Michelle Zink's Blog, page 20

Reminder

Those of you who were recommending songs on Facebook today for the Song of the Week are probably going, “Wha?”

That’s because no one actually recommended this, but I came across it while browsing the ones you DID suggest and loved it so much I decided to go with it. So in a way, it WAS from you.

Anyway, I love it! I’ll try to use some of your other recommendations next week.

The Blessed Giveaway

Today I’m super excited to celebrate the release of THE BLESSED.

That’s because A) it’s awesome, and B) Tonya Hurley, its author, is equally awesome.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of THE BLESSED a couple of months ago and quickly devoured it. Gritty, dark, and seething with violence and danger, it brings something new to the YA table.

And that is not very easy to do these days.

So to celebrate, I’m giving away a prize pack (generously donated by Tonya) including;

One signed copy of the book (which is GORGEOUS, as you can see!)

An incense burner

Frankincense incense

A handmade Blessed bracelet

Aside from being riveting and wholly original, the book itself is stunning, with interior art and a reversible cover that is both eerie and beautiful.

As you can see, there are TONS of ways to win. You get one entry each for commenting, following Tonya on Twitter, following me on Twitter (mandatory for entry validation), liking THE BLESSED Facebook page on Facebook, liking the Prophecy of the Sisters Facebook Page, and tweeting a link to the giveaway.

And that’s not all. You get FIVE ENTRIES for changing your Twitter picture to a picture of THE BLESSED cover for the duration of this giveaway. That’s right! FIVE!

Giveaway runs for two weeks starting now and is open to residents of the US and Canada or anyone with a US mailing address.

So what are you waiting for?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Editing Corner; Overwriting

Last year, when a friend of mine approached me about helping to offload her over-abundance of freelance editing projects, I wasn’t sure if I could help. I’d always thought of myself as a writer, not an editor.

But the idea of editing was intriguing, a chance to use skills that might help me become a better writer while helping other writers reach their goals of securing an agent or selling a book.

Editing turned out to be a gift. It kept my writing mind sharp between my own projects and allowed me to connect with a whole new group of aspiring-to-be-published writers. I found that I LOVED helping them, and that I learned something new with every edit.

Those first few projects turned into many more, and I eventually set up a simple informational website to which I could refer the very few clients I took on. I worked by referral only and only when I had time between my own writing projects.

I jumped at the opportunity to co-edit the Two and Twenty Dark Tales anthology with Georgia McBride and was floored by the talent represented by the pieces, but adding the anthology to my editor credentials outed me!

So now you know; I DO freelance editing on the side.

With that in mind, I thought I’d use Thursday Night Write now and then to address editing issue. Because even though I strongly recommend you always get an outside editor (no one can see their own work objectively – and that includes me), there are things you can do, tics you can become aware of, that will make those early drafts cleaner.

One of the things I was most guilty of in the early days was overwriting. I love language. I love beautiful words and evocative turns of phrase. But like many writers, I can be my own worst enemy.

That’s because, as the old saying goes, less is usually more. And this is definitely true when it come to overly descriptive phrases, flowery language, and over-explanation. But I don’t think I really saw it without the help of my agent or editor until I started editing professionally.

Then, I REALLY noticed it.

Ironically, going overboard is actually distracting. It makes the reader pause to visualize and imagine what the writer is describing, and if there’s one thing you don’t want, it’s to give readers a reason to pause while reading your book.

A good rule of thumb is not to stack very descriptive phrases. If you have a paragraph full of intricately worded, complex sentences, you probably have too many. Try to mix it up a little. Use descriptive phrases, metaphors, etc., when it really counts, and intersperse them with simpler phrases and sentences.

Remember; the idea isn’t to impress everyone with how beautifully you can write.

It’s to pull the reader through the story. To make them not want to put the book down. To make them put off going to the bathroom or making dinner or going to bed.

And sometimes, if things are too complicated, it’s just too much work to slog through the adjectives and similes and metaphors and adverbs, to say nothing of the fact that those things are inauthentic if overused, because let’s face it; people don’t talk — or even think — that way a majority of the time.

So yes, we’re back to “kill your little darlings.” Especially the pretty ones.

And if you’re looking for freelance editing in preparation for querying agents, subbing your book to editors, or self-pubbing, you can view my editing website here. I have a rare one-month opening right now and am running a special on a full manuscript edit. Use the contact form on this website for details!

Amalgam

Lately, all my best music recs for Song of the Week have come from Kenneth. This one, called Amalgam by the band Halos, is no exception. I am obsessed with this band. Their sound falls somewhere between Brand New (my favorite band of all time) and The Fray.

