Tag: blogging

I am in a Quandary

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I just love that word, but I don’t love this situation.  Let me tell you about my quandary.

You see, in My Weekly Update, I promised you a blog post today.  The issue is that I don’t have a post ready.

Now, this isn’t the usual, ‘I don’t have anything to say’ post.  I have a lot to say. In fact, I have 6 pre-written post for exactly these type of situations.  But, unfortunately, I don’t have access to them at all day.  They are on another computer in another city.

I could probably remember a few words of some, but they are already perfect and I would hate to waste a post by giving it to you half assed.

I could talk about what is coming up next week, but then that would spoil My Weekly Update for this Sunday.

I could go into a dissertation about something in my writing that I need help with, but that is what Insecure Writer’s Support Group is for, which is coming up next Wednesday.

I could create a list or pose a question for all of us to debate, but I am not in the mood.

I could post some random photos from my trip to Tokyo two years ago, but that is actually a great idea for another post for another day.  How cute is this lady on her wedding day?

 

I could not post anything and then apologize for it later, but that would bother me for years to come.  Plus, I really don’t like those post that apologize for not posting.  Truth is, I would rather you come back with a great post about something I can get behind instead of the ‘sorry, I haven’t posted in a while’ post.

I knew this was going to happen some time in my blogging career.  I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.  Neither did you, I bet.  Your probably saying to yourself right now, “She was so young,” while shaking your head with bemused pity.

But, no worries.  It did it once.  But, I will never do it again.  This month anyway.

Ok, talk amongst yourself.  

 

My Weekly Update – Write Club, Workers, Watch Out

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

WRiTE CLUB

1st 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 30th.  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?

@amitV_Tweets
@rudybarichello
@Danita_Minnis
@jordannaeast
@eteligence
@dbmcNicol
@shahw1
@blackcaesarX
@CiaraBallintyne
@SweetBananaInk
@ErikEmanuelli
@amberrisme
@nosleepintoon
@LynneinPborough
@laurazera
@jvonbargen
@jaustenwannabe
@write_me_happy
@mcmillendc
@sitebymack
@paulinebjones
@lilliemcferrin
@messagebubble
@mrsnazilli
@Raine_Thomas
@GaModernMom
@jdobypr
@sevwinters
@RuthFjacobs
@LVeraWrites
@tfpHumorBlog
 

 My Most Reliable RT’ers

@scotzig
@k_Einsel
@Twitpatedme
@amanda_fanger
@am_sch

 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

My Weekly Update – Awards Round Up

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle9 Comments


I have been tagged by my blog buddy A.M. Schultz.  I am stealing his little skull star guy in order for you to remember the man and the myth.  Besides, I think it is too cool. Click on the skull to visit his new site Head Spit.  The guys got talent.

 Eleven Things about Me:
1. I am moving to Shanghai next month.
2. I broke my iPhone yesterday by dropping it on a concrete floor.
3. I play golf.
4. I am unusually loyal to TaylorMade Adidas products.
5. I am obsessed with reality cooking show competitions; Top Chef, Master Chef, Chopped.
6. I can’t cook.
7. I am currently reading Foreign Identity by my new blog friend Becca J. Campbell. Just a few pages in, but Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory meets the movie Saw keeps popping into my head. It is really good.
8. I wonder why Apple doesn’t make printers. It is preventing me from having an all Apple workstation.
9. I currently have three types of currency in my wallet. Can you guess which ones? Hint: I don’t have any American dollars.
10. The title of my next novel is tentatively Ink: A Permanent Love Story. Corny?

