Category: IWSG

Toi’s contributions to the monthly posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

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IWSG

#IWSG November 2018: Is creativity a vital part of your daily life?

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Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

Well, I don’t know what happened. I wrote my November IWSG post early and saved it, but when I went to edit and post it last night, it wasn’t there. 🙁 I felt defeated and headed to bed. After a good night sleep, I woke up, walked my dog, did some other social media, and decided to reconstruct my post. Better late than never… I guess.

Optional Monthly Question: How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?

Even before I started writing with an intent, I was an active creative individual. I never really mastered a particular skill, craft or art, but I’ve always dabbled. I bake from scratch, sew pillows and purses, paint canvases, decorate a classroom (now a desk), and so much more. Creativity has always been part of daily life, although, since I spend so much time writing now, some of my other creative outlets suffer until a special occasion brings them to the surface.

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October’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was Chrys Fey. Being a fan of her work and blog, I was happy to see her gain this recognition. Please, be sure to stop by and show her some love.

Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I continue my series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today I share my paranormal story, In the Window.

Also, we are hosting our first-ever short story contest and letting readers decide the winners. There are cash prizes for the winners and each entry is 500-words or less. If you are up for it, please check it out. It’s a lot of fun.

The IWSG Book Club book for October/November is: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
The discussion for this starts November 19th and I’m ready. I read this quickly and simply need to write my review. A great classic for those who appreciate the darker side of fiction.
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Now, on to the personal updates.

There’s lots going on, but I’ll have to blog about that later. I’m still a little bummed my original article disappeared. In any case, here are two videos you can check out if you’re up for it.

Here is me showing off some of my new books.

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Has writing affected the creativity in your life?
Did you have better luck uploading your post today?
Do you like short stories or flash fiction?
Got any good news to share or need some encouragement?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor,
Ann V. Friend,
JQ Rose, and
Elizabeth Seckman!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #51).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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IWSG

#IWSG October 2018: Do life events affect your writing or vice versa?

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Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

Optional Monthly Question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

I write stories, whether fiction or non-fiction because I enjoy it. I’ve never not enjoyed the writing process, but sometimes the business of publishing can suck the life out of writing. That’s one reason why I stopped trying to publish so much. When I have something that’s ready, I publish it; otherwise, I just enjoy the process.

For me, the process of writing is therapeutic. Writing can also be an escape. When reading a good story isn’t enough to help me cope with the world around me, writing and creating does. When I wrote my first book, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, I didn’t know that’s what I was doing. I was going through a very tough time and was a bit depressed. I’ve had worse bouts of depression over the years, but at the time, I was on the verge of something really bad. Writing that story helped me avoid a major wave of depression and helped me express a sense of hope I didn’t know was in me. It also helped me reconnect with my faith in God.

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September’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was K.J. Scrim, a newer member to the hop. If you can, be sure to give her a visit this month. I’m sure she’d love it. This month she’s #136.

So, I posted my WEP-IWSG entry way early again this month. If you want to check out, I’d love to know what you think?

Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I’ve started a new series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today is the first post. If you have the time, please click the image to check it out.

The IWSG Book Club book for October/November is: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe

This one is a short story, so hopefully, everyone will be able to read it in time for the discussion. I didn’t read the last book. 🙁 I tried, but life got in the way. I’m excited about this one though. I really enjoy the works of Poe.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

So, my new job is going well, but the last week of the month was a bit stressful. Still, it was a good kind of stressful. I wish I had discovered this path five years ago. I don’t know if I would have been ready to leave the classroom then, but if I had known this was a possibility, I definitely would have left the classroom two years ago.

I finally made it back to YouTube and have been posting up a storm. You should stop by and see some of the stuff I’ve posted, such as the video below and the ones featured on my side panel.

Also, I’ve made a breakthrough with my illustration struggles and will have lots to share with you next month.

Lastly, I’ve decided to release the “controversial” book I mentioned last month. I really didn’t mean to give the wrong impression, but the book is only controversial because it’s an opinion piece, written by a self-published author, about book review culture. This is not a book about how to get reviews or how to write reviews. It’s really about the culture and thought-process of those who choose to and not to write book reviews. I’ve already had some authors tell me they want nothing to do with it while others have been very encouraging. In any case, it means a lot to me so I’m going to putting it out there. I’m putting together a slideshow presentation and a video series to go along with the book.

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Do you find your writing to be therapeutic?
Gonna try out the IWSG Book Club book this time around?
Are you on YouTube? Did you check out any of my videos?
I submitted my story to the anthology. Wish me luck.
My encouragement for this month: write what makes you happy.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Dolorah @ Book Lover,
Christopher D. Votey,
Tanya Miranda, and
Chemist Ken!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #54).