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Friday Poll; What is your favorite thing about fall?

This week’s poll was suggested by friend and fellow author, Rhonda Helms.

And it’s perfect, because fall is definitely in the air. As a Southern California native, people thought I was crazy when I moved to New York. They said things like, “NEW YORK?! But… doesn’t it SNOW there?!”

We were assured that we would hate the winters most of all, a prediction that proved untrue (in fact, the number one thing we had trouble getting used to was the lack of diversity – in people, food, and thought – in our rural Hudson Valley town).

I’m definitely a four season person. By the end of one, I’m ready for the next, but that means every three months or so I’m excited for all the new stuff that comes along with the change in weather. I guess it makes sense given that I’ve always been a change junkie.

But of all the seasons in New York, Autumn is my favorite. Changing leaves, crisp air, the smell of wood smoke, apples right off the tree, sweaters, socks, and boots… What’s not to love?!

What about you? What’s your favorite part of fall?

Weigh in with the Friday Poll!

(P.S. You can choose all the answers that apply on this one.)

Take Our Poll

Holding the Door

Ever since last week’s Democratic National Convention, I’ve had an excerpt of Michelle Obama’s speech stuck in my head.

And no. This post isn’t about politics.

Michelle said (I’m paraphrasing) that when we are given the privilege of walking through the door of opportunity, we are obligated not to slam it shut once we’re over the threshold, but to hold it open for those behind us. She was, of course, referring to her belief (and the belief of Barack Obama and many in the Democratic party) that when one uses the infrastructure that is in place in our country to attain success, we must then insure that others have the same opportunity.

And it got me thinking.

I promised myself two things when I sold the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy in 2007.

1) I would speak at school and libraries for free whenever possible to encourage young people to stay true to themselves and to reach for their dreams. And,

2) I would help other aspiring-to-publication writers whenever possible.

I like to think I’ve met these goals. And while it’s gotten harder to help all the people I would like to help (requests for blurbs, reading for friends, and other types of assistance have to be balanced against my need to market and promote my own work, not to mention the requirements of singe motherhood), I still try very hard to do whatever I can to help other writers. It can mean offering up swag, attending an event on my dime, reading and offering critique, giving a blurb, picking up the phone to give advice or feedback. My assistance isn’t dependent on friendship. It isn’t dependent on whether or not I think your book will be “big” enough to give me some coverage, too. In fact, I’m probably more likely to help books that may be under-served or under-promoted, those hidden, under-the-radar gems that are like happening upon a wonderful, surprise discovery.

I’ve heard some published writers express the belief that since they had to go through so much difficulty in their publication journey, it’s only fair that everyone else should trudge the same path. I guess I can understand that argument, even if I don’t agree with it. For me, it’s like saying if you’re great-grandfather had to trudge uphill to school with no shoes in the snow, you should have to do the same, because it’s not fair for you to benefit from thing he didn’t have.

I guess it’s just a fundamental difference of opinion. Some people believe they aren’t obligated to help others. And while they may right, I like to think that doing so advances the community in the publishing climate, even if just a little. I like to think that we can be allies instead of competitors, that we can grow through collective wisdom, that we can forgive mistakes made in an increasingly volatile, uncertain and very public industry.

I myself have made a few. I even asked a couple well-known writers to which I was NOT acquainted for a blurb before Prophecy of the Sisters came out. Yes, I realize now that it was a faux pas! But at the time, it made perfect sense to my marketing brain. In business (which is my background), it’s expected that you will network wherever possible, that you request help and introductions and offer to do so in return. It isn’t always necessary to be well acquainted with your ally in the business world. It took me awhile to realize how very different publishing is.

How very PERSONAL.

And I like that it is. I like that we get to know one another on tour and at events. That we can commiserate over drinks about circumstances that are truly unique to this industry. I like that there are places online where we can go to safely vent to one another.

But there is a fine line between personal and exclusionary, and those words by Michelle Obama resonated with me, a reminder to hold the door open. To smile as people step through and wish them safe and happy passage.

Into the Fire

After buying Bruce Springsteen’s CD, THE RISING, right after it was released, I found that I couldn’t listen to it without sobbing. All the songs on the CD were written for 9/11, and it was just too heart-wrenching for me to listen to it.

So I got in the habit of listening to it once a year on 9/11 and just letting myself cry my eyes out. I have to confess that this song in particular still does that to me, but somehow, it also gives me hope. I thought I’d share it with you today.

