Michelle Zink's Blog, page 42

Thursday Night Write – And Some Tips

[image error]Time for another edition of Open Mic! WOOT!

I'll remind you of the rules in a minute, but first I want to give you a couple of tips to make the feedback you get here most productive. It's fine to post 300 words for comment, but I think it's really difficult sometimes to give productive feedback for so short a piece. A lot of the time, we end up saying, "I really like this," or "I love how you did XY &Z."

Which is totally fine!

But I think some little tweaks to the Thursday Night Write system will help give you all more constructive feedback and will also make reading and commenting a lot easier.

1. Since you can only post 300 words or less, try to post an excerpt from the beginning or the end of your piece if you can't fit the whole thing (as in a poem or song).

2. If you don't want to post something from the beginning or end, give brief context for the piece your posting to better allow the readers to see the piece as part of the whole.

3. Post a piece that you're having trouble with or are unsure of in some way. Tell potential readers what you're looking for, i.e. "I'm not sure if the second paragraph makes sense," or, "I have a couple of really long sentences here but can't seem to find a way to streamline them and still say what I want to say." Even something simple like, "I'm trying to figure out if my MC is sympathetic enough here" will allow a reader to give you more targeted feedback. You can use that feedback to figure out if you have a gripping opener, a solid end-of-chapter cliffhanger, or a smooth transition from one piece to the next.

All that said, if you're looking for an overall impression, feel free to ask for that as well!

All other rules as usual; post 300 words or less of your original short story, poem, song, or novel excerpt for comment. Don't forget to comment at least one other piece if you leave one of your own. Writers of all ages and experience are welcome to play.

Happy writing!

Song of the Week – Rolling in the Deep

I adore this week's song and Adele, the woman singing it. She's gorgeous and spirited and man… what a voice. Plus, I love when the drums come in and you can see the water vibrating. You can almost FEEL the drums through the computer.

Awesome.

This one is Rolling in the Deep and was nominated by THREE Prophecy readers – Kelly, Kristin, and Meagan. Thanks, you guys!!!

 

Changes and Insecurities, Surviving, and Being True to Yourself

[image error]This week's Anonymous Prophecy Reader is Butterfly. She's always been one of my favorite international fans, but I have to confess to loving her even more after reading this interview.

I know you will, too!

If you'd like to be featured on Anonymous Prophecy Reader, send an email to prophecypress@aol.com with "Anonymous Prophecy Reader" in the Subject line. Rebekah will send you an email with the questions and instructions.

JUST THE FACTS

Interview Code Name (you choose!); Butterfly

Current country of residence; Spain

Male or female? Female

Age; 22

 

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month? Hmm.. to many, no really in between 15 and 20

Favorite kind of book and why; I would say fantasy and historical mixed with magic or romance because they transport me to other imaginary worlds or diferent times, in where I can be a heroine.

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; First the cover has to catch my attention and then the summary.

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? That I've felt what the characters have and I feel for them, and when I stay up untill 3 am without realizing so concentrated that I am in the book.

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? Well it depends on the friend really. One of my friends I nearly always listen to, the other one not so much, and the rest just aren't that much of readers.

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; I would like to see more about wiccans and less vampires as there are a bit to many of them.

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? If the book is to short I tend to want more and also if it is interesting but badly written.

Paperback or hardcover? Either, hardcover tend to last longer, but paperbacks are easier to carry around in my bag.

Series or stand-alone? Either if the ending of the stand-alone is good, but I generally prefer series.

ALL ABOUT YOU

If you had a life philosophy or motto, what would it be? "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Writing is my favorite hobby. Writing something that many can enjoy is my favorite dream.

Are your parents divorced? Yes, for two years now.

Do you feel that being a teenager is difficult? If so, why? Being a teenager is difficult because it's a time of changes and unsecurities, for some more than others.

List some of your hobbies. Writing, reading, listening to music, singing and going to the cinema.

Why do you think teenagers feel the need to label one another? To feel like they belong somewhere and that everyone has a place.

Favorite color? Pink and black.

Is there anything in your past that makes you sad or angry? If so, are you willing to share it here? Yes, I had a car accident when I was seven and I was the only one who survived in the crash, I was with my best friend and her parents. (*hugs*, hon)

What is your passion? Writing.

Do you feel the need to pretend to be someone you're not? If so, why? No, because I believe that if people don't accept me for what I am their not worth trying to change for.

