are alive, human.’ The
monitor stabilized and Benedict saw the Prador captain staring out from
it.<br />
‘Pleased? So that you can put me into thrall I guess?’ Kyle replied
and his right hand groped for the last grenade he’d managed to hide
between his suit and the wall he was propped against.<br />
‘No, no,’ Samark’s huge claws waved across the screen, ‘I want to test you. I want to give you an opportunity for freedom.’<br />
‘Yeah right.’<br />
‘I believe you humans call it, The Shell Game?’ Samark asked.<br />
‘What?’<br />
‘You are in the command centre. There are five passages to five outer
habitats. I have sent a second-child into one. The other four are
empty. Choose one to go to human. If you select an empty one then I will
let you take your shuttle and leave unharmed. Choose the one my
second-child is in and you…’<br />
‘Get eaten?’ Benedict asked.<br />
‘Obviously.’<br />
‘Why?’ Benedict demanded.<br />
‘Call it an experiment, human. What have you to lose? <i>I </i>could come and eat you now, if you prefer?’<br />
Benedict shrugged. ‘What the hell…’ He stood up and chose an airlock.<br />
‘Choose wisely, human.’<br />
Benedict chose the closest. ‘Bite me.’<br />
‘Perhaps I just might,’ Samark replied.<br />
At the end of the corridor the airlock to habitat three beckoned.
Benedict wished his rifle hadn’t been totalled. He shrugged; no matter.
He should have died with the rest of his rescue squad when they’d
attempted to liberate the colony anyway. He cycled the airlock and
entered the dark habitat. Nothing moved. His failing suit’s sensors
picked up no sound.<br />
Then something clicked and clicked again. The second-child loomed out of the gloom towards him.<br />
‘So… Samark. Either<i> I’m</i> an unlucky sod or <i>you’re </i>a
lying bastard,’ Benedict said towards the surveillance pod in the
ceiling as the Prador launched itself at him and hungrily began to crack
open his ravaged suit with its massive claws. Benedict pulled the pin
from the grenade and thrust it, and his arm, as deep into the
second-child’s maw as he could. ‘Crab Benedict on the menu tonight!’ He
managed to shout before the huge explosion.<br />
Samark snacked on the bloody mixture of human and second-child flesh
as he contemplated. The experiment was inconclusive he thought. His
attempt at mimicking a human’s ability to lie and be believed was
unclear. Did the human truly think he would be freed? The human’s final
outburst made him think no. However, Samark imagined he was beginning to
grasp their sense of humour. ‘Crab Benedict,’ he said and attempted a
laugh.</blockquote>
<br />
Hope you enjoyed it,<br />
and loads of thanks to Neal for allowing me to use and abuse his creations! <br />
Bob <br />
<br />Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-49577896356053216712014-01-17T11:58:00.000+00:002014-01-17T16:30:45.138+00:00Need your votes!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hello everyone, first of all Happy New Year 2014 to you! (A bit late I know :-) )</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2013 wasn't a bad year as far as writing was concerned, especially short stories for anthologies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I managed to get published in a couple of anthologies: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Astrologica-Stories-Zodiac-Allen-Ashley/dp/0957348924/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389955454&sr=1-1&keywords=astrologica" target="_blank">Astrologica</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cthulhu-Cymraeg-Mark-Howard-Jones/dp/190665221X" target="_blank">Cthulhu Cymraeg</a> and have a few in anthologies coming out in 2014 -<a href="http://ticketyboopress.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Ticketyboo Press's Malevolence </a>will have two ghost stories of mine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I'm also hoping to have a SF short for their <span style="font-weight: normal;">Space – Houston We Have a Problem antho. Then <a href="http://www.fringeworks.co.uk/blog/?p=129" target="_blank">Fringeworks </a>should be publishing their mad 'Potato Anthology' in 2014 too and my story King Edward's Mines will be one of the weird tales in it.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Regarding my novel writing *sigh* I must have snail DNA in me somewhere because the novels are progressing so slowly. However, they are moving, albeit lethargically and who knows? They might be finished this year!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Addendum! D.F.Lewis has pointed out that I was in another anthology!</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Horror-Without-Victims-D-Lewis/dp/1291451439" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Horror Without Victims</span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and a fine antho it is too... please excuse my miserable memory! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuYmp0bzHOFrgyPyUKCVK2ApjIhwmytBzhKZa_B9KqhMv25c_aeVa6zewOC_jnmW317zvSQ-Hw1z0RT-c1vFvxZC70TY4BKbZshyphenhyphen_1AWNhRrVDSVjBt4FKc01mfw0i_hT1PP0/s1600/start.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuYmp0bzHOFrgyPyUKCVK2ApjIhwmytBzhKZa_B9KqhMv25c_aeVa6zewOC_jnmW317zvSQ-Hw1z0RT-c1vFvxZC70TY4BKbZshyphenhyphen_1AWNhRrVDSVjBt4FKc01mfw0i_hT1PP0/s1600/start.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuYmp0bzHOFrgyPyUKCVK2ApjIhwmytBzhKZa_B9KqhMv25c_aeVa6zewOC_jnmW317zvSQ-Hw1z0RT-c1vFvxZC70TY4BKbZshyphenhyphen_1AWNhRrVDSVjBt4FKc01mfw0i_hT1PP0/s1600/start.png" height="83" width="320" /></a> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In the meantime, I am one of a short-list of five writers in a competition set by the media group and publishers <a href="http://start-media.com/start-publishing/" target="_blank">Start Publishing </a><span style="font-weight: normal;">with a SF short of 500 words called The Shell Game. The brief was to write a story based on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Departure-Owner-Trilogy-1/dp/0330457616" target="_blank">Neal Asher's Departure</a> cover. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ft2OWsoNX2xJSHcYvStIIsxbMRII4kXTy3EbCb2gu139SzI6D4VIQLgaCPkjjmGY21UHMMOW1UpieJN54ttQp87FD7uGO2aqMoQHEUvMxH0NslSZSY8mOdKf3Z3VpaafehA/s1600/dep.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ft2OWsoNX2xJSHcYvStIIsxbMRII4kXTy3EbCb2gu139SzI6D4VIQLgaCPkjjmGY21UHMMOW1UpieJN54ttQp87FD7uGO2aqMoQHEUvMxH0NslSZSY8mOdKf3Z3VpaafehA/s1600/dep.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Start Media is the group that made <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2051879/" target="_blank">The Europa Report </a>and I'm hoping the prize is a trip to Europa :-P</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you'd like a free read and if you think my story deserves a vote here are the links:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://startpublishing.wordpress.com/sci-fi-contest-finalists/" target="_blank">Short Story Finalists</a> - Stories where you can leave a vote and comment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://twitter.com/StartPublishing" target="_blank">StartPublishing</a> - Twitter Vote </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/startpublishing" target="_blank">Facebook StartPublishing</a> - Vote on their Facebook wall</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Thanks all!</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ft2OWsoNX2xJSHcYvStIIsxbMRII4kXTy3EbCb2gu139SzI6D4VIQLgaCPkjjmGY21UHMMOW1UpieJN54ttQp87FD7uGO2aqMoQHEUvMxH0NslSZSY8mOdKf3Z3VpaafehA/s1600/dep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-87340203692244106462013-11-05T22:05:00.000+00:002013-11-05T22:05:35.734+00:00Two new Anthologies are out and I'm in great company!<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
This month sees the release of two anthologies in which I have stories. Both anthologies contain stories by World Fantasy Award Winner -<span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><b>Joel L<span></span>ane</b></span> </span>and British Fantasy Award Winner - <span class="fcg"><span class="fwb"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>John Llewellyn Probert</b></span> so I am in some great company!</span></span></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">First we have </span></span></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">Astrologica:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">What's your star sign? Is our fate pre-determined by the constellations
and the position of the planets? Can astrology really present an
alternative vision to the apparent certainties of science, politics,
religion and celebrity culture? Or should its claims of determinism,
fate, fortune and personality profiling perhaps be taken with a large
pinch of salt? Here are fourteen brand new astrologically themed stories
to delight and enthral, spanning the range of science fiction, fantasy
and horror, with stories by Doug Blakeslee, Mark David Campbell, Storm
Constantine, Adam Craig, Megan Kerr, Joel Lane, Bob Lock, Jet McDonald,
David McGroarty, Ralph Robert Moore, Christine Morgan, David Turnbull,
Neil Williamson and Stuart Young. What is the secret of the white bull
and his labyrinthine ranch? Why should you never trust gifts you win at a
funfair? And why are </span></span><span class="fcg"><span class="fwb"><span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">twins always apparently at war with each other? </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3qrNyoVbNww7R-j_DqDrGclzvsXhFK6o-VyhY2CXskK9SFkHcn0ZB1rfMi32G-k09pNhyxclVDoIMxoUxBG2XB-ogIwSZQaclFOMY5isHjtGBbipA7oETKzFdBzKM_Wog7F5/s1600/astrologica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb"><span class="fcg"><span class="fwb"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Astrologica-Stories-Zodiac-Allen-Ashley/dp/0957348924/ref=pd_ybh_1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3qrNyoVbNww7R-j_DqDrGclzvsXhFK6o-VyhY2CXskK9SFkHcn0ZB1rfMi32G-k09pNhyxclVDoIMxoUxBG2XB-ogIwSZQaclFOMY5isHjtGBbipA7oETKzFdBzKM_Wog7F5/s320/astrologica.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></span> </span></span></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">Then the next book is</span></span></div>
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h1 class="parseasinTitle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="padding-left: 0px;">Cthulhu Cymraeg</span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="parseasinTitle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="padding-left: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">The old gods are dead … The older gods have returned! Before the American master of the macabre H. P. Lovecraft there was the Welsh wizard of the weird Arthur Machen, who filled his pages with tales of ancient evil. Now, completing the circle, comes a collection of original tales from the land of Machen following in the footsteps of Lovecraft and his uncanny creations. In What Others Hear by John Llewellyn Probert , a musician comes to rural Wales to convalesce in peace. But what terrible secrets hide behind the notes of the music he so loves? Adrian Chamberlin shows us that seemingly innocent old traditions can conceal sinister intentions when dark forces use them to deadly ends in Stranger Crossings. In Charles Black's tale, a brilliant Welsh scholar finds the price of knowledge can cost you everything when he discovers the true purpose of that dreaded tome The Necronomicon. And six more Lovecraftian tales of the otherworldly.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="parseasinTitle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="padding-left: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cthulhu-Cymraeg-Mark-Howard-Jones/dp/190665221X/ref=pd_ybh_2" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cthulhu-Cymraeg-Mark-Howard-Jones/dp/190665221X/ref=pd_ybh_2" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3eNN8Wn-VuaNP-wxeD74MpVyeZgNxnrfG_k6j00gKDtX0uK5ote5w4_bzT-puQyLyLAaBBklkfaCh9wb9w4rERyLaeRM1WOi3hfOqLj8bKDFfHLLu3Xf4sw-wLJotYS3RpbW/s320/cthulhu.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
