Blogfest/Bloghops – Page 13 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

My Weekly Update – We Have a Lot to Cover

Published on February 3, 2013February 3, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

It’s Super Bowl Sunday. One of my favorite days of the year.

I grew up with two older brothers. I attending a huge college football school (FSU) and my mother worked for an NFL player during his 16 year career. Needless to say, I am well versed in the game of football. The timeline of my life has always been categorized by In season and Off season.

Not a football fan? Here are 5 tips for you to still enjoy the game:

So you sound smart, the game is between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49’ers. We don’t like the 49’ers.
Except for their tattoo covered quarterback Collin Kaepernick. He is cute as long as he keeps his mouth shut. A little to, I am a quarterback in the NFL and this is how I am supposed to answer questions, for me. But, look at those tattoos. And, if you want to sound even smarter, after a good play, say out loud, “Wow, and to think this is only his 11th start in the NFL.”
Beyonce at half-time. Beyonce is always over the top. It is going to be a spectacle whether you are a fan of hers or not.
The Super Bowl will be played in the Superdome in New Orleans. If you can’t be happy for how this city has bounced back, well, then you must be dead inside.
The commercials. Wasted commercialism at its best. But, you might as well watch so you know what everyone is talking about at work the next day.

Enjoy the game and Go Ravens. What are your Super Bowl predictions?

So hot! And, I as a heterosexual women, I have no problem saying that. — So hot! And, as a heterosexual women, I have no problem saying that.

The Next Star Wars to be Directed by J.J. Abrams – my thought by Steve Umstead – I am pretty happy about this decision.

Four Techniques to Show Rather than Tell by Marcy Kennedy – I learned a new one. Remove the ‘to’ phrases.

30 Lessons That I have Learnt From Writing by Michael J Holley – You can’t go wrong with a great list. I need to work on #6.

How to Be a Writer Who Thinks Like a Publisher at Wise Ink – This is great resource for writers.

the dojo

imaninjaremogirlbutton

That’s right. I’ve joined a Dojo. The talented Ali Cross has reworked the dojo to continue her mission to create support and camaraderie among writers. The dojo is split into three dojos for writers, revisers and queriers (is that a word). You can join one or all three. I am in the NiNoReMo where revising ninjas train.

Goals for February: Revise 150 pages this month. That is 37.5 pages per week.

Join me in the dojo and let’s have a productive February.

Imaginary Friend Bloghop

Published on February 1, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle16 Comments

Annalisa Crawford and Kyra Lennon want me to delve into my creative origin and reveal a tail about MY IMAGINARY FRIEND. (cue the scary dreamlike music)

Because for me, my imaginary friend was more of a frienemy. She flipped the script on me more times than I like to remember. She was the one who spun the positives into the practical and I blame her for my now over cautious senses.

Let me give you an example:

When I was 7 years olds (is that to old to have an imaginary friend), I was all excited to go skiing with my parents on the big slope. No more kiddie hill for me. I was going to ski with the grown ups.

I laid out my ski clothes. I checked on my boots and skis. I had my long johns laid out and I was prepared. I got in bed and laid my little head down. As soon as closed my eyes, Sam whispered in my ear.

“Hey Sydney, your gonna fall.”

“Shut up, Sam.” I said.

“Your gonna fall.” she sang.

I closed my eyes tight, trying to block her out, but she just got louder.

“Your gonna fall.”

“Shut up!” I yelled back.

“Go to sleep, Sydney.” my dad yelled from the other room, which shut Sam up for the night. Every time my dad came around, Sam disappeared.

I closed my eyes again and drifted off to sleep with visions of ski wipeouts dancing in my head.

The next morning, I got dress and headed out to the slopes. Standing at the top of the hill, I couldn’t move. I kept hearing in my head, “Your gonna fall, you gonna fall, your gonna fall.”

And, you know what, I fell. All the way down the mountain.

I hated it when Sam was right.

Tell me about your imaginary friend?

The Word Master Challenge – How Not to Write a Novel Beginning

Published on January 30, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle7 Comments

This challenge is brought to you by Misha at My First Book. The idea of the Word Master Challenge is simple. Every month, (except possibly April), she’ll announce a theme for the challenge. It’ll be writing related in some way, but she’ll try to make every theme a little different. The winner of the month’s challenge wins a voucher to the internet book vendor of their choice or a 10 chapter crit from me.

January’s challenge is: HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL BEGINNING.

I woke up from a nightmare, sweaty and cold. The deep, dark, black, cold, murky, dank, night was creeping into my room awkwardly. I sat up and looked out the window hesitantly. I knew I wouldn’t like what I saw, but I looked anyway. And, I was right.

