Let me start off by saying that I’m done with blogging and writing….
That’s just silly. I can’t even keep a straight face while trying to write this. I have no idea how people pull off decent April Fool’s pranks. So glad that’s over and done with. 😉
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: Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?
I feel like, for the most part, I’m a write what I know kind of writer, even when I’m writing fantasy, but there are times when I challenge myself. Sometimes those challenges can be risky. I once attempted a gender-neutral story- didn’t turn out too bad. I like playing around with POV but I’m not very good at it. I do think I have a knack for adding in darkness where it’s unexpected and mashing up genres in unique ways. But that’s just my perspective. I’d need more feedback from readers to really know.
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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS
March was a very slow reading month for me. I will be posting my book reviews on this blog later this month, but for now, I’m only halfway through The High Mountains of Portugal. I haven’t even started Deep Point of View, but I have a plan to catch up.
Discussion Day for both books will be May 26, 2021!
Please consider JOINing US for our next discussions.
Remember this post. Well, guess I’m a glutton for punishment. I’ve relaunched my newsletter but it’s very different from anything I’ve done in the past. Here’s the sign-up if you’re interested. It will focus on my love of reading. Here’s the message I sent to all my old subscribers.
Now, on to the personal updates.
I’ve been struggling to write a piece for the WEP April challenge. I’ve started it but can’t seem to finish it… And there it is, my insecurity. Not being able to finish a story I’ve started.
I actually have a lot more to share, but I think I’ll wait ‘til next month. I’m writing this post pretty late in the evening and feel I need to get my ideas more organized before sharing them with the world.
For anyone who was curious, I enjoyed my time with LitCon last month. You can watch the fantasy panel I participated in here: https://youtu.be/eBySbxc-AtE
My February book reviews can be found in the video below. March reviews will soon follow (shh, there’s only 3).
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Are you a writing risk-taker?
Read any good books lately?
Any other interesting bookish or geekish news to share?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
PK Hrezo,
Pat Garcia,
SE White,
Victoria Marie Lees,
Lisa Buie Collard, and
Diane Burton!
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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 #37).
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 #blacklivesmatter
19 replies on “#IWSG April 2021: Do you play it cool or take risks?”
Some people can go to those really dark places and others just can’t. I’d rather not be a darkness person though. Too much of it in the real world.
I don’t think I go to places that are too dark, but I do sometimes see the darker side of things. I think it has to do with, as you say, my “real world” experiences. Some people experience the bright side more often than others, so I guess that’s why I sometimes write about the darker side.
Hi,
Hang in there Toi. You can write that piece.
As for having the finesse to write darkness into a story, you do have that talent.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thank you, Pat. I don’t try to go to dark places, but I think sometimes what seems dark is simply a reflection of reality. Then again, sometimes it is just dark and I’m okay with that.
I’m intrigued by the gender neutral story!
Signed up for your newsletter 🙂
When I say it didn’t turn out too bad, I meant that, but it also wasn’t some great literary triumph either. However, I made a point not to use any gender specific pronouns and was happy with the result. Here’s the old WEP challenge where I tried it out: https://etoithomas.com/in-too-deep-wepff-challenge-no-6-featuring-anybody-save-me-amwriting-flashfiction/.
Let’s just start with this. When I read your first line, I said out loud, “Oh you are so NOT done with blogging and writing, Toi.” And then I read the second line and thought, “good – we don’t have to have an IWSG intervention.” Nicely played! 🙂
The gender-neutral character story sound interesting. Reminds me of the Pat character on SNL from a million years ago. It was pure genius then. Not sure how much of the early SNL would be received today, though.
I’m glad to know that if I ever did forget who I was, there could be an IWSG intervention to remind me. Thanks Lee. I remember the Pat character. Not sure about other old SNL skits but I think Pat would go over very well today. As far as my gender-neutral story goes, it was a short story expeirment, a challenge not to use gender-specific pronouns. I think it sounds deeper and more enlightened than it really is, but I’m happy with it. Here’s the old WEP challenge where I tried it out: https://etoithomas.com/in-too-deep-wepff-challenge-no-6-featuring-anybody-save-me-amwriting-flashfiction/.
Give the WEP story a break and tackle it again in a couple days. Your brain will come up with the ending.
Thanks, Alex. I will try that. There is still time to work on it.
I’ve signed up for your newsletter. <3
I am very interested in your gender-neutral story. 🙂
I hope I’m not missleading people with that statement about my gender-neutral story. It was a challenge not to use gender-specific pronouns. I wanted the reader to have the option to decide who the characters were, so they could see the type of “love story” or “tragedy” they wanted without me imposing set genders on them. I think it sounds more enlightened than it really is, but I was proud of what I did. Here’s the old WEP challenge where I tried it out: https://etoithomas.com/in-too-deep-wepff-challenge-no-6-featuring-anybody-save-me-amwriting-flashfiction/.
i’m a, “write what I know”, and “write what I want to know” kind of writer. If I’m lucky its messy. If I screw up it comes off sloppy. Great post! I’m currently reading, A Tale For The Time Being” by, Ruth Ozeki. I highly recommend, if you haven’t already. Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out.
Ooh a BookTube channel! I don’t see those very often around the blog world. I’ll be glad to go have a look at yours.
Thank you so much for checking out my channel. If you have one I’d love to check it out as well.
It’s great that you’re willing to try new things. Gender-neutral? I’d like to know more.
Reality can be so scary; I try to stay out of the darker side of life when I write. Bravo to you, for being so brave, Toi! Have a beautiful day!
I like that you experiment and try different things with your writing. I think that’s part of the growing/learning process.