Category: Writing

Ten Things Every Aspiring Writer Should Know about Writing as a Profession by Sevastian Winters

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments
If you haven’t already, you need to familiarize yourself with Sevastian Winters.  I have been following his journey to find happiness since he began “unpacking baggage” on his blog The Homeless Gazillionaire.    If his post don’t move you, inspire you, or motivate you, well, your probably already dead.  At the least, his post will make you think about how events that occurred in your past effect the way you deal with thing in the present.  
That is why I was so excited to have Sev offer us Aspiring Writer’s an education:  

Ten Things Every Aspiring Writer Should Know

about Writing as a Profession

 By Sevastian Winters

When I first agreed to write this piece for Syd, I didn’t quite realize what I was getting into. Choosing ten things from amongst the hundreds of things writers should know about writing is a task all unto itself, and I argued with myself over which ten were “most important.” In the end, I decided to highlight the things about this business that are very often missed. So without further adieu, here are the ten things I feel that writers absolutely must know if they aim to make a living with their “pen.”

#1

There are more aspiring professional writers in today’s market than ever before!

If video killed the radio star, then the internet killed the exclusivity and mystery of being a writer. With the advent of blogs, content mills and, more recently, eBooks, everyone from 12 to 112 is getting in the game. The internet is hungry for content, and that means it needs writers. Forget about yesteryear. Writing isn’t just about writing anymore. It’s bigger than that. It is a gangbang of information insemination. If that analogy seems gross, suck it up, princess. That’s the price we pay for moving information around the world at the speed of thought.

If you want to build a career as a professional writer, you can! That’s the good news. The bad news is that if you don’t work smart, you are going to work very, very hard!

#2

Fiction/poetry may feed your soul, but non-fiction will feed your family

I love fiction. It allows me to tap into emotions and the heart of what is, for me, very real. That said, my non-fiction work outsells my fiction ten to one. There are writers who make their living writing only fiction, and the richest writers on the planet write fiction exclusively, but breaking that barrier is hard. In the meantime, if you want to be a full time writer, you are going to have to also get comfortable writing non-fiction. Fiction might make you very wealthy, but if it doesn’t, non-fiction will at least pay your bills.

#3

eReaders are here to stay. So If you want to make money with your writing, you’re going to have to shut  up about how sad you are to see paper go.

Seriously. Writers can’t afford to care about the medium. Pay attention to the content. If tomorrow the fad was to deliver stories written in goat’s blood on the backs of motor homes, no one’s goat would be safe from me. We exist in the market. We don’t control it.

#4

Newsflash: Readers DO Judge books by their Covers!

Even if you’re selling eBooks, you are going to need some cover art. I am constantly amazed at how writers spend months perfecting their work only to give their covers what amounts to a cursory glance. The best book in the world will not sell if it has an ineffectual cover. 80% of what sells books is on the cover, 20% is found in the first 5 pages, and all of the rest of your book determines whether the reader will buy the NEXT book. That means that your books had better damn well be identifiable as yours!

 If a reader likes your writing, they may want to read another. People don’t buy a book called “The Stand” by Stephen King. They buy Stephen King’s “The Stand.” The difference is that they are buying Stephen King. If you want to sell your books, you’d better be sure that people know your work is yours beyond the shadow of a doubt. Covers can’t just be pretty. They have to be memorable! A book cover is not wrapping paper. It is your greatest, and most important sales tool! Treat it with respect.

#5

Without an identifiable Brand, you will spend your writing career fighting an uphill battle.

Branding is about making sure that from a mile away people know your work and know what to expect. It encompasses everything about what makes your product uniquely yours! Branding is why, when I say “Golden Arches,” you know the place I mean.

If people know and become familiar with what to expect from your brand, you will have done 90% of the selling you ever have to to. I have never owned a Canon camera, but if I was in need of a camera, I wouldn’t have the slightest hesitation about choosing that brand. I recognize it, and despite having no personal experience with the brand, I trust it. People buy the brands they trust. If you have not branded your work as yours, you will constantly find yourself selling new product as if it has no brothers or sisters, and that, my friends is an unnecessary and  grueling uphill battle. Brand. Brand. Brand.

I think I will stop there. Let that sink in. If you have any questions for Sev, feel free to leave them in the comments. And please, come back on Saturday, November 17th for #6 – #10.  

Tattoo Tuesday – AM Schultz

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Yes! Finally the man, the myth (what?), the legend has graced the pages of Sydney Aaliyah with his witty and evasive words of wisdom.

*Did I over sell it? No, I think I’m still good.

