Rebecca H. Jamison's Blog, page 16

Jane Austen Giveaway Hop

Welcome Jane Austen fans! I couldn't resist taking part in the Jane Austen Giveaway Hop hosted by vvb32 reads. This giveaway is open to residents of the US.
I will be giving away a copy of my book, Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale. It is a modern version of Jane Austen's Persuasion. As the title suggests, the characters are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 
Fill out this form to enter:

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Teens are funny . . . and some other things are too

Becca Wilhite taught a class at the Storymakers Conference about how to be funny. One of her little nuggets of advice was that you should take notes of funny things teenagers say while you're driving them around. (I'm pretty sure my teens would not approve of this practice, but they probably won't read this anyway.) I know not everyone is so lucky to spend hours in the car with teenage girls, so I'm going to share my notes from the past month with you. (I'll also share some of Becca's other suggestions.)  So here goes--

Notes from Carpool

One girl observed that it's really awkward when couples stare into each others' eyes for longer than about three seconds. She thinks there should be some sort of rule about that.

Once a guy figures out you like him, he pretty much stops talking to you. If, on the other hand, he likes you back, you stop liking him. So the "I like you" confession dooms all relationships.

One of the girls took a ballroom dancing class this semester, thinking it'd be a great way to meet guys. Major backfire! She got paired with a boy who has B.O. issues. Although she talked to two teachers about it, the boy has shown no improvement. One teacher thinks it goes deeper than a deodorant problem because the stench is so strong. He thinks it must be a shower thing. So what's a girl to do? The only thing she can do--bring an extra shirt to change into after ballroom dancing class.

This same girl has a job cleaning bathrooms at the elementary school every afternoon. At the beginning of the year, her supervisor showed her how to sanitize the toilets with a special solution, which he said was so safe you could drink it. She never drank it, just squirted it into the toilets after she cleaned them. Lately, they've had trouble with ant colonies in the bathrooms. One drop of the solution that's safe enough to drink will kill all the ants around the toilet bowl, even if it doesn't actually touch the ants. Yep, it's that safe.

None of the girls ever want to date a guy who says anything cheesy, even if he made it up just for them. My poor son, the only boy in the carpool, feels a little clueless about this. "What exactly is cheesy?"

One of the substitutes told my daughter that he'd seen her with a boy in the hallway and that they made a cute couple. It would've been a nice compliment, except the boy was her brother.

Other Sources of Humor

Becca taught us that, in order to become funny, we need to watch and listen to comedy. Here's the list she gave us:

Brian ReganJim GaffiganTim HawkinsSarah EdenStudio C on BYU TVPandora Radio: PG comedyWhere do you find comedy in your life?

Michael Vey and Marketing

A few weeks ago, my ten-year-old came home from school and asked to go the library right away. This is not normal. I'm all for going to the library, though, so we went. It turned out that he'd gone to an assembly at school about the Michael Vey book. Mind you, this is a book I'd been trying to get him to read for a while. "Oh," I said. "Did Richard Paul Evans come to your school?"

"No," my son answered. "It was somebody talking about how great the Michael Vey book is. It's going to be bigger than Harry Potter."

My son put the book on hold, received it within a week, and read it all the way through within a few days. This is a kid who doesn't like to read fiction. Now he's reading the sequel.

As an author, I just have to wonder how Richard Paul Evans thinks this is okay. I mean, as far as I know, he didn't even go to the assembly. As a parent, on the other hand, I'm all for this type of marketing. Whatever gets my boy to read is good.

I've noticed that literacy for boys is all about marketing. Unlike my daughter, who reads all sorts of stuff, the boys usually only read what all the other boys are reading. It has to have a cool cover and be popular.

So what do you think about schools advertising books to children? And, if you have boys in your life, what are they reading?
 

Star Wars Arrow of Light

My son got his cub scout Arrow of Light award the other day. We had a lot of fun in the pack, putting together a Star Wars theme Arrow of Light ceremony, which the boys loved. (Unfortunately, I think the parents had no idea what was going on. Microphones probably would've been a good idea.)

We copied the idea from the guys who run this blog: http://arrowoflightdoneright.blogspot.com/ We changed a few of the activities to suit the needs of our pack.