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Fun Hops IWSG

Déjà vu or Voodoo #WEPFF Challenge featuring The Nameless Ingenue #amwriting #flashfiction

Yeah, I’m way early again this month, but I can’t do anything else with this story so I might as well post it.

Sometimes I fear my mind goes to dark places. For that reason, I try to steer clear of dark themes, yet they always seem to find me. Most of my adult fiction has some sort of dark theme, outside of my romantic efforts. This theme, for some reason, really spoke to me. Don’t know why. The day I really paid attention to what the theme was, I wrote the story below.

Just in case: you’ll see the word “ingenue”, pronounced (an – zhuh – noo) <– real phonics OR (on – zjay – new) <– my phonics, lol ;).

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The Nameless Ingenue

The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, searching each other out like constellations in the night. They’d made it; together at last. She in her pearly linens clinging to her timid flesh that radiated with hope and unrequited passion. He in his clanging metals and silken coat, spread taut across his muscled form, pulsating with unquenched desire.

Their bodies drawn into one another, melting into gliding and swaying limbs. Their toes barely graced the sheen of the dance floor before their shoulders dipped into an unending embrace. Their lips pressed together in a tender massage, as though one was resuscitating the other. Their hands reaching and groping as though there were no other lovers sharing the dance floor.

When their lips parted, and their eyes gazed into each other’s souls, the ingenue felt something tugging at her heart. There was a subtle ache as she tore her eyes away, darting her focus around the room. Her eyes landed on a glass of Champaign with her reflection waving at her mockingly. She understood then, this is not how it was supposed to happen.

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The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, hungry to hold each other tightly. They’d made it; together at last. She in her white lace wrapped around her supple flesh excited to face her first lover. He in his coat of jewels and metals, sparkling with strength and confidence as he prepared to claim his prize.

Eagerly, she reached for the champion, desperate to offer him her body. Like a king at court, the champion accepted the gift of her flesh and squeezed it tight, shocking the horrified onlookers. Gasping in terror, the ingenue pleaded with her eyes and clawed at the vice grip around her body. The champion swept the floor with her dangling feet, forcing her into a deadly waltz.

Sniggering with ominous elation, the champion twisted red rings around the ingénue’s neck. The pain of betrayal sent her eyes reeling with regret and searching for understanding. With her eyelids slipping towards oblivion, she glanced at her dying body, reflected in a glass of Champaign. She understood then, this is not how it was supposed to end.
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The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, eager to claim each other’s hearts. They’d made it; together at last. She in her borrowed white gown, hugging the smooth flesh of her supple body. He in his silk coat and achievement ribbons; his chest puffed in adoration and pride.

Eyes fluttering, and hands pressed against her heart, the ingenue waited for her champion to embrace her. Boldly wrapping his arms around her waist, forgoing formalities, the champion pressed his lips against his prize. Together the lovers embraced and savored the sweetness of passion fulfilled.

When they’d drawn a sufficient crowd, the ingenue raised her hand to the champion’s neck and stabbed him with a blade that had been concealed beneath her laces. The champions body fell limp and tumbled to the floor; shock and heartbreak distorting his once handsome features. Dancing lovers parted the floor, fleeing the menace radiating in the ingenue’s eyes as the blade in her hand raised and lowered again and again.

Surrounded by horrified revelers, an ache shot through her heart and she fell to the floor searching for understanding. Hands clinching the fabric over her heart, she tossed and turned, trying to shield her eyes from the violence she rained down on her lover. She caught a glimpse at her reflection in a half-cracked glass of Champaign and she understood. The ingénue understood; this is how it was all supposed to end.
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Huddled under the elegant cloth of the banquet table, the sister’s eyes sparkled with glee. With flushed cheeks and heaving breaths, she clutched the handmade ragdolls as though her life depended on it. The dark doll had been torn down the back, its stuffing of cotton and hair spilling onto the floor. She tossed the white doll, now stained with red wine, to the end of the table’s length and sighed in relief. She had enjoyed her playtime and was satisfied with the result of her game.
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FCA- 701-words- The Nameless Ingenue 2018 Copyright © Toinette J. Thomas

Well. That’s that. Did it feel like déjà vu?
Did it make you think of Puppet Master? (I kind of had that in mind.)
Too creepy; not creepy enough?

Please, take some time to read other stories in this hop. All stories should be posted by October 17th, but early entries arrive daily. Look for any name or link with DL next to it to enjoy a short story. I guarantee you will laugh, cry, be terrified, and more.



Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords