Where Stories Are Made is a new feature here at Book Chick City. It’s where the author takes us on a tour of their writing place, be it an office, coffee shop or park and tells us about their writing day and rituals.
My guest today is author Michelle Zink…
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I almost considered cheating for this feature by cleaning up my office.
I think it started with the photographs. Because, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, it isn’t exactly glamorous. A nice word might be “utilitarian”.
A more accurate one would probably be “stark” or possibly “chaotic.”
See those boxes and bags on the floor? Most of them are from last Christmas. Which is fitting when you realize that the elliptical trainer in the corner hasn’t been used for years (I read somewhere that it can actually make your butt BIGGER – the very last thing I need).
Both my desk and lamp were bought from Target on Clearance, as was my chair. One of the armoire’s was purchased at Ikea and the other at a local estate auction for next to nothing.
It weighs a million pounds. I’ll never get it out of here.
Some of the most important things in my office are inside my desk drawer where I keep my iPod and dark chocolate. I can only listen to instrumental music when I write. Lyrics interfere with the voices of my characters. I favor film scores, choosing one or two for each book that capture the mood I’m trying to create. This has the added bonus of allowing me to sink back into that world whenever the need arises.
The dark chocolate’s important because, well, it’s CHOCOLATE.
What else is there to say?
But as critical as the availability of music and chocolate, it’s the view from my office window that’s most meaningful. In the summer it’s obscured by a massive tree, but in the winter, the fields stretch, white with snow, into the distance. I love watching the light of a full moon spill across its icy surface. I don’t look up often, but when I do manage to lift my eyes from the computer screen, there’s nothing more inspiring. That’s because atmosphere is one the most important things to me in my work. Whether I’m writing a Gothic fantasy like Prophecy of the Sisters or a contemporary, I strive to create an atmosphere rich in sensuality and darkness.
Which makes the fact that our property used to be a dairy farm pretty ironic.
Not exactly sexy, right?!
But the landscape is. We live in the converted barn that once housed all the cows on the farm and are lucky enough to have four acres of beautiful land. It can be spooky, with fog settling into the low points of the fields and a desolate silence you wouldn’t think possible only 85 miles from New York City.
Most of all, my feelings about my office are illustrated perfectly by the location of my foreign editions (the Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy is published in over 30 countries). Someone once asked me if I have them all lined up on a special shelf, and I had to admit that they were mostly strewn about my office. Like my reviews and awards, most of the books I’ve written are stored in nondescript boxes stuffed behind the door. I don’t shelve them with books by other authors in my living room because it somehow seems pretentious, and while I’d someday like to get some proper shelving for all my editions, I don’t have any plans to overhaul my office.
The truth is, it’s already completely reflective of my feelings about what I do.
Put simply; I write because I love it. I write because I have to. It’s as necessary to me as breathing. Fancy furniture and a designer look have no bearing on the creation of my stories because I’m not altogether here when I’m writing anyway.
I’m there.
I don’t really see my desk or the bareness of the walls or the often smudged windows. I see Victorian manors, hear branches hitting the windows in the wind, view everything in the dim light of candles that may not even be lit in this place and time. I feel ominous things hanging in the air and see strange shadows cast by the moonlight streaming through an open window.
And I hope when you read Prophecy of the Sisters, you see and feel those things, too.
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Prophecy of the Sisters: Out Now
Guardian of the Gate: Out Now
You can find out more about this feature HERE
12 Comments
Great interview – thanks so much for sharing. It is nice to see that authors are just people too – and I love to hear that Michelle gets as into her settings writing as I do reading!
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Great feature as always!!! Love Michelle Zink every time I read something written by her, I become a bigger fan of her writting she is able to transport u to the place she wants!!!
Hope U feel better BCC!!
RoseCBR
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I have not read any of her book yet but really want to.I think it has a promising series and it is always good to know authors. Great effort. And I think Michelle has a great house and very comfy writing spot.
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First time seeing this feature, I enjoyed it.
MichelleZ you take me on a visual journey.
I loved Prophecy of the Sisters and I have 100 pages left of Guardian of the Gate.
Thanks for sharing.
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I loved that!
I agree with the music. When I study, I prefer instrumentals only because I can't concentrate.
This was really beautiful. Michelle Zink is an amazing author and a GREAT friend Ü
~Fhalin
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Great feature!
Michelle,
I love the view from your window. A wonderful place to write.
xx,
E.J
From the Shadows
Spirit Guide series
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So glad you guys enjoyed this glimpse of my (messy!) office. It might not be fancy, but at least it's real, right?!
And thanks for hosting me, BCC!
<3
MZ
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Awesome post – I love Michelle Zink!
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Great interview! I love the story behind the office and landscape! I definitely think it's fitting for The Prophecy of the Sisters and will keep it in mind as I read The Guardian of the Gate!
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So interesting to read about your writing space and surroundings. A converted barn sounds absolutely dreamy to me!
I'm glad that you mentioned listening to instrumental music while writing. I often wondered how people could listen to music while writing, I think because of the singing…it would distract me too. I recently found out that I can't go back to school this fall, so I've taken it as a sign to start writing full-time. I may try listening to classical music/movie scores…see if I get inspired.
And utter agreement here…chocolate is an absolute must!
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I loved your post Michelle.
I've not read nay of your books, but I'm going to check them out right now!
Also – chocolate – desk essential
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Great idea for a feature! And what a lovely room to write in. Will have to check out Michelle's books.
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