May your strength give us strength

May your faith give us faith

May your hope give us hope

May your love bring us love.

Not much more to say on a day like today.

Warrior

This week’s Movie Monday features Warrior, an amazing film from 2011 starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as estranged brothers who face off in an MMA championship match.

Now anyone who knows me knows I’m not a sports fan. I’ve tried. I watched my boys play baseball (and watched baseball games with them) and soccer, learned to play golf so I could play with my ex-husband, and attended every one of Caroline’s softball games

And while I love watching my kids do anything – the sport itself? Not so much.

But sports movies are an exception when the character development and human interest part of the story is powerful. Examples for me are The Blind Side (aside from the fact that I spent the whole movie stifling sobs), Invictus, Miracle, and now, this one.

The thing I loved most about this movie was how well it avoided overused tropes of the genre. There was so much depth to the characters and so many gray areas, you never really knew who you were rooting for.

Kind of like life.

It also featured some truly incredible acting on the part of Edgerton, Hardy (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors), and Nick Nolte.

But the coup de grace for this movie was the final scene, to my mind one of the most powerful final scenes in any movie. I’ve posted it below the trailer, but if you’re planning on watching the movie (it’s currently streaming on Netflix), don’t spoil it for yourself!

Travel by Book

A couple of years ago I started a tradition of reading travel books over the summer. It arose out of an inherent love of travel and my inability to take a real vacation that year. Sometimes, it’s just too expensive to travel with kids, but the magic of books is that you can go anywhere and “see” anything with the flip of a page.

I love all kinds of books, but the nature of my work means that I’m almost always reading YA or adult fiction as research, for blurb, to help a friend, as part of my freelance editing work, etc. Having a finite time period to binge on travel books is something I really look forward to every year.

This summer I read three amazing ones. I highly recommend them all!

The first book I read was WILD, by Cheryl Strayed. A profoundly moving account of a young women who hikes the Pacific Crest Trail alone, it inspired and touched me. One of the things I loved most about the book was its intensely personal voice. Totally untrained and spiraling into serious self-destructive behavior following the death of her mother, Cheryl wasn’t  a typical candidate for a hike of this magnitude. But you know what? She did it. And she was transformed. I was completely addicted to this book and highly recommend it to anyone – but particularly women – at a crossroads.

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman was next. I was so riveted to this book that for two solid weeks I actually wanted to give up my writing time for reading (*gasp*). I think this book spoke so loudly to me because Rita didn’t start traveling until she was in her 40s and because she did it entirely alone and with no real experience.

Another thing I loved about Rita’s account is that she ended up living full time, essentially, as a nomad on very little money. The thing that she valued most about travel was the opportunity to meet and learn about people and their cultures up close and personal, so she spent most of her time in hostels, backpacker hotels, and living with friends she made in other countries along the way. It was a glimpse into the kind of life I’ve dreamed about post-kids, and I’m inspired by the fact that Rita is still living abroad today (in Turkey, as of now). If you’re looking for proof that there IS another way to live, this is your book. Rita is now a big proponent of a gap year for American students (I say “American” because many other countries already advocate gap years). After reading this book, I’m in total agreement.

My final book of the summer was The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman. While geared to a younger crowd (Rachel was in college when she begins traveling), I got so much out of this book. Mostly, it just added to the increasingly-large amount of anecdotal evidence that it IS possible for women to travel safely alone. This was a book I wish I’d had when I was seventeen. It might have changed the course of my life (not that I want that NOW). Rachel spends a lot of the book trying to reconcile the very American push for her to get a college degree and a “good” job with the glimpses of another kind of life she gets from young Europeans she meets traveling abroad – young people for whom travel is an integral part of their life education, not the mark of a loser who isn’t in school. I recommend this for any young person, but especially those not sure what they want to do and not sure the traditional path of college is for them, at least not right out of high school. I gifted it to Rebekah before she left for college because I thought it would inspire her in this newly independent phase of her life.

It was a bit sad to reach the end of my summer travel reading! I still had books I wanted to read and places I wanted to (virtually) visit.

But don’t worry. They’re on the list for next year,

About Today

Last week, Kenneth reminded me about this song by The National after we watched WARRIOR, one of those hidden gems on Netflix that make streaming worthwhile.

The song played during the final fight scene between two brothers with a history of pain and loss. Standing in stark contrast to the brutality of MMA, I think it was a bold, interesting choice for that scene.

But also, it’s just an amazing song! Hope you guys enjoy.