Writing – Page 33 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

My Weekly Update – Interview, Interesting and I’m Going to Camp

Published on July 29, 2012July 29, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

Interview

Last week, an interview that I conducted a couple of months ago was posted on My First Book. It was a really great interview and I am happy it is out there because the interview is so me. If that makes sense. And, it surprised me just how different things where just 2 month ago. Two months ago I had not finished my first draft of ‘I’m Coming Home’. Two months ago, I didn’t have an outline for another story and ready to tackle another challenge (Campnano starts in 3 days). And, 2 months ago, I didn’t really have a clue how writing would become so much a part of my life the way it has. I enjoy conducting interviews because I can learn so much from other, but I had no idea in doing an interview, I would learn so much about myself.

Thanks so much Misha.

Interesting

A couple of items I found interesting this week:

In the last two week, I had two days with huge numbers on my site. I like to think it was because of my brilliant content, but part of it is what I am calling the ‘Stumble Upon Effect’. I have a Stumble Upon tribe in Triberr and all we are required to do is Stumble each others post and I am happy to see that it has increased my site hits. And, the most popular page viewed on those two days – Tattoo Tuesday. If you want to gain some exposure, submit your tattoo stories. I would love to feature you on Tattoo Tuesday.

Another Triberr related item of interest, my blog friend Fel at The Peasant Revolt shared her thoughts on SEO. I admit I am clueless about why this is so important to grow your blog traffic and she clears it up a bit. She also shares a fun webinar by one of the Triberr creators Dino Dogan on the this topic. Great stuff.

Another great post I came across was over at Pensuasion called A Modern Make-Over: The Classics Retold. As someone who loves movies, old and new, I found it interesting her take on how well these modern make overs retold the classics we know and love.

I’m Going to Camp

That’s right people. I am going to camp. I have once again signed up for a 50,000 words in 31 days challenge and this time it is called CampNaNo. I am basically testing out my theory that I brought up last month about whether my first writing experience in JuNoWriMo ruined me. All things came together in June, which allowed me to write a good and complete first draft. So, the real test is, can I do it again.

I am on track with finishing my outline, character and scene sketches. The more I get into this story the excited I am to tell it. You can follow my progress with daily update under the Sydney Aaliyah Writes tab at the top. Wish me luck!

New Followers – thanks so much to my new followers, you guys and gals are awesome.

Karen from Charron’s Chatter

Julie from Word Flows

The Star Chasers

Susan Moffat from Writing Glimmers

Turkischland

Chris Stocking from Write to Perfect

Kelly from This is Helenora

Poetic Parfait

Carrie at dare I eat a peach?

Deena the Digital Diva from Digital eBook Building and Formatting

Next Weeks Schedule

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Wednesday – Insecure Writer’s Support Group & First day of Campnano

Friday – Blog Post – I am prepared this week

Sunday – My Weekly Update

My Weekly Update – Write Club, Workers, Watch Out

Published on July 22, 2012July 21, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

WRiTE CLUB

1^st rule of WRiTE CLUB, you can talk about WRiTE CLUB, but just this once. I have been in search of motivation to start writing some short stories and I came across this contest and had to participate. Plus, Fight Club is one of my favorite movies and Tyler Durden is one of my all time favorite movie characters. If you want to learn more about WRiTE CLUB and join the competition, click on the badge to the right. Thanks to our WRiTE Master DL Hammons for creating the opportunity for the WRiTE of the Century. First WRiTE is held on July 30^th. Bring it on.*

*Get it? I am replacing the word Fight with the word WRiTE. Pretty clever, huh?

“F–k off with your sofa units and strine green stripe patterns, I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let… lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.” Tyler Durden

Workers

I wanted to give a special shout out this week to some of the people who are putting in work for me. Your simple click of a button has been so valuable to me and I want to say thank you.

First, a few of my diligent Tribemates – If you aren’t on Triberr, what are you waiting for?

My Most Reliable RT’ers

If you aren’t following these people, you are missing out. I know there are many more and if I missed you, so sorry and thank you, too.

Watch Out

There are two book that you need to watch out for and pick up this week.