Our cubmaster also added his own flare by adding words of wisdom from Yoda, which he collected from youtube clips. So here's our little script if you're interested:


Arrow of Light Saber Ceremony
Read more »

Going to the Zoo

Life with teenagers is busier than I'd expected. In the last few weeks, we've had piano guild festival, a Tae Kwon Do belt test, an Eagle Scout board of review, many hours of driver's training, a birthday party, studying for AP tests, much drama over a broken-down car, and preparation for the prom. On top of that, I'm going through the final edits for Emma: A Latter-day Tale. I took a break on Saturday to take the kids to the zoo. I'm glad I did, because I realized I hadn't been spending very much time with the younger kids. They were the only ones who had time to go.

 Our zoo has been changing a lot in the last few years. This is the new seal and sea lion exhibit.
My ten-year-old kept saying things like "Wow! I've never seen a polar bear before." Or "I can't remember ever seeing a crocodile" It'd only been two years since I'd taken him to the zoo! Sometimes I forget that two years is a long time from a child's perspective. My kids wrote down every single animal they saw--78 in total. Elementary-age kids are so cool!  Back in 7th grade my friend told me I was so much taller than the other kids
that I looked like a giraffe walking down the hall. Maybe that's why I like giraffes so much.  One weird thing about me that my kids find amusing is that the bird show always makes me cry. Yep. It started out that it was just the white doves flying in a pretty little flock that made me cry. Now, even the birds of prey get me going. Sigh.  My son got the stomach flu that night. The next day, he told me. "Mom, I'm pretty sure I got sick from going to the zoo, but it was totally worth it."     

Review and Interview: Treasure Blume

This week I had so much fun reading The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume. It's an ugly duckling story along the lines of Big Stone Gap and My Big, Fat Greek Wedding. Treasure Blume was born with the "gift" of being extremely unlikable. The only people who can stand her are children and senior citizens. I totally related to Treasure and her dilemnas. She was lovable and hilarious while also inspiring me to try a little harder.

At the beginning of the book, Treasure is living away from her family for the first time in her life in order to accept her first job as an elementary school teacher. Unlike most books I read, this one was not full of life-and-death adventures. It's definitely a character-driven novel, where most of the action centers around the elementary school or Treasure's involvement in a senior citizen dance team. I found it to be a refreshing and original Romance with excellent writing.

I hope you'll enjoy reading my interview with Lisa R. Harris:

Rebecca: What was your inspiration for writing The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume?

Lisa: I started writing Treasure Blume after a no-good, very bad, horrible day when it felt like everyone I talked to that day hated me: the bank teller, the checker at the grocery store, the pest control guy. I was so frustrated. Then I thought, "What if my life was like this everyday?" and that was the first seed of Treasure Blume. I was working in my garden, and when I walked back into my house, Treasure Blume walked in with me. That night, after my children were in bed, I wrote 15 pages of background material on her: what she looked like, what her family was like, what her job was, etc. 

Rebecca: I love how you took a horrible day and turned it into something awesome! You're a busy mom and a writing instructor at BYU. How do you find time to write?

Lisa: I usually write during my summer breaks at night time, after my children go to bed. It took me several summers to complete and edit Treasure Blume.

Rebecca: I write a lot on summer breaks, too. What's your favorite indulgence?

Lisa: British Period Dramas on PBS (like Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife) and Cadbury mini-eggs (I bought enough to last me until next Easter).

Rebecca: I love Downton Abbey, too. I have to confess, though, I haven't gotten up the courage to watch the latest episode yet. Which of your characters do you like best and why?

Lisa: Grammy Blume was the most fun to write. She would say things that surprised me and made me laugh out loud. I had a hard time reining her in. She would have taken over the whole novel, if I'd have let her. She is a spotlight stealer.

But I do love Treasure a lot. Like her, I've had instances where I said exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. What I admire most about Treasure is that she never lets episodes like that get her down.

Rebecca: I like that about Treasure, too. What book have you read lately that you really liked?

Lisa: I just finished Jennifer Nielson's new book The Runaway King. I love all her double meanings and plot twists.