<h1 class="parseasinTitle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="padding-left: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="parseasinTitle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="padding-left: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Click on the book covers to take you to Amazon :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="_1_s" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb"> </span> </span></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-75254958551675899682013-09-22T16:52:00.001+00:002013-09-22T16:52:51.749+00:00Another string to my bow!Well, I've written books which are in print, I've written e-books, I've had short stories on websites, anthologies, in magazines, in fact I have my stories and poems all over the place. But recently an idea came to me for another possible outlet to plague the unsuspecting world with... <b>dial-a-story</b>. I don't think anyone has come up with this idea before (I'm sure if they have someone will point it out to me in the comments!)<br />
So, basically the idea is this, every month I will upload stories to an 0872 number I've bought and I have an IVR (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_voice_response" target="_blank">Interactive Voice Response</a>) system put in place to answer and redirect the caller to the story (or poem) of their choice. At the moment you can choose a science fiction story, a fantasy story, a horror story or a poem. Calls to an 0872 number cost 10p per minute from a BT landline and will cost more from mobiles and possibly other network landlines, you'll need to check. Think of it as a dial-up service for the more sophisticated and cerebral individual and at 10ppm it's certainly cheaper than the £1.50p plus that other, more raunchy services, cost (so I've been told!)<br />
Initially all stories and poems will be mine and mostly narrated by me too. however, if the project turns out to be a success I might invite others to participate, perhaps have a guest writer or narrator every month. So, if you want to give the system a try the number is <span style="font-size: large;">08726657636</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3LnJKav2vkilaEcN1Kt2oCjxnqnsLYu0NIFZjRhlVMWyGm_fuGU8UNW4wXCyHH5fiSszr9Sf7WhqKgbyy03POR4LJGsz4Y2JJaj1Zh7P3sKUllzO4m0Gkf39_R18s3tOwF3r/s1600/sfsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3LnJKav2vkilaEcN1Kt2oCjxnqnsLYu0NIFZjRhlVMWyGm_fuGU8UNW4wXCyHH5fiSszr9Sf7WhqKgbyy03POR4LJGsz4Y2JJaj1Zh7P3sKUllzO4m0Gkf39_R18s3tOwF3r/s640/sfsky.jpg" width="169" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.scifi-tales.com/" target="_blank">Scifi-Tales is my website</a>.<br />
<br />
Stories on dial-up this month are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Science Fiction - Do We Not Bleed? </li>
<li>Fantasy - The Secret Weapon</li>
<li>Horror - A Matter Of Taste</li>
<li>Poem - Follicly Challenged</li>
</ul>
<br />
At the end of the stories or poem you can leave feedback if you like :) Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-67175972507600463752013-08-30T18:43:00.000+00:002013-08-30T18:43:04.953+00:00Review of Horror Without VictimsThere's a very detailed and excellent review of Horror Without Victims over at <a href="http://paintthistownred.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/my-review-of-horror-without-victims-an-anthology-by-df-lewis/" target="_blank">Paintthistownred</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Bob Lock’s ‘You in your small corner, and I in mine’ concludes this
collection and is perhaps the finest example of what Lewis calls
“curative force”. This is a short, sweet tale of faith and hope, and how
holding on to both, allowing them to become your “armour”, can bring
about change for the better.</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Many thanks for the kind words, AJ :) Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-69129903118106044802013-06-24T16:20:00.000+00:002013-06-24T16:20:19.480+00:00New horror anthology: Horror Without Victims<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://howivi.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">D.F.Lewis's newest anthology</a></b> </span>is out and is called Horror Without Victims and my story, You In Your Small Corner, And I In Mine, is the last of the twentyfive horror stories in this well put together tome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-RuXBtrOmZX3w1MFtu9XsfurS-8grUsPewJ7datHfzo0Di9IJ5n4janPBxYz1rFMbXBevxqO2wl8JP-fuq2NdXfOkGa-gtMi5AQHZFJCj-s7QmZYVOaSvRGXBB30qfwZRmjs/s1600/product_thumbnail.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-RuXBtrOmZX3w1MFtu9XsfurS-8grUsPewJ7datHfzo0Di9IJ5n4janPBxYz1rFMbXBevxqO2wl8JP-fuq2NdXfOkGa-gtMi5AQHZFJCj-s7QmZYVOaSvRGXBB30qfwZRmjs/s1600/product_thumbnail.php.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the TOC</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
EMBRACE THE FALL OF NIGHT – John Howard<br /><br />THE HORROR – Gary McMahon<br /><br />CLOUDS – Eric Ian Steele<br /><br />THE CARPET SELLER’S RECOMMENDATION – Alistair Rennie<br /><br />WAITING ROOM – Aliya Whiteley<br /><br />FOR AGES AND EVER – Patricia Russo<br /><br />NIGHT IN THE PINK HOUSE – Charles Wilkinson<br /><br />POINT AND STICK – Mark Patrick Lynch<br /><br />THE BLUE UMBRELLA – Mark Valentine<br /><br />LAMBETH NORTH – Rosanne Rabinowitz<br /><br />THE CURE – John Travis<br /><br />WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY HERE – David Murphy<br /><br />LORD OF PIGS – DeAnna Knippling<br /><br />LIKE NOTHING ELSE – Christopher Morris<br /><br />IN THE EARTH – Rog Pile<br /><br />SCREE – Caleb Wilson<br /><br />THE WEEK OF FOUR THURSDAYS – David V. Griffin<br /><br />IN DREAMS, YOU’RE MINE – Jeff Holland<br /><br />WALK ON BY – Katie Jones<br /><br />VENT – L.R. Bonehill<br /><br />THE YELLOW SEE-THROUGH BABY – Michael Sidman<br /><br />THE BOARDING HOUSE – Kenneth C. Wickson<br /><br />THE CALLERS – Tony Lovell<br /><br />STILL LIFE – Nick Jackson<br /><br />YOU IN YOUR SMALL CORNER, AND I IN MINE – Bob Lock</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you all enjoy it :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aSWU8QGIV6cbA_DS4wxo5kh4OYKldLjYxnyXQ3nuPI6VtQeYV03r-A9JRprxp1RHYqdAZgtiJ-Fxh_hcKJXZ2ARO0uPO_Jdz85Q4AhFZA91M4D2Hn6lLs1BRRWZ7JTo7fIQy/s1600/hwv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aSWU8QGIV6cbA_DS4wxo5kh4OYKldLjYxnyXQ3nuPI6VtQeYV03r-A9JRprxp1RHYqdAZgtiJ-Fxh_hcKJXZ2ARO0uPO_Jdz85Q4AhFZA91M4D2Hn6lLs1BRRWZ7JTo7fIQy/s320/hwv.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
</div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-7135679306961870962013-03-26T17:02:00.000+00:002013-03-26T17:02:39.083+00:00A Man Of Many Parts<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVMqc-IfsjhXrGl72OlcVV-DE9TC24ffadr7hxyC2ycp_CqOrL-T1VnC3Y8WFP5Mf-dMtpT__cZvtpPNsvs39rAgbBUgCbB3u7Kiqck0kiBLLkVGmfOVZ6B_Grk8qzwxo-qMU/s1600/s&w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVMqc-IfsjhXrGl72OlcVV-DE9TC24ffadr7hxyC2ycp_CqOrL-T1VnC3Y8WFP5Mf-dMtpT__cZvtpPNsvs39rAgbBUgCbB3u7Kiqck0kiBLLkVGmfOVZ6B_Grk8qzwxo-qMU/s1600/s&w.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've been on a roll lately with stories I've sent into the avant-garde magazine that is <a href="http://ismspress.wordpress.com/category/sein-und-werden/" target="_blank">Sein und Werden</a> run by the lovely Rachel Kendall as I've had three or four accepted, the latest being for her Exquisite Corpse Anthology. There are over forty short stories in the anthology all written around the exquisite corpse subject and my one is called 'A Man Of Many Parts' and is a SF/Horror/Weird tale that can be read here: <a href="http://www.kissthewitch.co.uk/seinundwerden/spring13/page38.html" target="_blank">STORY</a><br />
If you get time please give it a read and let me know what you think :)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ztp52-CyrVM66ROjCgz2hr-mh4NHpMxXWjjW7-pd_UCiyfrz-xmLLlROqsuct3I9-k5vdV4MwShgRGfulUnXotn6owZG9RMDT1iKyn09xPOJZVgp3g9ZuLvI1b0AZKLhLazB/s1600/ECmoney+box+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ztp52-CyrVM66ROjCgz2hr-mh4NHpMxXWjjW7-pd_UCiyfrz-xmLLlROqsuct3I9-k5vdV4MwShgRGfulUnXotn6owZG9RMDT1iKyn09xPOJZVgp3g9ZuLvI1b0AZKLhLazB/s200/ECmoney+box+small.jpg" width="124" /></a> </div>
<br />
In other news. The novella I was writing and trying to keep to about 30,000 words or so has now grown to a massive 69,500 words and has become a novel. I'm still writing it and I guess there's about another 10,000 words to go. Because I've wanted to get this done and dusted I've put the sequel to 'Flames' on the back burner again but that has grown to 75,000 words plus and once I get back on it I can see the end arriving fairly quickly. I've also written notes for another two stories but don't know yet what sort of size they'll be, whether novella size or novel but both are science fiction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVMqc-IfsjhXrGl72OlcVV-DE9TC24ffadr7hxyC2ycp_CqOrL-T1VnC3Y8WFP5Mf-dMtpT__cZvtpPNsvs39rAgbBUgCbB3u7Kiqck0kiBLLkVGmfOVZ6B_Grk8qzwxo-qMU/s1600/s&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ztp52-CyrVM66ROjCgz2hr-mh4NHpMxXWjjW7-pd_UCiyfrz-xmLLlROqsuct3I9-k5vdV4MwShgRGfulUnXotn6owZG9RMDT1iKyn09xPOJZVgp3g9ZuLvI1b0AZKLhLazB/s1600/ECmoney+box+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-76059684050936042502013-02-19T19:16:00.000+00:002013-02-19T19:16:27.336+00:00A few reviews.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:right;
text-indent:.3in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now and then I
review a book or two that I’ve particularly enjoyed and it’s been a while since
I’ve done so. That’s not to say I haven’t read any books that haven’t been
worth reviewing lately, more so it’s an indication that I’ve been too <s>lazy </s>busy
to blog about them. However, that ends now, as here are a few books I wouldn’t
hesitate to recommend you read, they are all extremely good – and they are not
in any order of preference or anything, but perhaps just in order of being
read.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrO6lgH_KnwwUVNcWkx7saYZZdFYUm07H0_JMKz4HgWDS3r-Ix-6KqC94eVryPNc7Sl5G14l74vhsD369f8CpY-1cjb51QvEWTV2o9x6RtxvYEyW2_QPMts4cxvpNWY_EX_FE/s1600/coldbrook-tim-lebbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRg0Hs3JHD64YLUAUluAMdKNaI26RZhpB_VqOtLTskTpsR-dCv1d1s8v_8fDo7U4ZGdlc5TNMSz5zdwShUBwCuTTnUfhqQHCIbW5anMDcH_n_zRKBB2bockhQDSG7lyMsZJN5/s1600/Red+Country.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpVHLeJA7zcIVHXyD9z1ZqAPBK91A_lrD6mRTQyySNU7XwC_OXq4Hr37PBFtTd3ZuVZKFkUz1TzFXrONtklPwhSsxdQHQW93RDHwcf3HeTFwCCCrgf-3BgHJSsTy1j7Rky0y4/s1600/zero-point-neal-asher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Joe Abercrombie’s
– The Red Country</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRg0Hs3JHD64YLUAUluAMdKNaI26RZhpB_VqOtLTskTpsR-dCv1d1s8v_8fDo7U4ZGdlc5TNMSz5zdwShUBwCuTTnUfhqQHCIbW5anMDcH_n_zRKBB2bockhQDSG7lyMsZJN5/s1600/Red+Country.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRg0Hs3JHD64YLUAUluAMdKNaI26RZhpB_VqOtLTskTpsR-dCv1d1s8v_8fDo7U4ZGdlc5TNMSz5zdwShUBwCuTTnUfhqQHCIbW5anMDcH_n_zRKBB2bockhQDSG7lyMsZJN5/s320/Red+Country.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I picked up this
hard-back book at BristolCon on Sat 20/10/2012 after stalking Joe in the bar
and he forced me (at banister-leg-point) to go and buy a copy so he could sign
it for me. I did so on the understanding that he would take a signed copy of my
‘The Empathy Effect’ off me. After much tears and gnashing of teeth, he agreed.
