My Weekly Update – Page 3 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

My Weekly Update – Good Week

Published on March 10, 2013March 11, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle12 Comments

Highlights

I received my first paycheck as a writer this week. I ghost wrote a blog post for a beauty blog and that’s all that I am liberty to say about it. It pretty exciting to be a paid writer and I have another assignment due this week. Super proud of myself. I’m not going to strike it rich anytime soon, but it’s satisfying being able to earn money doing what you love.

How did you feel when you sold your first book, first, poem, first article?

Award

My new blog friend and book club host M.L. Swift gave me the The Leibster Award. Thanks so much M.L.

Blog Anniversary

I’m a little late with my anniversary plans. Since my actual anniversary was in February, I decided to celebrate the beginning of my second year of blogging by reaching out to some amazing writers to ponder and guest post on “Why do I blog?”. I received some insightful responses and can’t wait to share them with you. See the schedule below.

March 12 – Tameri Etherton
March 19 – Vikki Thompson
March 22 – D.C. McMillen
March 25 – Alex Cavanaugh
March 27 – Misha Gericke
March 28 – Mark Means
March 29 – EM Castellan

Post to Ponder

What I Learned from the Editor: Round 1 by Jordanna East – Its great to understand your bad habits. May save time in your next project.

Writing Madly to a Deadline and then Not Submit by Jennifer M. Eaton – Do you have this type of integrity and respect for your work.

The First Time We Met: Memorable Characters and First Impressions by Felicia Scotzig – I can’t decide which character is my favorite.

Out of the Mouths of Babes by Jemi Fraser – How does your story stack up to the check list?

New Followers

Mark Riddle

Damyanti Writes

Jason Alan

Next Weeks Schedule

Tuesday – Anniversary Guest Post – Tameri Etherton

Wednesday – Trust in Me Blog Blitz

Friday – Got Green Bloghop – get your irish stories ready.

Sunday – My Weekly Update

My Weekly Update – Edits, Please.

Published on March 3, 2013March 2, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle9 Comments

I’m a Minnion

Thanks to Nicole from The Madlab Post for choosing me to be one of her minions.

I am on a staff with Sheila Siler, Tami Van Zalez and M.J. Joachim. A talented, smart and fun group to be a part of and we will do Nicole proud.

Have you signed up for the A to Z Challenge? For more information, read this.

Still trying to figure out a theme, read this.

Third Week Of Edits

In order to stay up to date on my edits, I have a number of accountabilities (that’s a word) in place.

the writers dojo – As a part of NiNoReMo group, I have set a goal to edit 12 chapters in the month of March. Ali cross and the rest of the group are super supportive and I don’t want to let them down.
Beta readers – I am sending chapters to my beta readers as soon as I finish editing them and it’s a good sign when my beta’s are calling me to send more chapters. They are breathless with anticipation (anyone know where that quote comes from?). And, one of my beta’s said, I can’t wait to see if the main characters get together, but she picked the wrong two main characters, so she is going to be in for a surprise. That’s what I hope every reading my book when they read it. I suck them in and then turn the tables on it. hahahahaha(evil laugh).
DFW Writer’s Conference – I want my beta’s to finish reading so I can have all edits done and ready to go for the conference in May. All those agents out there are just waiting to read my manuscript. 😉

Do you work better when you’re held accountable or are you one of those internally motivated people (~~hate envy~~ proud of those people)?

Post to Ponder – Edit Edition

Chapter Edits – A Quick Overview by Raewyn Hewitt – If you’re new to editing and not sure where to start, follow these steps. It will get you far.

Four Situations When We Should Tell Rather than Show by Marcy Kennedy – I know this sounds blasphemous, but read it. It makes so much sense.

Close Edits: What I Look Out For by Tara Tyler – Great list of edits to look for.

My Favorite Blog of the Week

Rejection Love Letters – John Tompkins is a writer who has turn rejection into triumph. Ok, maybe not triumph, but he certainly has the right attitude. I have been LOL’ing over his sight all week. He turns his rejection letters into love letter.

New Followers

Next Week’s Schedule

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday – calling all tattoo’ed writers

Wednesday – SQM Silver Lining Playbook

Friday – The Only Exception Blog Tour

Sunday – My Weekly Update

My Weekly Update – Writing Assignments Accumulate

Published on February 24, 2013February 24, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

Writing Assignments

In my quests for finding employment, I applied to a writing network and was accepted. My first assignment is due on Friday. So, hyped about this. In addition, I have a guest post to complete by Friday and two chapters of edits due on Monday.

And, to top it all off, I sign up for a Short Story Contest, which is due on Friday. This is where I need your help. The contest sets heats and everyone in my heat for this first round has to write in the same genre and use the same character. I thought is would be a great challenge until I saw the genre. I have to write a fantasy story. I don’t have anything against fantasy, I just don’t read it and don’t know much about the genre. It’s not the same as science fiction, right?

Huge favor – share with me your favorite Fantasy writers? I need a point of reference.

Do you have Ten Minutes?

Harry Widdifield, formerly know as Sevestian Winters (check out his guest post on my blog a couple of months ago, brilliant) has penned a new blog and a new journey in life as the Teller of Ten Minute Tales. His goal is to write a short story a day. He currently has two volumes for sale. I suggest you pick them up. Great stuff and you can read a story in 10 minutes. Who doesn’t have 10 minutes.

