Tag: Alex J. Cavanaugh

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#IWSG June 2019: Keep’n the Faith

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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: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

I think I enjoy writing science fiction the most. There’s something about the limitless possibilities of it that appeals to me. Plus, science fiction has a practical side to it. Many things that were once considered science fiction have become a reality. Without someone first imagining that people could fly in automated machines or talk to people across the globe in real-time, we might not ever have developed aviation, space travel, the telephone, and certainly not the Internet.

For me personally, there is a thin line between science and faith, and some will argue that the two are opposites, but I see things differently. I do believe that there are some absolutes in this world that can only be explained by either faith or science, but most of the time it’s all perspective. It’s mostly about the way each individual sees and experiences the world and their existence. So, yeah, I enjoy writing science fiction first, then fantasy/paranormal, clean romance, mystery, and so on from there.

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Newsletter Member Spotlight

Congratulations to Eliza March on her June spotlight. Be sure to stop by her blog and say hi.

IWSG Anthology submissions are still open.

Click here for details.

IWSG Book Club News

Goodreads

This book was voted on by our members as a great example of Dialogue. The discussion will start July 24th and will go to the end of the month, but it will be up indefinitely, so you can hop in whenever you’re able. Join Us!

WEP-IWSG News, Changes, Submissions

I haven’t submitted my entry yet, but I am working on something. If I can’t pull it together soon, I may just pass on submitting this month and simply enjoy the other entries.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

Well, I’m backlogged again, but that’s nothing new. I have several projects I’m working on that aren’t really going anywhere so I figured I’d start blogging about them and see if that helps. I guess I’ll be starting that next week. Also, I have months of book reviews to catch up on. I’ll have to forgo my usual more thorough reviews and post something short and sweet to make up for it. I guess I’ll be working on that this weekend.

I’ve decided not to give up on my dream to start a book fair, but instead to take a different approach to it. I’ve talked to a few people in my area and I think we have a pretty good plan. So, in time, I’ll be sharing some of those updates as well.

Today’s optional question got me thinking about some of the story ideas I’ve not yet pursued, most likely due to fear, and have decided to just start writing them. Whether or not I ever publish these ideas doesn’t matter right now. There’s no reason I should let fear keep me from at least writing and developing these ideas for myself. The challenge for me has always been the same. I’m a person of faith with many and varied interests. Mixing faith and fiction doesn’t always work out and, thus, I’ve developed an insecurity to explore freely. Lately, I’ve challenged myself to break out of my comfort zone and write in different POVs, try out different genres, test out stories targeting audiences I don’t really relate to, and so much more. It’s time I take the plunge and write something just for me. I hope you will too.

If you missed the June Newsletter, you should check it out, for some insightful words from our founder concerning sharing your beliefs and opinions as a writer.

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Have you written content that you’ve been meaning to share but simply haven’t?

Do you ever get behind (understatement) on book reviews?

Have you ever been afraid to write something just for you, knowing others may not like it or ever see it?

Thanks for stopping by. It may take some time, but I will stop by your blog too.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Diane Burton,
Kim Lajevardi,
Sylvia Ney,
Sarah Foster,
Jennifer Hawes, and
Madeline Mora-Summonte!

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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 #45).

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 May 2019: I’m blessed.

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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 was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Growing up in Texas it didn’t take long to figure out that language had power in more ways than one. Texas is what I call a hotbed, a place where anything can turn bad at any moment. Most of the time, Texas is a lovely place and I enjoy going back to visit often, but I’d never live there as an adult. In this hotbed, you are either white or not white, you either speak English or Spanish, you are either rich or poor, and this goes for everyone. There are some places in Texas that are segregated by the choice of the people who live there. Some Hispanics only want to be around other Hispanics, some blacks only want to be around other blacks, and so on. But, every now and then, someone crosses a line and starts speaking a common language that brings different people together. Sometimes it’s literally a matter of learning someone else’s language and or dialect, but most of the time it’s sharing something; sharing a meal representative of your culture with someone from the outside, or sharing music, or sharing art, or more.

For me personally, I find that people rarely listen to anything I say; if it comes out of my mouth it zooms past other people’s ears. But when I write, when I express myself with my own personal mastery of the English language, people pay attention to what I have to say.

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Today, I have a returning guest to The ToiBox blog. Please check out my interview with author Tatum James.

I’ve been in bed sick for days and just happened to have coughed myself awake when I decided to check my email. I was so thrilled to learn that I’d won an award in the April WEP-IWSG Challenge. Click the image to learn more.


The next challenge opens on June first.

I just finished the IWSG Book Club book and look forward to the discussion. Since I haven’t been online much lately, I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of great polls and discussions, so I hope I don’t miss out on this one (though I know these discussions stay open forever).

Next discussion May 22.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

I’m sick, but that’s not unusual. I’m also very blessed.

I’ve been having a tough time lately adjusting to some drastic changes that have helped me balance my day job and my writing. It can be easy to sometimes feel like I’m sacrificing too much. At the end of the day, though, I remind myself of just how blessed I am that these are the woes in my life. There are people around the world who would take on my problems in a heartbeat to be free of theirs.

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Thanks for stopping by.
It may take some time, but I will stop by your blog too.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Lee Lowery,
Juneta Key,
Yvonne Ventresca, and
T. Powell Coltrin!

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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 #45).

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

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG April 2019: I’ll be back

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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: If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?

I feel like I’m a strong starter, but not so great at ending. I think I’d use my wish to write a satisfying end. However, the project I’ve been working on for a while could probably use a couple of wishes- but oh well. Guess I’ll just keep plugging at it.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

I keep moving up in my day job, but I had to put my foot down an say no more. Because of all that, I haven’t been online in over three weeks. Sooooo….

See you next month.

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Thanks for stopping by.
It may take some time, but I will stop by your blog too.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
J.H. Moncrieff,
Natalie Aguirre,
Patsy Collins, and
Chemist Ken!

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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 #46).

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