Friday 1 March 2024

#ukteenchat Interview with YA author Rebeka Shaid

 


1, Could you tell us a little bit about your YA debut, Seven Days, please?

‘Seven Days’ can probably be best described as a diverse YA romance about finding love after loss. There’s sassy Noori who bumps into her misunderstood and troubled counterpart, Aamir. Both have recently experienced tragedy in their lives and are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. While ‘Seven Days’ is about first love, the book delves into other themes such as grief, cultural identity, and family – all told with humour.  


2, Was there anything in particular that inspired Seven Days?

I wanted to write an unconventional love story featuring unconventional characters. Both Noori and Aamir don’t conform to norms and their life choices reflect that. Representation was also important to me as Noori is of mixed heritage and Aamir’s parents are immigrants, which reflects my own upbringing in a way. There aren’t that many YA novels out there that look at what it’s like to grow up between different cultures. My own experience of loss also inspired me to write about two grieving teenagers and their struggles with grief feel very real to me.


3, Did you need to do any research for Seven Days?

The novel didn’t require a lot of research but there were still a few things I needed to look up – about Lahore, the partition of India, Bollywood, and Bristol Zoo. Frankly, it was just very random things I ended up researching. My favourite: cinnamon gum and water bears!


4, What made you decide to set the book across seven days?

I wanted to write a story that is relatively fast-paced and seven days seemed perfect to me. I also like the number seven! Fun fact: initially I wanted to name the novel ‘Severn Days’.   


5, Without any spoilers, is there a particular scene or character you most enjoyed writing?

I enjoyed creating Noori’s character. She’s so bold and passionate about life despite the heartaches she has suffered. Of course she has flaws and is convinced that her life could be turned into a Bollywood movie, but she’s also incredibly kind and has a generous heart. She tries to really understand her pain, using it as an opportunity to grow. In terms of my favourite scene, I’d probably pick the unexpected bathroom encounter between Noori and Aamir in which Noori sees more than she bargained for.


6, Seven Days is dual narrative, did you find one voice easier to get into than the other?

I think it was easier for me to write Noori’s character because she’s a teenage girl and I very much remember what it was like to be that age! But I also had a lot of fun writing from Aamir’s perspective and getting his voice right was key to me. Overall I wanted to create a dual narrative that allows readers to truly connect with both protagonists, including their relationships, conflicts, and realities – and I do hope this comes across to readers.


7, Do you have any writing rituals or a favourite place to write?

I’ve developed some strange writing rituals over the years. For instance I like to wear a special necklace and light a candle before I start a new project or a new chapter. There’s just something calming about gazing at a flickering flame. During a writer’s retreat a few years ago I also learned about the benefits of meditation before starting a writing session, so that’s something I also like to incorporate into my writing.


8, Are you a plotter or pantser?

Definitely a pantser! I admire writers who are plotters as I find it difficult to outline an entire novel in advance. I will say though that being a pantser has its benefits as it allows me to get to know the characters and the plot organically as I write, which can be quite exciting.


9, Can you tell us anything about what you’re currently working on, please?

I’m currently on maternity leave so I feel my main job is changing nappies! But I am planning to write another YA novel and although I’m a pantser I’m in the middle of writing a rough outline for this.


10, Do you have any writing tips or advice for other writers?

Read and write whenever you can. Find your own style and unique voice. And most of all, believe in yourself and your abilities. Oh, and try not to procrastinate – easier said than done!

 

Book credit:

Seven Days by Rebeka Shaid (£8.99, Walker Books) available now.

 

You can follow Rebeka on Instagram, and Seven Days is available now at bookshops, including Hive 📚


Friday 23 February 2024

My First YA Horror Graphic Novel

I've recently completed a sample for my first YA Horror graphic novel. This has been a great process to bring my writing and art together. I've been exploring new techniques and having fun creating some new illustrations including a new self-portrait, here's a few samples...

 








Thursday 15 February 2024

Saturday 6 January 2024

Writing Chapter Books - February Online Course

I have really enjoyed running my previous two WRITING CHAPTER BOOKS courses, so I will be running another from Monday 5th February.

I'm the author of the Autumn Moonbeam chapter book series, and the younger reader book - Mega Merle and the Mega Mystery. I have been editing and mentoring other writers for the best part of a decade now, and love being able to share things I've learnt about writing for children and the children's writing industry. 

I have a special love of writing younger fiction, and I'm really excited to share that passion for fun fiction with other writers.



The Writing Chapter Books course will be Slack based to make is more accessible and flexible for people to attend when it's convenient to them. Including the weekly live session, where people can join in during that hour or throughout the week or beyond, when it best fits your routine and day to day life. 

There will be weekly handouts, plenty of writing exercises, inspiration and weekly discussions that you can join in or add to in your own time. The handouts and the Slack group will remain open after the six weeks for those on the course to access.


Cosmic Illustrated by Heidi Cannon


A few testimonials from writers on the previous courses:

Writing Chapter Books with Emma Finlayson-Palmer is brilliant. After 6 weeks, I have a clearer understanding of this niche area of children's publishing and a solid story idea to build on. The course is well structured to help participants generate compelling characters, playful plots and wonderful worlds to weave them altogether in. The exercises in the live workshops are helpful and Emma is generous with her time and knowledge, answering our many questions and providing supportive resources. I'm thankful to Emma and the other writers - it's a fantastic course and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone curious about creating chapter books.

- Tracy Bullock


I really enjoyed this accessible and informative course that Emma provided. The information was superior and I felt that I learnt everything I needed to know about chapter books.

