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

Are you Ready to Exhale? Blog Tour

Published on March 8, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

Congratulations to Jennifer Snyder on the release of her YA Contemporary Romance Exhale.

BLURB:

Inhaling in life is easy. It’s the exhaling—the letting go— that’s the hard part.

Katie Elliot has always known the Conner twins. For years she secretly pined after one, while playfully averting the advances of the other. Once upon a time, she was fine with that. Then came the moment when her twin of preference kissed her and changed everything.

As if realizing love can be complex—even when it’s reciprocated—isn’t hard enough, tragedy strikes, tearing Katie and the boy she’s always desired apart. Finding herself torn between love and guilt, Katie must learn when it’s acceptable to let go—when it’s finally okay to exhale.

GENRE: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

GIVEAWAY:

One (1) print copy of Exhale. US ONLY.

One (1) Ebook copy of Exhale.

Amazon B&N Smashwords

Connect with Jennifer Snyder

Blog Twitter Goodreads Facebook

SQM – Silver Linings Playbook

Published on March 6, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle9 Comments

It appears this movie is either loved or hated. And, those who hate it do so because it hits so close to home.

I though it was great. Honest and messy and raw and unexpected, with great dialogue. Bradley Cooper is greatness. DeNiro as always is greatness. Jennifer Lawrence on the cusp of greatness.

Yeah, I liked the movie.

Quotes of Note

Tiffany (Oscar Winner Jennifer Lawrence):

“Can we get through one fucking conversation without you reminding me that my goddamn husband’s dead?”

“You’re not a standup guy today, Pat!”

“I opened up to you, and you judged me.”

“I was a slut. There will always be a part of me that is dirty and sloppy, but I like that just like all the other parts of myself. I can forgive. Can you say the same for yourself, fucker? Can you forgive? Are you capable of that?”

“Yes, I’m Tommy’s crazy whore widow. Minus the whore think, for the most part.”

“I have a problem?” You say more inappropriate things than appropriate things.”

“I do this! Time after time after time. I do all this shit for other people and then I wake up and I’m empty. I have nothing.”

“You’re killing me!”

Pat (The Adorable Bradley Cooper):

“You have poor social skills. You have a problem.”

“The only way to beat me crazy was by doing something even crazier. Thank you. I love you. I knew it from the moment I saw you. I’m sorry it took me so long to catch up.”

“I’m not flirting with you.”

“I just see that you made an effort, and I’m gonna be better with my wife. I’m working on that. I wanna acknowledge her beauty. I never used to do that. I do now. Just practicing. How’d Tommy die?”

“I was trying to be romantic.”

“The world will break your heart ten ways to Sunday. That’s guaranteed. I can’t begin to explain that. Or the craziness inside myself and everyone else. But guess what? Sunday’s my favorite day again. I think of what everyone did for me, and I feel like a very lucky guy.”

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Related Post

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Review – Tim’s Film Review

Movie Review: “Silver Linings Playbook” – SparklyPrettyBriiiight

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Published on March 5, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle16 Comments

My blog schedule this week has been turned upside down. I can’t believe I almost forgot about IWSG.

As always, we have Alex J. Cavanaugh to thank for gathering like minded writers together to vent and support. This month, we also need to thank Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler. Even a Ninja Captain needs some help every once in awhile.

My goal this month with IWSG is to stave off some future insecurities. As I mentioned before, I’m attending a few writer’s conferences this year. The first one is March 22-25, the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival. There is this great session about using the city of New Orleans as the setting in your novel. Since, my first novel is set in New Orleans, I can’t wait.

Here’s were I need help. I’ve been thinking about how to introduce myself. I was thinking something like, “Hi, my name is Sydney, I write romantic comedies are you a writer/agent/publisher/editor/reader/blogger?” Then depending on their answer, the conversation will continue accordingly?

I am joking. I want to leave an impression somewhere between “let’s give her a 100,000.00 advance today” and “Did you hear about that girl Sydney? Stay away from her.”

What is the best way to introduce yourself at these event?

Btw, check out my new business cards. Suggestions welcomed. I haven’t gone to print, yet.

Untitled

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