(Note to reader: I’ve TWO copies of ‘Nearly Departed’ to give away and all details can be found at the end of this long (but very interesting) post)
I’ve seen a ghost,’ said Emily. ‘Well, not seen one exactly. Heard one. At least, I think I have…’
Woodsville is not like other towns. Night falls a littler earlier there, the shadows are darker and denser, and everyone knows it’s a place where strange things happen. Even if they won’t admit it.
Bethan would prefer to be anywhere but here. Jay has his theories, but isn’t ready to share. Hashim sees more than he’ll say, while Kelly’s demon’s are all too flesh and blood. But Emily’s freak-out brings them out of denial and face to face with the supernatural.
Anywhere else, Friday night would be date night. But not in Weirdsville…
OK, so I may be a little bit past my teenage years, but still I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I’ve read most of the books that Eldest has read, mainly out of curiosity but increasingly with a tinge of jealousy. There is so much out there that is utterly exciting within this emerging gritty teenage fiction genre.
‘Nearly Departed’ will appeal to both young teenage boys and girls. Eldest devoured it in two days and thought it was ‘cool’. He liked that it wasn’t girlie, that the characters were believable, familiar and ‘behaved in the right way for their age’. He liked that it felt he’d moved on from the horror writing that Horowitz does (and he’s utterly enjoyed) and that ‘Nearly Departed’ was such a manageable length and the language wasn’t overly descriptive (he’s not quite ready for Stephen King).
Eldest agrees with me, that Rook Hastings’ writing feels honest and real. The classroom dynamics, as well as the character interaction, are believable and candid. The characters are fresh, a collection of individuals who misfit into place. The reader is in that classroom and on that Estate, because the writing transports, amuses and often unnerves. ‘Nearly Departed’ isn’t about frills and flouncy language, this is gritty, scary and supernaturally spooky.
Eldest is twelve and a mature reader, so I’d absolutely recommend ‘Nearly Departed’ to young teenage boys and girls who’d embrace the gritty and spooky twists.
You can buy ‘Nearly Departed’ by Rook Hastings here.
Asking Rook Hastings:
Where did you get your inspiration to write this novel? I have always loved to be frightened, and I have been fascinated with ghosts and the paranormal since I was little – I used to think that I lived next door to a haunted house and spent many hours with my friends trying to spot a ghost. It wasn’t until I was older and saw my first real ghost that I realised I was wrong!
How long did ‘Nearly Departed’ take to write? It didn’t take too long, I get very excited about writing – and all the words come tumbling out in a rush – so the first draft took about three months…and then another three to get it ready for publication.
Who do you feel would be your ideal reader? I suppose the book is aimed at anyone aged thirteen plus – but I never try to write for children or teens – I always write the books that I would want to read, so I think anyone who loves ghosts and a mystery would enjoy NEARLY DEPARTED.
You’ve written for children and for adults. Which came first and how did you come to be published? Yes, I also write under the name Rowan Coleman, I started out writing for adults and I still do – I really love the freedom and range of subject that you can cover in adult fiction and I’ve written eight novels so far for adults. I also wrote the Ruby Parker series about a thirteen year old child star. Adult books came first but as I mentioned I write quickly and I had quite a lot of time on my hands. I’d been thinking about writing for teens for sometime and Ruby was one of two ideas that I’d been working on. NEARLY DEPARTED was the other – they were pretty different ideas!
So, Rook Hastings isn’t your real name (shock horror!). Where did Rook Hastings spring from and why not write under your ‘real’ name? I didn’t write under my real name because I’ve written for women and girls before and I didn’t want to put boys off from picking up NEARLY DEPEARTED. It has, I hope, very strong male characters and so far the boys I know that have read and really enjoyed it. I wanted the name to be something a bit mysterious…as I was thinking about it a Rook landed outside my window, and it happened to be the day before I was due to visit Hasting…so….
How do you shift from writing for adults to writing for children? Does this ever cause any problems? As I mentioned I don’t really think about if I am writing for adults or children – I think about the kind of book I want to read. Yes – there are adjustments to be made in content, I always think about what I would be happy with my child reading in terms of sex and swearing – but on the whole the voice comes from the story and not the other way around. Its fun to slip on a new persona for a new book.
What does Rook Hastings plan to write next? Rook’s next book is the second in the Weirdsville Trilogy and it will be called IMMORTAL REMAINS – there will be answers and a lot more questions too.
Can you offer any tips for people wanting to be published? Well, a friend of mine once said ‘writers, write.’ And that really is the best advice anyone can give a budding writer. If you aren’t writing you have no chance of getting published. Other than that, if you have work you are ready to submit buy a copy of The Artists and Writers year book, make sure you tailor you submissions to agents that are likely to represent you and be ready for rejection – we all get it!
Do you ever have any spare time? No. Except for shopping and watching T.V….
And, finally, (with the skillful smoothness of the finest of interviewers) do you in any way know Simon Cowell? I do not in anyway know Simon Cowell…..um, why?
And, Rook has agreed that I can give away TWO COPIES of ‘Nearly Departed’. All you have to do is leave a ‘please pick me’ comment by 3pm (GMT) February 22, then I’ll pop all names in a mug and ask a small child to select 2 winners. This competition is open to all.
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About Rook Hastings: Rook Hastings has written fifteen books for adults and teens including the RUBY PARKER books and THE ACCIDENTAL MOTHER. Before becoming a full time writer she worked in bookselling and publishing. In 2001 she won Company Magazine Young Writer of the Year. You can find out more about Rowan/Rook and her books HERE
I read a sarcastic comment about me the other day. It was something or other about how excited I get about ‘little’ things. I don’t think the person was being intentionally cruel, just laughing with another and at me.
