the great gatsby – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

50 States of Pray – Texas

Published on December 23, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle21 Comments

Our friend from Hawaii, Mark Koopmans created a bloghop that is perfect for this time of year. All that’s required is to take a moment and about 100 words. Share a prayer, a thought, a memory, a hope and even a regret about the past and/or a wish for the future. Click on the badge for more information and to check out some of the other states represented.

I have had an inspiring year since being back in the states. Even though I lived in an challenging, but exciting foreign country for five years, it pales in comparison to all that I have experiences in the last year being back home. I’ve reconnected with my family and friends and made some new one. I have seen president’s sworn in and legendary leaders put to rest. I watched some of my favorite famous people having the most creative (Beyonce’s unannounced album release), record breaking (Peyton Manning) and genuine and sincere(Jay Z in concert) year of their lives. I’ve discovered the kind of books I want to write and what I hope to accomplish with my writing. I’ve read 50 books (The Great Gatsby was my favorite) and saw 43 movies (I can’t decide between Star Trek Into Darkness or Iron Man 3). Most important, I’ve started to live my life the way I want to live it. In one sentence, “I’m feeling blessed.” I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me in 2014.

I’ll be taking the rest of the year off, but wanted to wish everyone a blessed holiday and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Indie Block Party – Post 6 – Top 5 Books

Published on August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely endeavor. Join us for the Indie Block Party to meet your writing “neighbors.”

Participants will have the opportunity to share a little about themselves and their writing, while getting to know the other like-minded crazies that make up the Indie Writing World.

Week 1
Day 1: Introduce Yourself
Day 2: Introduce your WIP
Day 3: Interview one of your Characters
Day 4: Interview one of your Neighbors (not your real neighbor…the one who signed up on the linkey after you 😉 )

Week 2
Day 5: What are you reading?
Day 6: Top 5 books
Day 7: Share your most helpful writing tips
Day 8: Share your most helpful social media & networking tips

Full instructions are available at The Peasants Revolt or Dawna Raver’s blog.

Here are my top 5 favorite books:

5. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella – Chick lit at its best. Becky Bloomwood is so annoying, you have to love her.

4. Deception Point by Dan Brown – Highly underrated book. Yes, Dan Brown did write books before The DaVinci Codes.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – It was the most amazingly descriptive book. I am sorry it took me so long to read it.

2. The Regulators and Desperation by Stephen King (tied) – If you’ve read these two books and loved them, you are a true Stephen King fan. The Regulators realism is disturbing even for King and Desperation’s religious undertones made me uncomfortable. I loved them both equally.

1. The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon by Andrew Weil – I read this book in college for my Drug, Alcohol and Crime class. It’s all about what people do in order to heighten their consciousness. Thank about how you feel, mentally, physically, and spiritual, after a good writing session. Hell, sometimes even a bad session gives me a high. Plus, this book inspired my first tattoo.

What’s in your top five book list?

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 – Breathless

Published on February 9, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle8 Comments

You know how the anticipation of something is sometimes better then then actual thing. Well, let me tell you, when you are shown something unexpectedly and it is amazing, that trumps it all.

I saw the The Silver Lining Playbook (Great Movie. Bradley Cooper was amazing) and caught the trailer for The Great Gatsby.

I wept. I moaned. I grinned, laughed and groaned. It took my breath away!

This is another book on my list I have to read before I see. Are you looking forward to seeing The Great Gatsby?

Grammy Night

Although I haven’t seen the Grammy’s in over 5 years. From the hype, its going to be a great show, more performance based. And, they are creating these amazing collaborations. This year pairs Rihanna with Bruno Mars and Sting & Alicia Keys with Maroon 5.

But, I can’t wait to see Justin Timberlake return to do what he was born to do. He and JayZ (love him) are performing their new single Suit & Tie. I am breathless just thinking about it.

Are you watching the Grammy’s? What performance are you looking forward to?

Post to Review

Get Writing Fit by Ellie Garratt – Guest Post on My First Book – I am focusing on #2 & #3 this year.

Free Writer’s Weekend in Hawaii by Mark Koopmans – I really want to go. Let me see how I can work it out. Plus, its my birthday.

Things I’ve learned from Star Trek #348 by Ali Cross – She even has a Star Trek video.

Writing Tips: Join Contest by Shannon A Thompson – One of my goals for the year. Great advice.

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