Have you read Harry’s short stories? What do you think?

Post to Ponder

PBC’s Successful Launch by M.L. Swift – I am so proud of my book club.

How to Push Past the Bullshit and Write that G-ddamn Novel: A Very Simple No-F–kery Writing Plan to Get Shit Down by Chuck Wendig – Sometimes you just need some one to break it down for you.

You are Uncomaparable by MarcyKate Connolly – This goes along with my favorite quote from Bird by Bird, “Jealousy is the business of comparing my insides to other people’s outsides.” It’s not worth it, so stop doing it.

What Came First: The Scene or The Word? by Mike Reverb – I struggle with this as well. I see the scene in my head like a movie, but can’t seem to capture the same visuals and drama when I put it down on paper.

Things Every Writer Should Have by Nicole Pyles – another message about not comparing ourselves to other along with other great tips.

New Followers

Martha

Super Dull Boy

Next Week’s Schedule

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Wednesday – His Allue, Her Passion Blog Tour

Thursday – Back to the Future Bloghop

Friday – Stardust Summer Blog Tour

My Weekly Update – Good Week

Published on February 17, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle12 Comments

New Stuff

Last week I wrote about how moving back to the States has allowed me to start fresh and new with everything in my life. In the next four months I will be looking for a job, buying a new car and finding a new place to live among other things. Well, I made some progress.

I acquired a project that guarantees me a paycheck until June 1st and possibly longer. It is one of those projects where my responsibilities changes from week to week culminating in a huge charity event in May. I enjoy these type of projects. I get bored easily.

I bought a car. It’s a 2013 Honda Civic, black and beautiful. I call her Bella Noir. My family names all of our cars and refers to them by name. Weird? Any way, I know her name sounds a bit stripper -ish, but you can call her Bella for short.

The best thing about Bella, we are linked, through my iPhone. One touch and she makes calls, plays my music and gives me directions. Love Bella.

Blog Anniversary

I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Now, I realize I have post dating back to June of 2011, I starting doing something online in June 2011. I wouldn’t call it blogging, though. It was crap, don’t read it. Then, in February, I switched over to WordPress. It took me a month to get in the groove and to decide I was going to keep at it for at least a year.

A lot has happened in a year and I’ll be spending the month of March reminding myself and the world why we do this.

Stay tuned, it’s going to be a fun month.

What did you do for your 1 year blog anniversary?

Post to Review

101 Tweet-Tastic Tools for 2013 by Lilach – We all love Twitter, but are you using Twitter to its full tweet-tastic capabilities?

Bring Your Fiction to Life with Emotion: An editor’s how to guide by Robb Grindstaff – I made some progress in editing this week because of this post.

The Essential Checklist for Submitting Your Novel to Agents by Brian Klems – I am working on compiling my agent submission list.

Ouch! It’s an Outline by Just Jemi – I’m a plotter at heart, but I write short stories as a panster. It’s not too bad.

How Do You Begin Your Story? by Donya Lynne – This changed the beginning of my current Edit in Progress. Great tips

New Followers

A. Michael Marsh

Tuan Ho

Styleads

Tasein Mirzasaad at Transcending Borders Blog

Elizabeth Hein at Scribbling in the Storage Room

Next Week’s Schedule

Tuesday – Level Up! Blogfest – A day early

Wednesday – Progressive Book Club Post – Bird by Bird Blog Post

Friday – CassaStorm Cover Reveal

Sunday – My Weekly Update

My Weekly Update – Breathless

Published on February 9, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments

You know how the anticipation of something is sometimes better then then actual thing. Well, let me tell you, when you are shown something unexpectedly and it is amazing, that trumps it all.

I saw the The Silver Lining Playbook (Great Movie. Bradley Cooper was amazing) and caught the trailer for The Great Gatsby.

I wept. I moaned. I grinned, laughed and groaned. It took my breath away!

This is another book on my list I have to read before I see. Are you looking forward to seeing The Great Gatsby?

Grammy Night

Although I haven’t seen the Grammy’s in over 5 years. From the hype, its going to be a great show, more performance based. And, they are creating these amazing collaborations. This year pairs Rihanna with Bruno Mars and Sting & Alicia Keys with Maroon 5.

But, I can’t wait to see Justin Timberlake return to do what he was born to do. He and JayZ (love him) are performing their new single Suit & Tie. I am breathless just thinking about it.

Are you watching the Grammy’s? What performance are you looking forward to?

Post to Review

Get Writing Fit by Ellie Garratt – Guest Post on My First Book – I am focusing on #2 & #3 this year.

Free Writer’s Weekend in Hawaii by Mark Koopmans – I really want to go. Let me see how I can work it out. Plus, its my birthday.

Things I’ve learned from Star Trek #348 by Ali Cross – She even has a Star Trek video.

Writing Tips: Join Contest by Shannon A Thompson – One of my goals for the year. Great advice.

New Followers

Promote Your Book Blog

Out Where the Bus Don’t Run by Gus Sanchez

Alina

Write With Warnimont

Royal Manaball