What kinds of things do you think about when you're all alone? I make up stories in my head.

How do you keep your bed? Covered in pillows? Made perfect every morning? a mess of tangled sheets? A mess of tangled sheets hahaha I am always told to make my bed before I leave the house the problem is I never remember.

Do you ever feel the need to be invisible? If so, why? Nope.

Do you believe that you will ever find the type of love in books and movies? I don't believe I will, but I wish I would. I did have one like it once but… nothing lasts forever. But I do hope I find it someday.

Do you like school? Why or why not? Not exactly, I loved school I just had lots of problems with the other students.

Do you believe that education is important? Yes it is.

Are the cliques you read about or see on TV present in your school? Not really we had two cliques: the populars and the troublemakers, and those were divided in between the english and the spanish.

Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable? Yes, not so much any more but when I was a child I was very quiet and always reading so some people use to make fun of me.

Favorite animal? Either a black panther or a butterfly (hence the pen name and the photo and my tattoo^^) (I love black panthers!)

Have you ever been mean to someone? If so, why? How did it make you feel afterward? Yes, once to my uncle because he was insulting me thinking I wouldn't answer back and I did with the meanest thing I could think of in five minutes. I felt good afterwards because I had stood up for my self.

Do you regret any of the choices you've made? If so, are you willing to share them here? I regret not speaking for years.

Do they wonder or worry about what other people think about you? Be honest! Not anymore I used to but I have learned that it doesn't matter what most people think about you, just that you are true to yourself. (

Friday Poll – Favorite Date!

[image error]This Friday night, I'm thinking about the perfect date.

Not that, yanno, I've been on one, recently. Perfect or otherwise!

But it's kind of fun to think about.

So I'm asking for YOUR opinion; What's your perfect date?

Weigh in with the Friday poll!

View Poll

Thursday Night Write – 5/26/2011

[image error]Have I told you guys how much I love New York?

I do!

I'm a California girl, born and bred, but my heart belongs to New York.

So this week's prompt is in honor of my adopted city, BEA, and New York Book Week.

You know the rules; give yourself no more than 30 minutes to write anything that comes to mind when you look at this picture. No cheating! Then, post no more than 500 words of it here for comment. Don't forget to comment at least one other post if you leave one of your own. Writers of all ages and experience are welcome to play.

This is a great exercise for getting the writing juices flowing. You might just be surprised by what you come up with.

Happy Writing!

Circle of Fire Virtual Tour

[image error]Every September for the past two years, I've gone on tour.

I love going on tour! It's awesome to meet readers and – my very favorite – visit schools all over the country.

But this year I decided to do something a little different. I'll get to the details in a minute, but let me say first that my decision to try something new in lieu of a traditional tour was based on two things.

First, this is a three book year for me. Meaning not that I'll have three books published, but that I actually have to WRITE three whole books, beginning to end, this calendar year. I'm only under an official deadline for one of them, but the other two are personal projects that are very important to me. In order to meet my own professional goals, I need to try and have them written this year.

Which means three books plus editing of the ones under contract and all the marketing that goes along with publishing books.

These days it's more than ever.

Also, there are drawbacks to a traditional tour. First and foremost for me is the time away from my family. As a single mom, it's really hard. But beyond that, tours are a lot of miles cataloged to see what amounts to a fraction of one's readership. The truth is, only a handful of readers can typically take advantage of tour signings because of location or scheduling or both.

So this year, I decided to try and reach more people with a virtual tour. The Circle of Fire Virtual Tour will kick off on August 3rd with a chat on YALitChat. The tour will end with a chat on MundieMoms August 17th. In between, there will be tour "stops" based on questions I often receive when on tour.

I'm often asked about my collaboration with my son, Kenneth, who composes the music for the Prophecy trailers. That question will become a tour stop that will include a Livestream chat and interview with Kenneth in which he'll play piano for you, answer questions, etc. Since I'm often asked about where I live one of the tour stops will be a video tour of my home and town.I have tons of cool things lined up for you and giveaways all along the way.

And the best part is that if you have a computer, you can participate!

I'll still be making select in-person appearances around the Circle of Fire release date, but the Virtual Tour will make up the bulk of my touring for 2011. I'll have more detail on the tour stops and will release an official schedule soon. My hope is that the virtual tour will allow more people to be part of the Circle of Fire launch. We have traveled a long and winding road together since the start of the Prophecy Trilogy. I want to share it with as many of you as possible.