Here’s the review:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Joe Abercrombie must
do the best characterizations that I’ve ever read. They leap off the page, grab
you around the throat and, when you gasp in wonderment, slip down your open
mouth and lodge in your brain and I’m sure will remain there until the last
little grey cells you have wink out. The characters in The Red Country continue
this throughout the book, both new characters, and some very recognisable ones
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shy South is one of the new
characters and is the heroine of the story, a bloody and unwilling heroine much
like her stepfather Lamb, a giant of a man who has always been a quiet, perhaps
even a cowardly man in her eyes. However, when marauders raid Shy’s farm and
kidnap her younger brother and sister she and Lamb set off to The Far Country in
pursuit, and as they voyage together begin to realise that both have a dark
past that will have to be dragged into the light and utilized if they are ever
to liberate the two youngsters and return safely home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Red Country
takes place in the world that Joe’s created in his First Law Trilogy and many
of the characters that populated those stories pop up in this one, however, the
countryside and people of this part of his world seems more
western/frontier-like and it is a change from the fantasy world setting more usually
found in his stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a book I’d
been waiting for in fevered anticipation and wasn’t disappointed with it. Great
stuff as usual.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Neal Asher’s –
Zero Point</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpVHLeJA7zcIVHXyD9z1ZqAPBK91A_lrD6mRTQyySNU7XwC_OXq4Hr37PBFtTd3ZuVZKFkUz1TzFXrONtklPwhSsxdQHQW93RDHwcf3HeTFwCCCrgf-3BgHJSsTy1j7Rky0y4/s1600/zero-point-neal-asher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpVHLeJA7zcIVHXyD9z1ZqAPBK91A_lrD6mRTQyySNU7XwC_OXq4Hr37PBFtTd3ZuVZKFkUz1TzFXrONtklPwhSsxdQHQW93RDHwcf3HeTFwCCCrgf-3BgHJSsTy1j7Rky0y4/s320/zero-point-neal-asher.jpg" width="207" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, let me
come clean straight away, I’m an Asherite and proud of it. I must have read the
first book I picked up of Neal’s, ‘Gridlinked’, back in the early part of 2002
and got hooked by his world-building and giant space battles immediately. He’s
one of the few authors who’ll take the time to correspond with his fan base and
he and I have chewed the fat electronically for a number of years. He’s even
given me a tip or two when I’ve been stuck on my own writing and did a back-of-book
blurb for me on ‘Flames of Herakleitos’. Nevertheless that wouldn’t stop me from
being truthful about a book of his even if I thought it was rubbish (knowing
Neal he wouldn’t want it any other way) but I’ve yet to read anything of his
that I wouldn’t recommend to any aficionado of science fiction and Zero Point
is yet another that gets the brain matter working, the adrenaline pumping and
anticipation of his next book gnawing away at you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Zero Point is
the second book of his Owner Trilogy and the follow up to The Departure and
really needs to be read after you’ve read the first book in the series. The
hero of the story is Alan Saul who, as the story progresses, becomes more and
more removed from humanity as his augments take him closer to an intelligence that
even he wonders could lead to madness, or strangely enough, perhaps to even a
god-like existence. The body count in Zero Point has to surpass everything else
Neal has written as the main bad guy (well, gal really) Serene Galahad, who
becomes the self-appointed ‘leader-of-the-world’, kills billions of Earth’s
Zero Asset citizens without blinking an eye. This is yet another of Neal’s
space opera action-fests, albeit set in another universe to his Polity series,
and I can’t wait to find out whether Earth will survive his vision of a
Margaret Thatcher taken to the nth degree of utter madness. Scary, fast,
fantastic!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tim Lebbon’s –
Coldbrook</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrO6lgH_KnwwUVNcWkx7saYZZdFYUm07H0_JMKz4HgWDS3r-Ix-6KqC94eVryPNc7Sl5G14l74vhsD369f8CpY-1cjb51QvEWTV2o9x6RtxvYEyW2_QPMts4cxvpNWY_EX_FE/s1600/coldbrook-tim-lebbon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrO6lgH_KnwwUVNcWkx7saYZZdFYUm07H0_JMKz4HgWDS3r-Ix-6KqC94eVryPNc7Sl5G14l74vhsD369f8CpY-1cjb51QvEWTV2o9x6RtxvYEyW2_QPMts4cxvpNWY_EX_FE/s320/coldbrook-tim-lebbon.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Coldbrook is
only the second novel I’ve read by Tim, the first being Echo City which I
thoroughly enjoyed. Coldbrook interested me as it is a tale of m-brane worlds
and zombies, and I’ve dabbled in both myself and was curious to see what he
would come up with and if I would enjoy his take on things. Well, his take on
things were hugely different to mine in his ideas of how zombies pass on the
affliction and the results thereof, and I was surprised and thrilled with how
he handled it. His idea of m-brane worlds however was very similar to what I
envisaged (and what seems to be the standard thinking on this principal) and
felt very familiar (and even possible) and got me thinking of a potential
zombie outbreak starting at the large hadron collider in CERN and how much time
we’d have before the first walking corpses got as far as Wales. It was great to
see Welsh protagonists and Welsh locations, even though the book is primarily
set in the USA. Tim, like me, lives in Wales and I think it’s his way of
tipping-the-hat to the principality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Coldbrook is
both the facility in the USA and the name of the inventor, Bill Coldbrook, of
the ‘breach’ which is a gateway between branes that allows the protagonists of
the story to step through into an alternative Earth that is both one step, and
an infinity, away. However, it isn’t just a one-way system and not only can we
go through to the other side but things can come through into our reality and
no matter how many fail-safes are set in place to guard against contamination
it only takes one person to circumvent them to cause a catastrophe on a
world-wide scale. As you watch that one person you can’t help but shout at the
book, ‘don’t do it!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Coldbrook can be
read as a standalone novel but I have a feeling Tim might be writing a sequel
to this, I hope he does, I’ll be buying it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ernest Cline’s –
Ready Player One</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT08Xy2mTYbqvfq39Er8wCTLTYFXhIt4EasReH1ELy8vGr8o9_BkjCYNW4F6KPvtPL-pvYaV_95uglYdJ9QoK7rwzxzkUELU5vm6sID73MFKsY65fn1Rxk8Ibmbk7tvSMgQDwK/s1600/rpo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT08Xy2mTYbqvfq39Er8wCTLTYFXhIt4EasReH1ELy8vGr8o9_BkjCYNW4F6KPvtPL-pvYaV_95uglYdJ9QoK7rwzxzkUELU5vm6sID73MFKsY65fn1Rxk8Ibmbk7tvSMgQDwK/s320/rpo.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ready Player One
was recommended to me by my nephew, Gary Harwood who is a computer games
designer and knowing that I am an MMORPG geek (albeit an ancient one) I would
probably enjoy this story, and boy was he right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">RPO is set in a
near-ruined world of 2044 when, after The Great Recession, the majority of
Earth’s population live lives online through a game called OASIS that is both immersive
and addictive, better-than-life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
owner/inventor of the game, James Halliday dies and in his will decides to leave
all his money (billions and billions) plus a controlling stake in Gregarious
Simulation Systems, his company, to whoever discovers an ‘easter-egg’ hidden
within the vast game itself. A group of like-minded players discover the first
of many clues and combine to solve the quest but discover that a huge
corporation, Innovative Online Industries, have employed thousands of employees
to play and find the prize for them first. The corporation has no scruples and
will do anything to win, will even commit murder, both in virtual reality and
in real life to achieve their goals. A fantastic, and highly page-turning
story. The only thing that lets it down is too much exposition in the beginning
but once past that you are in for a treat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">And that’s my
reviewing for a while. My next book to read will be <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hannu Rajaniemi’s The Fractal Prince which is his follow up to his
excellent The Quantum Thief.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiGkjSvCC_KHtIo2b9BVb0oy3axWdPNbMQ4SkcxU8pSujpbBtzAZP-aRcJamJfcMKFUB3XsxWsxzdImWR2ZftOoFKgFpJv23rqjSuhwvFWeu1G_pXk5oH67VSKlAxvqclh7ch/s1600/fractal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiGkjSvCC_KHtIo2b9BVb0oy3axWdPNbMQ4SkcxU8pSujpbBtzAZP-aRcJamJfcMKFUB3XsxWsxzdImWR2ZftOoFKgFpJv23rqjSuhwvFWeu1G_pXk5oH67VSKlAxvqclh7ch/s320/fractal.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></span></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-90274255922283242522013-02-13T16:57:00.000+00:002013-02-13T16:57:00.809+00:00Just a little update.Well I finally finished my SF/Vampire novella 'Chase The Night' that grew from 40,000 words to 61,000 which probably makes it a small novel more than a novella. A copy has been sent to an indie-publisher who has taken an interest in it so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but if you are a publisher reading this and want a copy then drop me a line.<br />
<br />
Other news, just received my contributor's copies of <a href="http://ismspress.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sein and Werden's</a> Winter Issue with my story 'Waitering for Godot' in it. This edition was edited by that rapscallion <a href="http://rhysaurus.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rhys Hughes</a> who has Spoons For Ears. So I've been published twice in S&W and have decided to go for the hat-trick and wrote and subbed a story for Rachel's Exquisite Corpse edition which is due out in the spring.<br />
<br />
I've been pretty busy the last month or two and have subbed about another four short stories to various anthologies so I'm going to need more fingers crossed than I possess,you'll have to help out so get crossing!<br />
<br />
The other thing I've been doing is re-reading and editing 'They Made Monsters' the sequel to 'Flames' as it's been a while since I concentrated on it and I needed to remember where I was and what I had in mind! Anyway, I've begun writing the next part of it and at the moment I've got 74,500 words done and I'm very pleased with the result so far. I'm hoping to have this finished and published this summer. Watch this space :)Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-75330286934388890812013-01-27T10:17:00.000+00:002013-01-27T10:17:25.870+00:00To hoist The Jolly Roger... or not?<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYnWb1IZzrT_KkEXwOKUlo4rF6MlFwxvSHAUANj8kn458qXmzQEhMFrU6r_LeRP10rMVdUjD5jjNPz7b9bliULKz1An5TOUwUQa2PrRUkMV7xFhIwtZlJwKXdB-n1By1qdTsO/s1600/Internet_Pirate_Flag_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYnWb1IZzrT_KkEXwOKUlo4rF6MlFwxvSHAUANj8kn458qXmzQEhMFrU6r_LeRP10rMVdUjD5jjNPz7b9bliULKz1An5TOUwUQa2PrRUkMV7xFhIwtZlJwKXdB-n1By1qdTsO/s320/Internet_Pirate_Flag_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
This week I commented on, and got involved in, the great debate on e-book piracy and its merits and drawbacks. As a member on the new <a href="http://amazingstoriesmag.com/" target="_blank">Amazing Stories</a> website I was asked to write a piece for the Sunday edition and have done so. If you'd like to weigh in on the deliberation please do so. It would be interesting to have a poll just to see what the groundswell of writers think about piracy. Good or Bad?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYnWb1IZzrT_KkEXwOKUlo4rF6MlFwxvSHAUANj8kn458qXmzQEhMFrU6r_LeRP10rMVdUjD5jjNPz7b9bliULKz1An5TOUwUQa2PrRUkMV7xFhIwtZlJwKXdB-n1By1qdTsO/s1600/Internet_Pirate_Flag_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLBX70vdW_jXqvlFf9FPJU_jN6-kkZJF4ilUjppo4Ry0pU3n4JGTyVPqbqq9BO5h6Csd9wrNQ-6hEGpcLhRz7N-pofUrhlYqhaitGR9D2Esnkbd90vLz-5C5SRmxUkX5X7VB/s1600/Amazing-Stories-Logo-3002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLBX70vdW_jXqvlFf9FPJU_jN6-kkZJF4ilUjppo4Ry0pU3n4JGTyVPqbqq9BO5h6Csd9wrNQ-6hEGpcLhRz7N-pofUrhlYqhaitGR9D2Esnkbd90vLz-5C5SRmxUkX5X7VB/s1600/Amazing-Stories-Logo-3002.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the link: <a href="http://amazingstoriesmag.com/2013/01/piracy/" target="_blank">Amazing Stories Piracy</a></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-87020408084206254632013-01-03T15:06:00.002+00:002013-01-03T15:20:08.336+00:00Happy 2013!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI33mODTA3o5icaeaWB5OVLM1oT1S04Q2NqrEbpCWHs9xF0ogiAR9tEgNUsfBbdzD90agGcDkGbWSUK2DQwyEJGFbXt9VDIH5NdQCybTLvFFvfCKsseq5dWnfl9WVS4kmzDDBl/s1600/happy+new+year+images+2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI33mODTA3o5icaeaWB5OVLM1oT1S04Q2NqrEbpCWHs9xF0ogiAR9tEgNUsfBbdzD90agGcDkGbWSUK2DQwyEJGFbXt9VDIH5NdQCybTLvFFvfCKsseq5dWnfl9WVS4kmzDDBl/s320/happy+new+year+images+2013.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Hello everyone and Happy New Year 2013!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sorry I haven't updated my blog during December but as you all know that is quite a busy month for everyone, including old giffers/writers like me :)<br />