Now on to 11 questions by  AM Schultz.  I have to admit, I am a little scared.  Here we go:

#1: Better Song: Happy Happy, Joy Joy or Peanut Butter Jelly Time?
Happy Happy, Joy Joy.  I have no clue what Peanut Butter Jelly Time is, but I will look it up.
#2: What song must you dance/sing to, even at the risk of looking like a ginormous dorkface?
In the fantasy version of myself, I sing and dance like Beyonce. Dance for You is my favorite song from her last album and whenever I hear it, I have to sign and dance.  It’s pretty hot. Let me know what you think.
#3: If you could take any historical figure to lunch, who would it be?
I have a fascination with female leaders, so I would probably pick Cleopatra. The historical accounts of her versus how she is portrayed in movies and T.V. shows is so different.  I would love to ask what what’s the real deal.
4: Where would you go?
 I would take her to Craft in New York. Tom Colicchio’s food is fit for a queen.
#5: What do you think they would order?
She would probably order the entire menu and take a small bite of each thing. She is a queen after all, she is allowed.
#6: What book do you wish you had written?
There aren’t any books I wish I could have written. I think that would be pretty arrogant of me to think I could write a book I love better than the writer.
#7: If you could be one character from literature, who would you be?
I took this quiz What Character from literature are you and it said I was Atticus Finch, which is just awesome. I love To Kill a Mockingbird
#8: Paper or plastic?
Paper
#9: Does the end justify the means?
It does, until it doesn’t.
#10: Least favorite celebrity?
Kim Kardasian – I just don’t get it.
#11: What is the maximum number of times someone should take a bath/shower per day (excluding those with medical conditions, etc)
At least once a day, unless you are really busy and don’t subject other to your funk, then you can get a way with once every two days.

Also, a shout out and thank you to Ella Medler for the One Lovely Blog Award she bestowed upon me last week and Megan Paasch; Rhymes with Smash! for the Inspiring Blog Award.  Last but not least, big thanks to Emma MC at Write Away for the Sunshine Award.  Please check out their blogs.

Badges are on my Blog Work Tab.  As far as the responsibilities, please forgive me, but I don’t think there is anything that you don’t know about me.  I need to go do more stuff so I have more to talk about.  But, I am very grateful for the love nonetheless.

New Followers – I am honored and blessed.

Tyler Wiechman – Fun blog and Marvel Comic tattoos
Year of Austere 
Khamnei Thang
Economiced by Dan Pedersen
Beauty, I Say!
Journey of Jordanna East
Poemage by Justin & Jin
Nevena Read
Jennifer James
 
Next Weeks Schedule
Monday – Hookers Blogfest
Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday
Wednesday – Hangers Blogfest
Friday – Blog Post
Sunday – My Weekly Update

JuNoWriMo Particpant Interview Felicia Wetzig

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

I am so excited to feature one of my favorite bloggers on the net and JuNoWriMo Winner, Felicia Wetzig. 

Tell me a little about what you are writing for Junowrimo. 

It’s a paranormal story, loosely based on a dream I had about a tiger with green eyes. A few weeks after the dream, the image was still vivid in my mind and I began to think about a person whose spirit could leave his/her body and become an animal. There are a lot of spirit based entities in my story (not in a religious sense), I’m using various shape-shifter legends and some Faerie legends.

Chloe’s a normal country girl who’s spent most of her life in the forest, but when a strange energy in the forest draws dangerous creatures to the area, her safe haven begins to fall apart. The only person who seems to be able to help her, a new student at her college named Keegan, shares the exact appearance of the ‘man’ who brutally attacked her. 

Is this your first time doing this type of challenge? 

Yep. 

How has it meet your expectations so far? 

It has been quite a ride. I was hesitant about getting involved. I wasn’t sure how it would really help or hinder the writing process, but in the end I’m glad I did. I would have never written 50,000 words in one month. My first project ended at about 100,000 and that took me more than 6 months. It’s been great having other people to push me along; the camaraderie was the best part.  It has also been a lesson in not thinking so much about every little thing and, instead, letting the words flow unedited. 

What was your writing schedule like this past week; time of day, # of words per day.

