Hey everyone, you may have noticed that the blog's been sporting a few new looks lately. I'm trying to find something that fits with the theme and the sort of books I'm writing. If you could offer me some feedback, that would be great. My sister accuses me of lack of colour coordination all the time with my clothes, so if you could tell me if anything hurts the eyes or anything like that, I would appreciate it much. :)
--Rebeka
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Saturday, 22 June 2013
So... Google Friend Connect's Coming Demise
So, Google Friend Connect is apparently on its last legs, much to my chagrin. As of July 1st, it will be no more. And this is where I make an appeal to you, faithful blog followers. If you want to continue receiving my blog posts, I urge you to either follow me through Google Plus or click on the Bloglovin' logo. It's super-easy to sign up and you'll be done within moments. I don't want to lose you all! :)
Love,
Rebeka
Edited to Add: I have also added the option of following me through NetworkedBlogs, which is also very easy to set up. So the choice is all yours. :)
Love,
Rebeka
Edited to Add: I have also added the option of following me through NetworkedBlogs, which is also very easy to set up. So the choice is all yours. :)
Writing Updates, and Penpal/First Reader Love
This summer has been full of ups and downs. I'm still searching for a job, since university won't pay itself, and I'm trying to have faith that God will provide in His good timing. So I'll attempt to relax and embrace the chance to immerse myself in my writing.
Being jobless, for example, is one of the reasons I've been able to complete the first drafts of two novellas for the Five Glass Slippers Contest held by Rooglewood Press--one, right now dubbed The Voice in the Laurel Tree, combines the Cinderella story with Moses and the Burning Bush. I wrote it in a three-day sprint that sucked me dry and yet left me elated. Sometimes writing reminds me of a sport--you train and train and train, then when the moment comes you rush through the race and are left drained yet soaring through a personal high.
The other novella (right now called Until Midnight) tells the story from the stepsister's point-of-view, but not in the conventional fashion you might expect. Let's just say there's no 'fairy godmother' in this one. ;)
Both of these stories tested me in different ways and I'm proud of them for different reasons. But they're far from finished--I've sent them to friends to give me feedback.
One of my dearest and closest friends--my penpal from America--is always so quick and thorough and wonderful with her advice. She's been with me since almost the beginning, when I actually took my writing seriously. She's my biggest cheerleader and my emotional support, and if I ever get published she will get a dedication and she will be included in every single acknowledgements page I ever write. She's that awesome. You writers out there, if you ever are blessed with people of Encouragement, don't take them for granted. They are the people you write for, the people who make it worthwhile. They are the reason behind the words. Shower them with love and never let them feel unheard.
Being jobless, for example, is one of the reasons I've been able to complete the first drafts of two novellas for the Five Glass Slippers Contest held by Rooglewood Press--one, right now dubbed The Voice in the Laurel Tree, combines the Cinderella story with Moses and the Burning Bush. I wrote it in a three-day sprint that sucked me dry and yet left me elated. Sometimes writing reminds me of a sport--you train and train and train, then when the moment comes you rush through the race and are left drained yet soaring through a personal high.
The other novella (right now called Until Midnight) tells the story from the stepsister's point-of-view, but not in the conventional fashion you might expect. Let's just say there's no 'fairy godmother' in this one. ;)
Both of these stories tested me in different ways and I'm proud of them for different reasons. But they're far from finished--I've sent them to friends to give me feedback.
One of my dearest and closest friends--my penpal from America--is always so quick and thorough and wonderful with her advice. She's been with me since almost the beginning, when I actually took my writing seriously. She's my biggest cheerleader and my emotional support, and if I ever get published she will get a dedication and she will be included in every single acknowledgements page I ever write. She's that awesome. You writers out there, if you ever are blessed with people of Encouragement, don't take them for granted. They are the people you write for, the people who make it worthwhile. They are the reason behind the words. Shower them with love and never let them feel unheard.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
In Which I Throw Confetti and Dance Around Like A Crazy Person
I've been writing since I was a child. My very first story was published in my school's yearbook when I was seven or eight--the tale of a girl receiving a surprise puppy. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that ever since I can remember, our family has never been without a dog.