So mark it on your calendars from August 3rd to August 17th! Can't wait!

Song of the Week – Alibi

LOVE 30 Seconds to Mars, but this might just be one of my all time favorites.

Thanks, Tiffani, for the recommendation!

 

Trusting the Wrong People, Releasing Pain, and Avoiding Conflict

[image error]This week's Anonymous Prophecy Reader is Beneath the Day! I've made an exception to our usual "Anonymous Picture" rule as this reader is over 18 and chose this picture to represent their interview.

She's AH-dorable! And witty and smart, too.

Hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did!

And if you'd like to be featured as an Anonymous Prophecy Reader, send an email to prophecypress@aol.com with "Anonymous Prophecy Reader" in the Subject line.

Also, on Wednesday I'll have an announcement regarding tour and launch information for the Circle of Fire release which is now only a little over TWO MONTHS away. SO EXCITED!

JUST THE FACTS

Interview Code Name (you choose!); Beneath the Day

Current country of residence; U.S.

Male or female? Female

Age; 20

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month? Anywhere from 8-12 books a month, depending on the length of the book.

Favorite kind of book and why; Paranormal romances, or any paranormal or fantasy book. Because to be frank I find reality to be dreadfully boring, and I go to bed every day wishing that tomorrow will bring more excitement. So when I go and read a book I need it to have action, to have creatures that aren't in nature, to pull me into a world completely their own. I want a book I can dream, daydream and fantasize about.

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; At first glance it is the cover. If the cover looks interesting I will pick it up, then if the synopsis gets me, I buy it.

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? When I am sitting there at like 12 in the morning, eyes threatening to close and I tell myself "Just finish this chapter." Then after I finish that chapter I tell myself "Just ONE MORE chapter!!"

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? To be honest it isn't that important, not that I don't accept recommendations or anything or don't appreciate them, I just don't really need them. I've discovered all of the books on my shelf on my own, and I think that's how I'm going to keep it. I mean, who knows my taste better than me!

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; I want more mythology in this genre, I think it is so interesting and fantastic, and SO much can be written about it! And I would sincerely like to see fewer vampires. While I am a fan of vampire books, I think that there is a time to just say 'no' to vampires. (ha!)

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? When an author is a Mary Sue, which is when they make the character into someone they WANT themselves to be. Where the character looks suspiciously like the author, and likes all the things the author does. It just makes me feel like the character is just a copy and not an original and that the character didn't come their imagination, only their reflection.

Paperback or hardcover? Hardcover, though I do hate that stupid sleeve, I always have to take it off the second I start reading it.

Series or stand-alone? Both are fine with me, there are some books that should've been a stand-alone that are a series, and vice versa.

ALL ABOUT YOU

If you had a life philosophy or motto, what would it be? A quote from Shel Silverstein: "Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me…anything can happen, child. Anything can be." (LOVE!)

Are your parents divorced? I'm extremely thankful that they aren't, I don't know what I would do!

Do you feel that being a teenager is difficult? If so, why? Honestly? Yes. While others think that the problems that happen when you're a teenager will seem so petty when you graduate high school, people have to remember that these problems lead to serious consequences. Drug abuse, alcohol abuse and sadly, suicide are all caused by something that happens mainly to only pre-teens and teenagers; bullying. It is sickening that only NOW after teens had to die that bullying is being taken serious.

List some of your hobbies. Well I love writing poems and stories, I'm currently working on my first novel. I love, love, LOVE to read! You know, the normal answers people give, listen to music, hang out with friends. I'm pretty typical!

Why do you think teenagers feel the need to label one another? I feel that it's because they are having trouble dealing with their own issues that they have to make someone else feel bad to bring themselves up. It's cliché, I know, but very true.

Favorite color? Purple!

