Michelle Zink's Blog, page 58

Thursday Night Write – Open Mic

[image error]Whew! I FINALLY finished my page proofs for Circle of Fire. And it was a close one, complete with a mad dash to the post office in order to make the 5pm cut-off for overnight shipping. Since the pages are due back in my publisher's office tomorrow, it was all a little harrowing, er, EXCITING.

:D

Page proofs are the last time you really get to make any changes before the manuscript becomes an actual book, and I really went through the pages with a fine-tooth comb. I SO want it to be right for you guys! And I have to say, as I read and re-read the final installment in the Prophecy series, I kept thinking, "Yes. This is how it's supposed to end." It feels so satisfying, so RIGHT, to me. I can't wait to share it with you!

Anyway, page proofs put me really, really behind on emails and interviews and all kinds of things, so if I owe you any of that stuff, please forgive me. I'll try to catch up as quickly as I can.

I also went on a sooper sekrit mission to the City yesterday (destination to be revealed SOON with a book-related announcement). I'll tell you guys all about it as soon as I'm able, but for now I'll just say that I'm very, very excited. And this is the BEST time of year to be in New York City, in my opinion. I spent some time at an outdoor table at the cutest little bistro, working on my proofs and marveling that I feel like such an East Coast person when I spent most of my life in Southern California. If you've never taken a trip here, I hope you all get the chance someday. It's magical.

I also wanted to let you know that there's a big trailer contest over at the Little Brown Prophecy Community site. Anyone can enter, and the winner gets their video featured on the site. If you've always wanted to try your hand at trailer-making and/or are an aspiring film maker, now's your chance.

Anyway, let's move in to Open Mic! Same rules; post for comment your original poetry, short story, or novel excerpt of 300-words or less. Don't forget to comment at least one other entry if you leave a post of your own. Writers of all ages and experience are welcome to play.

Happy writing!!!

The Kinks, Perfectionism, and Being Afraid

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This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is MorbidMandy! I love so many things about her interview, but the picture she chose is one of my favorites because it has a sooper sekrit connection to my next book (which will be announced SOON).

Can't wait to share the info with you guys, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy MorbidMandy's interview as much as I did.

JUST THE FACTS



Interview Code Name (you choose!); MorbidMandy

Current country of residence; USA

Male or female? Female

Age; 16

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month? Oh my… it depends… anywhere from 15-30. Depends on the length of the book and how busy I am.

Favorite kind of book and why; Fantasy. I love escaping to another world. But it also has to have romance in it. Definitely romance. I think that's one of the hardest things for authors to get right (for me) – I don't want the entire story to revolve around the romance, but I definitely want a strong romance in there.

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; The first chapter and the summary (on the back or front flap) – I read parts of books in the bookstore to see if I would be interested in buying them. If I'm not drawn in, then I won't buy it.

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? When I can't get it (or the characters) out of my head, or when I want to read or write fanfiction for it… when it completely 'captures' me.

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? Not… too important. I love my friends but I'm the 'reader' of the group-I'm the one who recommends good books, not them.

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; More: Deep characters. I hate it when they have a character that's all-good or all-bad. I like characters that are deeply flawed but still have something in them that makes you root for them. Less: The bad-boy-good-boy love triangles. I get that they're supposed to show struggle, but too often I end up being annoyed – if the bad-boy is really a sweetheart, then he isn't bad. And if he really is bad – then why do you want him?

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? When the female leads are weak. When they're constantly having to be rescued, yet no one mentions it. After a while, you have to figure someone would be like 'She's kind of useless'.

Paperback or hardcover? Paperback, usually, but hardcover if I really want a book – like if it's a sequel. Paperbacks make me paranoid – I hate broken spines or bent covers.

Series or stand-alone? Series. Definitely. Stand-alone's always make me sad because I want more… and I always hope for more.

ALL ABOUT YOU

What music do you most often listen to? Er… hard question. I love older stuff-the 80′s, 90′s, and even some 60′s-70′s. I love modern bands, but I find that few actually sing about actual feelings and issues… and I like songs more than bands, usually.

Name your favorite band; Um… I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Kinks… but like I said before, I like individual songs more than bands.

Best movie of all time? Another hard question… The Breakfast Club or Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (it is, as they say, excellent).

Without naming names, tell us a little about your group of friends; Hmm… I don't have a *lot* of friends, but… H is my best friend, even though we don't see each other that often, we're in sync-we go to Borders and sit and drink coffee and just TALK for hours. She's offbeat and she listens to the best music. C is my most… excited friend. She keeps me up-to-date on pop culture and tells me what to wear and pokes me when I start droning on. D is related to me, and he was my best friend for the first 5 years of my life, my closest friend for the first 12 years of my life, and then… we kind of didn't talk or see each other for a while. He's the only one who's not afraid to look me straight in the eye and say exactly what he's thinking.

