Dave Cousins with pupils from GEMS

On the 17^th March all Year 8s walked to Gosforth Central Middle School to listen to the author Dave Cousins. Many of you will not know who he is and neither did I until I went to this event which was part of the Community Book Festival. He has written books including ‘Charlie Merrick’s Misfits’, ’15 Days Without a Head’ and ‘Waiting for Gonzo’. (Search on Google for more information.) He explained his road to becoming an author from wanting to be Batman and an astronaut to being in a band and touring. He told us many stories from his childhood and adulthood that gave him inspiration for his stories. He was very comical and he showed that if there is something you really want to do you can do it however long it takes. Dave achieved many of his goals and had a family followed by seven years of waking up at 5am and trying to write in his very cold attic before work. Finally, at the age of 43, his first book was published. We all enjoyed the visit and have been inspired by his writing and his story.

By Ruth, year 8