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 are five objects we’d find in your writing space?
My writing space changes often, but at least I do accomplish most of my writing at home. Whether I’m at home or out in the community there are a few things I always have to have with me to help me feel like I’m truly ready to write, create, or anything else involving story creation. I need my Kindle. I keep my Kindle with me at all times. It has so many books, both fiction and nonfiction, with valuable notes I can reference. I also need my phone because, duh, it’s 2018. Smartphones can do so much and research is only like 10th on the list of helpful things. I also need a beverage. Writing makes me thirsty. If it doesn’t make you thirsty, you may not be as passionate about it as you think you are. Finally, the last two things I need are pen and paper, usually in the form of a spiral notebook and a pencil bag filled with all kinds of writing utensils.
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November’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was J.H. Moncrieff. I adore this writer and blogger and was delighted to see her gain this recognition. Be sure to stop by and check her out, if you have a chance…Oh, and she’s one of our lovely co-hosts this month.
Oh, and hey, guess what. I got a special newsletter feature last month because… I WON THE WEP THEME CHALLENGE! Muh Ha Ha Ha 😀 That’s right, when February comes along and you’re trying to come up with a story that fits the theme of 28 Days, you’ll have me to thank for that. Coming up with themes isn’t one of my strong suits, so winning this challenge was really cool. Thanks WEP-IWSG for the opportunity to participate. If you haven’t seen my feature yet, please check out the newsletter here to do so.
The December WEP challenge is happening now. I’ve linked up but haven’t posted a story yet. I’m hoping to add my contribution by the 15th at the latest (I posted on the 12th, ha ha) . I just hope I’m not the last one, but no big deal if I am.
Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I continue my series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today I share my first ever romance story, Encounter.
The IWSG Book Club book for December/January is: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The discussion for this starts January 23rd and I’m ready. I’m already half-way through this book. The only reason I haven’t finished it is because I’m reading it before bed. It’s really entertaining and insightful.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
It’s the holiday season and I’m super busy, just like everyone else.
I don’t have my tree up yet and I’m craving a need to bake, but again, I’m super busy.
I’m so disappointed with myself. I have like 20 books I haven’t posted reviews for. Seriously. 🙁 My end of the year mission is to spend time with my family and post these reviews. My writing can wait… to some degree.
I’ve been working on a series of storytime videos, to hopefully promote my children’s books. Part of me is afraid people will download the videos and not buy the books? Any advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Lastly, I’m a bit insecure about my ability to follow through with my dream to start a book fair and finish any of my current WIPs in the next year. My world won’t fall apart if I don’t achieve these things, but not doing these things makes me feel small and insignificant. I don’t need to be a big deal or center of attention, but I was hoping that my writing and my dream of a book fair would help me connect with other people. Other than the family and friends who put up with me, which by the way- none of them are readers, I don’t feel like I’m connecting with anyone. I love my reading and my writing; it’s part of who I am, but it is really lonely sometimes.
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What do you need around you when you write?
You gonna give the WEP-IWSG writing challenge a try?
Any advice about my storytime video series?
Got any good news to share or any encouragement to offer?
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
J.H. Moncrieff,
Tonja Drecker,
Patsy Collins, and
Chrys Fey!
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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 #51).
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
34 replies on “#IWSG December 2018: My Writing Knick-knacks!”
Blessings and Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Thank you!
Happy IWSG Day Toi. Life seems busier this year than most, at least to me. I think the best advice I have is to prioritize. I have to. I’m setting a goal to finish my own WIP draft two by February. I’m set aside lots of other tasks to complete this goal as my kids come before everything else. I have trinkets from them in my writing space to help me tie them with my work. I wish you the best of luck. Keep dreaming. Keep doing. 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement. I wish you all the best with your WIP.
Wow, you are ambitious with all of that!
Will the videos be just excerpt of the stories? That would entice people to download the actual book.
And congratulations on winning the WEP theme for February!
Thanks, Alex. I was so excited to win.