Ok, so without further ado, please welcome A.M. Schultz to Tattoo Tuesday:

1. How old where you when you got your first tattoo?

Age is a number. Sometimes I feel 20, sometimes I feel 40. 
That said, I got my first tattoo in October of 2008. I was old enough to
drink, but not old enough to rent a car. 
 

2. What made you want to get your first tattoo?

I was young and wanted some ink. I was going through a bit of a
“jaded-youth” stage, and was brimming with testosterone, libido, and
post-teenage angst. I lived on a diet of creatine and protein shakes, and
figured a tattoo was the next logical progression in my
“douchebadassness.” Really, it was for all the wrong reasons.
 
MMA was starting to become popular and I was seeing a lot of guys get
nautical stars on their chest. I liked the whole “human as lost ship
finding its way in the night” philosophy behind them, so I got them.
 
Unfortunately, because I might as well have been auditioning for a role on
The Jersey Shore at the time and had been GTL’ing pretty hard, I strolled
into the shop with this huge barrel chest and the stars tends to float in
their own wave of muscular inflation and deflation, depending on my
commitment to superficiality at any given time.

3. How many tattoos do you have?

As of right now, only these two. I intend on getting more, but have
intended on getting more for the past four years.
I had “settled down” for a few years, though, and “settled” men don’t
really need to go sit in the chair or live at the gym, so my journey has
been a bit protracted…
Now that I am “unsettled” — which would sound awful if I wasn’t trying to
pass myself off as a writer — I am free to go get all inky.

4. What is your tattoo story? If you have more then one tattoo, tell me your most recent or your favorite tattoo.

It’s not as deep or introspective as I’d like. I had wanted a sleeve done
that would interweave the major world religions, but never had the right
combination of time/money. I will have to revisit Tattoo Tuesday after my
next session. 🙂
 

5. Tattoos on a significant other, like or dislike? Why?

Absolutely. I appreciate art and expression and creativity, and a tattoo
can be a great indicator of some combination of the three.
 

And there you have it, from the creator of Headspit himself.

Make sure you are following A.M.:
Twitter:  @am-sch
Blog:  Headspit

And, check out his debut novel, Ring Girl available in January 2013.

The Next Big Thing

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

Next Big Thing – I have to thank Felcia Scotzig, Karen Einsel, Amanda Fanger & Emily Anne Shaffer for making me feel like my new project is buzzing.  I’m not quite trending on twitter, but I couldn’t be happier these 4 talent ladies are curious about what I am up to.

What is the title of your Work in Progress?
I wanted a title that conveys a relationship or interconnection between three people in a positive way so I thought of trinity – with the lower case t. This is the first time I thought about the title in relation to a potential book cover.  It’s a sign.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The initial idea came from the movie Oliver Stone Movie Savage.
What genre does your book fall under?
Adult contemporary Fiction – with a hint of romance
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Can I refer you to my Pinerest board titled trinity?
There is a photo of what Alex looks like – no one famous, I would have to find this girl.  This is my Alexanda.
Lance – Matt Damon, but taller
Chay – Orlando Bloom
What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?
Alexanda has spent her life learning to be ok with being alone and just when she thinks she has a handle on it, she meets her father for the first time and is pulled into his world were she has to trust others in order to stay sane and stay alive.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I will go the traditional route first, but this one I really want to see published.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
This is my NaNoWriMo project and I am ahead of schedule right now, so I hope it will take me 30 days.
What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
It is a bit like James Patterson’s old stuff, but a little more in-depth character wise.   Sidney Sheldon, but contemporary.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It is different then what I have written before and I wanted to see if I could do it.  Plus, this isn’t a piece of fluff, it’s got some serious issues and a bit more research then I have done before.  I know everything there is to know about the Marine, Special Forces and photography.  Really, ask me anything.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There are a lot of elements to this book: romance, relationships, sex, drugs, military, death, regret.  As well as Happiness, Passion, Love and Faith.
5 Nominations:  I decided to nominate some of my fellow NaNoWriMo participants:

My Weekly Update – Nano, Next and New

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle7 Comments

The alliterations are back ladies and gentleman.

