Blogfest/Bloghops – Page 9 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – No More Disclaimers

Published on June 5, 2013June 4, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle31 Comments

Before I get on my soap box for this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, I must thank the Ninja Captain himself, along with his co-host for the month: Sheena-kay Graham, Suzanne Furness, and Laura Eno!

If you have time, please visit and help some of the other IWSG participants. You never know how your wisdom and experience can help another writer.

Ok, soap box time: I’ve noticed recently a disturbing trend and I need your help to put an end to it. Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of it as well, but no more.

What is this trend among us writerly types were we add disclaimers before we share our work with others.

Raise your hand if you have said, written or even felt some version of the following?

I am so bad at pitching my project, but . . .

I am terrible at writing synopsis, but . . .

I am new to writing, so . . .

I didn’t have time to polish this, but . . .

I’ve never shown this to anyone, so . . .

Come on, raise your hand, don’t be shy. We are all friends here.

Why are we apologizing to each other for something we created. If any group of people in the world understands how hard this writing process is, it’s fellow writers.

When you preface something you share with an apology, you already put a preconceived impression of your own writing in the reader’s mind. That preconceived impression is based entirely on your own insecurities and has nothing to do with the work itself.

Believe me, it is never as bad as you think it is and even it if is, well that’s what rewrites are for.

So, I am proclaiming this ‘stop apologizing for your work’ day. Let your work speak for itself.

Do you see this among fellow writers? Do you do this?

My Weekly Update – JuNoWriMo

Published on June 3, 2013June 3, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments

JuNoWriMo

It is that time of year, again; JuNoWriMo. This writing challenge is very special to me because it was this time last year that I wrote my first full length novel. I also meet some great blogging writers who are actually active in all stages of this writing process and are great resources for any writer. Special shout out to the creators of JuNoWriMo, A.E. Howard and Becca J. Campbell.

And, this year, I was asked to be one of the sprint leader for JuNoWriMo and I am honored because the sprint leaders from last year made all the difference in the world in me not only writing 50,000 words, but writing an additional 25,000 to finish the novel.

We are just on day three, it’s not to late to sign up and join me every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm for some writing sprints. #junowrimo #wordsprints

Post to Ponder

Writer Wednesday Blog Hop – Flash Fiction – The Space Stations – Just a short piece I wrote. Hope you like it.

So, You Want to Write a Book? Let Go of the Guilt by Angi Black – Life is always there to get in the way, but no need to feel guilt when your doing what you love.

June is for New Goals & JuNoWriMo by Felicia Scotzig – More JuNoWriMo motivation.

Writing is Best When we Get out of our own Way by Kristen Lamb – Kristen say writing fast helps keep us out of our own way. Another yea for WriMo.

The Art of Milking a Critique by Jodi Thompson – Great tips if your ready to join a critique group.

Coolest Things

I participated in the coolest blogfest last week, The Whip It Good Blogfest where we shared our WIP. Here are the ones I would purchase.

Nick Wilford – Sci Fi – Man has neurosurgery to increase his confidence.
Tina at Life is Good – Worlds Colliding – Space Opera meets Tom Clancy
Hunter – Blue Popcorn – Psychological Thriller – nationality and generational clashes.
Silver Lining – YA Romance – it was this line in her synopsis that got me, “She buys fries from the McDonald’s on Dover Street; he can buy the McDonald’s on Dover Street.”
Kate Larkindale – Stumped – YA Contemporary -It’s American Pie meets The Sessions as a 16-year-old double amputee struggles to dump the burden of his virginity.
PK Hrezo – Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. – New Adult light Sci Fi romance – Anxious to attend that relative’s wedding you missed a few years ago? Or curious to see how your children invest their inheritance after you’re gone?
JE Fritz – Collapse – YA Dystopian/apocalyptic – Bullies used to be a problem for her. Now she’sslightly more worried about being gunned down by people she once called “neighbor”

Check them out and tell me which one look good to you.

Next Week’s Schedule

Wednesday – ~~The Casual Vacancy Cast of Characters~~ Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Thursday – Heroes & Villans Blogfest

Friday – SQM – Wreck it Ralph

The Whip It Good Blogfest

Published on May 30, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle34 Comments

I loved the idea behind this blogfest and thanks so much to DL Hammons and Elise Fallson for creating this opportunity for us to share and connect.

WIP Title: Another New Life

Word Count (projected): 70,000

Genre: New Adult Romance

How long have you been working on it?: Mentally, I have been working on it for 2 years, I finally put a scene list together two weeks ago and have been tweaking it daily in preparation for JuNoWriMo (June 1).

Elevator Pitch (if you came across an agent in an elevator ride, what couple of lines would you use to summarize your book): Can a girl separate the good from the bad parts of her traumatic childhood, especially 8 years later when the good shows up on her college campus?