As for the videos I wanted to do read alouds of the whole stories. When I worked as a teacher, it meant the world to me when I could find a video of a full story being read. It would allow me to switch things up between reading it to them and letting them watch the video. I would always subscribe to the author’s channel or blog and check the book out if it was at the library. On the few occasions the book wasn’t available, I would buy the ebook version to share in class. I just don’t know if other people will bother to do that. I guess I could do a free snippet and make the full video be something only accessable to people who register their print or ebook purchase.
This season is always crazy busy for everyone. Good luck on getting all your projects and holiday prep finished! It always comes together in the end. 🙂
I haven’t participated in or even really looked into WEP. Mayhaps that’s something to do for the new year.
Happy Holidays!
Thanks for stopping by. I do hope you will consider WEP next year. It’s wonderfully supportive and is a great way to get creative juices flowing.
Congrats on winning WEP. Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks Juneta. I was so excited to learn that I won. I was afraid my idea was too boring, but I think it’s a flexible concept that can be applied to any genre.
Yeah! I too take my mobile wherever I got. I use the notes app to write down any thoughts that come in my mind.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G
I use my phone for so many aspects of writing, from note taking to research, it’s very handy.
Hey Toi,
Congrats on winning the theme contest, and thanks for telling me I was featured in the member spotlight–I missed that–whoops!
I think we’re all just too darn hard on ourselves at this time of year, especially women. We expect to be able to do ALL the things, but there’s only so many hours in the day, and you deserve a break too. So do what you can, what’s most important to you, and the rest can wait until January.
Happy holidays, my friend!
Yes, I think am too hard on myself at times, but as you say, it’s not just me and that somehow makes me feel better. I’ll do what I can and enjoy the holiday season.
Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations on the win! The idea of a book fair is great. You can do it 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Thanks for the encouragement, Tonja. It means a lot .
Don’t give up. Just give it one more try… when you’re ready. Happy holidays!
Anna from elements of emaginette
I don’t see myself giving up, but sometimes I do set myself back at bit. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll keep moving forward at my own special pace.
Wanted to stop by and say congrats on your WEP win!
Thanks for that. I appreciate it.
Another congrats on your WEP win! I like your idea of a book fair, but I also know that takes a lot of work, so I understand why you’re not jumping into it until you’re ready.
Thanks C. Lee. It’s a dream that I’ll continue to work on at my own special pace. There is no deadline for it. I just have to keep my head on straight.
Interesting that drinks/beverages are something most of us have in common among our five thinks – usually the coffee or tea variety not wine. Latter is for the release dates.
Oddly enough, I have done some writing while drinking wine, but I was doing it to set a very specific mood. My usual beverages of choice are tea or apple juice.
Congrats on coming up with the Feb. prompt for WEP. You have a lot going on. Take a breath or two and try to relax. If we don’t enjoy this time of year, we miss out on so much. Wishing you much happiness and great month.
Thanks for your kind words. I will be sure to relax a bit before ringing in the new year.
I adore J.H. Moncrieff. <3
I hope you find time to put up your Christmas tree and to bake.
In November, I did two small book events. You can always start small. I found these two by joining local groups for authors. They don't do writer's meetings, but they do book signings and other things for local authors throughout the year. Maybe you can find something like that in your area.
Thanks for the encouragement. So far, I have been able to do a little baking. Still working on getting that tree up.
Wow, you ARE busy! But keep it up, you’ll make it through. I always think family comes first during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some free time here and there to get a word or two down. I don’t need much besides my computer and glasses to write, and a quiet space, though lately I’ve been meeting at coffee shops to write with other writers…
Meeting at coffee shops sounds nice. My problem is that I love my new job, but it requires me to work night. Nights when everyone else gathers to meet and discuss. Oh well. I guess I’ll figure it out. Thanks for the encouragement.
I’ve been meeting in the mornings at the coffee shop. Found a group on MeetUp. Have you tried that?
PS, I’ll try back around the 15th to read your WEP story!
Love your list of necessities—they match mine pretty well, though I haven’t gotten my important references onto the Kindle yet—need to work on that!