Sunday, 7 July 2013

Writer Of The Week!

You may have seen my post when I announced my two book deal with Nimbus Publishing. I've been writing for five years...FIVE years, people. Anywho, becoming a writer seemed like the logical thing to do after nursing for over twenty years (which I still do, by the way).

My mom, who has been tremendously supportive of every story and every character I've ever put on paper, tells anyone who will listen that she's not surprised, since I've been writing from an early age.

I don't remember this. I don't remember making exceptionally good marks in English, either. In fact, I was a lousy speller...still am.

What I do remember is Travis F. throwing up in grade two—he had hot dogs and grape juice for lunch that day, apparently. And I remember when the boy I had a huge crush on actually made eye contact during History class.

But, the writing stories bit? Not so much.

I always thought my mom was biased and exaggerated the degree of my talents, as good mom's usually do...until the other day when she sent me this.

Okay, actually my dad scanned it and e-mailed it to me, but it was my mom who had kept it all these years, stashed away in her cedar chest of treasures.




Oh my nerves.  This newspaper article is over thirty years old, folks.

Let the prophecy be fulfilled!!!

I have no idea what "The Rock Collection" was about, but I'm guessing from the genre it was short and spooky. It was probably also riddled with spelling mistakes. I'm glad I earned points for my house team, it kind of makes me feel a bit like Harry Potter, but without all the cool magic and stuff.

I guess it shows that even though I wasn't paying attention, my mom was.

Thanks, Mom.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

How you can get free awesome swag for PLAYING NICE...

It’s the Very Merry Unbirthday for Rebekah Crane’s novel PLAYING NICE!



PLAYING NICE has been out for six months and it’s time to CELEBRATE! What better way than to host a GIVEAWAY of some awesome things: e-book copies of Playing Nice, skull bracelets just like Lil would wear, and a very special hard copy of PLAYING NICE annotated by Rebekah filled with notes, doodles, and secrets only the author would know!


 




















About PLAYING NICE:


Martina "Marty" Hart is really nice. At least, that's what people think.

It's Marty's junior year at Minster High. Minster's a small town where making great grades, smiling pretty, helping old people, running the new-student Welcoming Committee, and putting up decorations for all the dances--including the totally awful Hot Shot fall hunting celebration--gets you ... what?

Marty's not sure. Instead of dreaming about a sororities-and-frats future at nearby University of Michigan, she's restless, searching for a way out of the box her controlling mother and best frenemy Sarah have locked her in.

When Lil--don't call her Lily!--Hatfield transfers to Minster, Marty gets her chance. Lil's different. She smokes, wears black, listens to angry punk records, and lives in a weird trailer with her mother. Lil has secrets--secrets that make her a target for all the gossiping and online bullying Minster can muster. But so does Marty. And Marty sees something different in Lil. Something honest.

Something real.

PLAYING NICE is the achingly true story of a girl who's been following the rules for so long she's forgotten who she was when she started. It's about falling in love with the wrong people and not seeing the right ones, about the moments in life when you step out of line, take a chance ... and begin to break free.


Event Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


COVER REVEAL FOR ASPEN:

In addition to winning cool stuff, we’re gearing up for the publication of Rebekah’s next novel, ASPEN. The cover is coming and will be revealed on September 5th!!  We’d love for you to join us (we’re giving away stuff then, too! PARTY!) Sign up below to participate and get a sneak peak at ASPEN’s badass cover!


Sign Up for the Cover Reveal of ASPEN here:
 

About ASPEN:


You know your life's going to have some strange twists when your hippie mom names you after the tree she gave birth under at a stoner concert. She didn't know she was pregnant; you end up being named Aspen….

Next thing you know, you're seeing ghosts.

Before their cars collided, Aspen was the nondescript slacker flying under the radar, Katelyn the sleek-haired popular girl, one half—with gorgeous boyfriend Ben Tyler—of Boulder High’s “It” couple.

After the accident, Aspen is unexpectedly popular, her new lab partner Ben, as in Katelyn’s Ben, is unexpectedly interested in her … and in the biggest twist of all, Katelyn’s ghost appears unexpectedly at every turn. At first, Aspen feels badly.

Then she starts to feel annoyed.

With the help of best friends Kim and Cass, her childlike mother, Ninny, and Ben, Aspen must learn the difference between an accident and fate, while defining the role she wants to take in an indefinite world. It might just be the only way to banish Katelyn from her life forever.