Rebecca: Ohhh, double meanings and plot twists. I'll have to check that one out. What advice do you have for other writers?

Write. Every day. Turn off the editor in your head, and get the words onto the page. Even if you think it isn't very good, save it. Then come back to it later, with fresh eyes. 

Rebecca: Great advice! Anything else you would like to add?

I am just so grateful to the people who have embraced Treasure, quirks and all. It's been such an adventure to bring her to life. You can find more Treasure at www.treasureblume.com and on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TreasureBlume

Thank You Basket for a Bishop

My husband is an LDS bishop. He stays really busy helping other people after he gets home from his full-time job. All his church work is unpaid, but we're definitely paid in other ways. The other day, someone dropped an anonymous package off for him. I thought it was so sweet and clever, I wanted to share.

Here's what was in the package:

A thank-you note

A tissue box with this note: You have comforted those who stood in need of comfort (and even dried a tear or two.)

Pen with this note: You have signed your name in numerous places of responsibility

A foot care kit with this note: You spend lots of time on your feet ministering inside homes.

Hand sanitizer with this note: You have reached out to the hands which hang down.

A sleep kit from Jet Blue with this note: You have lost plenty of sleep over problems you didn't create.

Scented candle with this note: Your home is a respite from the difficulties you may be confronted with.

Lotion with this note: Your wife makes the rought spots a little softer.


 

Book Review: Replacing Gentry

Replacing Gentry is a book that's near and dear to my heart. I was one of the beta readers last summer, and I've seen Julie N. Ford, the author, labor through the process of bringing this book to life. I love the characters, and it was really fun to read the final version. It's a Romantic Suspense that will definitely keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The beginning of the book is similar to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Marlie meets Daniel, a wealthy widower. The two are complete opposites--Marlie a liberal social worker from California and Daniel a conservative state senator from Tennessee. Still, they fall in love and decide to marry. That's when the intrigue begins as Marlie unravels the mystery of Daniel's former wife Gentry's death.

The book takes off in unexpected directions. There are some science fiction and political elements that intrigued me. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that one of my favorite plot elements has to do with a secret society.

Maybe it's because I'm a Southerner living in the West, but I loved the insights into the Southern lifestyle. The book is set in Tennessee. Marlie's descriptions of Southern etiquette, weddings, and family quirks made me laugh. Julie's great at describing settings and characters in a way that helps the reader feel like she's actually there.

This is a mainstream novel, so it contains a few elements that may be offensive to some of my readers--a little marital steam, some teenage drug use, etc. It was clean enough for me, but it would be too racy for my daughter. If you prefer a squeaky clean read, check out Count Down to Love, another of Julie's books.

 

Spring Break Pictures

We just got back from our fabulous trip to Virginia, where we got to see a lot of family. It's always great to be with the people I love. It was also fun to see my little nephew take his first steps. I didn't think I'd be around for another baby's first steps until I had grandkids, so that was fun. My brother's older son also became a good friend with my youngest. It was fun to see the little cousins connect. As a bonus, I get to count a tiny portion of my trip as a tax write-off because my books are based in Virginia, so part of every trip is research.

Here are a couple of pictures of Great Falls and the woods around the falls. Great Falls is one of my favorite places. It's featured in my book, Persuasion.

   
The trees in Virginia are huge. It's always a thrill for my boys to be out in the woods, playing in the creek and climbing trees.

 

Violet Monster: A Skit about Being Friendly

This is a little skit to make people laugh while encouraging them to be friendly. We wanted to make the point that everyone feels a little insecure about meeting new people. And, yes, I make fun of Tupperware.

It's based loosely on a children's book called Scarlet Monster Lives Here by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. I also took a line about cookies filled with bugs from My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck. Both are awesome children's books I highly recommend.


Violet Monster Meets her Neighbors  [Enter monster with box of things to unpack. Monster has only one eyebrow and carries a box that contains a few odds and ends to unpack. The box also contains a mixing bowl, a spoon, a plate of cookies, a funny hat, an ugly door decoration, a bandanna, and a can of beets.]  
Narrator: Once upon a time, Violet Monster moved into a cute little house in a new neighborhood. All the houses were stylish, and Violet was so happy to live there.