NaNoWriMoDaily Update – Best of the week

Today’s Date:  November 8, 2012
Word Count:  2,132
Observations:  Spent 2 – 4 in my new writing spot; Baker & Spice.  I believe carrot cake is my preferred writing fuel.  Coffee helps, too.  I was writing  a scene today where my female MC and her father who abandoned her when she was a baby get it all out in the open.  It was a powerful scene and I love the way it turned out.  Great mix of back story, but told in a way that the MC was asking specific questions about it so it flowed well.  Then at the end of the scene, my MC and her father kind of take over and I end up talking about another character in the present story that actually put all this in motion 20 something years ago. What? Wait a minute. That wasn’t in the outline.  Where the hell did that come from?  It pissed me off, but then I continued to write it and I couldn’t be mad because it turned out to be really good.  Good plot twist I think is what you would call it. But, some rewrites in an earlier scene are going to be necessary for it to make sense.  Everyone say it with me, “That is what editing is for.” ;-)
I am pleased with how 2,000 words a day is a great pace for me in real life.  I have been pretty busy with work and preparing for an event.  My hope is that I continue to write 2,000 per day most days until I run out of words to say when I am like 80. 
Quick Hits:  Wreck-It Ralph is playing in the theater in the mall under my place.  I see a NaNoWriMo break in my near future. It’s for character research, really it is. 

 

NaNoWriMo Need to Know

Next 4 Years – It’s hard to pay attention to politics in America living in China, so I have to rely on my blog friends to inform me of the reality of the political landscape in America.  *The views expressed are not necessary shared by Sydney Aaliyah, but on the other hand, they are damn funny.  I always support funny.

New Followers
Kristina at The Bitter Sweet – A Writer’s Journey
Roxanne Crouse at Crouse Photography
 
Next Weeks Schedule
Monday – The Next Big Thing
Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday 
Thursday – Guest Post by Sevastian Winters – Ten Things Every Aspiring Writer Should KNow about Writing as a Profession – Part #1
Saturday – Guest Post by Sevastian Winters – Ten Things Every Aspiring Writer Should Know about Writing as a Profession – Part #2  *It’s that good, I had to split it into two post.
Sunday – My Weekly Update

 

Everyone still on track for NaNoWriMo?   Do your characters every take you to places you didn’t intend to go? 

Romance in the Rain Blog Tour – Get to Know Chef Ivy

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle13 Comments

I loved this idea of a group of writers from the same area getting together to make this world of writing a little less lonely. They write in different genres, but have one thing in common, they are serious writers.

I agreed to host this blog tour only if I could get a character interview with Chef Ivy Turnin.  A couple of things about her struck me.  1) She is a chef, which is one of my fantasy professions and 2) The man of her dreams is a sexy Seattle Quarterback, which is one of my fantasy love interests (see a theme here).

Everyone, please welcome Chef Ivy: 

1. What is your full name? In my family it’s tradition for the oldest child to be named after his or her father. My full name is Vincenza Antonia Turnin
2. Do you have a nickname? My friends call me Ivy.
3. Describe yourself? Physically, I am tall, but not overly thin like I was in high school. Because my job is so physically demanding, I work out regularly to increase my stamina, so I guess you could say I have an athletic build. I’m Italian with dark hair and hazel eyes just like my mother. Personality wise, I’m pretty intense when it comes to my job, but I also like to have fun. I’m a goofball at heart.
4. What is your most prized possession and why do you value it so much? My family’s restaurant. My grandparents started Vincenzo’s in the heart of the Pike’s Street Market after WWII, and our family has owned it ever since. My parents and grandparents are retired now. The restaurant belongs to me and my little brother. He lives on the east coast, and doesn’t have much interest in the business, but I couldn’t imagine any other life. My earliest memories are of being in the kitchen and watching my family laugh, love, and cook.
5. What one word best describes your personality? Earnest.
6. How did you become a chef? Cooking is in my blood. Most of what I learned was from years of observing my grandfather make his mouthwatering creations. My parents insisted I attend college, so the obvious choice was culinary art school.
7. What is your favorite meal to prepare? Puttenesca. When I was a little girl my grandpa translated the word for me, which in Italian roughly means whore. I would ask my mom to make it, just to say the word, and not get into trouble for my naughty mouth. Stupid, I know, but I was only eight.
8. What is your food guilty pleasure? Cannoli
9. What would be your last meal be? Caesar salad with fresh anchovy paste, my grandmother’s baked Manicotti, and lots of Cannoli.
10. What traits do you look for in a significant other? Honesty, integrity, and a sense of humor.
11. What meal would you prepare to get someone to fall in love with you? I made salmon Puttenesca for Sam and it worked. He fell in love with me that first night.
12. Why do you think food brings people closer together? Everybody has to eat, and sitting around a table to partake in a hearty meal invites comments, and comments lead to conversations. My parents always insisted we sit down to dinner together. It was my favorite part of the day.
13. Would you give up your career for love? I would give up a lot of things for love, but cooking isn’t one of them. It would literally be like cutting off both my arms. If Sam was traded to another team, I would move with him. I think staring a second restaurant would be a great adventure. I want my children to have the same kind of experience growing up as I had a Vicenzo’s. It is much more than a career. It’s a way of life.
Well, thanks Ivy. I appreciate your time and I can’t wait to see what happens between you and Sam.

