Category: IWSG

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

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG August 2015: Promotion without a budget.

72b25-iwsg2bbadge

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.

****

I know I’m not the only one who takes on too much and expects too much of the world around me, but I can only feel my pain and frustration. I feel so silly sometimes thinking about all these grand ideas that will never come to pass. I mean some of them might or at least something close to them might, but for the most part, I’m sure I dream way bigger than I can actually climb; plus I’m out of shape.

So here I am struggling to publish one story, struggling to complete another, struggling to write one, and dreading the promotion of another. And none of this begins to scratch the surface of other responsibilities I’ve taken on and I’m afraid to back down. I keep taking on more with the intentions to better or alter my life in a manner that would be more beneficial to my health and happiness, but perhaps I should just suck it up and be miserable, save for the times I’m writing and hanging out with my family.

I have an amazing idea for a blowout promo, but I don’t have the following or influence to pull it off. In cases like this people simply make an investment and hire someone to do it. I’ve looked at all the possibilities and to do what I want will cost more that I’ll probably make in my first three months of sales. To be honest, after paying for an editor, I really won’t have any budget left to do anything. Oh well, I can’t give up. I’ll figure something out, even if I can’t get what I want. I guess something is better than nothing…

I’m currently conducting a survey on Facebook Groups, PLEASE check it out.

groupquestion
Click here to visit a Facebook poll.

I hope I haven’t bummed you out too much. I’ll keep dreaming and hopefully you will too.

****

Any words of encouragement to offer or perhaps a funny joke?
I could totally use it.

****

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Nancy Gideon,
Bob R. Milne,
Doreen McGettigan,
Chrys Fey,
Bish Denham, and
Pat Garcia!

****

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #102).

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

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG July 2015: #IndieBooksBeSeen

72b25-iwsg2bbadge

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.

****

Today is a special day for many reasons.

1. It’s IWSG Day. Ever since I joined this group I have felt more focused as a writer and blogger and at ease with the emotional rollercoaster that is book promotion. I don’t have it all figured out; I have good days and not so good day, but I know I’m not alone.

2. It’s Indie Pride Day! Started by the group #IndieBooksBeSeen, this is bound to be a movement and I’m doing all that I can to help make it happen. Please see what I’m up to today if you have the time.

ForBlog
Click image.

3. I’m actively working on two new publications and am in the zone. It feels good to finally be putting these outlines and notes together to work on first and second drafts. Betas will be needed soon.

****

So that’s all that I have today.
I’m so excited right now, aren’t you?

****

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
S.A. Larsen,
AJ,
Tamara Narayan,
Allison Gammons, and
Tanya Miranda!

****

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #106).

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

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG June 2015: Wanting to be wanted.

72b25-iwsg2bbadge

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.

****

Before I bum everyone out with my insecurities, I’d just like to say that launching the sequel to my Eternal Curse Series at a local Comicon was the best decision I’ve made in a long time….

Now, lately I’ve been trying to look at myself objectively and reevaluate my role as author, blogger, and other. In my day-to-day life, I know exactly who and what I am. I’m a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, and a teacher. These are roles that come easy to me, though teaching is the one that seems to stretch me the most. Working with the children is easy; working with other adults and the politics of the educational system is where things get a bit tough. Even with the challenges of my day job, I know where my place is and what my purpose it.

Now when it comes to being an author and blogger, I still feel a bit lost after all these years. Don’t worry, this isn’t a farewell statement of any kind, but to say I have insecurities would be an understatement. For the first time since I started the blogging journey I’m starting to feel a sense on synchronicity between my role as author and blogger. I actually feel as if these two roles are mutually beneficial, whereas in the past one seemed to interfere with the other, and vise versa, at all times.

While that is all well and good, I don’t feel comfortable in my mission, content, and or niche. I honestly don’t know that I fit into a niche, which is probably the root of my problems. I feel like the ideas and desires I have for reaching out to readers goes against whatever it is that readers actually want…but I just can’t seem to change my mind. I want to be flexible and free to express myself through many genres, but I run the risk of losing interested parties who are only interested in a particular thing I’ve done.

I had a silly notion of creating a You Tube presence that would connect me with other writers, which would in turn connect us all to a whole new audience of potential readers and fans. The problem is that writes don’t do anything on camera. So I’m trying to refocus my efforts to just interviewing on my blog, but many authors don’t seem to be interested in that either. I feel like I should stop reaching out to authors all together, even though I don’t want to.

I’ve tried reaching out to readers, offering pieces of myself and trying to connect with them, but not many seem to be interested unless I’m giving something away, and even that doesn’t  bring in too much interest. I know that I write because I love it and I know that I blog because I love it, but unless I start addressing all my content to myself, I’m left wondering, who am I reaching out too?

I wish I could make a difference.

Need to find a niche.

Wanting to be wanted.

So, have you found where you belong?
Do you know who you’re reaching out to?

****

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
M. Pax,
 Tracy Jo,
 Patricia Lynne,
 Rachna Chhabria,
 Feather Stone, and
 Randi Lee!

****

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #108).

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