Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World; Chapter Six Extracts

Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World

Extracts from Chapter Six - Leppy, Felicity, and Brute

Felicity was often spotted walking her Flemish Giant rabbit, Brutus, on a lead. Brute had a reputation because of his size. But, he seemed a gentle soul. Completing an unusual-looking trio was Felicity's new regular boyfriend, Leopard Lykealot.

Leopard liked wearing a leopard skin print jumpsuit and green, star-framed shades, while Felicity preferred tottering around on 6 inch heels, in a pink mini skirt, green tights, and a tight blue granny cardie. Poor old Brute was lumbered with a pink, black spotted coat - which Felicity thought Brute looked particularly fetching in.

Felicity always considered Brute's feelings, which was just as well. If Leppy and Felicity were eating, and they'd forgotten to feed Brute he'd have a temper tantrum and headbutt his food bowl over. If the food he was served wasn't good enough he'd also do the same. Brutus ruled Felicity and Leppy with a rod of iron, and he wore the trousers in the house - once literally during one of Felicity's whimsical moments.

If guests arrived who Brute didn't take a liking to, then Felicity ensured that they didn't stay long. She only needed to look at Brute to see how the evening was progressing. If Brute didn't like someone he'd just sit and glare at them until they got the message - that it was time for them to leave HIS home.

More Brutus - the Rabbit That Changed the World info, extracts, main characters here:

https://www.paulrance.com/Brutus.html

 

101 Poetry Tips - Now Out In Paperback

Along with 101 poetry tips, I've also included some articles, including why poets should have their own website, and how they can promote their poetry online. The book is pocket-sized, so it'll be something you'll be able to dip into wherever you are.

Promoting Your Poetry Online (article extract)

The internet means that anyone has the possibility of promoting their poetry. This is a double-edged sword. It also means that quality control is often lacking, and that there is MUCH more competition than in print media.

There is also the little matter of being a good poet in the first place. You'll need a thick skin, too, as a pat on the back from family and friends may lull you into a false sense of security when it comes to internet snipers lying in wait!

Basically, there are five good ways that you can utilize the internet to promote your poetry.

 

101 Poetry Tips paperback - Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/101-Poetry-Tips-Paul-Rance/dp/1520534264

50 Great Moments And Memories Of The 1960s, From A British Perspective

50 Great Moments and Memories of the 1960s, from a British perspective - Kindle Edition. 50 Great Moments and Memories of the 1960s paperback details here.

A little ebook I've recently completed. Due to come out on Friday, via Amazon.

Amazon.co.uk
https://www.amazon.co.uk/50-Great-Moments-Memories-1960s-ebook/dp/B072MXLZQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1497350991&sr=1-1&keywords=50+60s+memories

Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/50-Great-Moments-Memories-1960s-ebook/dp/B072MXLZQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1497351121&sr=1-1&keywords=50+60s+memories

Book extracts

29. Bob Dylan and the Folk Revival 

Bob Dylan not only revived folk music, but he influenced The Beatles and The Byrds, and countless others, as he brought the protest song into the mainstream. Popular songs, Dylan emphasised, didn't need to be just about love. Blowin' in the Wind, The Times They Are a-Changin' and Masters of War all struck a chord - with fears over the Cold War, and a thirst for a better future all helping to make Dylan a key voice for both youngsters and those sick of the cycle of war. Vietnam also made Dylan look like a prophet.

Encouraged by Pete Seeger, Dylan's fame spread very quickly, though another young folkie, Joan Baez, was already a bigger name by the time Bob and Joan became a couple. Joan Baez saw Dylan's genius at first hand, and recorded some of his songs, while The Byrds produced a whole album of Dylan covers.

Dylan's decision to go electric in 1966 provoked cries of "Judas!" on a fraught tour of the UK, but Like a Rolling Stone gave him his first US number one. The song was acclaimed by many as a work of genius, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Going electric, then, didn't seem to harm Dylan's career at all. A motorcycle accident did, however, halt Dylan's remorseless rise, but, by 1967, only The Beatles really rivalled him as the most important young music act in the English-speaking world.

A raft of gifted singer-songwriters followed in Dylan's wake, including Britain's answer to Dylan - Donovan. Tim Hardin, Phil Ochs and Joni Mitchell also became big names, as some folkies became as feted as pop stars. Something that would have seemed unthinkable a decade earlier.

30. The Prisoner 

Unwavering obedience to authority was really challenged in the 1960s, and, as far as TV shows were concerned, none more so than in The Prisoner. Patrick McGoohan was superb in the lead role of Number 6, and he is a character who is taken to a mysterious place called The Village. The place seems idyllic - but only if you try not to leave, and risk being stopped by a Rover...

Number 6 is also unhappy being a number, and is determined not to toe the line. Number 6 has a nemesis as well - Number 2. But, because Number 6 is so strong-willed, a new Number 2 is called in regularly to try and make The Village's most difficult resident an unquestioning robot. Number 6 worked for the security services, but resigned, and the reason he did so is a question he's not keen to answer.

In the beautiful, unusual setting of Portmeirion, The Prisoner was one of the more stylish TV shows of the 1960s. With impressive guest stars, and with its not always being easy to fathom, The Prisoner gained a cult following, and the Six of One official Prisoner appreciation society exists to this day.

More '60s memories from Paul Rance's book: Ready Steady Go!/Top of the Pops/Juke Box Jury; Twiggy https://www.paulrance.com/1960sMomentsMemories.html