“I have been waiting for you to wake up,” the creature squeaked with his high pitch, piercing, low voice.

I got out of bed and walking over to the window, I tripped. I looked down and sitting on the floor was a teddy bear. It was the teddy bear that I received from my grandmother when I was 6 years old. Being, 12 now, that was a long, long, long time ago.

I kicked the bear and proceeded to walk over to the window.

“That wasn’t very nice.”

I looked to my left and sitting on the desk was a gun. I picked the gun up. It was heavy. I could barely lift it. I held it with both hands and pointed to the voice that was coming from outside the window. I looked in the direction of the voice and could have sworn I saw some teeth and some lips. They were not frowning. The gun was aimed by my fragile hands. I was sweating. I was scared, but I knew this was what I had to do. I shot the gun.

I woke up from a loud noise. It sounded like a gun shot. Was I dreaming? I looked around the room and saw my teddy bear on the floor. The one Grandma gave me for my birthday, yesterday.

Now how did he get down there, I thought speculatively to myself.

Ok Misha, let me know what you think. It is so much fun to write bad prose on purpose.

And, for anyone stopping by who is not sure what’s going on here, I promise, this is not how I write.

You still have time to enter the challenge. Misha is excepting entries until the end of the month, or check out her blog for next months topic.

Allow me to ‘Re-Introduce Myself’ Blogfest

Published on January 28, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle44 Comments

A big thanks to Mark Koopman, Elise Fallson, Stephen Tremp and C.M. Brown for creating this blogfest to allow me to Re-Introduce Myself. I thought I would take this opportunity to announce my updated about page. For those who like to read, it will tell you all you need to know about me.

Six other interesting facts about me:

I am a law school graduate, but not a lawyer.
I have several tattoos.
I lived in China for over 5 years.
I have three of the coolest nephews.
I write romantic comedies.
My 1 year blog anniversary is in February.

For those visual people out there, I figured the best way to re-introduce myself is to post a photo. Hello, I am Sydney Aaliyah Michelle.

50108_1337371696_4621_n — Check out the hint of cleavage.

I have’t shared a photo of myself on my blog before. I’m happy in this photo and it’s really all you need to know to understand me.

Make sure to jump around and see how others are re-introduce themselves.

Anything else you want to know about me, the Q & A session starts after the video!

My Weekly Update – Books and Movies

Published on January 12, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle16 Comments

“Better to have a little experience and a lot of imagination than vice versa.” – The Daily Writer

The Hobbit

I try not to see the movie until I have read the book. So, I spent the week reading the book and then I saw the movie. I wish someone had told me I didn’t need to read the whole thing, the movie covers only 1/3 of the book. It was a good read. The movie, on the other hand, didn’t really start until Gollum made an appearance. It was all visually beautiful, but it didn’t move until two hours in.

I was pleased to discover that my favorite part of the book was also my favorite scene in the movie; The riddle contest between Bilbo Baggins and Gollum in the Troll Kingdom. Both book and movie version were laugh out loud funny. Come back later this week and read my SQM post on The Hobbit.

I also saw Skyfalls. I went to the movies with my parents and then at dinner learned their first date was a James Bond movie. How romantic. My mom informed me that my dad had taken 2 other girls to see the movie, as well. But, she married him anyway.

What movies have you seen lately? Did you see The Hobbit? What did you think?

Post to Review

Fess Up Friday: I Like Wearing Old Lady Shoes by Cynthia at Read is the New Black – Have you found your niche when it comes to writing?

What Writing Step Are You Afraid Of? by Jami Gold – I am afraid of Writing Query Letters, but I think my reasons are off base, how about you?

17 Signs You’re Actually, gasp, an ADULT by Paul Angone at All Groan Up – I am living #3 right now. But, I haven’t seen it in 5 years.

Appreciating Art by Tasha Seegmiller – Have you ever taken a scene from your favorite piece of art and wrote a scene? I wrote a scene that took place in Van Gogh’s Iris in a Field. It turned out pretty good. Give it a try.

New Followers

Vanessa Wester Writer

Young Hungry and Restless

Next Weeks Highlights

January 16th is the first meeting of the Progressive Book Club. An online book club hosted by M.L. Swift. Click on the badge for more information.

My First Book: Announces The Word Master Challenge. Every month, Misha will present a theme. This month’s Theme:

HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL BEGINNING.

In less than 300 words, I want to see your idea of the WORST beginning you can possibly write. The funnier and more creative you are, the better. To make it easier for me, you have the WHOLE of January to enter, but you must please enter the SPECIFIC entry link into the linky list below. For information, click on the badge.

Both events will occur every month and you can join anytime.

Category: Blogfest/Bloghops