My Monthly Update – Congrats to Dale Jr.

Latest News

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So excited to congrat Dale Jr. on his second Daytona 500 win. It was such an amazing ending and I am so happy he got out of the way.

This NFL off season may not be as bad as I originally thought.

His win inspired a cool little story I wrote for workshop last week. Give me a few days to fix it up and I will share it with you.

I finished my edits on Another New Life and sent it to my editor. Six days later, it showed up in my inbox. I read her summary, which was really nice, but I’ve yet to open the document. I am working on other stuff and will get back to it on Monday.

It’s getting close. I keep thinking how cool it will be to say, “I’m a published author.” I promise I’ll only say it to myself at home in the bathroom mirror.

Goals for March: 

Finish final edits on Another New Life

Prepare my A to Z Challenge post – more on that later.

Writing Workshop – continue participating and creating content for my workshop.

A to Z Challenge – Once again, I am a Minion. 

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Nicole of Madlab Post has chosen me as one of her minions to help her out with the challenge.

I am known as Asset #1. Click the badge to find out why.  If you haven’t signed up for the A to Z challenge, well, what are you waiting for.

 

 

Are you a NASCAR fan? Does having a book published feel as good as I think it will? Sign up for the A to Z Challenge already. April is almost here. 

My Monthly Update

Latest News

I do apologize for the late post, I saved it for one reason and one reason only. Then, my reason lost by 35 points. I still love you, Peyton.

Congrats to Bruno Mars. Brilliant Halftime show.

I have a new author Facebook Page, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, everyone, please like it.

January Update: 

SAM & Associates LLC has been created. I created an entity to run my self publishing empire. I figure if I am going to do this business, I need to treat it like a business. That includes creating a business plan, which I am working on now.

Editpalooza didn’t quite work out of for me because of the lack of feedback, but the Savvy Authors were amazing and I have listen to the Three Pass Editing Webinar and acquired a more systematic plan for self editing my books. This doesn’t eliminate hiring an editor before you publish. I am an staunch believer in if your going to invest in your book, do it with the editing process.

I have attended two of my Creative Writing Workshop and I am really enjoying it. I enjoy talking about writing more than I thought I would. I also read my first short story to the class, it was a character exercise, and everyone loved it. I could get used to that feeling.

I turned Another New Life over to more beta readers and received some positive feedback. I had one person offer some harsh feedback, but once I looked through her tone (:-) tone in writing) and read her notes, it was helpful. I am working on edits, now and have completed 7 our of 37 chapters.

Goals for February: 

SAM & Associates LLC – finish business plan.

Writing Workshop – continue participating and creating content for my workshop.

Editing – I gave myself until February 16th to finish edits on Another New Life and then I turn it over to my editor. :-0

Awesome Blogs – a couple of blogs I found this month. Check them out and follow them.

New Adult Rockstars – New Adult blog created by a New Adult author and content provided by the best in New Adult.

Savvy & Writers & e-Books online – helpful tips on all things Writing & Publishing.

Have you signed up for A to Z Challenge? If no, click the badge in the upper left hand corner. It’s a blast and a great way to meet new bloggers. This will be my third challenge. 

Last month I won a free blog button design from Arlee Bird Cheerfest and created by Jeremy Hawkins. I am proud to share it with you today.

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Thanks so much Arlee & Jeremy.

My Monthly Update

2014 Writing/Reading/Watching Goals

Time for my annual goals post: 

  1. Self publish three novels: Another New Life & It’s About You and Me – Book #1 (Tentative Title) and TBD.
  2. Participate in JuNoWriMo – It’s About You and Me – Book #2
  3. Participate in NaNoWriMo – It’s About You and Me – Book #3
  4. Editpalooza – Inked: A Permanent Love Story
  5. Query – Inked: A Permanent Love Story
  6. Attend a Creative Writing Class or Workshop
  7. Join RWA.
  8. Read fifty (50) books – See the start of my To Read List.
  9. Watch fifty (50) movies
  10. Increase participation in social media: more interaction on Twitter, more group interaction on Facebook and more club interaction on Goodreads.
  11. Attend two conferences:  RT Booklovers Conference (New Orleans) & RWA Conference (San Antonio)
  12. Maintain my blog schedule:
  • My Monthly Update – monthly goals and news on bloghops, upcoming events and progress on my publishing/querying efforts.
  • New Adult Book Review – Do you have a New Adult Novel, any genre, coming out in 2014? Please let me know in the comments.
  • Tattoo Tuesday – Are you an Inked up Author? Please let me know in the comments.
  • Sydney Quotes the Movies – Quotes from the hottest movies in 2014.
  • What is New Adult? – My thoughts on the genre.
  • Blog Tour Post – Author Interviews, Character Interviews, Cover Reveals.

What are your writing goals for 2014? Do you have a new release in 2014? Are you an inked up author and would like to be featured on Tattoo Tuesday? 

I am so excited for the new year and look forward to featuring more authors, books, and movies in 2014!!!

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!

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50 States of Pray – Texas

50 States of Pray Banner Dec 24

Our friend from Hawaii, Mark Koopmans created a bloghop that is perfect for this time of year. All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future. Click on the badge for more information and to check out some of the other states represented.

I have had an inspiring year since being back in the states. Even though I lived in an challenging, but exciting foreign country for five years, it pales in comparison to all that I have experiences in the last year being back home. I’ve reconnected with my family and friends and made some new one.  I have seen president’s sworn in and legendary leaders put to rest. I watched some of my favorite famous people having the most creative (Beyonce’s unannounced album release), record breaking (Peyton Manning) and genuine and sincere(Jay Z in concert) year of their lives. I’ve discovered the kind of books I want to write and what I hope to accomplish with my writing. I’ve read 50 books (The Great Gatsby was my favorite) and saw 43 movies (I can’t decide between Star Trek Into Darkness or Iron Man 3). Most important, I’ve started to live my life the way I want to live it. In one sentence, “I’m feeling blessed.”  I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me in 2014. 

I’ll be taking the rest of the year off, but wanted to wish everyone a blessed holiday and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Get Healthy Bloghop – How do you stay fit?

Get_Healthy_Post_GraphicStephen 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:

  1. Four hours of cardio per week.
  2. One visit to the golf driving range per week.
  3. One long walk outside/get in touch with nature.
  4. Try a new fitness class at the gym.
  5. No eating after 7:00 pm on weekdays.
  6. 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?