Michelle Zink's Blog, page 54

Merry Christmas!!!

I love you guysssss!

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Mirror, Mirror

[image error]I'm kind of in love with these little gems from Mirror, Mirror…

Song of the Week – A Better Son/Daughter

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And if your song wasn't chosen this time, not to worry. I'm choosing from the archives each and every week.

Sometimes in the morning I am petrified and can't move

Awake but cannot open my eyes

And the weight is crushing down on my lungs

I know I can't breathe

And hope someone will save me this time

And your mother's still callin you insane and high

Swearin it's different this time

And you tell her to give in to the demons that possess her

That god never blessed her insides

Then you hang up the phone and feel badly for upsetting things

Crawl back into bed to dream of a time

When your heart was open wide and you love things just because

Like the sick and dying

And sometimes when you're on

You're really fuckin on

And your friends they sing along

And they love you

But the lows are so extreme

That the good seems fuckin cheap

And it teases you for weeks in its absence

But you'll fight and you'll make it through

You'll fake it if you have to

And you'll show up for work with a smile

You'll be better

And You'll be smarter

And More grown up and a better daughter or son

And a real good friend

And you'll be awake

You'll be alert

You'll be positive though it hurts

And you'll laugh and embrace all your friends

And you'll be a real good listener

You'll be honest

You'll be brave

You'll be handsome and you'll be beautiful

You'll be happy

Your ship may be comin in

You're weak but not givin in

To the cries and the wails of the valley below

And your ship may be comin in

You're weak but not givin in

And you'll fight it you'll go out fightin all of em

Friday Poll – Oops! We're Doing It Again

[image error]Yesterday I was watching CNN (which is the only TV I watch, and only for about an hour every morning) and came across a story about the sexualization of teens in the media.

I found it fascinating on a number of levels. One of the most astounding statistics reported during the course of this study is that the average teen watches 75 hours of TV and related media a week. 75 HOURS.

Maybe I'm out of touch, but that number is just crazy to me. No wonder the average teen "doesn't have time" to read, sleep, or do any number of things important and even necessary for mental, physical, and emotional health.

But that figure becomes even more ominous to me when I think about what's out there.

Now listen. I'm no prude. Seriously. I am the LEAST prudish parent you will find. Sex is commonly and openly discussed in my household as are drugs, alcohol, and pretty much anything and everything else. In general, I'm a parent who thinks it's more productive to spend my time talking to my teens about this stuff and educating them about the ramifications of it rather than trying to prevent it from happening or being available.

Call me a cynic, but I prefer to think of myself as a realist.

[image error]The truth is, things change. The human race is on a developmental and evolutionary path that is unstoppable. Some of it is for the better and some of it (a lot of it, in my opinion) is not.

But that point of view doesn't mean I can't find it within myself to be horrified, disgusted, disturbed, worried, and pissed off.

One of the examples given in the CNN feature was Glee. Now before you get all in my face, I'm not dissing Glee. I've never even watched Glee (there's that TV thing again).

I'm just saying that it might not be the best idea to dress up supposed high girls in such a manner, especially when the intended audience is kids and teenagers. Maybe it's not a good idea to show them with their boobs falling out while some guy grabs their ass and everybody smiles like it's all A-okay.

And I do understand that the GQ cover above isn't intended for kids. But the show is. Kids and teens. That's who's watching Glee, in addition to adults. And yes. These actors aren't even really teenagers. But again, they're playing high school students on TV. And the impression is that this is what's expected. That this is how girls "should" look and act.

More and more, it seems girls are seen only through the lens of the boys and men around them. It's a lot of pressure. To be "sexy". To act a certain way. Not just for girls but for the boys around them, too. Will our boys grow up expecting girls to look and behave this way? Is it already too late?

Well, MY boys won't because I've made sure of it. Since I'm not a believer in censorship in any fashion, I'm not suggesting THAT, either. I guess I'm saying that maybe it's time for a gut check. Maybe we should re-evaluate the message we want to send to our young women. Maybe we want to give them a little time to BE young. To see themselves through their own lens before they have to worry about meeting the expectations set for them by an increasingly sexual media that dresses twenty-somethings in clothing designed to be provocative and then presents them as "average" teenagers in a culture that worships celebrity.

Because here's the thing; no matter how much you might disagree with me or be mad that I'm up in your Glee's face, I love you guys. I care about you. My heart hurts for you when you feel sad or confused or insecure or inferior or scared.

I'm everybody's mother!

As with my own teens, I just want you to be okay. I want you to figure out who you are – who you REALLY are, not some twisted version of yourself created out of the media's idea of who should be – before you worry about meeting the expectations of the people around you. And I want those people to love and care about you for the beauty and insight and intelligence and compassion you carry INSIDE. By what you can contribute to the world. Not by people who are rating how your ass looks in a short skirt.