Violet: My new neighbors will be so happy to have me. They will give me monster hugs and bring me cookies filled with bugs. They will invite me to dinner and sell me Plasticware that burps
Narrator: Violet unpacked her things and waited for her new neighbors to come give her monster hugs and bring her cookies filled with bugs. [Violet takes a few things out of the box, looks around, then looks at her watch, drums her fingers and acts impatient.]
Violet waited a week. Nobody came.
Violet: Maybe no one noticed I moved in. I’ll make a sign. [Violet puts a sign up that says “Violet Monster Lives Here.” She waits again, looking at watch and drumming fingers, etc.]
Narrator: Violet waited another week. Nobody came.
Violet: I know! I’ll take them some cookies. I’ll make my favorite recipe—oatmeal, raisin, rolly polly.
 Narrator: Violet spent hours slaving in her kitchen to make her beautiful cookies. She arranged them on pretty paper plates and wrapped them in cellophane. Then she went to deliver them. [Violet pretends to make cookies, then takes a plate of cookies to knock on doors.]
 Nobody was home.
 Violet: Maybe people haven’t noticed how fashionable I am. I’ll strut my stuff. [Violet puts on a funny hat.]
Maybe my house isn’t welcoming enough. I’ll decorate my door. [Violet hangs an ugly wreath on her door.]
Narrator: Violet tried really hard to impress her neighbors. Still, none of her neighbors came to meet her.

Violet: Why doesn’t anyone like me? Is it because my body mass index is too high? Is it because I only have one eyebrow? Is it because my fangs need braces? I hate myself. I can see why nobody came to meet me. [Violet wipes nose and eyes with big bandanna.]
Narrator: Violet was sick of her neighborhood. She decided to take a really long walk, hoping to end up far away in a nicer neighborhood. As she walked out of her house, she saw her neighbor, Periwinkle, out working in her garden. [Enter Periwinkle Monster with potted plant and watering pot (or some other gardening props.) She is wearing a tacky hair bow. She also has a small paper bag and some plasticware.]
Violet: I should cross to the other side of the street. That way my neighbor will not have to smell me. I probably smell like pickled beets.
 Periwinkle: I should wave hello to my new neighbor, but she looks so fashionable with that hat. And her eyebrow is so thick and full. She probably won’t want to talk to me. I am still wearing the same hairstyle I wore in high school. And my door decoration is not as cute as hers. I am just not good at talking to monsters.
Narrator: Violet tried to cross the street to avoid her neighbor, but there was a car coming. She had a decision to make. Should she take another chance and try to be friendly to her neighbor. Violet wasn’t sure. After all, she was the newmonster. If her neighbor really cared, wouldn’t she have come to meet her and bring her cookies already?
 Violet: I’ll give it one more try. I will smile without showing my fangs and say hello.
[Violet approaches Periwinkle.] Hello. You have a pretty garden.
Narrator: Periwinkle could not believe Violet thought she had a pretty garden. She almost hyperventilated. [Periwinkle breaths into paper bag.]
 Periwinkle: Thank you. I like your hat. I can tell you have very good taste.
Violet: I am sorry I smell like pickled beets.
 Periwinkle: I love pickled beets.
 Violet: Really?
Periwinkle: Yes! And I love your door decoration and your sign. I am so happy you are my new neighbor. 
Narrator: Violet and Periwinkle learned that they had a lot in common. Violet taught Periwinkle to make pickled beets, and Periwinkle sold Violet some plasticware that burped. [Violet hands Periwinkle a can of beets. Periwinkle hands Violet some plasticware.]

Periwinkle also introduced Violet to some of the other neighbors. They gave Violet lots of hugs and high-fives. [Neighbors come to hug Violet or give high-fives.]
Once again, Violet felt happy to live in her cute little house, where she had plasticware parties, gave lots of hugs, and baked cookies filled with bugs. [Violet makes cookies with mixing bowl and spoon.]
She never forgot what it felt like to be the new neighbor. Even when she became one of the old neighbors, she tried to be the first to say hello. [She smiles and waves to neighbors.]