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.
I was almost in tears when I woke and realized my post hadn’t gone live. Seems I set it for the wrong date. 🙁 Oh well, better late than never… Hold on tight ‘cause I have a lot to cover today.
Optional Monthly Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?
I have so many creative outlets, I sometimes have to schedule the time I spend doing different things. While reading itself isn’t a creative outlet, writing book reviews and filming book videos can be. I also enjoy cooking and baking from scratch (or semi-homemade when resources are scarce). I love to draw and paint, and while I’m better at drawing than painting, I’m not really good at either. Still, I love to do it. I used to love sewing pillows, purses, and other things, but getting back into it has been tough (again resources…). And lastly, I love to dance. I used to be really into jazz, ballet, and hip-hop though I never trained for them. Still, I do enjoy a good beat or melody.
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January’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was L.G. Keltner. Be sure to stop by and check her out, if you have a chance.
IWSG BOOK CLUB NEWS
The IWSG Book Club on Goodreads is changing things up…
And members are love’n it.
-5 Discussion Questions: We will pose 5 questions that you can answer about the book we’ve read as a group. You can answer one question or all five. It’s up to you.
-Discussion Day Poll: Every discussion day, there will also be a poll that all members will get invited to answer. This is a great option to participate that is fast and simple.
-Quiz: You can also help us create a Goodreads quiz for the book we’ve read.
-Giveaways: Every Discussion Day, book club members will get a Goodreads message that will include the chance for members to enter a free Rafflecopter giveaway.
-Freebies: When we announce the next reading selection, another Goodreads message will go out that’ll include a downloadable freebie, which could be anything.
-Other Polls: We will also invite members to answer writing or reading-related polls during our “down” months. One poll will be related to the book in some way.
We read a new book every other month, alternating between craft books and fictional books that demonstrate an aspect of writing. Members vote on our fictional books. Join us here.
Our February/March 2019 book is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. This book was voted on by our members as a good example of setting. Discussion Day will be March 20th.
The cover for the next IWSG anthology has been revealed and there’s a new admin to the group. Click the image to get more information about the anthology release date and more.
The February WEP-IWSG sign-up is open and I feel pretty silly not having a story posted yet. While I do have until the 20th to get my DL-link up, I’m having trouble developing a story for the theme I came up with (Yes, you read that right. It was all my idea). He he, guess I didn’t think that through very well.
AUTHOR FEATURES
I’m happy to announce that I have some lovely authors to feature today. First, over on my YouTube channel, I’ve interviewed two authors and have another on the way. I’m always up for interviewing more authors. Check out video interviews for Christina Weigand and Joanne Lipford. Plus, I had a lovely blog interview with author Rhiannon Lee, on Monday. And today, I present you with an original article from author Tatum James.
What Becomes Of A Broken Doll?
By now, some know that Tatum James is a pen name. I recently signed with Major Key Publishing writing under my real name. I wanted to keep my author life separated from my regular life. Plus, some of my scenes are graphic so I wanted to disassociate from that.
I began a love affair with storytelling at a young age. I would read or watch something and think of ways to make it better. My favorites came from the urban fiction genre, well that’s if we exclude Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are. I was introduced to urban fiction in 8th grade. A more mature classmate brought in a book about a hair salon. I couldn’t believe there were books with characters like people I knew.
I didn’t realize that I was talented until some of my teachers and friends brought it to my attention. I loved writing but, I couldn’t see myself doing it as a job. Instead, I chose to be a nurse, which I’ve done since 2009.
I became a published author in November of 2018, self-publishing my first novella Identical Sins. Soon after I published my baby Diary Of A Broken Doll which I had completed about 2 years earlier and the sequel Diary Of A Broken Doll 2.
Diary of a Broken Doll is a coming of age story of a girl with a negligent mother. The protagonist Courtney becomes wrapped up in a world of drugs and sex. Once she is in, there’s no turning back. There is a 3rd part to the series coming February of 2019. In the 3rd installment, the readers get a more personal look into her life with Drew, the guy that saved her from her mother’s home.
Find Diary of a Broken Doll at Amazon.com.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
I’m crazy busy with my day job, plus all the stuff I’m doing online. That’s just the state of my life right now, and for now, I’m okay with it. Not letting myself get too overwhelmed. I do what I can and don’t worry about what I can’t.
Since it’s February, I’m doing my self-created #28daysofgraphicnovels challenge over at my, Carnie the Bookworm, Instagram account.
