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#IWSG August 2021: I said craft book, not craft beer.

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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: What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something, or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

Reading aloud my response to this question had my husband looking at me funny. Then I realized that he thought I said craft beer. I laughed. He and I both know I don’t know anything about craft beer.

I never felt like picking a favorite writing craft book would be a “thing” for me. It’s always simply been a matter of whether I got anything out of it or not. I’ve read quite a few craft books, especially since the IWSG Book Club started, and have learned something from all of them, even if I didn’t like them.

Here’s a list of a few of my 5-star craft reads:
Write With Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout
Deep Point of View (Busy Writer’s Guides, #9)
How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now!
I also have plenty of 4 and 3-star craft reads that I revisit as needed. But if I had to pick one, and only one, it would be…

Deep Point of View.

Before I read this book, I wasn’t even convinced that Deep POV was worth my time. I mean, the idea of it sounded nice, but I just didn’t get it. Oh, and what this author does with her appendixes is so effective, I was thoroughly impressed.

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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS

Don’t know if you’ve heard, but there are some changes coming. Many of us were shocked to see the book club founder, Chrys Fey, step down as admin of the Goodreads group. I personally expressed to her many times how important the book club has been to me over the years. Looking ahead to the future, I was honored to accept the role as admin to a new version of the club. We hope to have an announcement with all the details and new titles next month.

For now, I finished both of the June/July/August reads and am excited to post my first discussion after much guidance from Chrys, herself, and amazing feedback from my co-moderators Ronel Janse van Vuuren and Juneta Key.
Even if you haven’t read either of the books, I’d love for you to stop by and join the discussion. You can get so much out of just the discussions. Click here to join us.

Now, on to the personal updates.

I took the month of July off to reset myself and make a plan for getting through the rest of this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t really put much thought into how I would communicate that I was taking some time. Oh, well, I’ve said my apologies and am moving forward. I’m getting a handle on some of my health issues and following plans to continue my creative endeavors. Updates on all the details later.

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Any writing craft books worth mentioning?
If I bailed on you in the month of July, I truly am sorry. Poor planning on my part.
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,
Cathrina Constantine,
PJ Colando,
Kim Lajevardi, and
Sandra Cox!

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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 #36).

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

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By Toi Thomas

Author and illustrator of children's books, as well as clean adult fiction and nonfiction. Toi is a geek-girl blogger, vlogger, reviewer, and advocate for a healthy reading lifestyle. She finds comfort in faith, family, and creative expression. Toi believes in the dream of world harmony and hopes all your dreams come true.

38 replies on “#IWSG August 2021: I said craft book, not craft beer.”

Hi,
I love DPOV. I took several classes was a very knowledgeable instructor who knew how to bring it across in a way that I understood.
As for my favorite craft book, it is the Writer’s journey by Christopher Vogler. I have it sitting on my desktop, and I read it at least once a year.
Wishing you all the best in whatever you undertake.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

That really means a lot to me.
And while I enjoyed both of your books, Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Depression, and Burnout really did help me through a tough time of doubt and depression.

Good to recharge your batteries. Thank you for the list. My favorite book on craft when I’m feeling lost is How I Write, The Secret Lives of Authors, edited by Dan Crowe. Happy IWSG Day!

We all need time to reset, so it seems you did it at the right time. Congratulations on taking on the Goodreads Book Club for IWSG. I think the new direction sounds exciting and I’m sure you’ll do great.

I don’t really know much about DPOV, so maybe I should take a look at that book! And as for craft beer… some is good, some isn’t 😀

I’m taking August for a reset, and have no issues with anyone taking a month off.

I’m glad to see Chrys’s books on your list. They’re great choices! And On Writing has long been one of my favorites.

I personally love writing in Deep POV. It can be a lot of work but also a lot of fun.

Loved your story about craft ‘beer’ . . . oops! ‘books’. Much to my chagrin, I don’t care for craft beer at all. Now, craft books? Yes! thank you for mentioning deep pov. I will check that one out. Congratulations also on you taking over the admin of the IWSG GoodReads book club. May the coming month bring you energy, insight, more stamina, and lots of good reading and writing!

Congratulations on following in Chrys’ footsteps. I’m sure you’ll do super well. WEP’s loss is IWSG’s gain. Go for it. I hope your health is responding to your time off. You come first.

Let’s talk craft beer. LOL You listed some excellent books. Congrats on taking over the book group.

Thanks Toi for this long list of writing books and tips. Congratulations on your nomination to manage the IWSG Goodreads Bookclub. Looking forward to reading your WEP entry.

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