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 March 2014: Negative Reviews

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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.

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Before I start my spiel I just want to say that: I never have enough time, there is so much going on in my life that I feel like I’m constantly running even in my sleep, I missed one of my regular posts yesterday because I was on the road and forget to schedule it because of family drama…

But I keep on trying every day, anyway. 🙂

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So I’ve received my first two negative reviews for my debut novel, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel,  and I’m still here. I haven’t thrown my body into frozen shark infested waters, but I’m not going to pretend that the thought didn’t cross my mind. As far as I know, these two reviews haven’t been posted to the public yet, but I’m sure they’ll surface any day now.

I find that I’m not too bothered by the idea of these reviews going public for three basic reasons and one hope.

1. I value the opinions of readers. I mean, I do write to entertainment them, so why wouldn’t I try to take into consideration how they feel about my work. If authors pout, cry, and throw a fit every time someone doesn’t like their work, readers may just stop bothering to read.

2. I’m grateful to anyone who’s willing to give my book a try. In my personal experience, most people don’t “waste their time” reading the work of some unknown writer. Just how some people don’t watch indie films or listen to indie music, some people aren’t interested in reading anything indie, “new”, or “small”.

3. I understand that everything isn’t for everyone. I’d be a fool to think that my book would be the first to be loved by all unconditionally and universally. On top of that, I like the idea of being able to learn from such reviews to see if there are things I want to change or improve about my writing. In essence, some people will enjoy my work and some will not because that’s how the world turns, and I’m okay with that.

4. It’s my hope that when these reviews go public that the reviewers are honest without being hateful. I know for a fact how one of these reviewers feels about my book and can’t and won’t argue how she feels. She was very honest and clear about what she did and didn’t like. I may not be happy about it, but I can’t be mad at her for being honest…Now, I have no idea what this other reviewer is going to say. This may be a bash fest in the making or maybe this other reviewer will also be honest and clear, without invoking hate, to explain why he/she didn’t care for my book.

While I’m glad to currently have more positive reviews than negative ones, I’m ready to face the reality that others may not like my book…And I’ll be sure to travel with a buddy when around sharp objects and the ocean.

BTW-Eternal Curse is participating in the Cover Wars over at The Masquerade Crew. Visit my side panel to check it out and possibly give me a vote. 😉

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:  Tina Downey, Elsie, Elizabeth Seckman, and Julie Flanders!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #220).

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 February 2014: Blog Hop

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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.

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I’m trying something new, well, new to me anyway. I’ve participated in so many blog hops, but have never done one of my own. I think deep down I’m just avoiding the fact that I need to do more to promote my book and I just don’t feel like it. Sometimes it’s hard trying to sell something I love so much that I almost want to give it away just so I know people have it…

But enough about that, back to my endeavor to host a blog hop. I’m very nervous about this and hope I’m able to get a few participants (oh, there go my insecurities). After receiving some interesting insights about the romantic tension in my book (the one I haven’t been promoting enough), I started thinking about the nature of wooing. How does someone get someone else to fall for them or vice versa? Aside from flexing muscles and batting eyelashes, there have to be actual acts and jesters that just really turn people on. Some are probably universal, but some must be more specific; I want to know them all.

So, I give you, How do you Woo? Blogfest! (It’s a title people. Stop overthinking the grammar.)

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Love is in the air and it’s time to share, Wednesday, February 12th.

Tell a story, give examples, share an experience…how do you romance the one you care about or vice versa? In 500 words or less, teach us, entice us, and get us thinking all while keeping it, at least, PG-13. 😉

All are welcomed to participate. Please feel free to promote any contests, giveaways, or works you wish, but please post content ratings if your selections are a little more than simply adult. Feel free to use the image I’ve included here or come up with one of your own, but please use the Linky posted below to participate and use the hashtag, #howdoyouwoo, in promotions.

Aside from what I’ll be sharing in my post, I’ll also be offering a giveaway: a box of Ferrero Rocher®. There will be no liking, following, tweeting, etc… involved; all you have to do is leave me a comment about wooing. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on Friday, February 14th (HappyValentine’s Day).

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Please click here to join in and be a part of this romantic blog hop.

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All in all, I guess you could say that I’ve completely ignored my insecurities this month and have replaced them with practical deeds. Who knows, I may find a way between now and then to involve this hop in my weak book promoting efforts. Next month, hopefully I’ll be more on the ball and actually have something worthwhile to share; perhaps words of encouragement, a tale of progress, or even something more heartfelt…We’ll just have to see.

Be sure to stop by, visit, and thank our host as well as this month’s co-hosts: Sheena-kay Graham, Julie Musil, Jamie Ayres, and Mike Swift!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support (this month, I’m #234).

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 January 2014: Public Speaking

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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.

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This month, while I do have something positive to share, I unfortunately also need to whine a bit. You see my new year is starting off a little rocky, but it’s really not that bad. It’s very cold for where I live right now, but it’s cold a lot of places. My main issue with the weather, at the moment, is that it’s making it hard for to me to fight off illness.

As usual, I’m busy with my day job, my blog, my efforts at writing, and my sometimes sorry attempts at reading for enjoyment. I haven’t read any of my favorite blogs in days and have five books sitting on my night stand taunting me. The fact that I’m event awake to write this article is amazing to me. I came home after work today and passed out. I think I woke to find food and remembered I to needed a post for tomorrow (today now 🙂 ). Well, that’s life. It can be bothersome sometimes, but it’s worth it for all the sublimely wonderful moments you live for.

So, now on to my positive news…

 

I’ve put together my 2nd public appearance as an author, but this one feels more official than the first. The first event was comprised of mostly friends and family who were ready to support me; this new event is completely different. I’ve put together an event to, hopefully, help spread the word about my book to my local community. It feels strange to know that there are people in the UK willing to buy my book, while my neighbors have no idea I’m an author (but then you don’t know my neighbors).

I guess the whole point of this is to show myself that I’ve made an effort to reach out to my community event if it doesn’t reach back. I’m not shy about speaking in front of people, but I am leery about putting myself “out there” exposing myself to criticism or perhaps worse. Only time will tell.

In any case, there’s no turning back now. I’m excited to see where this will all lead.

Be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts: Bob Milne, River Fairchild, Julie Dao, and Sarah Foster!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support (I’m #269).

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