Anyway, I guess this is one Friday Poll in which you guys know where I stand! How about you?

Weigh in with the Friday Poll!

View Poll

Unwritten Tale

I've decided to suspend Thursday Night Write for the month of December. A lot of you have just come off of NaNo, I've just come off a hideous deadline, and we're all a little busy.

I say we need some R&R!

So while the other features will remain the same, I'm going to use Thursdays to post something – anything – that I like.

Tonight it's this print, Unwritten Tale, by Melissa Nucera. Isn't it lovely?

[image error]Visit Melissa and take a look at her gorgeous work in her Etsy shop This Year's Girl.

Sheesh! Talent, much?

Song of the Week – Dog Days Are Over

I've always loved Florence and the Machine (I think part of the reason I love A Fine Frenzy so much is because they remind me of F&M) but I don't think I've heard this one before.

Thanks to my cousin, Brian, for the recommendation AND for being uber-patient on the notes I owe him on his novel.

See? It's not that I don't love you when I can't reply to your emails or comments. I can't even get back to my COUSIN in a timely manner these days! Sigh.

O_o

Enjoy the music and remember to email song suggestions for Song of the Week to prophecypress@aol.com. Please write Song of the Week in the Subject line and include the title of the song, name of the artist, and a link to a video if you have one you like.

House of Flying Daggers, Personal Awareness, and Atheism

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This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is Between the Cradle and the Night! And she lives in ALASKA, someplace I've always wanted to go!

I also want to announce a format change to the Anonymous Teen Reader feature as of the beginning of the year.

Ya know that question at the bottom, "What one thing would you like to know about other teens?"

Well, it's going to be the basis for a whole new set of questions. That's right, beginning early January, I'll compile ALL of those questions into a new survey. That means if you've already been an Anonymous Teen reader in the past but would like to do it again, you're eligible with the new survey.

More to come!

In the meantime, if you'd like to be an Anonymous Teen Reader using THIS set of questions, please email me at prophecypress@aol.com and I'll make sure you get the questions.

JUST THE FACTS

Interview Code Name (you choose!); Between the Candle and the Night

Current country of residence; U.SA. (Alaska)

Male or female? Female

Age; 17

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month?

I can get pretty busy with school, work, and life in general; however, I read as much as my schedule allows. The amount also depends on my supply of good books to be read. In other words, if I can get my hands on any, depending on: what I can find from the second hand store, friends, library, or occasionally the book store. Anyways on average though if I were to assume all conditions were favorable than I would have to say 5-7 books per months. I love to read!

Favorite kind of book and why;

I read whatever I am interested in, which can vary depending on my mood. I'll read, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, romance, drama ect. It can be cute and rather fluffy to dark and angsty. If it is well written and interesting, I'll read it!

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book;

The biggest factor (though there are more than one) is what the book is about. If the story sounds interesting to me then I will read  it. The cover art can attract me to a book. It might make me pick it up and read the synopsis; however, just because the art is beautiful does not mean that the pages within it will be. Many books I've read with fantastic looking covers have been less so on the inside while book that are not as eye drawing are instead a gripping read in return. Don't judge a book by its cover! (So true!)

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book?

I know I've read a good book when I sit down seemingly half an hour ago in the evening to read then look up at the clock to realize it is three in the morning. If I can be immersed into the story, on the edge of my seat, feeling what the characters feel, then I know I'm reading a good book. If I cannot stop thinking about a book after I've read it even though it was quite a while ago then I definitely know I read something great.

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book?

I only have two or three friends who are like me in that they love to read. If anyone of them make a recommendation then I will definitely look into it, sometimes even read it. Oftentimes, I'm very glad I did for I have been introduced to some great books this way.

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre;

Main Character: (I love her for these answers!)

OMG! I've just discovered that I am a magician/vampire/warrior/superhero! I am now able to defeat evil and take out the bad guys with my awesome skills even though I have just discovered these powers and they (the bad guys or whoever) on the other hand have been learning them (awesome skills) their entire lives lives!

Me: 0_o

Yeah, not really buying that… It kind of ruins the whole believability aspect.

No more wimpy Mary Sue heroines and hot mysterious guys who act like jerks but are actually in love with the heroine.

Mary Sue: Even though you're a jerk to me I still think you're hot. Let's be in love!

Mr. Mystery: Okay, even though this makes no sense and the relationships will be devoid of any actual chemistry it is alright because I think you're hot too even though you don't think you are!

I love romances but I do not like it when it is all superficial even though it is portrayed as true love or whatever.

