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 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

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IWSG

#IWSG December 2013: #cursescanbebroken

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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 am so blessed right now. Even though I am constantly overwhelmed, never seem to have enough time, and am leaping from one temporary illness to the other, and also seem to fall short no matter how hard I try…I have so much to be thankful for.

1. I have been meeting and promoting some really great authors as of late. I’m to glad to have an opportunity to help these authors spread the word about their work.

2. I have an amazing family, they are all so special to me. My sister is talented in ways she doesn’t even know and inspires me to pursue my dreams. My Mom is my biggest fan and my husband is so wonderful that I just had to write about him in “Dear Stick”.

3. I am getting closer and closer to my goal of being a successful published author. Needless to say, monetary gain isn’t how I judge success, but I’ll be even more thankful if and when the big bucks ever start rolling in.

I have three ebooks available for purchase and am now able to offer pre-orders for my first novel, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, which is set to release on February 18, 2014. See Books and Pre-orders for details.

4. I made it to the second round of voting for the 50 Great Authors You Should Be Reading, which I still find amazing, and now I must wait to see how well I did. At this point it doen’t really matter, if I make it into the publication great, yay, hip hip hooray, and if i don’t it’s still been a fun ride.

5. And lastly, I’m so grateful that I am steadily writing, blogging, and reading my way through life. I’m networking and learning from others everyday and am so glad to be apart of this community.

Be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts: Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler and Elsie is Writing!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support (I’m #343).

Next months post will be on Jan. 8, ’14 due to the holiday. See you then.

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 November 2013: Overcoming Insecurities

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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’ve wanted to participate in this group for the longest time, but I was too insecure to do so. I always feared that I’d somehow drop the ball and not live up to the expectations of the group, even though they don’t expect much. I think deep down I was just afraid of being a small shrimp in a continually growing sea of tight-knit colorful fish. I felt like all the wonderful authors already participating in this powerful support group and community wouldn’t have time to get to know me or allow me to get to know them.

I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a while now just watching and admiring…Now I’m stepping out on faith. I want to be a part of this community. I want to be able to help and support those who need it and to also receive help and support in return, but mostly I just want to be a part of something I’ve admired for so long. Just to be a part, not outshining anyone or standing out in a crowd- just to be a part, is sometimes all you need. It’s more than enough to keep you going and I want to be a part of this.

I hope I’m able to make many new friends and that I’m able to contribute something of value into their lives.

Be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts: CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan,and Michelle Wallace.

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support (I’m #343).

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