alex cavanaugh – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Z – Zeros and New Release

Published on April 29, 2014April 30, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments

As in three, two, one, zero – The clock is at all zeros. A to Z Challenge is over! Congratulations to those who brave the ups and downs that is A to Z.

Thank so much for all those who stopped by to like, share, comment and even reference one of my posts. It was an amazing month and I am so happy I could share my debut novel with all of you. If you want to see what all the hype was all about, please feel free to pick up a copy of Another New Life on June 2nd. If you forget, no worries. I’ll remind you a couple more times between now and then.

Other Acknowledgements

Consistant Commentor: Alex Cavanaugh & Tom Benson

Favorite Comment: “WOW!! I want to read your book now. 🙂 I want to see why Troy has to apologize for what happen to Miranda.” – Thanks Stephanie Smith

Most popular post: S – Seven, Seventeen & Seventy

My favorite theme: Rachna’s Scriptorium – Emotions and Feelings writers experience

My favorite post: M is for Madness – Rachna’s Scriptorium

Thanks again to Arlee Bird, Nicole Ayers and my fellow minions.

What where some of your favorite moments of the 2014 A to Z Challenge?

Quick shot and congratulations to Faith Sullivan on her new release, Hold Me Tight (Take Me Now #3). Check it out below!

Title: Hold Me Tight
Author: Faith Sullivan
Release date: April 30, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords

HOLD ME TIGHT Synopsis:

He loves me. He loves me not.

Ivy’s heart shatters upon hearing Eric’s crushing ultimatum. Despite how much she cares for him, she won’t give in to his demands. She has no choice but to leave, even if it’s the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

She loves me. She loves me not.

When Ivy walks out, Eric can’t help feeling betrayed. Unwilling to put her at risk, he values her safety above all else. By refusing to compromise, he’s blindsided when she moves in with a man who’s already stolen so much from him.

I love you. You love me not.

Lauren sees Eric and Ivy’s split as an opportunity to end their relationship once and for all. When Ivy places herself at the mercy of Eric’s rival, Lauren plots to destroy the fragile tie binding them together, even if she endangers Ivy’s life in the process.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – Ups and Downs

Published on October 2, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle24 Comments

I can’t believe it’s already October. Where has this year gone? Before I get into my insecurities for this month, I wanted to give a shout out and congrats to our fearless IWSG leader, Alex Cavanaugh. If you haven’t read his Cassa series cumulating with CassaStorm, which was released last month, you are missing out.

Thanks to the #IWSG co-hosts this months, Julie Luek, Rachna Chabria, Beverly Fox, and Ilima Todd! Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

#IWSG – The ups and downs are inevitable in this journey. It is like life I guess, some days the words are flowing, the goals are being met, your on top of things. Other times, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

September was a particularly unstable month for me. Here are some of the highlights:

I started the month on a four day solo writing retreat to The Hill Country near Lake Travis (North of Austin, Tx). – UP

The hotel I stayed at was a hole. – DOWN

I found an amazing spot to gets some work done and finished edits on my WIP. – UP

I sent my WIP out to some amazing people who agreed to beta read it for me. – UP

I started my own read through and found so many grammar issues, I recalled it from all the beta’s. – DOWN

I thought I had found a new critique group with two ladies who write in my genre. – UP and super excited to have some feedback from fans and writers of NA.

After emailing them my WIP, they decided I wasn’t right for their group after all. – WAY DOWN and a little defeated.

I submitted my query letter to Unicorn Bell Query Workshop and received the most amazing feedback and suggestions and from that I created a query letter that I am so proud of. – WAY UP and renewed my faith in this amazing writing community.

I pitched my story during #PitMad and got two partials and a full request, one from my dream agent. – UP

I sent a query letter to another dream agent and got a partial request based on just the query letter. – WAY UP

I am still editing my WIP because every time I read through it I find something that needs to be improved. – UP & DOWN

How do you deal with the ups and downs of being a writer?

Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest!

Published on August 12, 2013August 11, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle24 Comments

When you think there couldn’t possibly be another original blogfest idea out there, here comes the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest! A blog hop in honor of Mr. anti-blog hop himself, Gary at Klahanie.

Hosted by Mark “Madman” Koopmans, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, “Life is Good” Tina, Rockin’ Robyn Engel and Morgan “The Morg” Shamy.

Without further ado, here are the three blogfest I hope never grace the blogesphere.

How I’d Murder You Blogfest – no need to put the confession out into the universe, just in case.

The Best & Worst Handbag Blogfest – there is a best and worst handbag list, I’m not making this up. Google it!

I Drink to Much Coffee Blogfest – This blogfest would have way to many participants and it would be the same story over and over and over, again.

Check out the other participants by clicking on the host’s names and enjoy.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – No More Disclaimers

Published on June 5, 2013June 4, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle31 Comments

Before I get on my soap box for this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, I must thank the Ninja Captain himself, along with his co-host for the month: Sheena-kay Graham, Suzanne Furness, and Laura Eno!

If you have time, please visit and help some of the other IWSG participants. You never know how your wisdom and experience can help another writer.

Ok, soap box time: I’ve noticed recently a disturbing trend and I need your help to put an end to it. Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of it as well, but no more.

What is this trend among us writerly types were we add disclaimers before we share our work with others.

Raise your hand if you have said, written or even felt some version of the following?

I am so bad at pitching my project, but . . .

I am terrible at writing synopsis, but . . .

I am new to writing, so . . .

I didn’t have time to polish this, but . . .

I’ve never shown this to anyone, so . . .

Come on, raise your hand, don’t be shy. We are all friends here.

Why are we apologizing to each other for something we created. If any group of people in the world understands how hard this writing process is, it’s fellow writers.

When you preface something you share with an apology, you already put a preconceived impression of your own writing in the reader’s mind. That preconceived impression is based entirely on your own insecurities and has nothing to do with the work itself.

Believe me, it is never as bad as you think it is and even it if is, well that’s what rewrites are for.

So, I am proclaiming this ‘stop apologizing for your work’ day. Let your work speak for itself.

Do you see this among fellow writers? Do you do this?

Get Healthy Bloghop – How do you stay fit?

Published on May 29, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle42 Comments

Stephen 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:

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