Interview Author Michelle Zink + Giveaway

Filed in Giveaways , Interview , Michelle Zink , The Quirky Lover Posted on August 8, 2011 @ 6:00 am 12 comments
We are very happy to welcome author Michelle Zink here at Book Lovers Inc today.  Circle of Fire, the last addition to your Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogogy released last week and she is here to talk about her writing and her series in particular. She also brought a wonderful giveaway along so be sure to stay tuned till the end. Give Michelle a warm welcome. 

Jackie: Michelle can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Michelle: Let’s see… I’m a single mother of four kids ages 12 – 19. I’m passionate about my family, reading and writing, movies, and music. I love to cook, learn, and travel, and I try to keep my focus on the important things in life without sweating the small stuff.
Jackie: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser? 
Michelle: It depends on the time of year. I have a stricter writing schedule during the school year when my kids are gone all day. In the summer, it’s a little more lax. I write upstairs in my office with the door closed, and my headphones on (I listen to film scores while I write). My kids know not to bother me there unless it’s important. I’d say I’m naturally more of a pantser. I hate outlines, but I’m teaching myself to spend more time plotting on the front end. That said, I still give the book room to take on a life of its own as most good books do.

Jackie: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Michelle: Well, a reader just likes to read now and then. A Book Lover spends ALL his/her extra money on books! A Book Lover believes there is no better place than a library or a bookstore! A Book Lover would rather stay in, curled up on the couch with a good book than go out partying with his/her friends! Am I right?!
Jackie: You seem to be very active in trying to help troubled teens. What inspired you to get involved and do you have any tips that would help parents help their own kids navigate those tricky years?
Michelle:  I don’t reach out to troubled teens in particular, but I feel honored that so many teens feel they can trust me and speak openly to me. I didn’t make a conscious decision to become involved. I just receive a lot of email from teens who need an adult they can be honest with for advice and guidance. I have a very loving, respectful, open relationship with my own teenagers, and I’d say the biggest reason is because I try not to judge them. Honestly? I’d rather not judge and have the chance to be a voice in their ear than have them shut me out about the important stuff. I feel like it’s my job to give them as much information as possible and then to trust them to make the best decisions for themselves. They aren’t going to do everything the way I would, and that’s okay. Ironically, all of this openness and acceptance between us has made them very mature and responsible. I rarely feel I have cause to worry despite the fact that they make most of their own decisions.
Jackie: Circle of Fire was released on August 1st. Being the last book in the series, did you find it hard to write the last pages?
Michelle: It was. Very bittersweet. Lia, Alice and all the other characters have been a part of my life since 2006 when I started writing the first book. More than that, they changed my life, opening a door that has allowed me to write full time, which was the only thing I ever really wanted out of publication. It’s sad to see the series end but also gratifying to know that it will live on for all of those who read it and continue to read it all over the world. I think it’s the kind of book that stays with you like so many of the timeless books I read as a child and teen, and that is very gratifying.
Jackie: What can we expect of Circle of Fire?
Michelle: Circle of Fire really brings everything full circle for Lia, Alice, James, and everyone involved. You’ll get glimpses of Alice’s motivation and vulnerabilities and glimpses of Lia’s flaws and failings, blurring the lines between what we think is good and evil, light and dark. An appropriate metaphor for life, I think.
Jackie: The series is set in the late 1800’s. Why did you choose that time frame over the ‘modern era’?
Michelle: First of all, it’s just a dark, awesome era. But I also wanted to craft an old fashioned thriller, the kind where people crept around candlelit hallways over creaking floorboards. And let’s face it, the whole tone of the story would have been different if Lia had been able to search Google for answers. 😉
Jackie: The theme of good and evil plays a large part in the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy and appears in your next book, too. What makes this theme something you want to write about?

Michelle: More than just good and evil, I’m fascinated with the duality of human nature. The struggle we all have to balance the better parts of ourselves with those that are darker and not as pretty. I’m a big believer in gray areas. Part of growing up is realizing how little of life is black and white. People are like that, too. They may seem all good or all bad, but the truth is that we all walk a tightrope between the two. Some are just better at hiding it than others. I like writing about it because it’s honest, and isn’t something people talk about often. I think in many ways I’m trying to reconcile my own dual nature and the nature of people closest to me as well. Wow… you got a lot of personal stuff out of me with that one!
Jackie: In the first book, Prophecy of the Sisters, the overall tone for the trilogy was set with dark, Gothic elements, and the drama that accompanies them . How do you deal with the emotions while writing, say, the scene by the river with Henry?
Michelle: I cry, and I’m not kidding. I still get choked up reading that scene just as I did writing it. I also get choked up at the end of Circle of Fire. I really immerse myself in my story when I’m drafting, writing in a three month bout of frenzied, 10,000-word-weeks where I am eating, sleeping, and breathing the story. I think that’s why my books tend to be so atmospheric, but it also means I feel everything very deeply. It’s sometimes painful, to be very honest.
Jackie: You have a new book scheduled to release next year. Can you tell us a bit about it? Will it also be part of a series also? 