What's your biggest concern about the world right now and/or the people in it? Although I know that we need to treat our earth better, I think too many people are sure that we can destroy it. We will not destroy the earth – it was here millions of years before us, and it will be here millions of years afterwards. Despite what people say, nature is not in 'harmony'. Nature is brutal, a constant warzone with species fighting for control over the land. I'm more worried that we'll destroy ourselves. (Me, too.)

Someone gives you a million dollars, no strings attached. What do you do with it? I'm not going to lie, I'm going to buy myself some stuff. A lot of books. But then I'd buy my mom a house and take her on vacation and let her adopt a bunch of kids because she's always wanted to adopt and… I'd donate some to charity. And I'd travel, and I'd just… walk down the street and give people twenty bucks. Because how awesome would that be? Just having someone hand you twenty bucks?

You can live for one year in any place in the world. Where do you go and why? Hmm… England. But not a touristy place-someplace where I can walk around and breathe the air and feel nature… but still have internet. I'd love to go someplace with a lot of historical significance, because I LOVE history.

Have you ever "Hidden" someone on your Facebook feed? If so, why? Once I hid a family friend. She would always tell us what she was doing, what she just did, and what she was going to do next. And not exciting things. Things like, 'I just cooked dinner, I'm setting the table, and then I'm going to eat'. Every ten minutes. It got a little hard to read anything else, so I would hide her and then read hers later… (tee-hee!)

Do you get along with your family? Either way, tell us why. I love my family, but we are a very, very dysfunctional bunch. There's also a lot of us. My mom and I are close-she sacrificed a lot raising me as a stay-at-home single mother until I was 12, and I'm close to my step-mother and little sister, and nephew, but… everyone else I see a few times a year and that's it.

What is one thing most people don't know about you? I'm a perfectionist. Most people wouldn't think I was-because my room is a mess and I can be kinda lazy. I used to say I wasn't, because I didn't, like, burst into tears when I didn't get a good grade. And then I got a B- on something… and I promptly burst into tears. When someone says they're a perfectionist, most people smile. But it's not a fun thing – being a perfectionist is awful, because you're always doing something, and re-doing it, and hoping it's good, and working on it and… frankly, it's exhausting.

Name your biggest secret fear. Pretty much all of my fears are secret. I like to portray myself as fearless, even though I'm far from it. I'm scared of the dark most of all, though. I hate the dark. It's creepy and shadowy, and just… horrible. But if I have the TV on – I'm fine. I'm fearless :)

Name something you like about yourself. My hair. It's really, really long, and it can be a curtain or a weapon. I've dyed it all different sorts of colors, and I like it because no matter how I'm feeling it fits me.

What one thing would you like to know about other teens. Umm… mundane things, like what's their favorite color, number, flower, animal? I spend an odd amount of time thinking about my answers to these types of questions (gray, 13, calla lily, turtle).

Friday Poll – If You Were Trapped in a Bakery…

[image error]I know this seems like a random topic for the (rather late) Friday Poll, but let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago the heating element on my upper oven went out. This was a bigger hardship than you might think, despite the fact that our lower over was still working. We bake A LOT, and the upper oven was convection which means that everything cooked just a little quicker and a little more evenly.

But whatever. We made do with the lower oven and waited a week for the (not inexpensive) parts.

Then, when the guys came out to install the new part, the element on our lower oven inexplicably went out. The repairman INSISTS he didn't do anything to cause it, but I have to say, I think it's a little fishy that it blew WHILE he was repairing the upper element.

Aaaaanyway, to avoid making this any more boring than it probably already is, we now have NO oven and I'm bracing myself for a very large repair bill next week. Aside from the expense, Rebekah and I are now fantacising about baked goods. Muffins, cupcakes, cookies, brownies… you name it, we can't stop thinking about it.

Which leads me to this week's Friday Poll! When you're really jonesing for a treat, what's you're baked good of choice?

View Poll

Thursday Night Write – Something a Little Different

I wanted to do something a little different than a visual prompt for TNW this week. After a little input from a few Facebook friends (and TNW contributors), I've decided to go with song lyrics.

At first, I was going to tell everyone to choose their own. But then Kenneth reminded me how much I adore the song – and lyrics from – Guernica by Brand New, so let's use these;

"If I could I would shrink myself, sink through into your blood cells, remove whatever makes you hurt, but I am to weak to be your cure."