Well, I was hoping to get the sequel to <a href="http://www.screamingdreams.com/flamesofherakleitos.html" target="_blank">'Flames of Herakleitos'</a> done and dusted in 2012 but unfortunately only managed to get the dusted part done, i.e. it's gathering virtual dust on a virtual shelf on my hard-drive whilst I've been distracted and writing other things. However, I am determined to get the sequel finished this year, as early into the year as possible. There will be shocks and surprises and if all pans out as I foresee then perhaps even a third book. But there will also be some sadness as a character or two shuffles off the virtual mortal coil of my 'Flames' world.<br />
Most of the end of 2012 was taken up with writing a SF novella which I had almost finished (at last!) it is perhaps slightly bigger than a novella as it has now grown to over 55.000 words and will probably finish at 56,000. It's called <b>'Chase the Night'</b> and is about humans trying to mine a planet inhabited by vampire-like creatures. Watch this space for further details! (well okay, don't keep looking at THIS particular space but pop back now and then to see if I have uploaded anything else)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3HvDzjQYXjutePt-D_ObVSGFqZauDYCeUYUAEFOpvzDhbH8d2XGXpU1aA8oPR7jWLJFG4OJvFZeW_d9v7vsUoQPHA2fDEd42pzt16UnzGjxDAD44m6WxNUbAtI-mqJgy7AzK/s1600/sein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3HvDzjQYXjutePt-D_ObVSGFqZauDYCeUYUAEFOpvzDhbH8d2XGXpU1aA8oPR7jWLJFG4OJvFZeW_d9v7vsUoQPHA2fDEd42pzt16UnzGjxDAD44m6WxNUbAtI-mqJgy7AzK/s1600/sein.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I'll be in the winter issue of <a href="http://ismspress.wordpress.com/category/sein-und-werden/" target="_blank">Sein und Werden</a> again with a short of mine called 'Waitering for Godot' the issue is being edited by the whimsical <a href="http://rhysaurus.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rhys Hughes</a> so that should be a weird and wonderful edition. Don't forget I have a story in the Pulp Punk Edition too, which is the last ever print version of S und W I think.<br />
<br />
<br />
Later on, within the next week or so, I'll be loading a few of the best books I read in 2012 with a little review of each, so watch out for that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzef65OHHEZqWqtMmvWOJ00iTnf7bqilZ_x_OiwM7Nn1wd2-CSupT4Lw0JIsvh2MPLDYVJ2jx64OgGEl4PMjWqtIVha4DZJyxRFY2Ak2TvAzM8vfaDzGZKY7s34T741G-T8GU/s1600/Amazing-Stories-Logo-3002.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzef65OHHEZqWqtMmvWOJ00iTnf7bqilZ_x_OiwM7Nn1wd2-CSupT4Lw0JIsvh2MPLDYVJ2jx64OgGEl4PMjWqtIVha4DZJyxRFY2Ak2TvAzM8vfaDzGZKY7s34T741G-T8GU/s1600/Amazing-Stories-Logo-3002.png" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI33mODTA3o5icaeaWB5OVLM1oT1S04Q2NqrEbpCWHs9xF0ogiAR9tEgNUsfBbdzD90agGcDkGbWSUK2DQwyEJGFbXt9VDIH5NdQCybTLvFFvfCKsseq5dWnfl9WVS4kmzDDBl/s1600/happy+new+year+images+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Finally, I'd like to say how excited I am to see <a href="http://dev.amazingstoriesmag.com/" target="_blank">Amazing Stories</a> magazine being raised from the ashes by <b>Steve Davidson</b> (<a href="http://crotchetyoldfan.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Crotchety Old Fan</a>) who, upon finding that the trade-mark name had expired, managed to grab it! Excellent work Steve! He is now in the process of getting the magazine off the ground, into orbit, and finally the stars will be his destination... ok, corny, I know :)<br />
I'll be blogging about Amazing Stories on here from time to time and perhaps, with a bit of luck, get something of mine published on there which would be fantastic, For those too young to know, Amazing Stories started life back in 1926 and had writers such as the like of Asimov, Zelazny, Ursula K. Le Guin etc sending their work in and being featured. Exciting times ahead :) Good luck with it Steve!Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-57704857640701212942012-11-27T23:30:00.000+00:002012-11-27T23:30:13.386+00:00The Next Best Thing.<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a blogosphere meme going around called ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Next Big Thing</b>’ and <a href="http://leemoan.blogspot.co.uk/">Lee Moan</a> tagged me as one of his next
‘Big Things’ which was a surprise because I did tell him that the naked
photograph I sent to him of me was a <u>private</u> matter… but he must have
been so impressed that here I am…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
And here are the
questions:</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1) What is the working title of your next
book?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Well, I’m working on a
few titles at the same time but the one I’d like to finish and get out there as
my many fans *cough* have demanded that I do is called ‘They Made Monsters’ and
is the follow-up book to my <a href="http://www.screamingdreams.com/flamesofherakleitos.html">‘Flames of
Herakleitos’</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2) Where did the idea come from for the
book?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The ‘Monsters’ idea came
from the fact that there were plots in ‘Flames’ that begged to be continued.
Although ‘Flames’ can be read as a stand-alone novel the end does hint at a
sequel.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3) What genre does your book fall under?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Most definitely Dark
Fantasy, although there is a smattering of SciFi in there too.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4) What actors would you choose to play
the part of your characters in a movie rendition?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzRQol674X6E90vbSMQnqdu35iAm4H8pAtH5J4Al1EzP423J1Tc1ps4lx4B2mpIrx_JbxFHE__1Xh-ZjErCzto1xdyzb15G4JjBcU1kifhiAmNTxNYadYLuZzSYpuL2Allvl/s1600/gina-carano-slice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzRQol674X6E90vbSMQnqdu35iAm4H8pAtH5J4Al1EzP423J1Tc1ps4lx4B2mpIrx_JbxFHE__1Xh-ZjErCzto1xdyzb15G4JjBcU1kifhiAmNTxNYadYLuZzSYpuL2Allvl/s320/gina-carano-slice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Well the main character,
the heroine is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lucy</b>, a young woman
haunted since her childhood by the death of her father, through
spontaneous-human-combustion, which she witnessed. But it wasn’t SHC as such, it
was a rift in space/time through which something appeared and stole his soul. I
could see someone like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2442289/">Gina Carano</a>
playing her. Someone who won’t take any crap from anyone. Someone who is
probably tougher than her partner and other main character, Raven.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD7nOA34cPub7X_-e-NdUX3TyzWEvt5DAWCWht_7SwErPf-nsTreTg6L8IfCzPBGyL_1FxFBzWlsgjX_DKJvn7DlAiJkTXa7ZvzjALd6GxNH5iVNA62ir6p2FOlrAbC7S5hlh/s1600/chris_hemsworth_snow_white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD7nOA34cPub7X_-e-NdUX3TyzWEvt5DAWCWht_7SwErPf-nsTreTg6L8IfCzPBGyL_1FxFBzWlsgjX_DKJvn7DlAiJkTXa7ZvzjALd6GxNH5iVNA62ir6p2FOlrAbC7S5hlh/s200/chris_hemsworth_snow_white.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Raven</b> is a fanatical sword-freak, a Goth, a horror film-star who doesn’t
quite understand that the parallel world he follows Lucy into is playing for
keeps, it’s not a movie. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1165110/">Chris
Hemsworth</a> with long dark hair and tattoos would fit the bill.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
On the parallel world
they befriend an old sword master, Raven’s kindred spirit. His name is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pieter</b>, I see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000606/">Jean Reno</a> with long grey hair
tied back in a pony-tail with a katana slung over his back, pommel rising to
one side of his head. Yeah!</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Main bad guy is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luther Krell,</b> a mage and a bloody nasty
one. Cold and calculating, the quiet power of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000654/">Terence Stamp</a> is my pick.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Krell’s sidekick, another
baddy is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Davvid</b>. A wannabe mage held
back by his master. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000708/">Billy Zane</a>
would fit just right.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Another bad guy (who I
actually imagined in my mind when writing him) was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Vincent D’Onfrio</span></a> for the part of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sarreg </b>an over-weight, over-indulgent mage who wants to be leader
of the senate and will stop at nothing to be so.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
“In a parallel world,
where stolen souls are used to power golems, a young woman from ours continues
her battle for vengeance on those who killed her father.”</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6) Will your book be self-published or
represented by an agency?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
‘Flames of Herakleios’
was published by <a href="http://www.screamingdreams.com/">Screamingdreams,</a>
as of yet ‘They Made Monsters’ hasn’t really been touted around. I want to
finish it before I do so.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">7) How long did it take you to write the
first draft of the manuscript?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
It feels like all my
life, and it’s still not finished!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzRQol674X6E90vbSMQnqdu35iAm4H8pAtH5J4Al1EzP423J1Tc1ps4lx4B2mpIrx_JbxFHE__1Xh-ZjErCzto1xdyzb15G4JjBcU1kifhiAmNTxNYadYLuZzSYpuL2Allvl/s1600/gina-carano-slice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">8) What other
books would you compare this story to within your genre?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Phew… None really, I
don’t think anyone’s come up with the same idea. I suppose, as parallel worlds
go and the idea of falling from ours into another to do battle against evil
then perhaps, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Thomas_Covenant">Donaldson’s
Thomas Covenant</a> story? But that is very, very, cheeky of me. Donaldson is a
giant; I am the ant he just stepped on.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">9) Who or what inspired you to write this
book?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Me, myself, I. It’s one
of the many that’s inside my head trying to eat their way out. I just hope I
can write them all before they succeed.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">10) What else about the book might pique
the reader's interest?</i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I don’t keep my money in
a bank but <u>bury it in a hole</u> somewhere. I might leave clues throughout
the book and perhaps a map… (Insert tongue firmly in cheek here)</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Now I have to pass the
baton on to other writers who are The Next Big Thing and I suggest you check
out:</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rhys Hughes.</b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Another writer from my
home town of Swansea but of an entirely different cut of cloth to me. I’m
perhaps a sort of osnaburg which is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">coarse
linen or cotton</b> (much like my writing) whilst Rhys I would say is more of a
chenille, which is a lot posher and described as: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">velvety silk, wool or cotton fabric with protruding pile</b>. He’s
definitely velvety with his prose, has the quality of silk etc, and has been to
see the doctor about his protruding pile…</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Rhys is an absurdist
writer with over 600 tales under his belt… tales I said, not tails.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
He can be found
here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://rhysaurus.blogspot.co.uk/">http://rhysaurus.blogspot.co.uk/</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I’m not going to list his
books because he has too many!</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jo Thomas</b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Also known as
Journeymouse writes Speculative Fiction and enjoys swordplay (keep out of her
way if she is attempting to do both at the same time)</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She’s in an anthology
called Outlaw Bodies which can be found here: <a href="http://www.wizardstowerbooks.com/products/outlaw-bodies-lori-selke-djibril-al-ayad">http://www.wizardstowerbooks.com/products/outlaw-bodies-lori-selke-djibril-al-ayad</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
And here:</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/095739750X/futurefire-20">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/095739750X/futurefire-20</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Or a sample of her
writing can be found for free over at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Hub</b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Here’s a link: <a href="http://hubfiction.com/hub/Hub_96.pdf">http://hubfiction.com/hub/Hub_96.pdf</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