Title: Romance in the Rain (A Seattle Anthology)

Authors: Kristine Cayne, Dawn Kravagna, Charlotte Russell, Sherri Shaw, Clare Tisdale, Marianne Stillings

Publisher: Kristine Cayne

Release Date: October 15, 2012

Pages: 360

Buy Link: Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Smashwords

Blurb:From the pioneer days of Seattle through the smoke-filled clouds of WWII and into the present, Romance in The Rain takes readers on a journey with four generations of the strong-willed and passionate Caldwell family. The anthology of six novellas is a collaboration of the Seattle-based Rainy Day Writers group.
Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell—By the spring of 1853 Englishman James Caldwell has traveled thousands of miles in a quest to find a place to call home. Newly settled Seattle isn’t that place and he’s ready to move on again when widowed Mattie Jensen marches into his life as somber as a cloudy day. But James can see through the solemn haze to Mattie’s strength and passion. Now he has a reason to stay, if he can just convince Mattie to take a second chance on love—and him. (22,000 words)
Final Approachby Marianne Stillings—With the world at war, Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Service pilot Lt. Charlene (Charlie) Thompson faces personal battles as well. Pearl Harbor left her a widowed bride, certain love would never come again – but battle-scarred Capt. Joe Caldwell has other ideas for the beautiful lady flyer, if he can just keep her safe from the secret saboteur who’s already taken the life of Charlie’s best friend. (17,000 words)
Love Phantom by Dawn Kravagna—University of Washington, 1983: A great place to get an education and meet single men. Drama major Kara Caldwell prefers to hide behind the characters in her plays, yet feels pressure to live up to the example set by her brave and witty grandmother, a veteran of WWII. Can she learn to overcome her reticence and prejudices to discover which guy truly cares for her–and who is just putting on an act? (17,000 words)
What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw—No sooner did Chef Ivy Turin wish to meet the perfect man than Sam Rockney walked into her restaurant. But is the sexy Seattle quarterback for real or is there something wrong with Mr. Perfect? (17,000 words)
Shelter from the Stormby Clare Tisdale—Seven years and one broken heart later, JD Caldwell returns to Seattle to pick up the pieces of his old life, never imagining he will fall for Maya—the mysterious woman who lets him into her house and bed but keeps the door to her heart tightly closed. When their summer fling takes an unexpectedly serious turn and Maya gives him his walking papers, JD has to decide whether their love—and his legacy—is worth fighting for.(21,000 words)
Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne—When Seattle is struck by a devastating earthquake, technical rescue firefighter Jamie Caldwell must save his estranged wife and daughter from the wreckage of a collapsed building. He’s defied the odds hundreds of times, but will his luck finally run out for good? (24, 000 words)
RAINY DAY WRITERS
Writing fiction is difficult and lonely and more often than not, the “normal” people in your life don’t understand the writing process and can’t fathom why you are possessed and obsessed with finding the perfect word or phrase that says exactly what you want to say right where you want to say it. Only other writers comprehend and accept that kind of torment.
To fill this need to surround herself with like-minded obsessive-compulsive self-doubting lunatics, in 2005, Marianne Stillings, who writes Romantic Suspense, established what came to be known as The Rainy Day Writers.
There were only two requirements for joining the group: You must be serious about writing and getting published, and any criticisms of co-members’ work be honest, gentle, and kind.
Over the years, the membership has changed; some people moved on, others joined. The group we have now has been stable and constant since 2009. The Rainy Day Writers are a family.
Charlotte Russell joined the group in 2006 at the suggestion of a former member. Charlotte writes Historical Romance.
Dawn Kravagna became a member in the spring of 2007 because of a writers’ list where Marianne had posted looking for new members. Dawn writes Comedy and Mystery.
In the Autumn of 2007, Sherri Shaw found her way to the group because she and Marianne happened to sit at the same table at the Emerald City Writer’s Conference that year. Sherri writes Historical Romance and Paranormal Historical Romance.
Clare Tisdale joined in 2008 as the result of an email Marianne posted on the Greater Seattle Chapter Romance Writer’s list seeking new members. Clare writes Contemporary Romance.
Kristine Cayne found the group in 2009 because she won Marianne’s raffle basket at the Emerald City Writer’s Conference that year. The basket included an offer to critique the winner’s manuscript—an evaluation that resulted in an invitation to join. Kristine writes Romantic Suspense.
For more information on Romance in the Rain and the Rainy Day Writers, visit them at http://www.seattlerainydaywriters.com
Romance in the Rain Excerpts
Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell
After telling the dog to stay, he steered her away from the Jensens’ cabin, towards the woods to the south. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Giving me the time of day. You were gone for such a long while, I wasn’t certain you’d come back.”
“I had to fight my better judgment.”
James laughed. He couldn’t put on airs around Mattie if he tried.
Final Approach by Marianne Stillings
“You were there.” Caldwell’s voice was quiet as though he were speaking to a timid child. He took a step toward her. “You saw it, didn’t you. Didn’t you, Charlie?” Another step. And another. Suddenly, he was standing before her and she was standing, too, and his arms came around her as she pressed her head against his strong shoulder and for the first time in a year, she felt safe. Safe enough to relive the agony—and let it go. Safe enough to let someone be strong—so she could be weak. Safe enough—to cry.
And so she did.
What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw
“Somehow I can’t picture you as a nerd.” You’re too perfect, Ivy silently added, fingering the amulet at her throat.  It hummed under her fingertips as the vendor’s words skated across her mind: If you truly want to find the perfect man, and restore your faith in true love, then this necklace will be your good luck talisman.” She dropped her hand, shaking off the crazy notion. It was merely a coincidence that she wished to meet the man of her dreams and Sam showed up. The necklace had nothing to do with it. Right?”
Shelter from the Storm by Clare Tisdale
A shadow crossed the window, and JD looked up in time to see a seagull fly by. Beyond the downtown high rises,  the waters of the Puget Sound lay brooding, glazed by morning mist. Much as JD hated starting over again, he realized that if he had to, he’d rather do it here than anywhere else. Seattle was his home; he belonged here.  Maya and her beach house had helped confirm that for him.
Aftershocksby Kristine Cayne
Adrenaline surging through her system, Erica hung onto the doorjamb as the quake rocked the old courthouse. The building swayed and groaned, windows rattled and shattered as the earth continued to tremble. Cracks raced across the ceiling and plaster dust showered down, covering everything in a thin white film. She’d lived in Seattle all her life but had never experienced a quake as powerful as this one.
And her daughter was all alone.