Brief Synopsis (250 words or less): A traumatic event from Miranda’s childhood causes her parents to move to a new town in hopes that their daughter can start a new life. The move meant that Miranda would never get to see Troy, her best friends since preschool. He is the only positive memory she has from that time in her life, but her parents refused to let her communicate with him.

In high school, those negative memories caused Miranda to make self destructive choices especially when it came to dealing with the opposite sex.

As Miranda prepares for college, she has made a promise to herself to not let her past dictate her future, anymore. She goes to a college where no one knows her, to start another new life. This time on her own terms and her plan works great . . . until the first day of class when Troy, looking gorgeous and all grown up, walks into her calculus class and sits down next to her.

Miranda and Troy picked up where they left off and their relationship quickly turns into more then just friends. Miranda is happier then she’s ever been, but its only a matter of time before the truth about her childhood comes out and causes Troy to leave her and ruins her life, again.

Are you looking for a Critique Partner?: Yes, I would love to find a CP who writes, New Adult, Women’s Fiction or Chick Lit.

Are you looking for a Beta Reader?: Not at this time, but I am open to read other people’s work. I read everything, but fantasy and paranormal.

Visit the other participants of the Whip It Blogfest and see the talented and creative stories you may see on your Kindle in the future.

Get Healthy Bloghop – How do you stay fit?

Published on May 29, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle42 Comments

Stephen Tremp, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Michael Di Gesu, and L. Diane Wolfe have teamed up for a Blog Hop that focuses on health.

It is so nice of them to worry about our health. And, what better time of year then May-June to get refocused on our health goals.

Bloggers will be sharing their get healthy tips, so click on the lovely apple to find the list of participants and give them a visit for some get healthy tips.

My get healthy tip is simple, but it helps me stay accountable. I set goals for myself and share them with people close to me. I make a list of 5-10 goals that allow me to focus on what I hope to accomplish on a daily basis when I need to pay more attention to my health and fitness.

This month, I’ll share my June 2013 health and fitness goals with all of you:

Four hours of cardio per week.
One visit to the golf driving range per week.
One long walk outside/get in touch with nature.
Try a new fitness class at the gym.
No eating after 7:00 pm on weekdays.
Drink more tea then coffee.

I don’t always reach my goals, but I always take a moment to celebrate the good things and see what I need to focus on for the next month. Wish me luck!

As a writer, do you find it difficult to stay in shape? What tip do you have to get healthy and stay in shape?

My Weekly Update – Happy Memorial Day

Published on May 26, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I saw this on Google’s banner and loved it. I have seen this scene played out at airports a few times and I cry like a baby every time. My prayers go out to those families who didn’t get to experience this happy ending.

3Ups Blog Hop

Created by Randi Lee, this is a pay it forward blog hop. I had the pleasure of sharing three items about Michelle from Writer-In-Transit.co.za. We appear to have a lot in common. I did my research and seems like we have attended several of the same virtual parties, but haven’t officially meet.

She loves the Bloghop/Blogfest – In the last three months she has participated in Overcome Adversity Blogfest, Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Celebrate the Small Things, Top Ten Movie Blogfest, The Big Reveal and A to Z Blog Challenge.
She loves Flash Fiction – A true creative can compose a story out of five sentences and she hits on several different genres, which is cool.
She loves the blog community – She is a blogger, a writer, a contributor, a cheerleader to other bloggers and that makes her super cool in my book.

Thanks so much to Tyrean for the kinds words she said about me in the 3Up! Blog Hop

Post to Ponder

How to Write a Great Twitter Pitch by Ava at Writability – There is a Twitter Pitch party coming up on May 28th. Details available here.

Happy Memorial Day! My Depressing Yet Hysterical Military Career by Kristian Lamb – This story is hilarious and so unbelievable it has to be true.

What to do When You’ve Written the Worst Book Every by Amanda Fanger – It happens to all of us. So, read on for tips to handle it.

Stress and the Creative Process by Ali Cross – How do your emotions effect your writing?

There is Nothing Wrong with You by Randi Lee – I am tired of explaining myself to those who just don’t understand or don’t get it.

Coolest Things

Saw The Great Gatsby and it was a beautifully shot movie. Baz did a great job. I enjoyed the movie immensely, but there was much more tension created in the book then in the movie. Amazing thing to be able to create tension in the written word.

Saw Star Trek Into Darkness and I absolutely loved it. Spock was so perfectly frustratingly Spockish and I love him. I hate to admit it but James T. Kirk is growing on me. Khan is so gorgeous and not just in the bad boy kind of way.

New Followers

Jordan Latour

Next Weeks Schedule

Wednesday – Get Healthy Bloghop