Rules are the same as a visual prompt. Give yourself 30 minutes to write anything that comes to mind using the above lyrics as a prompt. ANYTHING! Then, post for comment. Don't forget to comment at least one other post if you leave on of your own.

And for some extra inspiration, I'm leaving you one of the best songs with some of the most profound lyrics EVAR.

Prophecy Trivia!!!

[image error]So I decided to do something a little different today and give you guys some Prophecy and Guardian-related trivia.

Here are ten little-known facts about the series;

1. The original tilte for Prophecy of the Sisters was Indigo Sky. Because I loved the title so much, that phrase is hidden in one place in all three books.

2. In the original version of Prophecy, Lia's driver and father figure, Edmund was named Samuel. It was changed at my editor's behest because she felt that Samuel was too close to Samael, the demon seeking passage through the Gate.

3. Birchwood Manor was named after the many Birch trees on our property. I love their papery white trunks, and there's a street near us called Birchwood that I travel when I take walks with my daughters.

4. The island of Altus was patterned as a homage to Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon, one of my all-time favorite books. If you like Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate, you will LOVE The Mists of Avalon.

5. Quite a few readers have mentioned that they weren't sure of the time period in Prophecy because it's not stated overtly. They're right, but it is stated on the headstone of Lia and Alice's father in the opening funeral scene.

6. I worked really hard to avoid the Massive Books that Get Massiver Series Syndrome. Prophecy and Guardian are nearly the exact same length at around 89,000 words. Circle of Fire is only slightly longer at approximately 92,000 words.

7. Prophecy of the Sisters took me three months to draft and ten months to edit.

8. In Guardian of the Gate, Dimitri Markov's character was originally named Janos Novak. Again, my editor felt the name was too close to that of Lia's first love, James.

9. *SPOILER ALERT* In my original imaginings of Prophecy, I didn't intend for Henry to die. It just felt like the thing that was supposed to happen.

10. I had never written a book in the first person present POV before Prophecy of the Sisters and I had never written something set in the Victorian era. Both were intended as an experiment to force myself out of my comfort zone and see if I could write something completely different.

[image error]Also, a quick reminder to check out the tour dates for the Ghosts and Graves Tour stops with author Jessica Verday. We'll be giving away an iPod at every stop plus tons of additional swag. There are A couple of Halloween parties planned plus a very cool reading right outside the central receiving vault at historic Sleepy Hallow, NY (yes! THAT Sleepy Hollow!). Come say hello!

Queen, Star Wars, and Intolerance

This week's Anonymous teen reader is The Dorky Dreamer (how ah-dorable is that?!)! But before I introduce you to her awesomeness, I want to announce the winners of last weeks Speak contest celebrating the freedom to read.

The winners are;

Jill Dolan

Brian Baker (my cousin!)

Meagan

Jennylynn

Bantiarna

Congrats, you guys! Please send your mailing address to prophecypress@aol.com and I'll mail a copy of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson to you asap. Enjoy!

And now I give you The Dorky Dreamer!

JUST THE FACTS

Interview Code Name (you choose!); The Dorky Dreamer

Current country of residence; USA

Male or female? Female

Age; 16

ABOUT THE BOOKS

How many books, on average, do you read a month? I try to read as many as I can. During the summer, I average 3-6 (or more). But when I'm focused on school work, I'm only able to read 1 or 2, sometimes not even that. :(

Favorite kind of book and why; Geez, hard decisions. I read across the board, but I would to stay my favorites are YA paranormal or fantasy. Although, really it depends on the story and the characters. I've read and loved all things from Harry Potter to Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie.

Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; Definitely the summary, though I completely admit to letting the covers influence me. I can't help it.

What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? When I'm left still thinking about it, maybe even dreaming about it. Or when I annoy my friends by talking about it so much.

How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? Honestly not that important. They are usually not the ones recommending, as I read more than they do. But they have loaned me books before.

Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; Less paranormal romance. Well, not exactly because I love that genre. What I really want is more healthy realistic relationships. Oh, and realistic literature for the teen characters. No one in my school (well, no one I've seen) sits around reading Wuthering Heights (or something similar) unless it's for an assignment. To me it's not realistic. I'd love to see the characters in YA reading YA.

What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? When the characters seem flat. I need to feel like I get to know the characters. Another one of my pet peeves is when the point of view keeps changing. But other times I like this because it builds suspense.

Paperback or hardcover? Paperbacks are easier to carry and less expensive but, if I really want a book, I'll usually buy the hardcover.