AND NOW TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAYS:

All giveaway ends November 22, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway you are eligible for.
Giveaway for US residents only.
Grand Prize:
1 autographed copy of Deadly Obsession + SWAG
1 autographed copy of Deadly Addiction + SWAG 
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, by Julia Quinn (autographed copy)
Blood Trinity, by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
1 e-book copy of “Falling Angel” by Clare Tisdale
1 handmade shell necklace by Clare Tisdale
A handmade afghan crocheted by Marianne Stillings
1 autographed copy of AROUSING SUSPICIONS
1 autographed copy of SATISFACTION
1 autographed copy of KILLER CHARMS
1 bag of truffles from Seattle Chocolates
3 chocolate bars from Seattle Chocolates
$15 Starbucks giftcard
1 autographed copy of Cattle Capers: Search For The MooMoo Pearl by Dawn Kravagna

 Prize #5: 

1 ecopy Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne
1 print copy Accidental Cinderella, by Nancy Robards Thompson
1 print copy Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels, by Sarah Wendell
 
Prize #6: 
1 ecopy Deadly Addiction by Kristine Cayne
1 print copy The Angel in My Arms, by Stephanie Sloane
1 print copy The Naughty List, by Donna Kauffman, Cynthia Eden and Susan Fox (autographed by
Susan Fox)
 
Prize #7: 
1 ecopy Deadly Addiction by Kristine Cayne
1 print copy Tsunami Blue, by Gayle Ann Williams 
1 print copy A Tale of Two Demon Slayers, by Angie Fox (autographed copy)
 

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Giveaway for both US and International residents.
Prize #1:
1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
1 ecopy of A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare
1 ecopy of The Sergeant’s Lady by Susanna Fraser
 
Prize #2:
1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
1 ecopy of Unraveled by Courtney Milan
1 ecopy of Unlocked, a novella by Courtney Milan
 
Prize #3:
1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
1 ecopy of One Night in London by Caroline Linden
1 ecopy of Ruined by Rumor by Alyssa Everett
 
Prize #4:
1 ecopy Deadly Obsession
1 ecopy of Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
 
Prize #8-10:
1 ecopy DeadlyAddiction
$10 Amazon or B&N giftcard
 

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Prize #11 US and International Giveaway

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