Michelle Zink's Blog, page 10

You’re So Money

Time for this week’s movie update for all you fellow cinefiles.

 

Saw BOYHOOD for our Friday matinee and it was every bit as wonderful and emotional and moving as I expected it to be. Filmed over twelve years using the same cast, the movie speaks to the universal struggle of growing up and growing older, and somehow you leave the theater feeling a little less alone on the journey. The film is in limited release (we had quite a few showings last week, only two this week, and I suspect it will be gone by next week), so jump at the chance to see it if you can.

 

Friday night we watched SWINGERS, a 90s movie featuring a young Vince Vaughn and John Favreaux. I’d seen it before, but it had been awhile and I’m glad I got to watch it with the kids. How else can we say, “You’re so money, and you don’t even know it,” to each other and get the reference? Streaming on Netflix.

 

Saturday the littlest Z and I watched DRINKING BUDDIES while everyone else was out. It was an entertaining look at the complexity of male/female friendships, although a bit slow on the pacing side. That said, it’s streaming on Netflix, and there’s something to be said for free movies.

 

We continued our late night Saturday tradition by watching the horror movie OCULUS. I was surprised by how good this one was. It was extremely well-written, with little of the gore that characterizes a lot of scary movies. Instead the film relies on psychological terror (my favorite!) and a tense round of flashbacks to the incident that shaped events in the modern day timeline. I was on the edge of my seat through most of the movie, and we all agreed that it was a win in terms of horror films. I think we might have streamed this one from Amazon for $2.99.

 

Happy Movie Watching, guys, and Happy Weekend!!

 

Last Day to Win LIES I TOLD on Goodreads!

Two weeks ago, I gave away two advance copies of LIES I TOLD here on my blog. It’s kind of a big deal, because as of now, the vast majority of ARCs are being given to reviewers in advance of the book’s publication.

BUT! But…

I’ve managed to secure a few more from my publisher for giveaway on Goodreads. Because I can be persuasive like that.

 

There are two copies up for grabs on Goodreads right now, but this giveaway only lasts a week, so hurry! Entering is one click away!

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Lies I Told
by Michelle Zink

Giveaway ends August 14, 2014.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Dreaming is Good – Doing the Work is Better

Back when I used to be in sales, I lived by the belief that if I focused my energy on activity rather than numbers, the numbers would come, that connecting with prospective clients, setting up meetings, writing as many proposals as possible, and making calls was more productive than obsessing about whether we were going to meet our goals.

The funny thing is, I recognize it now as a kind of mindfulness, a way to focus on the actions of the present moment rather than get caught up in the potential outcomes. Talk about foreshadowing for LIFE!

When it comes to writing, I’ve never thought much about “success”. It’s always been about the act itself. On those rare occasions when I get distracted by how well (or not) my books are performing, whether we’re ever going to get that TV deal for THIS WICKED GAME, and if my dream book will be picked up by my current publisher, I try to put my focus back on the activity and have a little faith that doing the work will take me where I want to go — or at least where I’m SUPPOSED to go. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but this week I’m putting all my energy into finishing one project so that I can start revisions on PROMISES I MADE and then complete revisions to my adult book. After that? Well, there are concepts to develop and more books to write, of course!

I do believe there’s a time and place for dreaming, but at some point, we have to put our heads down and get the work done. In other words, dreaming is good — but taking action to make your dreams a reality is better. Wishing you all a joyful and productive week!

LIES I TOLD Advance Copy (ARC) Giveaway

Two weeks ago, I gave away two advance copies of LIES I TOLD here on my blog. It’s kind of a big deal, because as of now, the vast majority of ARCs are being given to reviewers in advance of the book’s publication.

BUT! But…

I’ve managed to secure a few more from my publisher for giveaway on Goodreads. Because I can be persuasive like that.

 

There are two copies up for grabs on Goodreads right now, but this giveaway only lasts a week, so hurry! Entering is one click away!

 

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Goodreads Book Giveaway







Lies I Told



by Michelle Zink

Giveaway ends August 14, 2014.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Compliance, Syriana, Resolution, Wish I Was Here

Since we watch so many movies in our house, I thought I’d start giving you guys a heads up on the ones we like, especially streaming since that’s a nice, low-cost form of entertainment, and I think we’re all familiar with the agony of wading through the thousands of available movie on five different streaming services.