- Angel Dike


Wonderful children’s writing course. An abundance of material and interaction. Thank you so much Emma, I’ve been plotting & writing daily.

- Sharon Hynes


This course was fabulous. Emma gave us SO much information, which was super helpful. Emma was also extremely quick to reply to any questions, which really helped (even outside of the course times). I liked the way the days of the course varied from week to week. I really can't recommend Emma and this course highly enough.

- Tara Potter



If you're interested in learning how to write a Chapter Book (aimed at ages 5-8) do send me a message so I can send you more information ✍




Monday 1 January 2024

Seasons of Mist and Writing Fruitfulness

Seasons of Mist and Writing Fruitfulness

Today is Monday the first of January 2024 – It’s always odd writing the date for the first time in a new year. I dare say I’ll spend the coming weeks still writing 23 rather than 24, in much the same way I spend the weeks after the clocks going forward or backwards by an hour saying: “It would have been… INSERT TIME HERE.”

When the clocks last went forward, October 2023, it marked the change from Autumn to Winter in many ways, but also plunged the days into further darkness. I try to see the shorter daylight hours as cosy times to snuggle up at home of an evening – but in reality, I struggle to adjust and hate waking in darkness and my children coming home from school when night has already arrived.

But, as we are now past the Winter Solstice, and the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight hours, it feels as though I am slowly tiptoeing my way back to lighter days, and the happiness I feel as Spring approaches.

Spring is my favourite time of year – I love the crisp, fresh days, when it’s still chilly but the sun is bright and bringing a little more warmth – birds are busy building nests, buds are bursting, and new life is blooming all around.

I love nature, and I always try to bring it into my writing. Whilst the seasons will always come and go, and with them all manner of changes, there is always beauty and inspiration to be found in the world around us. So, even on the darkest of days, both in terms of day versus night, or the darkness of what life has in store, I will look to nature, and spend time outside letting it inspire and heal me, and for it to recharge my creative battery.

I’ll leave this post with a link to a poem I have loved since my teens and one that inspired the title of my post – a poem that feels fitting given the subject matter and themes explored – Ode to Autumn by John Keats, I hope you enjoy it either in reading or listening to the audio available at the link, and find peace and inspiration in the beauty of nature around you.

To Autumn by John Keats | Poetry Foundation



Tuesday 19 December 2023

Tangled Tales from Maverick

I was very lucky to receive copies of a new series of younger readers books from Maverick recently - Tangles Tales. A series with three different books, but with six different stories inside with an ingenious flip the book over for story two in each. 

Undercover Overload, and Meddling Underling 
written by Lou Treleaven - illustrated by Mario Gushiken 


Movies, Magic, Maybe! and Bites, Camera, Action!
Written by Jenny Moore - illustrated by Sarah Horne


The Spectre Inspectors, and The Poltergeist's Problem

Written by W.G. White - Illustrated by Nicolas Rix


All six stories are such a joy to read, with gorgeous accompanying illustrations in each. This is a brilliant new series from Maverick Publishing, aimed at younger readers and are sure to hook in even the more reluctant readers with their punchy, but great fun stories, vibrant characters and perfectly matched illustrations that really pull you into the world.

Thank you to Maverick for sharing the early copies with me, these gorgeous new reads will be available from the 28th January 2024.

Loved this new series from @Maverick Books 🤩📚 #TangledTales #kidlit... | TikTok

Monday 13 November 2023

Review of The Undying of Obedience Wellrest by Nicholas Bowling

 

I’m a fan of Micaela Alcaino’s covers, and her design for The Undying of Obedience Wellrest really sets the tone and genre for the story within.

I must admit that this is the first book of Nicholas Bowling’s that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last!

From the first line I was absolutely hooked - ‘For my fifteenth birthday my Pa left me dig my own grave.’

Mosca is a scene stealer whenever he’s around, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a pet fly in a book before. And who wouldn’t want a ‘fly on the wall’ to keep an eye on things.

The writing has an almost lyrical, melodic quality to it, with a twisty and intriguing plot to go with it. Set in 1832 it really gives a window into the lives and limitations placed upon some people during this time, and some of the prejudices they would face.

It’s a dual narrative with Ned, a gravekeeper in training starting the story, and Obedience Wellrest (Bede) a young woman interested in science, but suppressed thanks to the patriarchy of the society in which she lives.

With Ned’s Pa growing increasingly frail, he has to take on more responsibility, and with graverobbers about this is no easy talk. Whilst Bede is desperate to make her mark in life and use her intellect for science, her father is determined to marry her off to Phineas Mordaunt, a charming man that is not quite what he seems.

There are some lovely scenes between all of the characters, I do think that Bede really steals the show. She is a fabulously complex and intelligent character with great wit, and I found myself desperate for her to succeed, especially as she is taken to greater and greater depths of despair.

The Undying of Obedience Wellrest is a gothic tale with echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’s Monster, and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, but for a YA audience. At times there are some quite uncomfortable scenes as the macabre mystery unfolds - it’s a thrilling tale that will keep you on your toes and bringing surprises right up until the end.

Thank you to Chicken House for the review copy of The Undying of Obedience Wellrest, and make sure to check out the rest of the tour this week, details of which can be found below.

You can also join me on Twitter on Wednesday 13th December for #ukteenchat at 8pm GMT, when I’ll be chatting with Nicholas all about The Undying of Obedience Wellrest.

Emma Finlayson-Palmer 🏳️‍🌈 She/Her (@FinlaysonPalmer) / X (twitter.com)