Flight of the Blue by A.E. Howard comes out on July 24th. I had the honor of interviewing A.E. during JuNoWriMo and I am really looking forward to reading her new book.

How I Make A Living In Writing by Scott Morgan. I really enjoy Scott’s blog Write-Hook.com and have read an excerpt from his new book and it is good.

New Followers

Jase at Resurrected Writer

CurnBlog – Movie site

Chris at Good News Teachings

Victoria at Made for Victory

Rachel at Rachel’s Ink

Angie Richmond

Live 4 Life 201

Jeannette SMejkal

Next Week’s Schedule

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Wednesday – Sydney Quotes the Movies

Friday – Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update

Hanger and Hangers Blogfest – The Hanger Section

Published on July 18, 2012July 18, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle34 Comments

We are back with the second half of this blast of a Blogfest with our Hangers this time. The last sentence of each chapter is just as important as the first. Check out my Hangers; the last lines of each chapter of my WIP – I’m Coming Home.

So much for 36 hours to herself.
And, she was pretty proud of herself, too.
She didn’t remember reading it before falling asleep, but she must have because she dreamed about him all night.
That was Sydney’s heart talking, her head was singing an entirely different tune.
She decided that it was probably just the alcohol; liquid courage.
From the way he kissed her good night, she had no doubt that he felt the same.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.
After the first song, Sydney was having such a great time all the negative, bad, anxiety fueled stuff in her head pretty much disappeared.
“By the way, my nature is not all that delicate.”

I like my hangers. They convey the series of emotions that my MC pretty well. Let me know what you think.

You can find the other blogfest participants by clicking on the Hookers & Hangers badge at the top and join me in thanking Cassie, Hope, Jade, Jenny & Kelley for hosting the Hookers & Hangers Blogfest.

Hookers and Hangers Blogfest – The Hooker Section

Published on July 16, 2012July 18, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle45 Comments

The ladies over at Falling for Fiction have created the Hookers & Hangers Blogfest. What a great idea? I know I said I wasn’t going to look at my WIP until September, but I thought this would be a fun exercise and a great learning experience.

So, here it goes. Some choice 1st lines from chapters of my novel – I’m Coming Home.

Even after making this trip about 2 times a year for the last three years, Sydney still has it in her mind that a 16 hour plane ride is something to avoid at all cost.
Again, Sydney was surprised at how flirty she was being, but it felt so natural, talking to him like this; well, more like texting him like this.
Sydney woke up at 6:00 am the next morning, surprisingly not tired and, with a smile on her face.
Sydney came down in the elevator looking cute on the outside and feeling like she was going to throw up on the inside.
Stepping out of the club onto Bourbon Street among all the lights and sounds and people, Sydney realized she was more drunk then she thought.
Even though they had made up, Sydney was shaken by the little argument when she woke up the next day.
At the end of the day, the crew went to watch the leaders finish on 18 while Sydney stayed behind to clean up.
A little embarrassed by the scene they were making, Sydney wiped the tears from her eyes, “You almost missed me.”
June went by fast at the Academy and in a few weeks, John would be coming to visit.
John woke up around 4:00 am, still getting used to the time difference, he rolled over and put his arms around Sydney and kissed her neck to wake her up.
Sydney spent the next couple of months home doing exactly what she wanted to do; slept, reconnected with family and it gave John the opportunity to get to know her family.

What an eye opener. These need a lot of work. I would appreciate any suggestions. Click on the badge to read other writer’s Hookers. And, come back on Wednesday to see my Hangers.

My Weekly Update – Tagged Twice, Tattoos and Tell Somebody

Published on July 8, 2012July 9, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle17 Comments

Tagged #1

Ug! I have been tagged. And, not a normal tag where I tell the world about me. I can handle that. But, I have been tagged by Karen Einsel in the Next Best Thing Challenge, which means I have to bear my soul and reveal details of my novel. Oh, the horror. It might be before I am ready, but perhaps Karen is telling me it is time. So, here it goes.