Rebekah Crane’s darkly humorous new young adult novel, ASPEN, is the story of an accident and its aftermath. It's about a girl struggling to forget the past while being deathly afraid of the future. But most of all, it's the story of what comes next.

Thanks for being a part of PLAYING NICE’s giveaway and the exciting cover reveal for ASPEN! Let’s get this unbirthday party started!


About Rebekah


 
Rebekah Crane fell in love with YA literature while studying Secondary English Education at Ohio University, but it wasn't until ten years and two daughters later that she started to write it. Inspired by her past students, growing up in Cleveland with its fabulous musical theater community, and music of all kinds (particularly the Avett Brothers), she created PLAYING NICE.

It is her first published novel, but having an unbridled imagination, it's not the only fantasy world she's lived in (just ask her husband). ASPEN, her second YA creation, is set to release in January 2014. She now lives in Colorado, where the altitude only enhances the experience.  
Follow her on twitter, facebook, and tumblr

 
 

The Bachelorette Season 9, Episode 6, "Licks, Kicks, and Dicks"


Des and Brooks kick it up in Spain!
cartermatt.com
 

Des and the dudes go to Barcelona, Spain.

She tells us, “These guys are amazing. I'm invested in these guys.”

Des has used the word 'amazing' one million and six times this season.

Zak is feeling the romance of Spain, but Michael wastes no time in letting everyone know that they
should all hate James now.

I think he's crowned himself the master of scruples, or at least the master of being the biggest tattle tale.

Evil James
ibtimes.com
Drew is chosen for the solo date. He decides to use his time alone with Des to talk about her, and NOT how James is the new Ben.

He kissed her right away and said he hasn't been able to stop thinking about her. They have hot chocolate and kiss the whipped cream off each others lips. Then they sip water from a fountain and kiss the drips off each others chins.

But before anything else can be licked, things get serious when Drew confides to Des that his father is a recovering alcoholic. Now an advocate for others, Drew says his father is his hero. He gets emotional when he continues to relate that his dad has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Des nods sweetly and says, “You're a great person. Thanks for sharing that.”

Excuse me, I've got something in my eye...

Des feels comfortable with Drew and is impressed with his 'depth'.

Is that what the kids are calling it these days?

They have a dinner of large glasses of wine. Suddenly, like without warning and totally spontaneous, Drew whisks Des away and down a cobblestone alley. He presses her up against a wall and they make out like there aren't five camera men filming.

Des is clearly impressed and she gives him the rose. They make out again. Carefully, Drew tells Des he'd heard James and Mikey discussing their business and romance opportunities after the show. She's upset, but is grateful Drew told her how much of a dick James turned out to be.

It's time for the group date with Juan, Michael, Brooks, James, Chris, and Kasey. Des tells us she's not ready to kick James off. She meets the guys at a soccer dome.

Michael is wearing a sweat band around his head...again. What??

Juan is in his element and if I were Des, I'd drop the other dudes, and have a little one on one scrimmage of my own with him. Des returns with a few of Spain's national women's soccer team.

I predict Michael's headband will be the only thing that survives.

Juan scores a few goals, but that's about it. James is a terrible goalie and is too busy pouting between the goal posts. The girls win 10-2.

It's time for cocktails!
 
Des and Chris hang out and she tells him he's really athletic. Then she reads him a poem she wrote for him.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
I like making out with you,
And the other guys, too.

Meanwhile, Kasey and Michael plan to confront evil James and his biceps.

Personally, I'd leave the strongest guy alone. Doesn't Des already know he's a creep?

Kasey ignores my warning and asks James point blank about what he and Mikey discussed.

While Kasey is flirting with disaster, Des and Brooks cuddle on the pillows, oblivious to the heated debate in the other room.

James and Michael get all Gossip Girl in each others faces. Things escalate quickly to Jersey Shore level.

Des has had enough. She doesn't give out a date rose and makes the other guys leave early so she can talk with James.

*Cue the scary violin music*

Des confronts James and he does a song and dance that he was just playing around and joking with Mikey. When she doesn't buy it, he starts to cry.

He rubs his head and says, “This is giving me a headache. I don't know what to say to you.”

That's because you're a dick.

