Quick post today. I have a busy day, but had to mention another of my favorite topics. Movies. Unless this is your first visit to SydneyAaliyah.com, you know I love movies. Movies work their way into my writing organically. I can’t help it. Here a few movie references in Another New Life.
Can you name these three movies?
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There is nothing more tension filled then the ex-girl friend meets the new girl friend scene. When’s Troy’s ex-girl friend comes to town unannounced, Miranda is not pleased. Here’s a bit of their introduction.
“Baby, you made it.” Troy said as he guided me through the room and over the bodies spread out on the floor, into the kitchen. I couldn’t take my eyes off of Rhonda. She was gorgeous. I noticed her height. It was all leg. She carried her thin frame like a model, and she moved with grace like a dancer. She seemed so comfortable in her own skin as she got up to follow us.
She hugged me tight. Part of me thought she was trying to suffocate me.
“Oh my God, Troy, she’s adorable.” Adorable, puppies are adorable.
“I know, right?” He put his arm around my waist as Rhonda let go. “Miranda, this is Rhonda. Rhonda, this is my Miranda.”
“I have to take a photo.” She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and took it before I could figure out what was going on. The room closed in on me, too many bodies in one place. I smiled up at Rhonda and Troy held me tight as they continued their conversation.
A draft of cool air came rushing in as someone entered from the patio. I made a beeline for it. I needed some air.
I held onto Troy’s hand, so he had no choice but to follow.
“Hey, baby, you okay?” Troy asked.
I sucked in the fresh air. Thinking maybe she did try and suffocate me. She’d put some weird spell on me and slowly stole my breath so she could have her boyfriend back—my boyfriend back.
“You’re not freaked out about Rhonda?” he asked as he pulled me close. I placed my hand on his chest. The mention of her name made my heart race.
“No,” I said but didn’t sound convincing, even to myself.
She’s also referred to as a red-headed-skank later in the book, but you’re going to have to read it to hear that story.
Is there every a positive ex-girlfriend experience in a romance novels?
Darci Albritton is my main character’s roommate. She is a true southern and makes it her duty to help my main character find love and navigate dating in the south. At the same time, she proceeds to hook up with every guy who smiles at her. She is described as intrusive, but in a charming and glitter manner. She is close to her parents and 11 siblings, and everyone loves her, but don’t let her charm fool you. She has one goal, to find a husband before graduation.
Darci’s stats:
**Interesting Character Name note: I had two roommates my second year at Florida State, Darci Bryan and Mindy Albritton. They were from a small county (notice I said county and not town) in central Florida. When I was thinking of names for the roommate, Darci Albritton seemed perfect. Although neither are blonde and both are smart, accomplished women.
I love Darci. Do you fall in love with your secondary characters? How do you come up with character names?
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My story takes place at the University of Texas at Austin, the Longhorns. Most of my close high school friends went to UT, so I was familiar enough with the campus to write about it.
Every teenager who grows up in Texas, at some point has to make the decision whether they are a UT or A&M fan. My brother went to Texas A&M, the home of the Aggies and I spent a lot of time in College Station. Enough time that I knew I didn’t want to go to school there.
When it was time for me to pick a school, of course, begin the wander that I am, I picked a place out of state, but if I did stay, I would be a Longhorn.
UT Austin had this laid back, artistic, cool vibe. That’s so me.
I wasn’t really into college football until I went to college at Florida State University. If you’ve ever been to a college football game and seen 70,000 people: alumni and students, 100% caught up in the emotion of everything happening on the field, then you know what I’m talking about.
UT Austin Facts:
Number of Students: 51,000
Mascot: Bevo, the Longhorns
Colors: Burnt orange and white
Established: 1883
Rally Cry: Hook’em Horns
Famous UT Alumni: Laura Bush, Janis Joplin, Matthew McConaughey, John Hamm, Marcia Gay Harden, Owen Wilson, Renee Zellweger, Tom Landry
Over the course of the book, my main character learns what college football is all about in the south. How a city lives and dies by their team. The players are treated like super stars and the results of a game can determine how the rest of the week will go. You can run through the gambit of emotions while watching a college football game.
Do you follow college football? Who is your favorite college football team?
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Another New Life – By the Numbers
In a few weeks, the sales numbers will be the only numbers I will be consumed with concerned about. 🙂
Are you obsessed concerned with numbers: # of followers, # of comments, # of book sales?
I have tons of insecurities especially with putting the final touches on Another New Life, but I wanted to take this month’s post to thank everyone of you who have supported me during this process. Your support means more to me then you will ever know.
What are your insecurities this month? If you’re not a member of IWSG, you are missing out. They are a great support group for writers at all stages of a writer’s life.
Have a great month and make sure you visit some or all of the other bloggers on the A to Z Challenge.
One more thing, ok actual three more things, this indie author needs your help:
If you want to sign up for my cover reveal on April 10th, please sign up, here!
If you want an ARC in exchange for an honest review, please sign up, here!
Please add Another New Life to your Goodreads list.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 