And at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crossed Genres</b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Here’s a link: <a href="http://crossedgenres.com/archives/036-different/beaumains-by-jo-thomas/">http://crossedgenres.com/archives/036-different/beaumains-by-jo-thomas/</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Her website is here: <a href="http://journeymouse.net/wp/">http://journeymouse.net/wp/</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Last but not least is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kristine Ong Muslim</b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Kristine hails from the
Philippines (I’ve listened out of my window but can’t hear her) but there’s
plenty to read as Kris is the author of the flash fiction collection <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We Bury the Landscape</b> (Queen’s Ferry
Press, 2012), the poetry collection Grim Series (Popcorn Press, 2012), and
several chapbooks.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She’s also the poetry
editor of <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LONTAR: The Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction</span></em>,
the quarterly literary journal published and distributed by Math Paper
Press in Singapore.</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Kristine’s website can be
found here:</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://kristinemuslim.weebly.com/index.html">http://kristinemuslim.weebly.com/index.html</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
And her book ‘We Bury the
Landscape’ containing 100 short stories and prose can be found here:</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983907145?ie=UTF8&tag=kriongmus-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0983907145">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983907145?ie=UTF8&tag=kriongmus-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0983907145</a></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Well, in the words of
that insouciant lagomorph… ‘That’s All Folks!’</div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-48080487191432619652012-11-27T12:17:00.001+00:002012-11-27T12:17:08.567+00:00'I'm late! I'm late!' said the White Rabbit.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIlFSVdp-m-1hoqI-yEjfhbVveKjkfP2uoK7_GnCBC4DVziXhw-qEglEngKuXGSfBOLbWjRtjH2jrwMYPBgg7Zw6PX5xvCQtiRVFAq_Pv0gSTM1K9C5YdE6X9ic0emtY69e28/s1600/rabbit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjvqHEayy90mQ9OApyxZ7vQSQmjyWcbWgSAXPC1qtNk6tKGdpfxqRu1knzlp4d3NWeqNce574IKL4RyCcsdTTve_GG4lY3WNUy84VL6K-FsAH2CXfmjQ4HVhUx2QaByvPtTT6/s1600/red.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjvqHEayy90mQ9OApyxZ7vQSQmjyWcbWgSAXPC1qtNk6tKGdpfxqRu1knzlp4d3NWeqNce574IKL4RyCcsdTTve_GG4lY3WNUy84VL6K-FsAH2CXfmjQ4HVhUx2QaByvPtTT6/s200/red.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I recently sent off one of my short stories to <a href="http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/toynbee-studios" target="_blank">Toynbee Studios London</a> who were looking for Dark Fairytales for their <a href="http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/events/3157" target="_blank">'Are You Sitting Comfortably'</a> evening of performances Friday evening 30th November. The stories will be performed by <a href="http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=43dcd94880323c027bf33b307&id=8edc8b9e16&e=742bb3e784" target="_blank">White Rabbit</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIlFSVdp-m-1hoqI-yEjfhbVveKjkfP2uoK7_GnCBC4DVziXhw-qEglEngKuXGSfBOLbWjRtjH2jrwMYPBgg7Zw6PX5xvCQtiRVFAq_Pv0gSTM1K9C5YdE6X9ic0emtY69e28/s1600/rabbit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIlFSVdp-m-1hoqI-yEjfhbVveKjkfP2uoK7_GnCBC4DVziXhw-qEglEngKuXGSfBOLbWjRtjH2jrwMYPBgg7Zw6PX5xvCQtiRVFAq_Pv0gSTM1K9C5YdE6X9ic0emtY69e28/s200/rabbit.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
who are described as being: 'A unique story-telling cabaret event' and who have toured to many spectacular venues in the UK including National Theatre,
Thames Festival, Diamond Jubilee Pageant, Toynbee Studios, Wandsworth
Arts Festival, Islington WORD2012 Festival, The Basement and Jackson's
Lane.<br />
Anyway, my story '<b>Dawn's Kiss</b>' was accepted for performing and I was invited to London for the performance (a condition within the brief) however, as some of you may know, my damn kidney is playing up again and I'm not really fit enough to travel all the way to London from Swansea, especially if I end up in agony and ultimately in A&E like the last two times! Therefore, unfortunately the story couldn't be used for the evening performance. But there is an up side to this and that is White Rabbit enjoyed the story so asked to make it into a podcast and will be featuring it on their site and on Itunes once the performance in Toynbee is done, 12pm 30th November.<br />
Here's a link to where it will be available: <a href="http://www.whiterabbitpresents.podbean.com/" target="_blank">Podcast </a><br />
And the Itunes page: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/whiterabbitpresents/id543504687" target="_blank">Itunes download</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.artsadmin.co.uk/" target="_blank">Artsadmin site</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=43dcd94880323c027bf33b307&id=8edc8b9e16&e=742bb3e784" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=43dcd94880323c027bf33b307&id=8edc8b9e16&e=742bb3e784" target="_blank"> News from the burrow (White Rabbit site)</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjvqHEayy90mQ9OApyxZ7vQSQmjyWcbWgSAXPC1qtNk6tKGdpfxqRu1knzlp4d3NWeqNce574IKL4RyCcsdTTve_GG4lY3WNUy84VL6K-FsAH2CXfmjQ4HVhUx2QaByvPtTT6/s1600/red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Remember, these link won't be live until 12pm 30th November 2012. I hope you enjoy my story :)Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-81429917921516804032012-11-11T09:04:00.000+00:002012-11-11T09:04:45.588+00:00The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9zLCWG1xgDRwRN0PioWre_cmUb2_lxSAcaxe46tPmAtruP79P8Oxl0dP7Xvm48oj0Y6H4Xs9lUPv4K2mfDF6O1l8dpeekRLam6C1ZdT_HVqI27EhyphenhyphenTO9EF102YhBPySOUJnN/s1600/poppies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9zLCWG1xgDRwRN0PioWre_cmUb2_lxSAcaxe46tPmAtruP79P8Oxl0dP7Xvm48oj0Y6H4Xs9lUPv4K2mfDF6O1l8dpeekRLam6C1ZdT_HVqI27EhyphenhyphenTO9EF102YhBPySOUJnN/s320/poppies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Mother please don’t cry for
me, for I have gone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>My</span></i><span> pain’s
embrace has left, though <i>you</i> feel it
still.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Turn your anguish to joy, for
I am at peace.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>In our trench’s arms I lie; a
sweet release.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>And softly then the tender
rain falls like blood,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Upon our upturned faces that
see no more.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Lovingly sweeps the red mud
from sightless eye,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>With purest tears wrought
from God’s own summer sky.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>And our trench fills with a
profuse torrent then,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Carries remains of its hopeless
protection.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Earthen walls, sandbags and bodies,
everyone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Seeks to escape the carnage
we have become.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>We’re but empty vessels of our
former selves,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>The flow that seeks to wash
away our remains,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Blushes as it turns an even
redder hue.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Shamed witness of those, who
know not what they do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Mother, the foe were like us;
all someone’s child.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>No malice in their hearts; there
was none in ours.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Around their feet I beg you,
let no blame, pool.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Cheap were our brief lives;
sent here by those who rule.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>We were as but leaves on a great
tree grown old.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But as the leaves fall, so
shall the strong oak too,</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9zLCWG1xgDRwRN0PioWre_cmUb2_lxSAcaxe46tPmAtruP79P8Oxl0dP7Xvm48oj0Y6H4Xs9lUPv4K2mfDF6O1l8dpeekRLam6C1ZdT_HVqI27EhyphenhyphenTO9EF102YhBPySOUJnN/s1600/poppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Weakened, helpless to stand
against folly wind,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Roots consumed from within by
men who have sinned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Leaders who knew the cost in our
blood and lives,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>At <i>their</i> spotless boots must all blame be now piled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Vain, they called the piper, bade
<i>us</i> pay the tune,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>In granite should their shame
be forever hewn.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>So to grave we go; I hope for
the best cause.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>As symbols of the imprudence of
conflict,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Peacefully safe with our
friends, men, brave and true.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>War that took so many……</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>. . . .<span>
</span>Begun by so few.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-270161805936231202012-10-31T09:13:00.000+00:002012-10-31T09:13:55.139+00:00Free Halloween Story - One Last House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DhxUJYaczVO4EfSQn7R-CjoNyBDixKY69D9juhqKpJVdnRqOifpPTjV-ozp0NDLCkoGOT8Gto79pllzH_Jqqrq56cuK14PmePGpAd8IVaJvq2pvKHSvQI9WYHPs_eUAwhYq2/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DhxUJYaczVO4EfSQn7R-CjoNyBDixKY69D9juhqKpJVdnRqOifpPTjV-ozp0NDLCkoGOT8Gto79pllzH_Jqqrq56cuK14PmePGpAd8IVaJvq2pvKHSvQI9WYHPs_eUAwhYq2/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>ONE LAST HOUSE </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Halloween morning:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Please don’t ask me again. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’re</i>
the child, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m</i> the parent and that’s
that. What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> say goes, there’s no
discussion. Now drop the subject or I won’t even allow you to go trick or
treating.’ Elaine’s mother, Glenda, emphasised her statement by tapping her
foot and shaking a finger at her daughter. Elaine’s face reddened and her eyes
began to glisten with the promise of tears. ‘And if you start crying again it
will only confirm that you are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i>
too young to understand and perhaps it would be best if I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> keep you in tonight.’ With a superhuman effort the little girl
bit back on the sob that threatened to escape from her tight throat, nodded and
went up to her room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Glenda, you can be
hard on times,’ Elaine’s father, Jim said looking up from his paper, his
breakfast finished.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Listen, she’s too
young. Once she’s of an age to understand the dangers out there then I’ll let
her do what she wants. It’s different from when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I </i>was a child. Things were safer then, I could go out dressed up
and knock on strangers’ doors, but times change. It’s not safe.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘You don’t have much
faith in our daughter,’ Jim said folding the paper carefully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘It’s not a matter of
faith. It’s just Prudence.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jim closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Of course, sorry.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘That’s ok; you know
how I get this time of year. I’ll never forget.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘But you’ve said that
was a long time ago dear.’ Jim rose and gave his wife a hug.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Yes, that’s just what
I mean. People are more aware nowadays. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Ok, perhaps I’ll have
a quiet word with her too,’ he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Glenda nodded then gave her husband a peck on the cheek. ‘Thanks
you know she listens to you more than me. Daddy’s little girl.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jim smiled, looked at his watch and said, ‘I’ve just got time before
going into work.’ Then he shrugged on his jacket and went up to his daughter’s
bedroom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Halloween Evening:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Are you sure you’re
going to be warm enough?’ Glenda asked her daughter as she fussed with the
little blue jacket the child was wearing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine rolled her eyes and sighed. ‘Yes, Mum. Will you stop fussing?
