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’s the strangest thing you’ve ever googled in researching a story?
I have had to research a lot of things when outlining a story. I’ve delved deep into angelic lore, the origins and meanings of names, and even some exotic botany. I think the most unusual research I’ve done included DNA and blood disease research. But the one topic that actually started sending out odd things to my SPAM folders and social media feeds (because you know all that stuff is connected) was my dream research. For weeks I couldn’t get away from dream interpretation articles and programs and crystal recommendations for anything that might ail me. I was also contacted by three psychics and two dream studies. So, be careful when researching dreams.
*Updated 11/7/19- I started with a Google search, but it was the pursuit of those results that led to all the SPAM and psychic and sleep study contacts, not just the search.*
Since we’re on the subject, I thought I’d share a few crazy Google searches others have shared with me.
A family friend and youth pastor once told me that he had to destroy is office PC and get a new one after doing a search on “Teen Sex”. He was looking for statistics on pregnancy and STDs and got images and videos he says still haunt him to this day. Another family friend, an older woman, had to destroy her laptop and get a new one after trying to do research on Black Holes, only she couldn’t remember that’s what they were called and tried all sorts of searches that deeply disturbed her and crashed her computer. I still have no clue what she actually searched but I have some ideas and I know better than to test them out.
My suggestion for those not so computer savvy or unsure of what you’re searching for, try the library first. If it doesn’t crash their computer, you’re good to go. (PLEASE don’t tell the library I sent you.)
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The November IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was Pat Garcia. Be sure to stop by her blog and say hi.
IWSG Book Club News
Our October/November fiction book, voted on by our members, is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Discussion Fun Day will be November 20th.
WEP-IWSG
I won the commenting award this month. I really enjoyed reading all the stories and look forward to the next challenge in December. You can read my entry here.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
I’ve been trying really hard to be more active on social media without overwhelming myself. I figured out that social media is there all the time whether I am there or not so there’s no way I can see and do everything. Now that I’ve accepted that, it’s been going a lot better for me. I think I might even go back on YouTube and stop caring about the fact that my videos don’t have the production value of the larger channels. I’m not trying to reach everyone, I’m simply trying to reach those I’m meant to reach.
With that in mind, I thought I’d share two posts, one from each of my Instagram profiles, just because. One is dedicated to Margie my Redbone rescue and the other is where I post my bookish stuff.
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View this post on Instagram
Just had my walk, got a treat, feeling WONDERFUL! #coonhoundsofinstagram #petcostumes
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View this post on Instagram
Meant to start this in October. Better late than never. #tbrpost #bookstagram #ebook
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What Google search have you regretted in the name of research?
Anyone want to follow me on Instagram? I follow back. 😀
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:
Sadira Stone,
Patricia Josephine,
Lisa Buie-Collard,
Erika Beebe, and
C. Lee McKenzie!
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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 #43).
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