Michelle: I’m so excited about A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. It has all the darkness and Gothic overtones of the Prophecy Trilogy with a lot more action and a lot more sexy. It still feels like one of my books, but it has a sexier, edgier vibe. We haven’t decided yet if it will be a series, but there is a companion in the works. We’ll see…
Jackie: What is next on your schedule? 
Michelle: Ha! I have so many projects going at any given time I can hardly keep track of them all. I’m working on an adult thriller, an adult fantasy, and another YA book. I’m playing around with some short story and companion ideas for both Prophecy and TEMPTATION. Oh, and I’m writing a script with my son, Kenneth.
Jackie: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

Michelle: 1) They’ll transport you to another time and place, 2) I put my heart and soul into them, and I think you’ll feel that when you read them, and 3) I would like to write you many more stories, but I can only do that – and get them published – if you keep buying and spreading the word about my work. 😉 Truly, nothing matters as much to me as the writing.
Jackie: Can you summarize Circle of Fire for us twitterstyle (140 characters or less)?
Michelle: 

Circle of Fire – darkness, mystery, Dimitri, action, sexy times, and Dimitri. Did I say Dimitri?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~*~*Giveaway*~*

Michelle has generously offered an exciting surprise swag pack to a lucky commenter!

All you have to do is leave a question/comment to Michelle.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

Giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, 20 August 2011 and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck!
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

Share This Post

Subscribe and stay up-to-date

Via E-Mail:

Follow us via RSS, twitter and facebook:

12 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • _yay_ August 8, 2011 at 6:07 am

    Could you enjoy a "black-and-white"-themed book? One where hero/heroine is either good OR bad – or are the grey areas you talked about a MUST not just when it comes to writing, but also reading. I'm team "perfection gets boring fast".
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de

    Link
  • Maidenveil August 8, 2011 at 6:11 am

    Thanks for the interview! I agree with Michelle with a real Book Lover! *cheers*

    Do you have like outtakes/deleted scenes from the trilogy that you can share with your readers? And I'm really intrigued with the Grigori, will you write something about them in the future?

    Thanks so much! Love for this trilogy and I can't wait for Temptation of Angels! 😀

    maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • Ju Dimello August 8, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Michelle! It was great to *meet* you 🙂

    I haven't read any of your books..but will surely be on the lookout for them.

    I love, love the covers. The beauty and the expression it conveys are really touching! I usually don't prefer a full face portrait on covers, but yours is just awesome for words 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway. judimello AT gmail DOT com

    Link
  • Linda August 8, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    It was the Dimitri comment that got me!

    I totally agree with the others) who loved the book covers. Very eye catching.

    Thanks for the giveaway *fingers crossed*

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

    Link
  • Jeanne August 9, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Thank you for the interview and giveaway! I read the first book Prophecy of the Sisters and I really like it so I hope I´ll also read the second soon 🙂 The 3 reasons are good xD

    Rathouska(dot)jana(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • Tanya August 9, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Great interview. I read the first in this trilogy, have book 2 in my TBR pile. I agree that the covers are beautiful. I am looking foward to A Temptation of Angels, it sounds great! thanks for this great giveaway.

    BookcaseTanya@gmail.com

    Link
  • Tore August 9, 2011 at 9:55 am

    I have been wanting to read this series for so long time. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    Link
  • Morticia Knight August 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Thank you for sharing the realtionship you have with your daughters. Are your characters inspired by them? Thanks for the giveaway!

    auriel3000@yahoo.com

    Link
  • IdentitySeeker August 16, 2011 at 9:37 am

    I love the covers of your books! Guardian of the Gate is my favourite cover of all. I love the mix of green and blue. Although Prophecy of the Sisters has a more ethereal beauty to it. Thanks for the giveaway:)

    Sarah
    sarah.setar@gmail.com

    Link
  • Maria (pronounced Mariah) August 16, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    I am a book lover or as my husband likes to say I take it even farther and am a book obsessed addict!

    Your books sound like fantastic reads!

    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Melanie S. August 19, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    (Unfortunately) I haven't read your books yet, but what you said about them in the interview makes me really curious. They sure sound like emotional reads and I already know that I have to read them as if I had all the time in the world.
    Wish you all the best, Melanie

    booksforalleternity at gmail dot com

    Link
  • donnas August 19, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    I cant wait to read Circle of Fire and find out what happens next. Your new series sounds like its going to be great too.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    Link
Previous Post
« Next Post
»
© 2011 - 2024 Book Lovers Inc. Powered by Wordpress
Luvo designed by Internet Marketing In conjunction with Template Wordpress , R4 DS , Best SUV.