What is the title of your book/WIP?  I’m Coming Home

Where did the idea of the book come from?  I am an American who lives in China and every year when I come back home it never fails, I meet a guy and as soon as I tell him I live in China, he is like, that’s cool and then moves on. I can’t blame them, really. China is far away. So, I was fascinated about this idea if just one time a guy thought of it as an interesting challenge. How is it possible to develop a relationship with someone who lives so far away? Also, I love New Orleans and it is great place to start a romance.

What genre would your book fall under?  I have gone back and forth about this for months. I think I have narrowed it down to International Rom/Com Chick Lit.

What characters would you choose to play the characters in the movie adaptation of your book?  The inspiration for my male character is Bryan Greenberg, so he could play him in the movie. As far as my main character, maybe Thandie Newton or Zooey Deschanel. A mix of beauty and quirky funny.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?  First of all, I hate this question. But, here goes:  An expat living in China meets a guy on a business trip to America and falls in love over Mexican Food in the French Quarter, but will her demanding boss and her own sense of independence threatens what could potentially be her ticket out of her mundane boring life catering to the demands of others and ignoring her own happiness.  I still hate this questions.

Is your book published or represented?   Not, yet and no.

How long did it take you to write your book? 30 days – I wrote it during JuNoWriMo

What other books in your genre would you compare you book to? I love the quirkiness of the MC in Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic Books. My MC has some issues with self esteem and sticking up for herself and you want to tell her to get a freakin back bone already, but you like her, too.

Which author’s inspired you to write this book? Everything I read inspires me. Plus, places I have lived and visited, people I have met, music I listen to and tattoos (my characters alway have tattoos). I find inspiration everywhere. Like Karen, Stephen King is my favorite writer who makes it impossible for you not to get sucked into the world he creates and that is what I want my writing to do.

Tell us anything else that might pique our interest in your book. Part of the book takes place in Hong Kong and China where I get to pull in a few antidotes about life in China that you could never understand unless you have actually been there. I try my best to take you there.

Tagged #2

I was also tagged by EM Castellan in the Lucky 7 Meme. You ladies are really wanting me to put it all out there. Ok. Page 77, line 7, 7 lines from I’m Coming Home (You should be hearing the P. Diddy song playing softly in the background).

“Well, in the last hour that I have know him. He seems ok.”

“Is that it?” Sydney asked. “Ok. The two of you talked about computers for an hour and all you can say is ok.”

“What do you want me to say?” Kevin said. “He is handsome and has good teeth and he smells good, too. What?”

” I am just . . . I don’t know.” Sydney said.

“Listen, Sydney.” Kevin said. “You have a problem.”

Ok people, that is it. No more. I am done. The book is going in the filing cabinet until September.

**The tag rules also include tagging other authors, so my new followers below, consider yourself tagged.

Tattoos

Starting on Tuesday, I am going to bring to you a new feature; Tattoo Tuesday. It is my goal to bring this beautiful and often misunderstood art form to my readers. I will share information on artist, the art, the process, tattoos in pop culture and my own tattoo stories. I would love to share some of my readers tattoo photos and stories, as well. If you want to reveal your body art to the world, sent me an email with the artwork and the story. If you have an image that inspired the artwork as well, sent that, too. You can reach me at sydliyah at hotmail dot com.

I am am not an expert. I am just a tattoo’ed girl. So, if you have any questions that I know I am not qualified to answer, I won’t, but I will find someone who is and will.

Tell Somebody

When I discover great advice on writing, I have to tell somebody. I have two that I want to share this week:

Nightmares and Realities: Showing vs. Telling by Sevastian Winters – I finally understand the show vs. tell concept.

Dialogic – Part 1: He said, She said by A.M. Schultz – Great information on writing dialogue. And, he assured me there will be a part 2. Right, AM?

New Followers

Brumshire Tales
Vikki from The View Outside
Jurist in Progress
J.J. Anderson
A.M. Schultz from Headspit – best name for a blog ever.
Whitney Rains from A Serendipitous Happenstance – that’s pretty cool, too.
The Incredible B*tch
Clayton Diggs
Sleepless in New Castle
Craig Douglas from Grit Fiction

Weekly Schedule

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Wednesday – Movie Quotes – full blog post version

Friday – Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update