Later on, I won a national contest in a horse magazine (at that point, I was crazy about horses; I'm beginning to sense a pattern). There were various short story and poetry contests I entered as well, one in which I received a place in a Canadian anthology of high school students' work. In-between all this, I wrote fanfiction and dabbled with novels.
Regardless of all this, I have never been so excited as now, with this opportunity:
Starting in July, I will be mentored by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, the writer of "The Tales of Goldstone Wood"; one of my favourite writers ever! She will be helping me with my first draft of Ice Roses, which I am going through in preparation to write a second draft. Within the next year or so, I hope to submit this story to agents in the next step of my journey toward publication.
I've known this news for a while now, but I finally decided to share it with you, my blog readers, so we could all celebrate together! I'm so excited and feel supremely blessed to have the opportunity to work with someone whose writing, faith, and personality are all so lovely and inspiring. This summer will be a great one indeed!
Later on, I won a national contest in a horse magazine (at that point, I was crazy about horses; I'm beginning to sense a pattern). There were various short story and poetry contests I entered as well, one in which I received a place in a Canadian anthology of high school students' work. In-between all this, I wrote fanfiction and dabbled with novels.
Regardless of all this, I have never been so excited as now, with this opportunity:
Starting in July, I will be mentored by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, the writer of "The Tales of Goldstone Wood"; one of my favourite writers ever! She will be helping me with my first draft of Ice Roses, which I am going through in preparation to write a second draft. Within the next year or so, I hope to submit this story to agents in the next step of my journey toward publication.
I've known this news for a while now, but I finally decided to share it with you, my blog readers, so we could all celebrate together! I'm so excited and feel supremely blessed to have the opportunity to work with someone whose writing, faith, and personality are all so lovely and inspiring. This summer will be a great one indeed!
Monday, 17 June 2013
Book Review: Unrivaled, by Siri Mitchell
St. Louis newcomer Charlie Clarke is determined to help his father dominate the nation's candy industry. Compromise is not an option when the prize is a father's approval, and falling in love with a business rival is a recipe for disaster when only one company can win. Will these two star-crossed lovers let a competition that turns less than friendly sour their dreams?
--image and summary from Goodreads.com
Two of my favourite things are candy and Europe, so when I read the summary of this book for the Bethany House Blogger Reviews Program, I jumped on the chance to read it. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations. I got halfway through it and started skimming, so I read enough to tell me this isn't my type of book.
With the characters, I can usually forgive un-likeable ones if there's enough story to keep my attention. This book was written from two first-person perspectives, those of Lucy and Charlie, so it was very much a character-driven novel. This makes it difficult to keep reading when you sort of loathe one of the characters. I thought Charlie was a cool chap, though his voice seemed not too different from Lucy's. Lucy, however, got on my nerves, with no redeeming qualities to endear me to her. She seemed very selfish and slightly stupid, not asking the right questions or realizing that maybe she was a tad obsessive with the family business. Perhaps she should have been more concerned for her father's health.
What really annoyed me, though, is that apart from his past, Charlie is the good guy here. I can't tell you how many Christian romances make it about the girl getting over herself in order to win the man's love. It's very difficult to find a fresh, original story about a man getting over a character flaw--and not just a dark past that makes him more a victim than a sinner. I'm sure such stories exist out there in the Christian market, but I've yet to come across one. It's not just in the Christian market, either. It seems that the onus is continually on the woman to change, while men just need to escape the environment that shaped them.
Anyways, that rant is over. It's something that has been on my mind for a while now, simply brewing.
Another thing that made me unable to finish this book was that, as well-described as the world was, nothing seemed to happen. I thought there would be more intrigue and danger and rivalry, but there wasn't. It was just Lucy getting herself into trouble.