And, I finally finished my semi-animated read aloud video series for story time. I worked really hard on it and am happy with what I was able to accomplish with very little technical skill, low-tech equipment, and minuscule time. I do so hope you will give these 5 short videos (less than 5 minutes each) a look and or a share.
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What other creative interest do you have?
Gonna try the IWSG Book Club Book?
Gonna try my storytime video series?
I’m feeling good at the moment and wish you nothing
but blessings in your endeavors.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Raimey Gallant,
Natalie Aguirre,
CV Grehan, and
Michelle Wallace!!
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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 #50).
This post contains some affiliate links. Please see the about page for more information.
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
28 replies on “#IWSG February 2019: My Creative Interests & a feature from author Tatum James.”
I’m passing on a re-read of Rebecca, but I do recommend it, if you haven’t read it yet. There’s still a soft spot in my heart for DuMaurier.
Thanks for stopping by. I am enjoying it so far. It’s very different from other stories I’ve read and can definitely see why it was chosen for setting.
After reading your post, Toi, I feel so lazy. How do you squeeze all of those activities into one life? I subscribed to your YouTube channel. I’ll find you on Instagram too.
Don’t feel lazy, I’m the one who’s a little crazy. Thanks so much for subscribing. Hope I’m able to entertain you a bit.
No worries on late! Although if mine wasn’t up by the time I got up, I’d panic as well.
Nice mix of graphic novels although you need more DC…
I’ve read a lot of DC and will read more, this is just my selection for this challenge. I like to mix it up just for this occaision.
You’re right you were busy. It’s amazing how much we can get done when we try. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you. Sometimes I do too much, but I think I’m okay right now. Happy with my results.
You were right. This post is jammed packed with IWSG. So much happening. I’m glad you discovered you hadn’t posted on time and corrected that.
Cooking from scratch is a wonderful and so creative outlet. Plus you get to eat afterwards.
Yes, it’s a hobby I picked up as a kid, but as an adult I find that sometimes partially from scratch will have to do. When I can go all out, I do.
You have so many interests and talents. When do you have time to write and blog? LOL. Please send me some of your energy.
Sometimes I wake up from a blackout and find that I’ve completed several tasks. How I got there, I never remember. 😉
I want some of your energy, too! It’s wonderful you have so many outlets for your creativity. I feel like a slug that all I do is write. Rebecca is one of my all-time favorite novels.
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have so many interest so I could focus more on my writing, but I’ve found that everything happens in the time it’s supposed to, whether I like it or not. Thanks for stopping by.
Dancing is such an amazing creative outlet. The movement, the energy, the freedom! But I can only do it when no one else is around. 🙂 Cooking I also love and that, at least, I will do in the presence of others. But then, the breaking of bread is meant to be shared. You are blessed with so many creative outlets.
Thank you. I think it’s good to have many outlets, if it fits your personality. It’s nice to be able to create in one way when I’m struggling to create in another.
Oh my goodness! You have so much going on! The 28 days of GNs sounds like a great initiative. Fun! And Tatem James’s books sound intriguing.
Thanks. I’m glad you like the graphic novel challenge. It’s just me this year, but who knows, maybe next year I’ll have a few friends do it with me.
You are highly creative. I admire your video expertise. I don’t know if I will ever try that or not. You do a great job. Happy IWSG
https://www.junetakey.com
Thanks, Juneta, I really appreciate that. Most of what I know, I’ve taught myself by watching others. I could be a lot better, but I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do.
Great work on the story time videos. I’m impressed.
Thank you.
I enjoy cooking and baking as well, especially trying new recipes. Finding time for it lately has been challenging, though.
Decorating my home, gardening, and photography are other creative outlets. I used to be an avid drawer, but haven’t done more than the odd doodle in years.
I too enjoy taking picture, really wouldn’t call my interest photography, but it fun to capture moments in time.
As long as you love what you do 🙂 I’m planning on reading “Rebecca” next month before the discussion date.
Ronel visiting for Feb’s IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer — And Happy About It
Thanks for reading along and joining the discussion. I finished a few days ago and can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of it.
It doesn’t matter than you’re not good at a creative outlet as long as you love it. Keep drawing and painting for yourself! I also love to cook and bake.
Thanks for sharing the book club info! 🙂
I agree. I do it because I enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by, Chrys. See you at the book club discussion.