I’m going to be late.’ She picked up her plastic bag which contained the
canister of silly string for her ‘tricks’ and plenty of room for her ‘treats’. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Ok, ok, go, enjoy,’ her
mother said as she ushered her child out of the door and into the chilly night.
The street outside was already thronged with a plethora of ghosts, ghoulies,
vampires and all other manner of fancy-dress costumed children. One, a mummy,
trailing an unravelled piece of bandage from one leg, approached Elaine and the
two children walked off excitedly into the night. Jim came from the living room
and put his hands on Glenda’s shoulders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Looks like she’s one
of the very few without a costume,’ he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Glenda turned. ‘Perhaps next year.’ She glanced out once more
for a final look but the children had already gone from view. Reluctantly she
closed the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Have you got it?’
Elaine asked Rachel, her mummified friend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Of course, you didn’t
think I’d let you down, did you?’ Rachel mumbled through the bandages over her
mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Cool!’ Elaine replied
excitedly and just checked they were out of sight of her house before delving
into Rachel’s bag and extracting the clothing. It was a witch’s costume,
complete with pointy hat, false wart-covered nose and broomstick. ‘Great, I
thought you looked really scary in this last year, thanks for letting me borrow
it.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘S’ok, doesn’t fit me
anymore anyway,’ Rachel said as she helped Elaine get dressed. ‘What’s the
matter with your mum? Why won’t she let you dress up?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine shrugged. ‘Something to do with her sister, my aunt. She
died. A long time ago though and mum won’t really talk about it.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Oh,sorry,’ Rachel
said as she straightened Elaine’s cloak, ‘there, you look fab. I’m really
scared, that nose looks horrible, all those ugly warts and veins.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Har har, I haven’t
put it on yet!’ Elaine said testily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Oops’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The two friends commenced their tour of the small town. Before
long their plastic bags were weighed down with loose change, sweets, an apple
or two and even a piece of homemade cake. Rachel’s canister of silly string had
been exhausted and consigned to a wastepaper bin but Elaine shook hers. ‘Plenty
left in mine yet.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘You’re just not nasty
enough to be a witch,’ Rachel commented. ‘I emptied mine ages ago.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Yeah, I noticed,’
Elaine said as she pulled clumps of the silly string out of her hair. ‘I’m
bound to need this here anyway,’ she motioned towards a dark house set back
from all the others. A single light from a naked bulb shone from an upstairs
room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Old Man Robinson?
They say he was a preacher, you know, before he got kicked out of the church,’
Rachel said looking warily at the shadowy house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘I heard he was a
surgeon who lost his licence for cutting off a man’s leg,’ Elaine replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Aren’t surgeons supposed
to do that, anyway?’ Rachel turned towards Elaine and tilted her head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Yes, but they’re also
supposed to cut off the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad</i> leg, not
the good one...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Oh...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Yes, ohh... Anyway,
whether he’s a mad preacher or a stupid doctor I bet he won’t give us any
treats, so he’s going to have this! The rest of the canister!’ Elaine said
brandishing the silly string.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘I don’t know, it’s
getting late. Perhaps we should go now,’ Rachel said glancing at the house
again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Elaine tapped her foot
mimicking her mother’s actions flawlessly. ‘Late? You’re just scared, big
baby.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Not scared, it’s just
late. Come on we’d better go, don’t forget you’ve got to change too.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘You go then; I’ll
catch you up and meet you at the corner again where I changed into the costume.
I want to finish off my silly string. Just one last house.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘And what if Old Man
Robinson gives you a treat instead? Are you going somewhere else then to use it
up? You could be out all night!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine frowned. ‘Didn’t think of that.’ She scrutinised the dark
house. ‘Bugger it, even if he does give me a treat he’s gonna get stringed.
Anyone with a creepy old house like that deserves a good stringing.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Potty mouth. Ok, go
do your dirty deed, I’m off. I don’t want my legs sawn off.’ Rachel said and
shambled away glancing once over her shoulder as Elaine approached the
shadow-filled porch to Robinson’s house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Former Lay-Preacher Ezekiel Robinson put down the book he was
reading and sniffed the air. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and
he frowned. When his doorbell rang he just nodded as if confirming to himself
that his premonition had been correct, then he raised his wiry frame out of the
threadbare chair and went down to confirm his suspicions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Trick or treat, sir?’
The little witch asked him when the door opened and he stood there
open-mouthed, hardly believing his luck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘What?’ He managed to
mumble finally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Halloween, trick or
treat,’ Elaine faltered, Robinson seemed mesmerised by her, ‘sir...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His face brightened. ‘Of course, Halloween. Come in, child, come
in.’ He stepped to one side and motioned for Elaine to enter the dimly-lit
hallway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine swallowed nervously. She hadn’t expected an invitation to
go into the old man’s house. She looked around quickly, but Rachel had gone.
She hesitated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘The treats are in my
study, please, do come in,’ Robinson repeated and before Elaine knew it the man
had gripped her shoulder. He urged her inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Glenda paced back and forth in the passage way. ‘She should be
back by now.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘You know what kids
are like; she’s probably playing with Rachel. It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> Rachel in the mummy costume wasn’t it?’ Jim asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Of course,’ Glenda
replied and then sighed as the doorbell rang. ‘She’s back!’ She pulled the door
open and looked past the little mummy-figure expecting to see the blue-coated
shape of her child. Elaine wasn’t there. ‘Where is she? Rachel, where’s
Elaine?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The mummy shuffled uncomfortably and dropped the plastic bag.
Out spilled an apple, some sweets, a piece of cake, loose change and the sleeve
of Elaine’s blue coat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Talk, now!’ Glenda
commanded and Rachel spilled the beans. She told Glenda everything, unable to
do otherwise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Preacher Robinson,
shit. Of all the damned places to go into alone. Jim, take Rachel home.’ Glenda
picked up Elaine’s coat and narrowed her eyes. ‘I haven’t finished with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> yet, Miss,’ she said softly to
Rachel and the child’s blood seemed to freeze in her veins. ‘She’s wearing your
costume, too?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Yes, it was too small
for me, a witch’s costume,’ Rachel stuttered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘A witch’s costume...’
Glenda echoed and Rachel nodded glumly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Ok, Rachel. Let’s get
you home,’ Jim said and patted the child’s head. ‘You want the car?’ He asked
Glenda.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She raised an eyebrow at him. ‘No... I’ll be fine.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Just be careful,’ he
said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Obviously,’ Glenda
replied as she pushed him out of the door and went back to the kitchen and
opened the tall cupboard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gloominess shrouded the porch to Preacher Robinson’s house. A
gloominess that seemed to emanate from the small child that sat sobbing quietly
on the door step. She fingered something wet and slimy at her side and jumped
when a rustling from nearby bushes startled her. ‘Who’s there?’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Your mother,’ replied
Glenda as she stepped out of the foliage, brushed herself down and looked
around suspiciously. ‘Are you all right?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine nodded. ‘Yes. I didn’t expect him to invite me in. I
didn’t expect him to do what he did. I’m sorry, mum, I really am. I should have
listened to you. The costume too...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘So, what happened?’
Glenda asked as she approached the step.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘I asked him for a
trick or treat and I sort of got dragged into his house. The door closed
and...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘...and?’ Her mother
prompted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Elaine shivered and motioned to something on the step next to
her. ‘And...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘That’s the trick? Or
is it the treat?’ her mother asked as she picked up the slimy toad and examined
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘That’s... Old Man Robinson,’
Elaine replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Ah...’ nodded her
mother, ‘he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perceived</i> you then. He
saw you for what you really are. I feared as much when Rachel said where you
were... and just look at you. Why don’t you just wear a great big placard too?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘I didn’t think...’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Undoubtedly, that’s
why I’ve been so protective of you. Not everyone is capable of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perceiving</i> us, but some are. He’s one.’
She nodded at the toad which squirmed in her grasp. ‘But, on the plus side, you
did very well. Transfiguration isn’t all that easy, yet you’ve done a fine job.
Unfortunately we can’t allow him to revert back. It just wouldn’t be a good
idea at all,’ Glenda said as she closed her hand and the toad exploded with a
wet plop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Sorry, mum,’ Elaine
said reaching up for her mother.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘That’s ok,’ Glenda replied
as she picked her child up and carried her to the bushes, ‘perhaps it’s time I
told you about Aunt Prudence and what happened to her in 1780. We thought the
witch hunts were over, we were wrong then and many of us have been wrong now. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i> still remember. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Some</i> still perceive us. We have to be
more than careful now. There aren’t that many of us left.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Is daddy mad?’ Elaine
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Of course, dear!’