Also, I really dislike it when the heroine of a story has no life, no interests beside her love interest, cannot defend herself, and cannot see what is right in front of her.

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book?

In all books, even if it contains supernatural, fantastical, or science fiction types elements, I like them to be realistic in their writing.  I don't mean take away supernatural, fantasy, or science fiction elements; just keep within the rules of the established world so that it is realistic.

I would like to see more original plots, characters, and settings. Also, please, no more stereotypical, two dimensional characters. A character does not have to be a generalization to be relateable to a wide audience. They will be more relateable and the reader will care about them more when their history, personality, and motives are better explored.

Paperback or hardcover? I buy paperback over hard cover because it is cheaper unless it is a new release and I just cannot wait. I like hardback because they stay in better shape longer.

Series or stand-alone? Both! They can both be potentially great, it just depends! :)

ALL ABOUT YOU

What music do you most often listen to? I am constantly listening to music so as my reading tastes vary depending on my mood so does my musical tastes. I listen to classical (that is an umbrella term for many types such as soft or easy listening music), orchestral works, punk rock, rock, alternative, J-Rock, trance, dance… I really listen to a bit of everything.

Name your favorite band; There are so many bands that I listen to and really like so I would be feel bad about picking just one. A few bands that I listen to regularly are: Alice Nine, FLOW, Heidi, Switchfoot, Puddle of Mudd, Paramore, Evanescence, Beatles, Relient K, Family Force 5… Artists: Yiruma, Brian Crain, and Dax Johnson. Those are just the ones that came to mind as I was writing this; there are definitely more! :)

Best movies of all time? The Lord of the Rings and House of the Flying Daggers (highly recommend).

Without naming names, tell us a little about your group of friends;

I know many people who I talk, joke, and hang around with that I would definitely call friends, which is a very diverse group. Then there are my really close friends who I will call S., J., and K.

S.  is a sweet person who shares my love of reading. We hang out with each other all the time during school.

J. (my lovable younger sister), knows me best. We understand each other very well (maybe too well). I can always be myself around her.

I met K. through another friend and we hit it off immediately. I had never met a person who was so much like me. She is probably the only one outside my family who really knows me.

What's your biggest concern about the world right now and/or the people in it?

My biggest concern is how most people cannot see past themselves and be open minded, considerate.  Many do not seem to realize that their actions and beliefs can and will effect more than just themselves.

After having a couple drinks a person may attempt to drive back to their house while under the influence; rationalizing it that they are risking their own life while not taking into consideration that they may take the life of someone else.

One person could be getting ridiculed, mocked, bullied ect. and another person may turn a blind eye because it is not directly about them and it isn't their personal problem. Sadly, that first person may just begin to wonder why is life worth living for…

If people could be more aware, could care more about what they say, do, and think then I think the world could be a better place for everyone.

Someone gives you a million dollars, no strings attached. What do you do with it? I would invest a portion, save a portion to live off of, pay for college, and give the rest to charity.

You can live for one year in any place in the world. Where do you go and why? I would like to see the world so choosing one place is hard. I would have to say somewhere in Europe or Asia. That is as far as I can narrow it down.

Have you ever "Hidden" someone on your Facebook feed? If so, why? No, never. If I have something that I do not want someone else to know then I should not be posting it on the internet.

Do you get along with your family? Either way, tell us why. It goes both ways for me; I do and I don't. My parents, eldest sister, and I have conflicting world views that makes life complicated. When these issues are not somehow involved in the moment then I get along with my family fine.

What is one thing most people don't know about you? I'm an atheist. I dream of being a novelist. I am passionate about music. I want to change people's lives for the better.

Name your biggest secret fear. Not living up to my potential. I have only one life to live and I want to make the most of it. I do not want to look back on my life with regrets.

Name something you like about yourself. I like my willingness to always look at issues from other perspectives, stand in some one elses shoes, and being willing to change my mind set if need be.

What one thing would you like to know about other teens? What is your life philosophy or motto and why?

Two Weeks In Pictures

Sorry for the radio silence, guys. I've been under a very tight deadline on my new book. After writing 60,000 words in five weeks and finally hitting "SEND" tonight, this about sums up the last two weeks for me;

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(And no, Those last two are not accidental repeats.)

*dies*

Song of the Week – Back to December

Okay, so I admit that I've never been a huge Taylor Swift fan. But I do realize that it's mostly because I've been prejudiced.

It just seems so… pop-ish. I like screaming in my music.

And sometimes swearing.

But the truth is, I've liked every one of Taylor's songs (of the ones I've heard). And when Mia G. nominated Back to December, I admit that the sap in me got a little teary even though there is absolutely NO ONE for whom I would go Back to December.

