The view outside – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Vikki, Why do you blog?

Published on March 19, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle22 Comments

Here’s another addition of my 2nd year celebration. I would like to introduce you to Vikki Thompson from The View Outside. I first met Vikki on May 2, 2012. She commented on a blog post I wrote called Distracted, Again. Her comment:

“Hi I am sooooo distracted right now in my writing that I really am not one to offer advice lol. So I’m just stopping by (via the Insecure Writers Group) to say I know exactly how you feel There just aren’t enough hours in the day lol Good luck!!!!Xx”

She has been super support ever since. So, Vikki, why do you blog?

When Sydney asked me the question Why Do You Blog? I turned to Molly Greene for inspiration. These are the reasons Molly suggests as to why writers blog:

To connect to readers.

To practice craft, discipline, voice and style.

To form relationships with other authors.

To establish an effective platform.

To blog a book or 2.

To build an e mail list.

All valid “writerly” reasons, but none of these questions sum up WHY I (in italics BIG letters lol) blog (although the 2nd one is definitely something I’ve benefitted from).

At first I started to blog for my own selfish reasons, to keep a record of my writing journey. The things I learnt about writing, so that I could see progression (if there was any!) in my work. But what i discovered is that overnight, I became part of a community. A community of “writers” and i was accepted in with open arms. That was a bit of a shock. People commenting on MY Blog? Really? Why? It took me ages to get my head around that one lol.

You see, for me, Blogging = a community of like minded people who all share the same fears, hopes and dreams. I love the fact that chats, discussions and ideas cross oceans and time zones. I get support, a shoulder to cry on (when required) and a pat on the back just when I need it the most. In return, I do the same 🙂

So why do I Blog? Because no other social media gives me such a sense of belonging as my little corner of WordPress. I may not have thousands of followers, but i don’t care. Each and every one of my followers are part of writing family 🙂

That includes you Sydney! Happy Blogiversary xx

What about you? Why do you blog?

2013 Goals – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

Published on December 31, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments

Happy New Year

READING

A couple of months ago, I read a great post with a great title, The Best Ever Top 50 List in the World Ever by Michael J. Holley. How could resist a great title like that?

Anyway, in the post, Michael includes the list of the top 50 most popular books and the top 50 most popular films. I have a full length post planned for this topic, but needless to say, I need to read more. So, in 2013, that is what I am going to do. I have signed up for the 2013 Ebook Challenge. My plan is the read the following books over the course of 2013:

The Hobbit
A Tale of Two Cities
Kane & Abel
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Lord of the Rings
Anna Karenina
The Great Gatsby
The Sportswriter
Tropic of Cancer
Wuthering Heights
To the Lighthouse
The Eagle has Landed

I will be keeping track of my reads on the 2013 Reading Challenge tab. And you can see the current book I am reading in the side bar. I figure once I finish my book each month, then I can return to reading my chick lit, horror and crime thrillers.

Have you read any of these books? Let me know, which one you enjoyed the most?

WRITING

Blog – The blog schedule will change to 3 times a week at least. Now, this coming week, I will be posting 5 days a weeks, hence the, at least.

Sunday Post – My Weekly Update – Review of my week, Posts to Share, Recognition of New Followers and Special Features coming up such has blog hops or book tours for the following week.

Tuesday Post/Wednesday Post – I will alternate Tattoo Tuesday and Sydney Quotes the Movies (SQM) every other week.

Friday Post – Random Blog Post

Short Stories – I love a good, well written short story and have read many last year. Sevastian Winters has some amazing stories for sale on his site and they inspired me to give it a try. I am committing to writing a short story a month. And, to add an extra incentive, I have joined, 2 short story contest. I figured why not. They offer feedback whether you win or not. That can’t be a bad thing, can it?

WriMo – I will participate in JuNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo this year for the novel length fans in my life. The ideas keep coming and it worked for me in the past. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Editing – I really enjoyed my WriMo Diaries (how is that for a great title, Uhmmm). My goal is to create a Editing Diary to correspond with the editing process of my three novels. I will begin editing in January and will continue, I guess, until . . . who knows. But, that’s ok.

