May 1, 2013

May Day

One time a few years ago, while walking down this street, I had an experience that sparked some brainstorming on the backburner. It’s been simmering ever since. Recently, the threads came together in an outline of a new story I’m ready to write.

Keywords involved include: may day, channels, flora, fourth dimension, beltane, magic, san francisco, portal, mission, fires, floodgate, liberty, faeries, distress signal, light, scotland, clairvoyant, paris, midnight, somewhere, medium, audrey, bullies, neon, past, sensitive, spirit guide, telekinetic, present, art, argon, future, labor, breaking barriers, flying, weather, fulgurate, anthem, energy, reincarnation, metaphysics, saved, shimmering, self.

All these ideas may or may not make it into the final draft. These keywords will help create a larger story map, as I attempt to build out the novel by wireframing the structure, like an information architecture project, to maximize user experience, e.g. your reading pleasure. This is clearly majorly meta.—Michelle

April 17, 2013

Allegra Mix on 8Tracks

As I work on the edits for my historical multi-generational novel Allegra, plus the plot synopsis and query, I’ve resurrected the mix I made while writing the book. Enjoy!—Michelle Z.

ALLEGRA 2011 from djmez on 8tracks Radio.

April 3, 2013

Has the Jury Reached a Verdict?

Sometimes signs on the road traveled are so obvious. Keep Going—no matter the opposition.

I’d been summoned. Read the rest of this entry »

March 20, 2013

Springtime Single-Mindedness

Amazing, inspiring neon art courtesy of Makeshift Society photo book by Artifact Uprising.—Michelle

March 6, 2013

What is IA?

Information Architecture is the task of mapping websites using wireframes, work flows, and other prototype blueprint tools. Information Architects are digital librarians who organize and label information, while structuring it into logical search and navigation systems throughout the website. It’s the art and science of shaping and planning a site so visitors can find what they need, fast, for a stellar user experience (UX). You can view my IA/UX work here.—Michelle Zaffino

February 13, 2013

Chapter One of How Good It Can Be on Scribd

When Blake Worthing asks Emma Saffron out, she can’t believe it. A new student who’s been awesomely labeled a ‘prep-school-boy-gone-bad,’ he’s already infamous in their otherwise boring Midwestern suburb. Emma is warned, but she’s not listening. She’s been noticed by someone who doesn’t know that up until now, all she’s been famous for is studying, and it makes her want to give up everything for Blake.

One thing Blake never talks about is why he left prep school. An aspiring journalist, Emma knows there’s more to his story. As she uncovers the truth, then watches Blake’s downward spiral, Emma begins to question if it’s really worth being his girlfriend, even if she lost her virginity to him. Blake screwed up big time, and she might be on the road to ruin, too.

Contemporary YA/teen novel HOW GOOD IT CAN BE (71,500 words) is the coming-of-age story of 17-year old Emma Saffron, just as her heart’s been zipped open to romance and sexual experience, betrayal and duplicity, and eventually, victory. Emma is every girl — an everyday girl that extraordinary things happen to — and they can happen to you, too. A sequel novel, THE LOVE QUAD (69,000 words), follows Emma Saffron to college.

Thanks for reading.—Michelle Zaffino

February 6, 2013

Age Is Everything

Here’s evidence of real, lasting elegance: My landlady during my New York years, Joyce Carpati, appears in the Karen Walker Forever eyewear campaign. Mrs. Carpati is now 80. She’s always been an inspiration to me and a real model of style.—Michelle

January 30, 2013

Video Query for my Teen Novels. Still current, except that I’ve graduated.—Michelle