Category: A to Z Challenge

A – Addison Circle

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle45 Comments

First of all, A is for Arlee Bird, the creator of the A to Z Challenge. Please help me in showing Lee some love and a to thank him for being a supportive presence on the world wide web.

I hope you enjoy my A to Z Challenge Theme:  Dallas – Ft. Worth Past & Present.

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Addison circle is a hip and happening place in North Dallas.  In a state that prides itself on its suburbs with 1/2 acre lots and where people have to have a car to get around.  Addison was the first urban community in Dallas.

In Addison Circle, you can live, work, dine, and get culture all within a 1/2 mile radius.

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I laid out the blanket. Unpacked the snacks, wine and cheese for me, beer and spicy nacho Doritos for him. The blanket was old, but it was the same blanket we used on our first date 5 years ago today. It’s the annual Movie Under the Stars in Addison Circle. It wasn’t really his scene. He felt more comfortable at a baseball game, but on that night I told him we were going to see Star Wars, I just didn’t tell him where. Back then he was smitten with me, so it wasn’t a hard sell.
It took more of an effort these days. It seemed we only saw each other for a few minutes a day, morning and night. I had to remind him of the annual event by text message. I felt bad I almost let the day past like it was any other day. He answered my text, “Ok.” Not really a firm conformation.
I poured the wine as the credits began. Tonight they are playing Transformers, one of his favorites. Mine, too.
Sitting here alone, I try not to put too much emphasis on this night, but I can’t stop my mind from jumping to conclusions. If he doesn’t show up, he doesn’t care. If he doesn’t care, then it’s over.
I rub my arms thinking I should have brought my jacket. I think about the other blanket I have in the car.
The movie begins, but I can’t focus. Sam Witwicky’s anxiety usually makes me smile. Tonight, it’s increasing my own anxiety.  He’s really not coming, I think to myself.
I gather my stuff shove it in the bag. Offer the bottle of wine to the couple sitting next to me. Someone should enjoy it. I walk quickly towards the car hoping to make it before I burst into tears. As I walk across the park, I hear someone calling my name.
“Danni.”
I turn around and see Jeff sitting on a blanket, a pizza and a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket. I walk towards him wrap my arms around him. I laugh when he says, “Your late.”
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My Weekly Update – Info Dump in a Good Way

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle4 Comments

I felt the need for a cleanse.

Awards

I received the Reality Blog Award from Mark Means.  Thanks so much.

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Post to Ponder
Recipe for a Successful Synopsis by Jami Gold
The Best Creative Writing Software by Girl None – I am a believer. 
How (Not) to Win a Twitter Pitch Fest by Ava Jae – There’s a twitter pitch contest tomorrow. #Pitmad
All About Pitches by Rachna Chhabria
7 Deadly Sins of Self-Editing from Writer’s Digest 
7 Types of Narrative Conflict by Mark Nichol – I seem to lean towards Person vs. Self. 
The Last Minute Editing Process Made Easy with Scrivener by Michael J. Holley
Ready to Publish? by Rebecca Hoffman
 

A to Z Challenge

Get to know our Host and show them some love.

The A to Z Sign Up List – visit it often.

New Followers
Ryan Brooks
Costa Rica Travel Blog
The Pen Men World Project.
Rose Andrea
Mindy Sue
Kate Worthen
Colette Saucier
Russell Deasley of The Very Best Top 10
Gillian Hefer of A Daft Scots Lass
B Debnath of Booted Tales
Jasmine of Flux and Flow
Guerrilla Graffiti Magazine
LuAnn Braley of Kentucky Gal 50
Al Diaz of Father Dragon Writes
World of Beauty Tips
Ida Chiavaro of Reflex Reactions
Constant Writer JL
 

Good luck to everyone participating in the A to Z Challenge. Have a great April everyone!!!!!

Alex, Why Do You Blog?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle48 Comments
While I was made aware of a presence on the Internet known as the Ninja Captain during last years A to Z Challenge, I felt privilege to have his words grace my blog on May 2, 2012.  Alex commented on a post I wrote during my first month as a member of the IWSG, Distracted, Again. 
His words of wisdom: “Certain movies will distract me, although I’ve gotten good at writing with the TV. And music playing. Yes, I really know how to create a peaceful writing environment!
Thanks for posting for the IWSG today.”
And, he has been a solid resource, support and source of entertainment ever since.  
So, Ninja Captain Alex, why do you blog? 

Why I blog has changed over the years. The transformation is probably just as interesting as the end result. Life isn’t so much about the destination as the journey.

I began blogging to build an author platform. When I signed the contract for my first book, CassaStar, I wasn’t even online. I had no interest in social networking. However, my publisher told me in no uncertain terms that I was to get my butt online, and I opted to start a blog.

