ARCS, Behind the Scenes, Fun Facts & Bonus Extras for Y2K Love
Watch out for spoilers. You've been warned!
Hey Friends!
First of all I need to let you all know that ARC applications are now open! Fill in the application form here to secure your spot for a FREE digital advanced reader copy in return for an early review for my book. Spots are limited so get in quick!
If you haven’t read Y2K Love yet, you may want to close your eyes at the end of this update, especially the section titled SPOILERS until after you’ve read it. You have been warned!
This post has fun facts about the creation of this book, bonus extras only shared with my Substack community, along with story secrets and easter eggs you may have missed after already reading the story. I also have a quick poll at the end.
Y2K Love Deep Dive
Fun Facts
I originally wrote this story over a decade ago as a jukebox musical script. Hence why music is so integral to the plot, and the reason why songs are specifically selected for each scene and woven throughout the story.
Every song was specifically chosen to complement the mood, tone, setting or action taking place in the corresponding scene.
Every song included is from an Australian band or artist.
The story is set in my home city of Brisbane. The locations and landmarks included in the story are a mix of fact and fiction.
Bonus Extras
I created a very cringy trailer on YouTube in The Sims 4 for this story way back in 2015 when I wrote it as a musical script. You can watch it here.
I have a Pinterest Account where I collect images for inspiration for my stories. See my inspiration boards for current and future stories here.
Here is my Author Spotify Account, where you can find all playlists for current and future books.
Story Secrets & Easter Eggs (Spoilers!)
Festival Hall was a real music hall in Brisbane that was demolished in 2003. One of many historical buildings demolished in our city over the years.
The scene where Sarah runs away from David after the breakup is loosely inspired by the video clip for the song in that scene - Big Mistake by Natalie Imbruglia.
People caught having sexy time in the bushes and Michael picking up a gnome in defence are references to gameplay aspects in The Sims 4.
A couple of songs in the playlist were released after the year 2000. I know, a bit naughty, but they were too good to leave out! Do you know which ones?
The hot pink and black cover represents the contrast between Sarah and Lauren. Sarah wears hot pink in the New Year’s scene in the first chapter and at the masquerade at the end of the book, while Lauren always prefers to wear black.
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS. The lyric 'I was standing. You were there' refers to when Michael first laid eyes on Sarah on campus.
To the Moon and Back lyrics provide an early hint at Lauren's upbringing and troubled past.
There is a static electricity zap between Sarah and Michael during a few key moments throughout the book to symbolise their chemistry and connection.
Michael and Sarah have an exchange before their first kiss about seeing Sarah's true colours. This is physically represented in the rainbow flowers Michael presents her with when they meet at the city fountain.
Sarah nearly gets hit by a bus after catching the train, which directly correlates with the Buses and Trains song included in that scene.
Sarah, clutching the wet artificial roses and having them stain her shirt, is a mirror of her mascara staining Michael's shirt.
The ballroom scene at the end, where Robert says he's going to ‘balls up’ their dance and Lauren says 'We can balls it up together' is a mirror of him offering to dance with her back in the Victory Tavern and stating they could be bad dancers together, but she refused.
Schoolies ‘99 Bonus Info
Schoolies week is a real-life tradition here in Australia that continues to this day, particularly for school leavers in Queensland and New South Wales. You can read a bit of history about it here.
Have you read Schoolies ‘'99 and Y2K Love? Which one did you read first? Let me know in the poll below and share your thoughts on your reading order in the comments :)