Categories
Books Videos

Hey, I finally made some videos! #amreading

Yay, I did it! I managed to record three videos in one day. So if care to squeeze me into your streaming schedule for the day, I got a little someth’n for ya!

Here I am Counting My Blessings.

Here I am talking about what I read in the month of March.

And, as usual, if you’d like to read or watch the book reviews of everything I read in March, be sure to visit my Lit Carnivale blog.

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
About Toi Videos

Here’s What’s New & Some Videos

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update outside of an IWSG post but I thought I should so I don’t crowd my next post too much.

  1. I’m making an effort to do more promoting, networking, and advocating in my local area. I’ll be adding my appearances and other events to my contact page for those interested, but this information will also be listed on my Facebook page.
  2. I have short fiction and nonfiction featured in anthologies that are free to the public. Links to these can be found on my page Toi’s Shorts or on the side panel of this blog.
  3. I’m really trying to do better with social media, but it’s a struggle. While I have presences on Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Pinterest, I’ve decided to mostly dedicate my time to
    1. Instagram @toithomasauthor 
    2. Facebook @ToiThomasAuthor, and
    3. YouTube Toi Thomas & Carnie the Bookworm.
    4. I’m also active on Goodreads but I’m not sure if that really counts. I’d love to follow and or be friends with anyone willing on any of these platforms.
  4. Now, here are two videos I’ve posted recently.

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 January 2020: How did this all start?

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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 started you on your writing journey?
Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series?
Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent?
Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?

There were three distinct moments over a 20-year period that started me on my writing journey. First, it started with Peter Pan. I loved that story as a kid and read as many versions of it that I could get from the library. I wanted to be a lost boy and would write out adventures for me to go on. I also wrote other stories in my youth, but those stick with me the most and have inspired many of my stories.

Second, there was the teacher, the co-worker who revealed one day that she had written a children’s book about her journey to living in the U.S. and learning English. I had learned a lot from her and was inspired by her to write something, I just didn’t know what.

Lastly, there came “the dream” about the gray man. I feel like I’ve blogged so much about the inspiration behind my first book that there’s no reason to rehash it now. But after I started and then published that first story, I just couldn’t stop. Because of that dream, I started, writing, and blogging, and vlogging, and connecting with the writing community.

Sure, there were many other things along the way that also helped put me on this path, but those three things were pivotal in getting me where I am now.

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The December IWSG member spotlight was Donna K. Weaver. Be sure to stop by her blog and say hi.

IWSG Book Club News

Goodreads.com

The December 2019/January 2020 book will be On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. Discussion Fun Day will be January 22, 2020.

I’m about halfway through it. The first chapter was rough, not the writing, just reading about his youth. It got better after that, but it’s very refreshing, at this point, to read about where he started compared to where he is now. I’m looking forward to finishing and discussing it.

WEP-IWSG

The 2020 challenges are on the way.  The WEP challenge for December was very touching. Here is my entry.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

I’m laying low for this post but here are a few nuggets.

I did a video wrap up with some goals for this year. I think I covered all the basis.

I brought back Counting My Blessings, but instead of posting to this blog, I’ve turned it into a vlog series. You can check it out here, with the updated image.

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So, where did your writing journey start?
Did you meet your 2019 goals?
Set any goals for 2020?
It may take some time, but I promise, will 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:
T. Powell Coltrin,
Victoria Marie Lees,
Stephen Tremp, and
J.H. Moncrieff!

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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 #42).

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