It took a while to understand the connection part. I figured that since I was a science fiction writer, I needed to follow a lot of science fiction blogs and I’d be set. Sadly, most weren’t interested in a not-yet-published science fiction author who didn’t seem to know what to blog about.

It wasn’t until the very first A to Z Challenge in 2010 that I began to understand how to connect with other bloggers. It was then that I found my groove. Now, a lot of writers and authors post on their genre or on writing. Science fiction alone just wasn’t enough for me and I guarantee no one wanted my writing tips. (Believe me, you still don’t want my writing tips!) However, I could talk about my favorite subjects, which included movies, music, tech, and geek stuff. I’d found my groove and I was off and running.

By the time the second A to Z Challenge hit though, that began to change. My topic that year was blogger buddies that corresponded with each letter. I had fun featuring my friends. After the support from everyone when CassaStar was released, it felt good to give back to the community.

That eventually led to the Ninja News and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. It wasn’t about me anymore – it was about my friends. And as I amassed even more followers, I realized that I could make a huge difference in the community. With a Ninja Army of 1800, I can really make an impact.

CassaStorm by Alex J CavanaughWhich brings me to why I still blog today. Yes, I do have another book coming out this fall, CassaStorm. I never planned to write more than one book, but spurred by the success of the first and second (CassaFire) I’ve continued writing. And blogging.

But that’s not why I’m here.

My blogger buddies are the reason I blog. Every accomplishment, success, and struggle of theirs that I can share means a lot to me. I know what it’s like to wonder if anyone truly hears me and even cares. If I can shine a light on someone who needs it, then that matters more than all the book sales in the world.

Why do I blog? To give back to the community.

Why do you blog?

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, his third book, CassaStorm, will be released September 17, 2013.

 

The Big Reveal Bloghop – There’s no turning back now.

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle39 Comments
Big Reveal 032113I am a bit hesitant to participate in The Big Reveal Bloghop because, well, there’s no turning back now. Once you reveal your theme you kind of have to follow through with it. Well, here I go.
The theme for my 2013 A to Z Challenge is My Hometown; Past & Present. My formative years were spent in Dallas, Texas and the surrounding suburbs.  I recently moved back after being away for 7 years. So much has changed. I thought I would play tourist in my own home town, from A to Z.
To take it one step further, I will be penning short flash fiction pieces for each stop on the A to Z trail. That’s right, 26 short stories in 26 days.
Now, a word on these stories. I was going to write all completely original stories written in the setting and using the setting for the day.  Well, I do have a life so that won’t be realistic. Here are the parameters I set for myself and these stories:
Each story will be set in the location for the day.
The story can be original or a memory of something that happened to me in that setting.
It’s up to you guys out their to decide which stories are true and which are from my imagination.

I wanted to take a moment to extoll the greatness that is The A to Z Challenge. It is such a blast and I’ve been looking forward to 2013 A to Z since the end of 2012 A to Z. If you haven’t signed up, do it now. If you have signed up, get ready for a wild ride.

If you signed up for 2013 A to Z, tell me your theme in the comments?  If you didn’t sign up, why not? 

 

Tameri, Why do you blog?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments
My first 2nd year celebration post is from Tameri Etherton.  I meet Tameri on April 4, 2012. She commented on a blog post I wrote during the 2012 A to Z Challenge called H – History of Australia (Criminals & Drunks).  I’m sure the title had nothing to do with why she commented, but this is what she said, “I think ‘sculled’ is my new new favorite word (it was ‘goober’ until reading this). I’m assuming sculled means drank? If so, I’m totally using it in my next book!”
Thank you, Tameri, for all your support. So, Tameri, Who do you blog? 

That’s a tricky question. As writers, we’re told we need to blog, that we must find our readers and cultivate an audience, but to me, that seems trite. Dishonest, even.

I don’t blog to court fame, I do it for the simple reason that I like people and I always want to know their story.

Through blogging I’ve met some amazing people, like Sydney. People I wouldn’t normally have the chance to know if not through their presence online. Some of these people I’ve had the extraordinary pleasure of meeting offline. Whether I know them in person or just through cyber space, all of them have enriched my life in a multitude of ways that not only could I never count, but never repay.

That’s why I blog. As a thank you to those other bloggers out there and as a way to connect with people.

If my words can touch someone, then I’ve accomplished something remarkable.

If my words make someone laugh, then the world is a bit lighter for their laughter.

Words matter. Whether they be critical and harsh, or positive and full of hope, they influence the way we think, feel, speak, and live. I blog because my words are a connection from me to other humans out in the nether reaches of the Internet. They connect us.

And connections are what make my heart smile. Because in the end, a connection made is a friendship formed.

Friendships formed are stories shared. People are fascinating creatures with the most incredible stories to tell and I like hearing them.

What’s your story?