BUT--this is all just my opinion. I've just gotten into reading Christian historical so maybe I just haven't gotten into the rhythm yet. Take everything I've written with a grain of salt. The only way to know whether this book is for you is to try it out yourself. No matter what, it is a clean, light read, so there's no harm in giving it a look.
3 stars!
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review as part of their Blogger Review Program. Thank you for the opportunity!
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Things To Look Forward To...
So I've been pretty busy looking for interesting things to do with this blog, and I'm pleased to announce there are quite a few fun events coming up!
For fans of Anne Elisabeth Stengl, I will be posting in various blog tours to promote her upcoming release, Dragonwitch. These posts include a character interview as part of Anne Elisabeth's own tour, a review of the book for the tour hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer, and an interview with Anne Elisabeth herself as part of the tour hosted by Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours. Each of these posts will give a different outlook on the book itself, so stick around!
In addition, I will be reviewing Prophet by R.J. Larson within the next month or so, and I'm psyched to add that Ms. Larson has agreed to answer a few questions! So I will be posting the interview with her in addition to the review.
Of course, this will all be between my usual writing and reviewing posts. I've finished a few books that I should write up reviews for, but I'm also in the midst of slogging my way through required reading for the fall, when I start my second year of university. So reviews may not be as plentiful as I'd like.
But anyhow, I'm excited to see this blog into the future with so many exciting features to look forward to! Hope you'll stick with me! :)
For fans of Anne Elisabeth Stengl, I will be posting in various blog tours to promote her upcoming release, Dragonwitch. These posts include a character interview as part of Anne Elisabeth's own tour, a review of the book for the tour hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer, and an interview with Anne Elisabeth herself as part of the tour hosted by Colorimetry and Prism Book Tours. Each of these posts will give a different outlook on the book itself, so stick around!
In addition, I will be reviewing Prophet by R.J. Larson within the next month or so, and I'm psyched to add that Ms. Larson has agreed to answer a few questions! So I will be posting the interview with her in addition to the review.
Of course, this will all be between my usual writing and reviewing posts. I've finished a few books that I should write up reviews for, but I'm also in the midst of slogging my way through required reading for the fall, when I start my second year of university. So reviews may not be as plentiful as I'd like.
But anyhow, I'm excited to see this blog into the future with so many exciting features to look forward to! Hope you'll stick with me! :)
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Cover Reveal: "Shadow Hand" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl!
I am honoured to be part of the Cover Reveal for Anne Elisabeth Stengl's sixth book in her series "The Tales of Goldstone Wood". If you haven't checked them out yet, what are you waiting for? Ms. Stengl's stories are full of intriguing characters, universal themes, and exotic, far-off places. And she is blessed with lovely covers to melt over! Shadow Hand's is no different!
Now, without further ado, the lovely cover!
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Now, without further ado, the lovely cover!
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"She will take your own two hands
To save your ancient, sorrowing lands"
By her father's wish, Lady Daylily is betrothed to the Prince of Southlands. Not the prince she loves, handsome and dispossessed Lionheart, but his cousin, the awkward and foolish Prince Foxbrush. Unable to bear the future she sees as her wedding day dawns, Daylily flees into the dangerous Wilderlands, her only desire to vanish from living memory.
But Foxbrush, determined to rescue his betrothed, pursues Daylily into a new world of magic and peril, a world where vicious Faerie beasts hold sway, a world invaded by a lethal fey parasite . . .
A world that is hauntingly familiar.
Isn't it lovely? And now, Anne Elisabeth Stengl also has a giveaway for you! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to win a Tales of Goldstone Wood mug with the following banner on it:
And check out the book's website here: http://www.shadowhandnovel.blogspot.com/
So what do you think of the cover? To be honest, I think it's my favourite of the series so far! Let me know in the comments! :)
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