Last weekend we got lucky with FOUR movies that are good bets all around. Following are the trailers and a brief rundown on each.

COMPLIANCE

Deeply unsettling, especially since it’s based on a true story. I couldn’t help wondering not only how much we’ve all been brainwashed into complying with any kind of authority figure, but how many young women would feel powerless in this kind of situation. Terrifying.

SYRIANA

A political thriller that explores the complex nature of our relationship with oil and the lengths governments across the globe — our own included — will go to secure it. I love movieswith intersecting story lines like this one (a la TRAFFIC).

RESOLUTION

We were looking for a horror movie and ended up with this Tribeca film about a guy who holes up with his best friend in the middle of nowhere to help him get clean. It was really disturbing, and there was tons of symbolism that I didn’t fully grasp until we read the analysis. One of those gems you feel fortunate to stumble upon.

And if you’re looking to go to the theater, WISH I WAS HERE was a fun romp through Zac Braff’s brain. It wasn’t technically perfect, but it was moving and real and I really enjoyed it.  Plus, it has a an awesome soundtrack.

 

Lies I Told on Goodreads

Have you added LIES I TOLD to your Goodreads bookshelf? I’d love it if you would! And stay tuned for upcoming ARC giveaways on Goodreads, too.

Like A Child

It took me a long time to love myself this much. Too long! Sometimes as adults we lose sight of the fact that we are still the same fragile souls as when we were children. The things we need now aren’t very different from the the things we needed then, and I truly believe that we can only realize our truest purpose if we are nurturing ourselves at the most basic of levels. This almost universally means feeding our souls with good food and good books, plenty of rest, time spent in nature and with loved ones, and speaking kindly and compassionately to ourselves. You don’t need permission from anyone to do these things for yourself — ever. Start today! 

LIES I TOLD ARC Winners!

Big congrats to Hazehra D. and Lori C. who won the LIES I TOLD ARC giveaway. Check your email, guys!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated and helped to spread the word about the book. Your support means the world to me. I’ll be doing tons more giveaways in the future, so stay tuned!

Don’t Forget to Look Up

Love this reminder to live in the moment instead of via our screens (even though I adore you guys — you know I do!).

 

Focus Creates Expansion

Sometimes the Universe is so quiet. Other times, it speaks so loudly we can’t ignore it. A couple of weeks ago I read an article written by a man about to divorce his wife. The article was centered around things he wished he’d known earlier in his marriage. The fact that I clicked through at all is a bit strange; I don’t read many relationship-related articles (I haven’t been in one for six years) nor divorce-related ones (mine is well behind me, as is any angst related to it). But for some reason I found myself reading anyway. It was all kind of basic stuff about appreciating someone and not sweating the small stuff. Then I came to this (I’m paraphrasing, because I don’t remember where I saw it);

That which you focus on expands.

I felt the beginnings of an epiphany, but I didn’t realize how much it affected me until I realized, two weeks later, that I was still thinking about it. About how true it is, in relationships, yes, but in life, too. Then a few days ago, I saw this  on the Abraham-Hicks page;

“Continuing to tell stories of shortage only continues to contradict your desire for abundance, and you cannot have it both ways: You cannot focus upon unwanted and receive wanted… ”

And I immediately thought; “expansion.”

It’s kind of crazy that I never thought about this before now. But of course, it makes sense. It’s like looking out the window and seeing dew on the grass, then being surprised when it’s wet and cold on your bare feet. Of course, the things we focus on expand — in relationship, careers, love and life. Of course, we contradict our desire for abundance when we focus on shortage. We don’t necessarily feel like we’re focusing on the negative, but if we’re thinking about the things we don’t have, about what everyone else has, in terms of money or love or recognition or freedom or health, the energy we need to manifest those things for ourselves is diverted into the unproductive task of dissatisfaction. And dissatisfaction, my friends, is a full time job.

It all keys into something I deeply believe; that the universe has everything we need in abundance. There is no shortage of love or money or recognition, no finite “pot” that must be split 7 billion ways (although we can certainly make the argument that the current distribution doesn’t always seem fair, but that’s a different discussion). The trick, then, is to live it. To expand not just our thoughts, but ourselves. I almost typed “Easier said than done” here, but that’s not really true. It’s actually easier to focus on the things that are available to us. Which is everything. I truly believe that! Do you?