Series or stand-alone? Both. I get so invested in series, but some of my favorite books are stand-alones.

ALL ABOUT YOU

What music do you most often listen to? Anything except classical. But my favorites are classic rock, alternative, and pop.

Name your favorite band; Of all time: Queen. But for current, new music: A Rocket to the Moon, Cobra Starship, White Tie Affair, and The Summer Set.

Best movie of all time? Such hard decisions! The first things I like of are Wall-e, Titanic, Star Wars, and Avatar.

Without naming names, tell us a little about your group of friends; All my friends make up a big group, but I have two I'm closest too. The entire group is funny and random. We always have the most hilarious conversations and I love hanging out with them. We're not "popular" but we have fun and I feel even better than "popular" with them.

What's your biggest concern about the world right now and/or the people in it? The hate and intolerance. People hate and judge and create stereotypes as soon as they see something they don't like about a person.

Someone gives you a million dollars, no strings attached. What do you do with it? Buy my parents a house and pay for college for my stepsisters and I.

You can live for one year in any place in the world. Where do you go and why? Ireland or Italy. One of my best friends is from Ireland and it sounds amazing. As for Italy, I've wanted to visit since I saw The Lizzie McGuire Movie.

Have you ever "Hidden" someone on your Facebook feed? If so, why? Yeah, but only because of too many Farmville notifications.

Do you get along with your family? Either way, tell us why. Yes, I do. I love my family. They are so supportive and funny. Although we get in arguments, we can never stay angry at eachother for long.

What is one thing most people don't know about you? Well, whenever I was asked this in school I always wrote the same thing: I was born with hypoplastic right ventricle. I'd always have to explain it and when I was younger I didn't know how to. I just loved boggling people with the hard-to-pronounce condition. Basically, it's when the right ventricle of the heart doesn't work properly.

Name your biggest secret fear. Failure.

Name something you like about yourself. My ability to see things from different perspectives.

What one thing would you like to know about other teens? What they do in their free time.

Thursday Night Write – Open Mic

[image error]It's Thursday night, guys! And you know what that means!

But before we get to this week's edition of Thursday Night Write and Open Mic, I have an announcement to make.

I am at last allowed to tell you that the title of the third and final book in the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy is Circle of Fire.

There was some confusion about the third title because originally, Prophecy of the Sisters was going to be called The Guardian with books two and three titled The Gate and The Beast respectively. Apperantly, a few sites still had The Beast listed as the book three title.

But, no. Circle of Fire, it is! I love it because it refers to the a passage of the prophecy itself and keeps the basic syntax of the first two titles.

Hope you guys like it, too!

And now on to Open Mic. Same rules as always; Post your original poetry, script, novel, or short story excerpt of 300 words or less for comment and make sure to comment at least one other entry. Writers of all ages and experience are welcome!

I'm sorry I dind't get to the prompt posts last week. I got slammed with a terrible cold and have just been in a weird, distractable mood where I feel like I'm working but don't seem to be actually accomplishing anything. I try to comment the entries every week, but some weeks I just can't make it happen. I do read every entry, though, and so enjoy seeing your talent blossom. Don't forget that you can also commiserate on NON-Thursdays by visiting the Forums here!

Happy writing, everybody!!

Wizard Rock, Hurting, and Failure

This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is Luna. I love her already just from her choice of code name and picture (come on, who DOESN'T love Harry Potter?!).

:D

But before I get to her awesome interview, I just want to say another big thank you to Chapters Indigo for holding their first annual Teen Read Awards in which Alice took the prize for Best Villain. It probably says something about how twisted I am that I wanted the Best Villain prize above all others, and the fact that she was up against...

Have Some Jimmy Eat World!

First of all, I want to officially announce the upcoming Ghosts and Graves Tour. I'll be teaming up with Jessica Verday, bestselling author of The Hollow and The Haunted, to embark on a week of haunted thrills across CT, NY, and PA. Both of our books takes place in NY, and I'm super excited to be doing this tour in the Northeast with Jessica – especially this time of year when the landscape can be so brooding and mysterious. We'll be doing readings, signings, and a couple of costume parties p...

Friday Poll – What is Popularity?

[image error]Tonight we're going to talk about popularity.

Actually, no. Not popularity. So-called popularity.

I call it that because I've always had this theory that there's no such thing. Really, it's the so-called UNPOPULAR who make the so-called popular, well, POPULAR.

That's because they wouldn't be considered popular if no one talked about them, looked up to them, idolized them, or emulated them.

And that's true whether we're talking about high school or the celebrity culture in which we all currently l...