Is there anything in your past that makes you sad or angry? If so, are you willing to share it here? Oh gosh, there are so many things. But I think the one thing that sticks out the most is trusting the wrong people. I let one person in, and told her everything about me, all my fears and deep secrets and one secret was so dark that if it got out it would ruin me. She told the person it was about and it ended up getting around, I was mortified and embarrassed and my worst fear happened, I lost all of my friends. I graduated high school alone, all thanks to someone that I made the mistake of trusting. I still cry about it, I've never fully healed and now I don't trust anyone other than myself. (I have SO Been there, hon. *hugs*)

What is your passion? Writing. I haven't been so passionate about something before in my entire life, and I've never excelled at something before this. I get compliments, A's on all my papers, people asking to read my stuff. My writing is the only thing I have in my life that makes me feel good about myself. I've never been popular, and I've never had a lot of friends, so I turned to writing. I'm finally proud of myself, when I read what I write I can't help but just smile.

Do you feel the need to pretend to be someone you're not? If so, why? I'm not going to lie to you guys, sometimes I do. I change who I am depending on who I am around, it isn't a dramatic change, but I'm never completely ME when I'm with people. I've been hurt and rejected so many times in the past I'm afraid of losing people, I'm afraid of not being liked, so I think that if I'm not me then they won't leave me.

What kinds of things do you think about when you're all alone? I have a weekly ritual, every Sunday I always ask myself the same question when I'm alone, "How did I let it get this bad?" I sit there and think about all my mistakes, and all the reasons I'm in the situation I'm in now. And I just cry, I release all my pain, anger, hurt, self-loathing, pity, everything. Then when I'm done, I brush myself off and prepare myself for the week, and do it all again in a week. (

How do you keep your bed? Covered in pillows? Made perfect every morning? a mess of tangled sheets? I make sure it's made after I get up, always putting my soft blanket on first, then my body pillow, then my comforter and finally my 2 giant pillows.

Do you ever feel the need to be invisible? If so, why? Of course. There are times when I'm just tired of all the stress and criticism and I wish that I could just be invisible, to escape for just a little bit. Be at peace, even if just for a moment.

Do you believe that you will ever find the type of love in books and movies? I'm such a bitter person when it comes to love, I refuse to let myself believe that love like that really exists, so I don't get my hopes up just to be let down.

Do you like school? Why or why not? There is this quote by Oscar Wilde that sums up my thoughts on school: "Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

Do you believe that education is important? ^See the above quote.^

Are the cliques you read about or see on TV present in your school? To an extent they were, but not to the extreme that I read and see. They exaggerate the cliques a lot.

Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable? Who doesn't? I mean I don't know of anyone who has NEVER felt like that before, and those who say they haven't, are lying. It's completely normal to feel awkward or uncomfortable, and I'm definitely not ashamed to say I feel like that a lot.

Favorite animal? Probably the wolf, they are such beautiful creatures.

Have you ever been mean to someone? If so, why? How did it make you feel afterward? I regret to say I actually have, to be honest I don't even remember the reason, it was years ago. All I remember is becoming so depressed afterwards that I didn't leave my room for 3 days. I can happily say I learned from that experience, and I have never been mean to anyone since then.

Do you regret any of the choices you've made? If so, are you willing to share them here? Yes. The biggest mistake was being too trusting. I trusted anyone and everyone I became friends with and have regretted it ever since. I can't even count on 2 hands how many friends I lost by trusting the wrong people, it still haunts me 7 years later.

Do you wonder or worry about what other people think about you? Be honest! Very much so! I am always afraid that people don't like me, I have a fear of rejection, so I'm always wary around people at first. I try to please everyone and stay COMPLETELY on their good side, so I make sure that I don't start fights or saying anything that could upset them. Some people say I'm too nice, but to me all it is is me trying to avoid conflict.

Friday Poll – Banned from Prom?

[image error]By now you've all probably heard about James Tate. He's the teenage boy who created a romantic Prom invite only to be banned from the Prom altogether.

You can read the details here, but the short of it is that the letters were taped onto the school, not spray painted, and James seems ot have taken care not to vandalize the school or put himself in unnecessary danger. On the other hand, the school has a Zero Tolerance policy against this kind of thing and they don't feel its right to make an exception for James, regardless of his romantic intent.

So what do you think? Should James Tate be allowed to go to Prom? Should the school find another punishment for him? Or did they act correctly in banning him from the event?

Weigh in with the Friday Poll!

View Poll

Thursday Night Write – Open Mic

[image error]Time for another edition of Thursday Night Write.

You know the rules!

Post 300 words or less of your original poem, song, short story, or novel excerpt for comment. Don't forget to comment at least one other post if you leave one of your own.Writers of all ages and experience are welcome to play.

Easy as pie!