Publishing – WriMo Diaries, Editing Diaries, Short Story Anthology, Novel #1, #2, #3 – I would be pleased with anyone of these happening this year. But, definitely, all three and more in my life time.

What are your writing goals this year? Do yo have a word count goal, books written goal or a just a goal to get published this year?

ARITHMETIC

Ok, had the finish the saying with Arithmetic. This might be a stretch, but I need a goal relating to numbers. Maybe I could work on sticking to my Amazon/iBook monthly budget. Kind of disregarded that more times then I should in the past. Well, if my blog idols would stop publishing, I wouldn’t buy so many book; Emily, A.E., Becca, D.C., Karen, Donna, and Chris. Yes, I’m talking to you.

I could focus on increasing my Social Media presence, but I my pleased with those numbers growing as they are.

There is always the views/clicks stats, but you can’t really control that, can you?

Ok, I have a good one, I will meet/connect/friend/read/follow/support more people on the web this year.

Also, a million dollar advance check would be nice. It could happen.

What numbers will you be focusing on this year?

I wish everyone a Happy and Productive New Year.

2012: My Writing Year in Retrospect at EM Castellan
The Best of 2012 – Movies at EM Castellan
New Years Resolutions? at The View Outside
End of Year Countdown: 5 Top Fives of 2012 at Writability
My Filmyear: 2012 at My Filmviews
High Five for Top Fives at Journeyofjordannaeast
Happy New Year, Freaks at Anne Chaconas,Writer
Armand’s 2013 Goals at Armand Rosamilia
Heck, Why Not? So. What Happened in 2012? at laugh.write.play.
2013 Writing Goals at Write to Perfect
High on Popcorn and Candy: My 5 favorite mvoies of 2012 at SparklyPrettyBriiiight
Why Have a yearly Reading Goal? at Writability
Blog of the Year 2012: Awards & Plans for the New Year at The Peasants Revolt
The Daily Writer & A New Challenge at The View Outside
One Year From Now at Outside Air
Here’s to 2013 at My First Book

My Weekly Update – Merry Every Day and Happy Last Year

Published on December 23, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle7 Comments

Blog of the Year

Blog of the Year Award 2 star jpeg

Thanks to Vikki at The View Outside and Kitt at Inner Wild Kat for nominating me for Blog of the Year. From what I understand I need to collect six stars, but I am thrilled with just the two.

The Blog of the Year rules, you can find here.

My Nominations are:

#TBSU – The Blog Scratchers Union

I am honored to be a member. Thanks so much to Seumas Gallacher. Seumas is a bloggers blogger. A great supporter to the every day blogger and I am happy to have meet him. Please visit Seumas and other members of the Union. You won’t be sorry.

Other Cool Awards

Big thanks to Vikki and Karen by best blog buddies on the world wide web.

You both have been amazing to me and I appreciate all the support and encouragement and the quality content you both create on your blogs. Great example for any new writer.

Answers to a few of their questions:

Bucket List #1 – Publish a Novel
Favorite Sport to watch – Football; Favorite Sport to play – Golf
Dancing or Bowling – Dancing
Favorite Holiday – Christmas
Eye color – Brown
TV Time – 3 hours per day, but I am on the computer through 2 of those hours
Wear to bed – tank top and shorts (not too sexy, right)
First things I do when I wake up – read emails on my phone, then twitter, then blog post, then I am late.
Pet peeves – dishonesty for no reason, inconsistency and people who smack when they eat
Pairs of shoes – to many to count

Post to Review

Why Becoming an Author is not for the Faint of Heart! by Author Kimberly T. Matthews

What Romance? Get Your Beat Sheet Here! by Jami Gold

Blog Tour Ideas: Getting into Character by Felicia Scotzig

New Year’s Resolution for All Writers – The Patient Edit by Author Donya Lynne

Why You MUST Keep Your Eye on the Prize by Shelli Johnson

5 Keys to Starting Over with Style at All Groan Up

Kiss it Off by Angi Black

New Followers

Stephanie Hurt

The Vagabond Filmaker

Daniel Abram