Des gets weepy because all the guys ABC picked for her and turning into losers. She decides to sleep on it and make a decision in the morning.

Back at the hotel, Michael is re-enacting the whole scenario for the other dudes. James walks into the room and everyone craps their pants.

Zak gets to soothe Des on the solo date and help her forget about you-know-who, Lord Voldemort.

                                                                      abcbachelorette.com

They have an artistic themed date and spend the afternoon sketching. They shared some laughs, and then a male model comes in and drops his robe.

Nothing says romance like a naked stranger in the room with you and your date.

Zak leaves and then puts on his own robe and models in his underwear for Des.

I'm bored.

Finally it's the dinner portion of the date, which means it's almost over.

Squee!

Des is impressed with how much fun Zak can make any event. He lets her know he has a great relationship with his parents. He's also a wandering spirit that doesn't want to settle too soon. They make out and his hands do some wandering.

Des gives him the date rose.

Meanwhile, James talks with Drew and it's soon obvious he can't explain his side without blowing up. Plus, he uses words in a way that make no sense. The next morning, Des arrives and takes him for a walk.

James talks quickly, like most guilty people do. He stammers about being in love with her and their future together.

Des confesses that she's confused because ABC wants more drama to stretch out the episode.

There's more tears.

*Cue the sad piano music*

James smells victory and says that her qualities of being able to make hard decisions are what he's looking for in his wife and the mother of his children.

Barf.

They cuddle and kiss. The guys watch from the balcony and want to drop water balloons.

When they depart, she's more confused and he has man boob sweat.

Each of the guys are wondering if they want to be with Des if she's so stupid. I fast forward through the continued argument back in the hotel room. James uses the reality of dating hot chicks after he's kicked off the show as his reason for...?

...being a dick?

Michael says the obvious, “This is absurd.”

Drew gets the trophy for stating, “Why hasn't she slapped him?”

Indeed. From the mouths of babes.

It's time for the rose ceremony.

Des looks at each picture and monologues, which I fast forward through.

Chris gets the first rose. Brooks gets the second. And the last rose goes to...Michael.

Going home are Kasey, Juan, and evil James.

I'm surprised she chose Michael over Kasey considering Michael is gay, but whatever.

Juan gets weepy because he realizes he wasted a lot of time when he could have been with his daughter.

James tries to plead his case in the limo and leaves us with these wise words, “Why me?”

Oh my nerves, ABC. Why us?

Saturday, 29 June 2013

Top Five Movies You Should Watch With Your Teenage Kids

...Or anyone else for that matter.




facebook.com


#5. The Goonies

Why? This isn't about kids going on a treasure hunt. It's about kids having to cross over from their carefree childhood to the real life problems of the adult world. Plus there's cool clues, kissing, sword fights and pirates. Oh yeah, and Rocky Road ice cream.

Best Line: "This one, this one right here this was my dream, my wish. And it didn't come true. So I'm taking it back. I'm taking them all back."

#4. Lucas

Why? There's nothing like having your heart broken for the first time. The kids are realistic and make bad choices, yet, even though most of the characters are flawed, you still like them.

Best Line: "I'll never quit. EVER!"

www.ew.com


#3. The Breakfast Club

Why? Makes you abandon your prejudice about every kid you'll ever see. And let's not forget the hilarious escape scene and awesome soundtrack.

Best Line: "We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all."

#2. Say Anything

Why? Love story that doesn't depend on cliches. Seeing John Cusack holding the boom box over his head is worth hitting the rewind button a few times.

Best Line: "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."


                                                                                fanpop.com

#1. Stand By Me

Why? Four friends trying to hold on to their childhood with one last adventure, but are forced to face the ugly side of growing up.

Best Line: "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"

BONUS!

Dirty Dancing

Why? Realizing that your parents are regular people who can't fix the world is the scariest part of growing up. Plus, watching Patrick Swayze dance in tight black pants is a good way to spend two hours.

Best Line: "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."


What are some of your favorite teen movies?

Thursday, 27 June 2013

Book Deal!!!


Yes, it's true, I'm going to be an author.

I have a two book deal with Nimbus Publishing.

BUSGIRL BLUES will be published in the Fall 2014 and JUST JESSE will follow in 2015.

Oh my, where to begin. Well, certainly not at the beginning because that's way too boring.

Here are the dirty details...

JUST JESSE was on submission with two different agents for a combined total of sixteen months.