Glenda laughed. ‘What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sane</i> man would
marry a witch? But, that’s beside the point. Now, jump onto my broom and let’s
get home. By the way I like what you’ve done with your nose...’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-9972286728746899982012-10-27T21:10:00.000+00:002012-10-27T21:10:18.915+00:00Free Story set in Flames WorldFor those who are waiting for the sequel to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flames-Herakleitos-Bob-Lock/dp/0955518512" target="_blank">Flames of Herakleitos</a>, here's a short story set in that world which can be read as standalone. Hope you enjoy it. It's over at Wattpad and if you want to leave comments there then please do. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL2RjHWJQ9oqaEAlbi6ad3cqqQTmT14yJLX9T5HwIU5S9L6L3ekmjkZIcKwqtc-7WrgmGxhyphenhyphenXTZQL_Id70FcyeVxQYtjtK9Hyq4QiWgcKMohSAjAypOn_1paUR32pU0mn18-u/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL2RjHWJQ9oqaEAlbi6ad3cqqQTmT14yJLX9T5HwIU5S9L6L3ekmjkZIcKwqtc-7WrgmGxhyphenhyphenXTZQL_Id70FcyeVxQYtjtK9Hyq4QiWgcKMohSAjAypOn_1paUR32pU0mn18-u/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/8338309-the-taste-of-clay" target="_blank">A Taste Of Clay</a></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-9603779593651895902012-10-20T21:10:00.000+00:002012-10-20T21:10:25.685+00:00BristolCon 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO80_OsHflZgC2kOF2EDGrbHsl540iGmTkbgl8tQzYQ7FHM0_GS_ROYaL0N1AJDK7f0RXmqF3lQVCpsfYi8chR-FkEONvyI-59IQakHMeADHV9LmIYy-z8JewqSxOhDYpd2TGn/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Attended my first BristolCon today (Sat 20/10/2012) and a pretty fine con it was too, with I'd guess between 250 to 300 attendees. After wandering through the arts room and dealers room I went to the first event on the program in room1 where (from left to right) Dev Agarwal, Aliette de Bodard., Michael Dollin, Ben Jeapes and Guy Haley discussed the possibilities of colonizing other planets and if we could, would we want to go? Dev and Aliette didn't seem all that keen but I think Michael, Ben and Guy might be persuaded!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO80_OsHflZgC2kOF2EDGrbHsl540iGmTkbgl8tQzYQ7FHM0_GS_ROYaL0N1AJDK7f0RXmqF3lQVCpsfYi8chR-FkEONvyI-59IQakHMeADHV9LmIYy-z8JewqSxOhDYpd2TGn/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO80_OsHflZgC2kOF2EDGrbHsl540iGmTkbgl8tQzYQ7FHM0_GS_ROYaL0N1AJDK7f0RXmqF3lQVCpsfYi8chR-FkEONvyI-59IQakHMeADHV9LmIYy-z8JewqSxOhDYpd2TGn/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next up was Juliet E. McKenna interviewing Guest of Honour John Meaney and the conversation covered such subjects as when did John first start writing, to the novels he has written and also touched on martial arts. When question time came around I was really tempted to ask Juliet (akido) to demonstrate some moves on John (karate) and then stand well back... but I chickened out :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighYTMfEic_yrUAhPbu6JzP5bgjTZ7gNc82xhfTPJCG-52zQpfGN65BZXLfNH63_hHVIGtC8GT1IfOJrahUvmtopX1E37nJAQ-rUJzPYfks7JthesuXaL5vWGwS-iD_trbeiDR/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighYTMfEic_yrUAhPbu6JzP5bgjTZ7gNc82xhfTPJCG-52zQpfGN65BZXLfNH63_hHVIGtC8GT1IfOJrahUvmtopX1E37nJAQ-rUJzPYfks7JthesuXaL5vWGwS-iD_trbeiDR/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1OJ20agy0zfcWcIN8rVtt1C_XT8H1HzxiCVEATHNoJ99DnGGdDOtdeCKbXSw6uliNvRmscfxTyJP4CyQZ4bJngn5HoO95boNf7-QR7g8zLZsXbfm8yg1HomNH63jERS_PTPE/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a quick cup of tea the next event was Netiquette for Writers - How not to make a twit of yourself online. Giving advice were, from left to right again, Robert Harkess, Dolly Garland, Mark Aplin, Marc Gascoigne and Guy Hayley. Subjects included, never respond to bad reviews! Don't get dragged into posts that get out of hand, the recent spate of sock-puppetry and much more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1OJ20agy0zfcWcIN8rVtt1C_XT8H1HzxiCVEATHNoJ99DnGGdDOtdeCKbXSw6uliNvRmscfxTyJP4CyQZ4bJngn5HoO95boNf7-QR7g8zLZsXbfm8yg1HomNH63jERS_PTPE/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1OJ20agy0zfcWcIN8rVtt1C_XT8H1HzxiCVEATHNoJ99DnGGdDOtdeCKbXSw6uliNvRmscfxTyJP4CyQZ4bJngn5HoO95boNf7-QR7g8zLZsXbfm8yg1HomNH63jERS_PTPE/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then it was time for a spot of lunch and a couple of pints with my mate Steve Upham who insisted on doing his impression of 'Chad'</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9oT1i4VgE9W7RrTkJbLeqXcpjErblRLOMp6wK-jRddW3zRqG0U1LxX6uTVzgAiN7bLKFWJ2rJWfzUCJ1BXpLbF5bfSQbu5KXrOVmnptoFkjsBLr6aWaHPPLYuwm1Zm5eNp5/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi9oT1i4VgE9W7RrTkJbLeqXcpjErblRLOMp6wK-jRddW3zRqG0U1LxX6uTVzgAiN7bLKFWJ2rJWfzUCJ1BXpLbF5bfSQbu5KXrOVmnptoFkjsBLr6aWaHPPLYuwm1Zm5eNp5/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After lunch I went to see the next Guest of Honour Gareth L Powell being interviewed by Kim Lakin-Smith.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gareth spoke about the writers that influenced him when he was a youngster and surprised me by saying Capt. W.E. Johns' Biggles was one. He then explained how his new book's hero, Ack Ack Macaque forced his way into being and bullied him into taking his Interzone short story on to novel length. Finally he read an excerpt of the novel and finished at a cliff-hanging spot so all listening were motivated to go buy the book!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-CvtrIytFXBCOZ8EDFzbYhfswI02Vr26QsthpzLMurGhN3M4QLx7LUy5s9PgCvPZZTOYcspWn2beYLJq8yYE3aN-t99y06h39rQ0x4h9mTgeCXgefzho1FqaLsOlaZglV93B/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-CvtrIytFXBCOZ8EDFzbYhfswI02Vr26QsthpzLMurGhN3M4QLx7LUy5s9PgCvPZZTOYcspWn2beYLJq8yYE3aN-t99y06h39rQ0x4h9mTgeCXgefzho1FqaLsOlaZglV93B/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The third Guest of Honour was the artistic and beautiful Anne Sudworth who designed the cover for the 2012 program and with other artists discussed art techniques in a digital age.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ZhJOrphrO2QVkHLX9g0gpmrO6gRKchj7402jQXVHbpgQ740YF0vs6Ny-eUJRZYmZssBh16nfHUCXlcsfj9EKL1S0t1SWH3Nk-QGkxNql2ihyphenhyphen8B-9vtCpdlOwXNWnweeJhaK/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1ZhJOrphrO2QVkHLX9g0gpmrO6gRKchj7402jQXVHbpgQ740YF0vs6Ny-eUJRZYmZssBh16nfHUCXlcsfj9EKL1S0t1SWH3Nk-QGkxNql2ihyphenhyphen8B-9vtCpdlOwXNWnweeJhaK/s320/12.jpg" width="226" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-sbMVSCkC_BwFnVCRjc_m_wMD5OrtulzAQGrSF1vatSYwj5ceSdU-HrV6OFyUKdvcqvvRFwCEAwfcRVmzoQu2Hr5XydGjDqH5otI3-RGYdsPGZpJAhXijWhTuEpEoOXT2CBk/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-sbMVSCkC_BwFnVCRjc_m_wMD5OrtulzAQGrSF1vatSYwj5ceSdU-HrV6OFyUKdvcqvvRFwCEAwfcRVmzoQu2Hr5XydGjDqH5otI3-RGYdsPGZpJAhXijWhTuEpEoOXT2CBk/s320/9.jpg" width="222" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Finally, before I had to leave, who should I spot propping up the bar? None other than Joe Abercrombie (one of my favourite authors) who'd been signing copies of his new book, Red Country, just up the road in Waterstones. He generously exchanged a few words with me and then signed a copy of the book. Then to top it all I forced a copy of <i>my</i> book on him (Flames of Herakleitos) and even signed it for him. He graciously accepted it and although couldn't promise to read it (he has a massive stack to get through) said it might come in handy to prop up a leg on his wobbly desk...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5duCQNZKmn0TacY3q3DLhD9rsJ4Mu1d6g1D0FT2nYdEhqAsI8EsMVc58P77RAyKnyt1xFQ9DvlWVtAjG2OBztzMM-dEC1jVkLnvX9TOMkILaErqkPmeSQtQmJcBN3d4k3Hhuz/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5duCQNZKmn0TacY3q3DLhD9rsJ4Mu1d6g1D0FT2nYdEhqAsI8EsMVc58P77RAyKnyt1xFQ9DvlWVtAjG2OBztzMM-dEC1jVkLnvX9TOMkILaErqkPmeSQtQmJcBN3d4k3Hhuz/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Dedication says: To Bob, Best of luck with the lonely profession. (that's what I put on his one too...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphpkT60IzMqSUtLIB7Lyv6dxLZZBFiPbYfQoUnCH4bcB_i88bjslJWeQpjx20EMC1Zcd2SYrchyphenhyphenl2PJKIglqRfv-0NPi70Ie3Pw7HtnKmK0ZlS7O5YkBU3A2bR6fObN2qGAdL/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphpkT60IzMqSUtLIB7Lyv6dxLZZBFiPbYfQoUnCH4bcB_i88bjslJWeQpjx20EMC1Zcd2SYrchyphenhyphenl2PJKIglqRfv-0NPi70Ie3Pw7HtnKmK0ZlS7O5YkBU3A2bR6fObN2qGAdL/s320/13.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And finally, here's my haul from the con. A nice freebie bag from Forbidden Planet, Steve Upham's Antho edited by Johnny Mains, The Screaming Book Of Horror and Probably, Maybe, Perhaps by Terry Martin of Murky Depths. A great con and well worth going to, see you in 2013 guys!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUiU3LCz-M4PT-y1OmqgmRksk6q_w-kFbR30oC0VMVFEuEfvAbHQv_9RuDnjH0fs7r-p7ChhptRa8R9nDynPLqqh5XL7pesQ4j5u6CxrtLFM0xdQw5xzNjKlpw5S4GObzfJ8C/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUiU3LCz-M4PT-y1OmqgmRksk6q_w-kFbR30oC0VMVFEuEfvAbHQv_9RuDnjH0fs7r-p7ChhptRa8R9nDynPLqqh5XL7pesQ4j5u6CxrtLFM0xdQw5xzNjKlpw5S4GObzfJ8C/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-50563391499477899102012-09-06T12:21:00.001+00:002012-09-06T12:21:15.913+00:00Free book!With all the brouhaha (I like that word) lately over sock-puppetry (that word is growing on me) and the fact that I don't get many reviews *sobs* and that I'm short on socks at the moment, so can't make a puppet, I've decided to make one of my e-books free. However, I'd really be obliged if you do download it and read it you leave a little review (it doesn't even have to be a good one, but if you do dislike anything please say why, it's the only way I can see if and where I'm going wrong) <br />At the moment I can only get the Smashwords version set to free but hopefully I can also get the Amazon one free too shortly.<br />The e-book is called <b>'They Feed On Flesh'</b> and is a series of inter-linked zombie stories that spread from present day and into the far future. The zombie apocalypse is just around the corner so be prepared, and if you go looking around that corner and get your face bitten off then don't say I didn't warn you... :P<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB12wUqm_qOib5kJdDxHVJJS1qD_dBK9qClA_RxmHP-ck1VltnI__z3N4PprQe99nhl8SRXT9yXF3icx5TeWGhxODwy7EwbeVcqMtQHJNXuefr4R1ShouoZIwqoRWmrjVMfKl/s1600/zombie+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB12wUqm_qOib5kJdDxHVJJS1qD_dBK9qClA_RxmHP-ck1VltnI__z3N4PprQe99nhl8SRXT9yXF3icx5TeWGhxODwy7EwbeVcqMtQHJNXuefr4R1ShouoZIwqoRWmrjVMfKl/s320/zombie+copy.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/229554" target="_blank">Free Edition of 'They Feed On Flesh'</a>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-55230235515879260482012-07-18T11:37:00.000+00:002012-07-18T11:37:25.284+00:00The Empathy Effect gets to shortlist for Rubery Award 2012Had some good news this morning that my urban fantasy novel <a href="http://www.screamingdreams.com/theempathyeffect.html" target="_blank">'The Empathy Effect'</a> had got as far as the shortlist on <a href="http://www.ruberybookaward.com/2012-winners.html" target="_blank">The Rubery International Book Award 2012</a>, wow that is so exciting!<br />
<br />
The judges said:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text_exposed_show">The book is well written, the setting
one the author knows well, and it shows. The style is slightly
experimental as part of it is told in first person while the third
person is used for the scenes where the main character does not appear,.
