Tag: Alex J. Cavanaugh

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IWSG

#IWSG December 2016: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

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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.

Monthly Question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

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I’ve been trying really hard not to think too much about this. I’m a worrier and thinking about the future is where it all begins. That said, I can’t deny that I don’t have at least five different 5-year plans currently fighting to be the plan I put in motion… I may be a hopeless case.

Three things I know for sure:
1) A revamp of my blog and overall writing methodology is in the works and will be put into motion starting sometime after the new year.
2) Whatever happens, I’ll still be writing and publishing in the next five years, though I may not be promoting it the way I have in the past.
3) I will be working on several collaborations, taking the spotlight off myself and focusing on the projects themselves.

My whole worldview on writing has shifted a bit and I can’t keep doing things the way I have been the past view years. Plus, I’ve fallen in love with a dog named Margie and feel I must tell her story. Changes are coming and they are scary for me, but in five years, I’ll still be me and I’ll still be writing.

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Are you a worrier?
Do you have multiple 5-year plans?
Has your worldview of writing ever changed?

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BTW- Alex J. Cavanaugh just released a prequel to his terrific space opera series. CassaDawn is set before the events in the first Cassa novel. Get your copy today.

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Jennifer Hawes,
Jen Chandler,
Nick Wilford,
Juneta Key,
JH Moncrieff,
Diane Burton, and
MJ Fifield!

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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 #71).

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 November 2016: What’s so great about being a writing & supporting #teachers.

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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.

Monthly Question: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

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Considering I mostly write fiction, I’d say I love the fact that I get to make stuff up to express thoughts, ideas, and more. I like that I can write stories that I want to read, even if I do need lots of help perfecting them for public consumption. But, at my very core, writing is something I have to do to feel complete. Even if I never published anything, I think I’d still be writing. Writing just for writing sake and providing myself with something to read is the best thing about being a writer.

I will say, though, I also like the fact that writing has opened me up to new and welcoming communities of like-minded people. It’s nice to now have a community of readers who also like to write… And, I love how much more involved I’ve become in supporting others since I started writing. It’s not like I didn’t care or give to certain causes before I started writing, but I feel like I give more now. I usually give whatever I would normally give, plus I always seem to be getting involved in fundraisers for causes where I donate my books.

Even now, I’m running a giveaway of my own to support classroom teachers with cash for their class. If you want to know more click here.

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What do you like about being a writer?
Will you consider my blog tour or giveaway?
Also, check out my side panel to see the trailers I made for my new children’s books.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Joylene Nowell Butler,
Jen Chandler,
Mary Aalgaar,
Lisa Buie Collard,
Tamara Narayan,
Tyrean Martinson, and
Christine Rains!

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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 #71).

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
Books

#Review: CassaFire #sci-fi #book

Goodreads

Title:  Cassafire

Series: Cassastar #2

Author: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Genre: Space Opera

Pages: 240

Reading Level: Adult

Content: PG (military subject matter, some violence, & adult situations)

After reading book one in this series, I needed a break. The first book caught me off guard. I had no idea it would be so emotional. I fear I may have waited longer than necessary, but the wait was totally worth it. Like the first book in this series, this sequel has its action packed moments, psychologically challenging struggles, and of course, its gut wrenching moments of joy, sorrow, despair, and then hope.

In CassaFire, we find our hero, Byron exploring the known universe in the service of scientists. To put it plainly, the world’s greatest combat pilot is a taxi driver for smart people. Of course, we know he’s doing this to fulfill a promise he made to Bassa, from book one, but what we don’t know is just how exciting space exploration is about to become for the not-quite-middle-aged pilot.

This installment of the Cassa series does two things right away that as a fan of this world pleased me to no end. It brought in more galactic races and it uses more “special abilities” or powers. The geek in me loves that Cassians can’t live without their telepathic abilities and it’s interesting to see how these abilities are perceived by others in the universe.

Author Cavanaugh does an excellent job of touching on some very sensitive subject matters without bringing the story down or belittling the subjects’ importance. He touches on subjects such as: racism, superiority and right, colonization, choice vs duty, and more. There is even a slight, yet significant romance to keep you wondering what will come in the future.

I think this book is suitable for all readers, though younger children may not understand some of the deeper points and those averse to sci-fi themes may have trouble seeing beyond the setting to appreciate the true message of this piece, which I believe is love and loyalty grounded in personal experience and not simply tradition and duty.

See my review of CassaStar here.

I give this book a 5.

LoveIt

This review has been posted to GoodReads.

If you’d like a Kindle copy of this book, try this link: Amazon

Get a print copy with free international shipping at this link: Book Depository.

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