I received over twenty rejections from publishers.

I had two editors ask for a revise and resubmit (neither led to the above deal).

I had one YES!

If you feel like you've been on submission forever and you think no one is ever going to like your work, I'm here to tell you it will happen. IT WILL HAPPEN.

Keep writing. Join a critique group. Keep writing. Enter contests. Keep writing. Send your work out into the world. Keep writing.

It's okay to get rejections. It's okay for editors not to fall in love with your work. It's okay to feel crappy about it sometimes. It only means that your book hasn't met the right editor yet. There is a lid for every jar, my friend. 

My recent success with BUSGIRL BLUES on Wattpad was a turning point. It gave me the confidence I needed to actually try and get myself published.

I sent BUSGIRL BLUES to Nimbus, hoping a small publisher who focuses on Atlantic Canada might be interested in my coming of age novella set in my home town of Chester, Nova Scotia.

A view of the front harbour in Chester. Isn't it gorgeous!
globeandmail.com



Penelope J., an editor from Nimbus (and my new bff) called me the end of May (on my niece's fifteenth birthday to be exact). She'd spent the day reading BUSGIRL BLUES and had just finished. She then proceeded to talk about the characters like they were real people who lived down the street and sometimes popped in to borrow sugar. She used words like; thrilled, excited, loved...

Then she made an offer to publish! I almost dropped the phone into the soapy sink full of dishes. Next we talked about JUST JESSE, so she asked for that too.

The next week I had a two book offer staring at me in the face.

That's right, people, my jar had found its lid.

Thank you so much to everyone who has ever read this blog, or read one of my stories on wattpad, or favorited one of my tweets, or smiled at me, or shared their Oreos at recess when my mom sent me with yogurt, or breathed oxygen...I think you see where I'm going with this.

Yes, I'm in love with the world.

Keep writing. Keep hoping. Keep dreaming. 

IT WILL HAPPEN!

And for God's sake, buy my books when they come out.

Enough talk, time to celebrate!









Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Jumpy Hugs All Around

                                


                                 This is me. Right now.





 
 
More details tomorrow...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

The Bachelorette Season 9, Episode 5, "Polka, Pouts, and Mountain Peaks"


abclocal.com
 

The fellas get a free trip to Munich, Germany! They arrive in matching zip up hoodies.

Here's some of their comments while walking through the historic city.

“That's a cool building.”

“This is so cool.”

They boys can't believe how awesome their hotel room is and they jump for joy in their matching hoodies.

                                                                         poptower.com

Chris, (Henry Cavill's twin) explore Munich with a phrase book, and a team of camera men.

Back at the hotel, Bryden takes time to do an interview about how lonely he feels. He talks with the other guys about how he's not getting to second base with Des.

James says, “Yeah, man.” And then looks around the room for help.

Bryden is find Des, and let her know he's needy.

I think she already knows, champ.

Chris is so handsome in his pea coat! He and Des sample all the vendors and try on lederhosen, and take loads of selfies. They dance the polka and charm everyone watching. Even the doves fly down from the sky.

Chris says, “Nothing can go wrong.”

Bryden goes into the streets with a camera crew asking random people if they've seen and camera crew near by.

Um, yes, behind you, idiot.

Bryden says, “I hope Des isn't too upset when she finds out I want to leave.”

Amazingly, Bryden finds Chris and Des.

What are the odds? It's as if the producers have cell phones or something.

Bryden apologizes for interrupting the perfect date and he takes her off to the side, camera crew in tow.

*Cue the creepy piano music*

Bryden gives Des the news that he wants to go home. She replies, “Are you going home now, then?” Then she says, “Good-bye, Bryden.”

Meanwhile, Chris is preparing to alleviate her pain.

Des is a bit weepy because she's tired of being dumped. Chris is there with a big hug and handsome shoulder. He tells her that he's in for the long run, until the end...until that last rose.

Then they kiss and drink double pints of beer.

Right on, Des!

Michael and Ben are chosen to go on the two on one date. Michael says, “Great. I'm on a date with the one guy I detest.”

Michael, you're not dating Ben.

Then Michael vows to slay Ben like a gladiator.

Mercy!
 
Des and Chris have an elegant dinner under chandeliers. She says, “It feels so natural to be with him, nothing is forced.”