Oh boy…  I had a lot of catching up to do this week. The first week of the challenge I was ahead, but things (work mostly) got in the way. As of last Sunday, I was 16549 away from the finish line.  I wish I could say I have a consistent writing schedule but…

Sunday 4013

Monday 1600

Tuesday 854

Wednesday 715

Thursday 0

Friday 3190

Saturday 6349 (my biggest day for the month)

I crossed the finish line about 15 minutes before midnight. 

Did you do any planning for Junowrimo?  If so what type of planning and how are your plans working out so far? 

Not really. I’m not a big planner. I knew my two main characters, and I had a basic understanding of the paranormal rules I’d be following. Beyond that I don’t plot or create formal outlines. I just let the scenes happen and then I fill in missing points later. 

What is your word count as of June 30th?

At midnight I had 50,172 words, and still more work to do before it’s finished. 

For more information and to connect with Felicia visit her on her website,The Peasants Revolt, Twitter and Facebook.
Website: The Peasant Revolt – http://scotzig.com   Twitter: @Scotzig      Facebook:  Felicia Wetzig

New Award, New to Facebook, Again & New Followers

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle17 Comments

New Blog Award

I am once again honored and humbled by the generosity and support from the blogging community.  I have been award the Beautiful Blogger award by the very interesting Lightningpen’s Blog. His witty blog posts intermittent with random rants make for a fun read, so please check him out.

In regards to this blog award responsiblities, I will now fulfill them to the best of my ability.

7 Deserving  Blogs:

  1. Jeremy Powell – The Hopeful Author – He is a writer on a journey and has a great attitude about the process.  Plus he has his priorities in order; family first.
  2. Falls Into Writing – Jenn is a Southern girl from North Carolina and has been thinking about writing a novel for years and now she is doing it.  I can relate.
  3. Confessions of a Popcorn Addict – JuNoWriMo peep and a true believer in prewriting, as I am.
  4. The Phantom M-pire – Mark has great movie reviews and I love movies.  But, he also has a few random post, that make you think. His latest; If I were in Charge
  5. Wendy Lu – The Red Angel – She is a Chinese American who seems to have fifty different jobs (2 blogs, journalist, magazine editor, traveler and novelist) and I picture her doing all of them with the same smile on her face that she has on her profile photo.
  6. EM Castellan – I meet during JuNoWriMo and had the privilege of interviewing her for my site.  Her blog is full of fascinating post and she lives in an English castle, which is just cool.
  7.  Amanda Fanger – Another new discovery from JuNoWriMo, she has a smart and fun point of view on her writing process.

New to Facebook, Again 

Well I did it.  I set myself up on Facebook . . . again.  I like Facebook.  I really do. And with the sharing capabilities connected to everything  you read online it makes it easy for others to see what you find interesting.

The reason I took a long break from Facebook in the past is because it got to consuming and to  overwhelming.  It is hard to keep up.  I mean, one of my friend went on a trip to the Grand Canyon and posted a gazillion photos, I went to the Great Wall and felt obligated to share a gazillion and 1 photos.  It took the fun out of the real life activities I was participating in because I had to make sure I had the best pics, stories and antidotes for my Facebook friends.  It was exhausting.

But, I am back and will be smarter about it.  If you would like to be my friend, go check me out.  I am the Sydney Aaliyah in China.  Head on over, but just don’t make me feel guilty for not posting 400 photos of my visit with my nephews.

Besides, I only took 350.

New Followers

Before I get to my new followers I would like to pose a questions to everyone: What would you rather have new followers or comments on blog post? Let’s discuss.

New followers, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Next Weeks Schedule

Monday – Junowrimo Participant Interview – A.M. Schultz

Tuesday – Movie Quotes

Wednesday – What Would You Do that if it Could Get you This – Cosmo Article Inspired Blog Post – can’t wait to share.

Friday – Junowrimo Participant Interview – Morgan Hyde

Sunday – My Weekly Update

*Continue to check out Sydney Aaliyah Writes for my daily JuNoWriMo updates.  I hit 50,000 words last week and then some.  I hope to have over 70,000 words by the end of June.