The limited colour palate of the cover works well, although some of the
judges felt that the title and author did not stand out enough, and
preferred the image on the back to the front. There were a few concerns
that the plot contained too many coincidences, but it was nonetheless an
exciting, well-constructed novel.</span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKw90EEDN7-HJjLtAoO5NLCBljeJUiegDpcoDklg_UWNL92uRcRKLM7Zqv_m-l5tCtvrYgSYTNO5uzeKF-tQA8fSh8510ygfqGhtjGtrLtrJqys2NxKzCwkq_zGyWSnVYYiN_/s1600/tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKw90EEDN7-HJjLtAoO5NLCBljeJUiegDpcoDklg_UWNL92uRcRKLM7Zqv_m-l5tCtvrYgSYTNO5uzeKF-tQA8fSh8510ygfqGhtjGtrLtrJqys2NxKzCwkq_zGyWSnVYYiN_/s320/tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-48750995026803770672012-07-15T19:23:00.000+00:002012-07-15T19:23:45.624+00:00Long overdue update!I've been lackadaisical (love that word, describes me so well) in updating my blog but it's been hard to drag myself in from the British summer sunshine and scribble away inside (yeah, yeah) but I finally did it. What's been happening? Hmm... nothing much. The collaboration on a short script I did with Rhys Hughes for Pint-Sized Plays was unsuccessful so we are now looking for another outlet for it. It's a ten-minute sketch for two people who are both self-centred altruists who can't help but show-off their philanthropic nature to each other.<br />
I have been productive however and have sent off a script to the BBC Writer's Room in the hope it might be considered for the Wales Drama Award 2012 <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/wales-drama-award-2012" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
It's about a washed-up American detective and his young assistant who investigate a serial killer who de-bones his victims and attempts to keep them alive so they can appreciate the beauty of their bones on display (yep it's gory) I don't have any chance winning but it would be nice to perhaps get on the long list!<br />
The story is called The Charnel House.<br />
Other news:<br />
I've had a short story of mine published in <a href="http://maydecemberpublications.com/" target="_blank">May December Publication's</a> Steampunk Anthology called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clockwork-Orchard-Rivets-Rain-ebook/dp/B008E95N4W/" target="_blank">A Clockwork Orchard: Rivets and Rain</a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLldL3YoJ4XjXnTQHwF58O_PGfl0DpSWAS3iWkuaVrqOyNPDLfHGIRr297qOjAZ9JGVly5brhKU6jQfgM9i7vTFO-JeCsH7TIL8jhUZef_rDWhHOHpSqTPWEEtkIu2bX7mw49P/s1600/rivets.jpg" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My story is called: Il Risorgimento and is about Garibaldi's battle for the unification of Italy and his attack on Rome. This story means a lot to me as I wrote it with my daughter, Juliana, in mind who passed away March 2011. The heroine in the story is Juliana di Foggia and to have the story in print and on-line is great. There's the first review in for the book on Amazon and the reviewer said of Il Risorgimento: <i> Il Risorgimento wins hands-down for a truly revolutionary setting. Also,
a setting either very well known by the author, or extremely well
researched.</i><br />
Thank you reviewer :) <i><br /></i>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-77220511174717686272012-06-06T14:01:00.000+00:002012-06-06T14:01:08.556+00:00Gelert<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4fcf61051824a9721926507">
<h2>
Took
some Italian friends to see Kidwelly Castle this week and in one of the
rooms we found a bronze statue of a wolf-hound which I presume to be
Gelert.</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a class="uiPhotoThumb largePhoto" data-ft="{"type":41,"tn":"E"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150869408028717&set=a.376491578716.155464.547173716&type=1&ref=nf" rel="theater"><img alt="" class="img" height="200" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s320x320/564968_10150869408028717_696257445_n.jpg" width="225" /></a> </h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beddgelerttourism.com/gelert/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>www.beddgelerttourism.com/</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>gelert/</a></h2>
<h2>
<br /> Some time ago I wrote a poem dedicated to Prince Llewelyn and Gelert, seeing the bronze brought it back to mind, here it is:</h2>
<h2>
<br /> <u>Gelert’s return (A Welsh Prince's death-bed plea for forgiveness.)</u></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <br /> <br /> Curse my anger for it was quick; my sword was even quicker, <br /> when blood I spied upon your flank, and o'er the baby's wicker. <br /> Oh stabbing blade that found your heart containing but affection, <br /> be sheathed now in tearful sorrow, cast-off in sad reflection. <br /> <br /> Now my turn has come oh faithful friend to join you in the chase, <br /> for time has won the battle-royal and Death has shown his face.<br /> So I lie here as a child once more, too weak to raise a hand, <br /> and dwell upon our hunting days when we both ruled the land. <br /> <br /> No finer friend to Prince or man could I ask for or be given.<br /> And as I close my eyes, for the final sleep, I beg to be forgiven. <br /> My son you saved, I knew it thereon, your courage I did not discern. <br /> 'Twas not his blood, but the wolf you killed, too late I was to learn. <br /> <br /> Many years have passed; I bear them all, a weight upon my shoulders. <br /> The heavier burden is within my heart, the shame forever smoulders. <br /> If only I had stayed my hand which drew your life that day <br /> I'd welcome death contentedly, and follow him on his way. <br /> <br /> Oh Gelert! You come once more to my side, you lick my fevered brow. <br /> Though night has fallen I feel you close, my soul is lightened now. <br /> At peace, I may now seek to slumber, with your head upon my chest, <br /> and we’ll hunt together once again, when I awaken from my rest.</span></span></div>
</span></h6>
<a class="uiPhotoThumb largePhoto" data-ft="{"type":41,"tn":"E"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150869408028717&set=a.376491578716.155464.547173716&type=1&ref=nf" rel="theater"></a>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29751211.post-13385734687532918782012-05-16T20:48:00.000+00:002012-05-16T20:48:23.152+00:00Mini Opera Script Competition<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought I'd give this competition a try. It's hosted on the <a href="http://www.minioperas.org/">Mini Opera Website</a> and closes 21st May 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three writers will provide Mini Operas’ seed stories: <a href="http://www.minioperas.org/?stories=the-death-of-a-government-inspector" title="The Death of a Government Inspector">Will Self</a>, <a href="http://www.minioperas.org/?stories=on-paper" title="On Paper">A.L. Kennedy</a> and <a href="http://www.minioperas.org/?stories=the-sweeper-of-dreams" title="The Sweeper of Dreams">Neil Gaiman</a>. and I've picked Neil's one to try. Here is my offering, it's called:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:right;
text-indent:.3in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Do my dreams bring you calm or fright?</span></b></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:right;
text-indent:.3in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:right;
text-indent:.3in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Opening
Scene:</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It is
night-time. The stage is empty apart from a bed. A gossamer-like curtain separates
the stage from the audience. It is transparent enough to see that the bed
contains two sleeping people, a man and a woman.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Enter
stage right (behind curtain) a man sweeping with a broom.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Dream-sweeper
(sings quietly)</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Do my dreams bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Soothe your worries through the night?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Or trail nightmares to your bed?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Leave black images in your head?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Shall I sweep them all away?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Chase the darkness with the day?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will the next night find you awake?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fighting dreams that I must make?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Only I can know the night</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will I bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Woman in
bed stirs then shakes her head from side to side. The dream-sweeper exits stage
left and the curtain rises and the woman awakes. She shakes the man in bed next
to her.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Woman
(agitated)</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tom,
Tom! (Man pulls sheet up and grumbles) Tom wake up, I’ve had that dream again.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Tom (sleepily)</u></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">What? (Yawns
and picks up clock from bedside table) bloody hell Debbie, it’s nearly three in
the morning. What’s the matter?</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I told
you. I had that horrible dream again. A man was in the room, he was singing and
I knew something bad was going to happen. It woke me up.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well I
can’t see anyone now (makes a show of looking around the darkened room)</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Debbie
hits him on the arm</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Don’t be
such an idiot. It scares me Tom!</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tom
moves over to her and puts an arm around her.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sorry,
you know I get grumpy when I don’t sleep properly.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">YOU don’t
sleep properly! You were snoring like a pig. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m</i> the one who doesn’t sleep.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">(She
pushes his arm away) You can drop off in the middle of a warzone. I haven’t had
a decent night’s sleep since... since... I can’t even remember...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps
you have too much pent-up energy (he smoothes her arm) perhaps if we...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I just
don’t believe you, I’m having kittens here and you think sex will make
everything better.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Works
for me...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh yeah,
wham bang, thank you Mam and you’ll be snoring again.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">That’s
not nice...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Debbie
puts her head into her hands.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m
sorry Tom. It’s just... (She shakes her head) every night it’s the same dream.
A man singing something softly, I can’t make it out exactly but it’s like:</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Do my dreams bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Soothe your worries through the night?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Or trail nightmares to your bed?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Then I
usually wake up with a terrible feeling of dread, that something is going to
happen or something <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i> happened. It’s
horrible. He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> trail a nightmare
to my bed.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">To <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> bed...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Yes, all
right, to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i> bed. (She puts a hand
to his face) Have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> heard him?</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Puts a hand over hers and shakes his head)</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">No,
babe, I haven’t. I don’t expect I ever will either. It’s just a dream, babe. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your</i> dream.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">She
pulls away from him and gets out of bed.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’m not
even sure it is a dream Tom. Someone could be in the house and I hear him. He’s
taunting me. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> don’t hear a bloody
thing because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re</i> dead to the
world.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tom
shakes his head as she leaves the bedroom. He pulls the sheets back up and
yawns again. Debbie returns with a box of Cornflakes and a carving knife.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">What the
hell, Debs?</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Debbie
walks backwards to the bed, sprinkling Cornflakes on the floor as she does. She
gets into bed placing the box on the floor and the knife on the bedside table.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Right
Tom, I’ve had enough of this crap. If it’s a dream then tomorrow morning we’ll
wake up and find everything undisturbed. But... (she nods) if someone is
getting into the house and is stalking me or trying to mess with my head then
they’ll crunch the Cornflakes and wake me up, or if I don’t wake up we’ll find
them all crunched in the morning.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sounds
like a plan. And the knife?</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Self
defence. I told you I feel threatened by all this.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well, as
long as it lets you get some sleep. (Yawns) So, are we sleeping or...</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sleeping,
or I’ll be a wreck in the morning. ‘Night Tom (she kisses him)</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Tom</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Night
babe (He kisses her back, turns over and almost immediately starts to snore.
She sits up in bed for a moment, stares at him and shakes her head then lies
back down, looks around the room, looks at the knife and pulls it into bed next
to her)</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The curtain
falls slowly and before long both Tom and Debbie are asleep and snoring a duet.
Before long the dream-sweeper enters stage right again and starts to sweep and
sing quietly. He sweeps a path through the Cornflakes and stands by the bed
looking down at the sleeping couple. He walks around to Tom’s side of the bed,
leans his broom against the foot of the bed and lies down in Tom’s place,
almost as if he is merging into Tom’s sleeping figure.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">He
starts to sing.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Dream-Sweeper</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Do my dreams bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Soothe your worries through the night?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Or trail nightmares to your bed?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Leave black images in your head?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Shall I sweep them all away?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Chase the darkness with the day?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will the next night find you awake?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fighting dreams that I must make?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Only I can know the night</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will I bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Debbie
twists and turns in her sleep as the song repeats and repeats. She brings a
hand out from beneath the sheets and up towards her head and places her curled
fist against her forehead. The knife is in it, she brings it down hard onto the
sleeping form at her side and the singing stops. Debbie sighs, turns onto her
side, away from the prone figure of Tom with the handle of the knife protruding
from his chest and soon she is snoring.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The
stage begins to lighten as dawn breaks and the gossamer curtain rises. Debbie
wakes and yawns then stretches luxuriously.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<u><span lang="EN-GB">Debbie</span></u></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Well
that was a better night’s sleep. (She gets out of bed. The Cornflakes make her
jump for a second and she laughes. She puts on her slippers and begins to leave
the stage. On her way off stage she begins to sing.</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Do my dreams bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Soothe your worries through the night?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Or trail nightmares to your bed?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Leave black images in your head?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Shall I sweep them all away?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Chase the darkness with the day?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will the next night find you awake?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Fighting dreams that I must make?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Only I can know the night</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Will I bring you calm or fright?</span></i></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-GB">End</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>Bob Lockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03141837277102776901noreply@blogger.com0