They bond, they laugh, and she imagines him pulling off his dress shirt revealing a big red S on a blue t-shirt.

He tells Des that he's ready to have a relationship and start a family.

She tells him she likes a man who can compliment her and let her know how he's feeling.

Right on cue, Chris whips out another poem he wrote for her on the red eye trip from the states. Des cries and before you can say, 'Bryden who?' She reaches for the rose.

Hooray! The Man of Steel, Stole Her Heart!

Then a musician suddenly appears and they have a private concert.

Time for the Group Date!


wetpaint.com
Des takes them into the mountains and she's wearing a Canada Goose Down Filled Jacket!

Yay! Canada.

They take a gondola up the mountain. Here's some of the comments...

“This is so cool.”

“Oh, wow!”

“Wow, no way.”

“That is so awesome.”

When they reach the top each of the guys take a turn yodeling.

I could have lived without that.

Then they sled down the hill, and crash over and over again.

Zak reminds us, “We're here for love and sometimes you just have to let go.”

There is a snowball fight and one doorknob hits Des in the face. She laughs, but seriously, guys, don't ever, ever do that.

Des and the guys tour an ice hotel. They lounge on furs and eat pretzels and wine. Des lets the guys know that if they're feeling like Bryden the-sookie-baby, they should ship out speedy quick.

They guys waste no time in letting her know, she's THE ONE.

Des blinks her doe eyes back at all the compliments. She and Brooks make out and she secretly hopes Bryden watches the reruns in his boxers while eating cereal... all alone.

Mikey and Des make little snowmen and talk about how many kids they will have, then Zak perches on a nearby rock and practices his yodeling.

Zak tells Des he once wanted to be a priest. He said he came to Europe, climbed a mountain and decided he wasn't ready to be a priest after all.

Des says, “Wow.”

James sulks under the fur blanket's and says, “It's hard to be on a date with seven other guys.”

Des finally gives the rose to 'the person who brings out the best in her, even she's having a bad day'...and that person is Brooks.

James can't believe it, since Brooks looks nothing like him and is only half as interesting.

Now it's time for Ben and Michael to kill each other to go on their two on one date with Des.

Michael is going to use his trial tactics (he's a lawyer) to expose evil Ben. Des planned this date on purpose to see how long it takes Michael's heart to explode if the guys can get over their intolerance of each other.

Des takes the guys on a motor boat hot tub that they can maneuver around the lake. She asks them relationship questions. Michael is clearly pissed off with ANY answer Ben gives.

Des looks longingly at the coastline.

Meanwhile back at the hotel, Drew and Kasey tell Brooks and Chris that they overheard Mikey and James talk about all the hot chicks they will be able to date when the show is over because they're going to be super amazing celebrities.

Men are stupid.

And now I'm worried, since I know the names of all the guys.
                                                                    wetpaint.com                 
 

Des, Ben and Michael have dinner with an order of Pepto Bismol. Michael asks Ben why he doesn't have any friends in the house. Ben gives an answer, and Des chuckles awkwardly and takes a sip of wine.

Michael pushes the issue and poor Des brings up the question of family traditions. Ben talks about going to Church with his family, then Michael pipes in...again.

Didn't he watch The Bachelor? It didn't work with Tierra and it won't work now. I wonder how most of Michael's trials go?

Ben works hard not to reach across the table and choke Michael. Des considers not giving the rose to either of them since she really only wants to be in her hotel room drinking by herself at this point.

Des gives the date rose to...Michael.

                                                                        blog.suntimes.com

Ben walks out, clearly upset. He uses his time in the limo to plot Michael's downfall.

When Michael returns to the hotel, the boys rejoice—not because Ben's gone, but because Michael isn't really competition.

It's time for the rose ceremony!

Des looks lovely and is dressed to crush someone's heart. She and the host have a little talk and I fast forward. She then announces there will not be a cocktail party, instead they'll go straight to the rose ceremony.

Drat! Now Kasey and Drew can't tell her about James and Mikey's plan to score with hot babes after the show.

I fast forward until one rose remains on the tray. It's between Mikey and James! The last rose goes to...James.

Mikey, the plumber is going home.

This is a contest to find a husband! Why is she getting rid of the plumber?

Mikey is totally surprised. He says, “I have a lot of offer. I think she missed out on a guy like me.”

Yeah, I think that's the point.
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