Even so. I know many of you feel that way about someone, and I feel ya. So from me to you, this week's song of the week is Back to December by Taylor Swift.

And if you'd like to share your favorite music by nominating a song, send the title and artist/band (and a link to a video if have one that you prefer) to prophecypress@aol.com with Song of the Week in the subject line.

Thanks for the rec, Mia G!

Tokio Hotel, Greece, and Broken Homes

[image error]This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is Mihari Tenshi from the Phillipines! I love featuring teens from other countries because it exemplifies something I've always believed – across religion, ethnicity, and nationality, we are all more  alike than we are different.

And I have an special soft spot for my Philippino readers because they've been so incredibly supportive of the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy.

I want to remind you all that I still have a few openings over the next couple of months for Anonymous Teen Readers, so if you'd like to be featured, please send an email to prophecypress@aol.com and we'll get the questions to you right away.

I've been totally blown away by all of the incredible requests for book plates! I've had boyfriends request for their girlfriends, parents for children, grandparents for grandkids, and friends requesting for each other. I still have a few left, so if you'd like to give the gift of an autographed book this holiday season, send an email to prophecypress@aol.com with the name of the person to whom you'd like the book signed, a little something about them (if you'd like a personal note), and the address where you'd like the bookplate sent. All of the requests we've received so far were mailed last week.

I've also posted the official flap copy for Circle of Fire in the Forums. If you'd like a little teaser, be sure to take a look!

JUST THE FACTS

Interview Code Name (you choose!); MiharuTenshi

Current country of residence; Philippines

Male or female? Female? ?Age; 19 years old

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month? 1-2 books..

Favorite kind of book and why; My favorite kind of book is fiction books – any kind of fiction books. I like fiction books, because the reader's imagination, while reading a particular book, is not limited. The reader can imagine what and how they want to see the scenes that are happening back of his/her mind.

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book: Since the career that I want is to be a teacher, buying books will help me to not run out of stories and ideas so that my future students will enjoy the subject that I'm teaching as well as their stay inside of the classroom and the school.

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? Hahaha! I can say that I've read a truly amazing book when the whole story stuck in my head. Second, I share and recommend the book to my friends, so that we can share the thrill and amusement that we might felt the same.

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? Hmm.. Honestly, it is not that important for me my friend's recommendation, because most of the times it is I who recommends books for them likely to read.

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; Thing that I would like to see more in Young Adult literature is a little of gothic, historical and mythological themes in stories. The thing that I would like to see less is the vampire stories.

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? Hm.. Other woman or man takes the loved one of the protagonist. Like when I'm reading the "Guardian of the Gate", I'm mad with Alice, because of what she is doing – like keeping James closer to her until she get him.?? (:D)

Paperback or hardcover? Paperback, because it is hard to find books in hardcovers.. >.<

Series or stand-alone? Both.

ALL ABOUT YOU

What music do you most often listen to? Slow rock musics.

Name your favorite band; Tokio Hotel

Best movie of all time? There are lots of movies that I would say the best but I will choose "Radio" (Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris)

Without naming names, tell us a little about your group of friends; Most of my friends are girls. My current group of friends has huge stomachs, love to shop online and love to read and recommend books to each other.

What's your biggest concern about the world right now and/or the people in it? Maybe my biggest concern right now is the bill that government wants to pass and that is the legalizing the contraceptives and abortion.

Someone gives you a million dollars, no strings attached. What do you do with it? Hmm.. Maybe I will buy a huge house with so many rooms where I can place lots of toys and books and I will convert the two rooms, where I placed those stuffs, into a classroom and playroom. After I converted that two rooms into classroom and playroom I will now open my house for free schooling over the weekends, where the students will enjoy at the same time learn.

You can live for one year in any place in the world. Where do you go and why? Hm.. I will choose the country of Greece. I chose Greece, because there are lots of monuments, artifacts and mausoleums that can be found in Greece and I want to see that statues of different Greek gods and goddesses.

Have you ever "Hidden" someone on your Facebook feed? If so, why? Not yet.. hahaha

Do you get along with your family? Either way,tell us why. Yup! We always watch movies together in our home and do stuffs together as one. We attend Sunday masses together and we share stories and laugh during our meal time.

What is one thing most people don't know about you? The one thing that most people don't know about me is that I'm good at cross-stitch.. :D

Name your biggest secret fear. My biggest fear is losing all my loved ones and left alone.

Name something you like about yourself. I like something about myself is that I'm not going to stop at something that caught my curiosity and interest until I finally got the answer.

What one thing would you like to know about other teens? For those teens who are part of broken family, how they can manage to have a smile on their face while inside their hearts and souls are broken to pieces slowly? (*hugs*, hon)