bloghops – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

My Weekly Update – NaNoWriMo +One Day

Published on December 1, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments

NaNoWriMo

I won with 50,000 words on November 24th, 2013, but what I am most proud of, I finish the first draft of my novel in 30 days +1. 70,140 words in 31 days and the story shifted a bit from my outline, but it’s pretty cool and I am looking forward to letting it rest for a few months and getting back to it sometime next year.

If you want to read about my NaNo writing journey, check out my journal under the Sydney Writes tab or by clicking the winner badge to the left.

A special thank you to the Texas Rough Writers for their support and encouragement. This was the first WriMo where I was able to meet other writers face to face.

Another special shout out to the 2013 NaNoWriMo Support Group on Facebook. Great group of writers and there was always someone around to sprint with.

Now it’s time to get back to an old project.

Goals for December

Implement beta readers suggestions into Another New Life.
Decide what project to work on during Editpalooza. I am leaning towards Inked (Camp Nano 2012) or I’m Coming Home (JuNoWriMo 2012).
Create an outline for second book to my NaNoWriMo 2013 novel while the characters are still fresh in my mind.

December 2013 Blog Schedule – Sydney Aaliyah.com

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 – Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Thursday to Sunday, December 5-8, 2013 – Dream Destination Bloghop

Friday, December 6, 2013 – Guest Post from Tara Tyler

Monday, December 9, 2013 – CheerFest 2.0 – Our Honree – Mr. Arlee Bird

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 – Beautiful Rose Guest Post

Monday, December 23, 2013 – 50 States of Prayer

Tuesday, December 31, 2013 – Goals (Review 2013’s and Set for 2014)

December 2013 Blog Schedule – The Peasant Revolt

Wednesday, December 11, 2013 – What is New Adult Post

Monday, December 16, 2013 – On Solid Ground Review

Important Note

Pitch Wars hosted by Brenda Drake – submissions are due on Monday, December 2, 2013. I won’t be participating, but it’s a great opportunity to get your pitch read by some great agents and editors. Good luck!

Anyone every participated in Editpalooza? What bloghops are you participating in this month? Are you submitting for Pitch Wars?

My Weekly Update – Happy Memorial Day

Published on May 26, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I saw this on Google’s banner and loved it. I have seen this scene played out at airports a few times and I cry like a baby every time. My prayers go out to those families who didn’t get to experience this happy ending.

3Ups Blog Hop

Created by Randi Lee, this is a pay it forward blog hop. I had the pleasure of sharing three items about Michelle from Writer-In-Transit.co.za. We appear to have a lot in common. I did my research and seems like we have attended several of the same virtual parties, but haven’t officially meet.

She loves the Bloghop/Blogfest – In the last three months she has participated in Overcome Adversity Blogfest, Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Celebrate the Small Things, Top Ten Movie Blogfest, The Big Reveal and A to Z Blog Challenge.
She loves Flash Fiction – A true creative can compose a story out of five sentences and she hits on several different genres, which is cool.
She loves the blog community – She is a blogger, a writer, a contributor, a cheerleader to other bloggers and that makes her super cool in my book.

Thanks so much to Tyrean for the kinds words she said about me in the 3Up! Blog Hop

Post to Ponder

How to Write a Great Twitter Pitch by Ava at Writability – There is a Twitter Pitch party coming up on May 28th. Details available here.

Happy Memorial Day! My Depressing Yet Hysterical Military Career by Kristian Lamb – This story is hilarious and so unbelievable it has to be true.

What to do When You’ve Written the Worst Book Every by Amanda Fanger – It happens to all of us. So, read on for tips to handle it.

Stress and the Creative Process by Ali Cross – How do your emotions effect your writing?

There is Nothing Wrong with You by Randi Lee – I am tired of explaining myself to those who just don’t understand or don’t get it.

Coolest Things

Saw The Great Gatsby and it was a beautifully shot movie. Baz did a great job. I enjoyed the movie immensely, but there was much more tension created in the book then in the movie. Amazing thing to be able to create tension in the written word.

Saw Star Trek Into Darkness and I absolutely loved it. Spock was so perfectly frustratingly Spockish and I love him. I hate to admit it but James T. Kirk is growing on me. Khan is so gorgeous and not just in the bad boy kind of way.

New Followers

Jordan Latour

Next Weeks Schedule

Wednesday – Get Healthy Bloghop

Friday – The WHIP IT Good Blogfest

Saturday – Prince’s and Hero’s Bloghop

For someone who did not have the opportunities to enjoy three day weekends for the last 6 years, I am appreciating the pleasure of free time.

Secondary Character Bloghop

Published on May 20, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle22 Comments

Hosted by this generous group: Theresa Paolo, Kelley Lynn, Jessica Salyer, Jenny Morris and Suzi Retzlaff. They are giving away stuff, so sign up.

In Movies: Jack Nicholson as Colonel Nathan Jesup in A Few Good Men kept popping in my head when I thought about a secondary character who stole every scene.

Thanks to Aaron Sorkin for writing the words. Scene always gives me chills.

I did a little more research and realized Jack is a 4 time award nominated and 2 time award winning secondary character.

See Easy Rider, Reds, Terms of Endearment & A Few Good Men.

In Books: My favorite secondary character is actually the narrator of my new favorite book, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. I just love Nick’s consistent sense of hopefulness in Jay Gatsby. Nick wanted to believe in Jay so bad every step of the way. This one of my favorite scenes that demonstrate this:

“By the way, Mr. Gatsby, I understand you’re an Oxford man.”

“Not exactly.”

“Oh, yes, I understand you went to Oxford.”

“Yes —- I went there.”

A pause. Then Tom’s voice incredulous and insulting:

“You must have gone there about the time Biloxi went to New Haven.”

—

“I told you I went there.” said Gatsby.

“I heard you, but I ‘d like to know when.”

“It was in nineteen-nineteen. I only stayed for five months. That’s why I can’t really call myself an Oxford man.”

Tom glanced around to see if we mirrored his unbelief. But we were all looking at Gatsby.

“It was an opportunity they gave to some of the officers after the Armistice,” he continued. “We could go to any of the universities in England and France.”

I wanted to get up and slap him on the back. I had one of those renewals of complete faith in him that I’d experienced before.

Daisy rose, smiling faintly, and went to the table.

Again, must give credit to Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald for the written words.

I haven’t seen the movie, yet. I’m a little skeptical whether Tobey MacGuire is able to do Mr. Nick Carraway justice.

What are some of your favorite secondary characters? Make sure to visit the other bloghop participants and discover other great secondary characters.

My Weekly Update – Proud

Published on March 17, 2013March 16, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

Proud

Yesterday, I attend the funeral of a close family friend. A beautiful celebration which culminated his sons speaking eloquently about what their father meant to them. So, touching. I am proud to have known him and his family.

I was also proud to be with my family during the ceremony. We are so blessed to be able to spend time together.

RIP Uncle Milton.

Favorite Find

I found this vlog, KelsNotChelsNotLive, the other day on Google+. I love this girl. She is so funny and so on point when it comes to writers and writing.

This was my favorite, but she has a whole series, check them out on YouTube.