Tag: illustration

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IWSG

#IWSG July 2018: Writing Goals and Growth

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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.

Look who forgot to schedule this post a day earlier than usual. Oh well.

Happy Independence Day USA!

Optional Monthly Question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

I used to want to find a way to write fulltime. That has now changed. While I still want to find more time to write, I don’t think I want to live off my writing (published books). Being a starving artist may work for some people, but I find that my creativity is restricted when it becomes a necessity. Still, I want to find a way to make a living doing something I love; something related to books, writing, and reading, but I’m not sure what that is yet. Whether I ever achieve that goal or not, I plan to keep writing whether I publish or not.

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In case you missed it, I finished my series on The Book to Screen Debate with the controversial stance that some movies can be better than the book. Click the image to read the article.

Also, over at A Small Gang Of Authors, we’re hosting a guessing game to see when we’ll reach 200,000 views. The prize is $50. Click the image to learn more.

Oh, and the IWSG Book Club is reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe for the months of June/July. Our discussion on July 25 will focus on description.

Now, on to the personal updates.

I have been practicing my skills as an illustrator and finding that I am greatly lacking. I will continue working on my hand drawings, but for now, I’ll stick with my computer drawings as I’m trying to release more children’s books.

I started a new job that I’m very excited about. It’s only part-time right now, but it can easily become fulltime. I’m hoping this new job will be much better for my overall mental health. Speaking of…

No one likes to hear depressing news, yet people deal with it every day. Some more than others. I’ve been dealing with a lot of changes and drama lately, and yes, I’ve been dealing with depression. I can’t imagine that everyone, at some point, doesn’t experience some form of depression, but that’s a little different from those who are chronic sufferers of it. Please be mindful that the highs and lows of life that you roll with, may be much harder for someone else to deal with. Be attentive to the words people say and don’t say. Be aware of friends who may be in need. And, please, always be supportive and not judgmental.

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So, have your writing goals changed over time?
Ever tried your hand at illustrating?
Do you think it’s possible for a movie to be better than a book?
Any words of encouragement to offer or requests for prayers or thoughts?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Nicki Elson,
Juneta Key,
Tamara Narayan, and
Patricia Lynne!

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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 #56).

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 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. In an effort to spread the word, I’m also putting together a blog tour where authors and bloggers get to share how books and teachers have made a difference in their life. If you are interested in supporting a classroom teacher, please consider joining my very simple blog tour.

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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
IWSG

#IWSG October 2016: When is your story ready, in case you missed it, & #book drive donations.

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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: When do you know your story is ready?

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The smarta$$ in me wants to ask the question, “ready for what?” When is your story ready for sharing, ready for editing, ready for publishing? Who knows… I guess, for me, this question is asking when is your story ready to be shared with others, whether on a blog, in a message to a select few, or with an editor in preparation for publication.

This is a tough one. I don’t always know in the same way for each story. Sometimes the story is ready only after it’s been self-edited enough. Sometimes it’s ready when the story feels complete and satisfying in a way that I no longer feel I need to add to or improve. Sometimes the story is ready when I’m tired of working on it. It really depends on the story and where I am emotionally.

And now on to the updates and in case you missed it.

This blog has been through so many changes over the years and I’m not in a place where I want it to change again, but it may have to. Some of the blog hops I participate in are either ending or changing and I’m feeling anxious. My movie review hop is ending, but I’m still going to try to review one movie a month. I feel like the love of cinema is an important part of me and my creative process that I should share with anyone who might want to know something about me from reading this blog. Also, the Question of the Month and Flashback Friday host has decided to walk away from those hops for good and personal reasons. I’ll miss him and am curious to see what direction these hops will take now that he’s seeking replacements. I threw my name in the hat, but I’d be happy with whoever he chooses. I just want these hops to continue. I really enjoy them.

So…now… let me choose my words wisely. Amazon(dot)com and I had a bit of a tiff recently. I’m seriously considering publishing my email correspondence with them as a free PDF download on this blog for anyone who’d like to read them. They are shocking, sad, and terrifying all at once. If you want to know the summary of our tiff, check out the article I wrote about it last week, by clicking the image below.

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I mentioned it before and here’s the results. I’ve updated all my books and am ready to release my children’s books on my birthday. If you have a moment, please enjoy my unboxing video.

And last but not least, I’m trying a wacky campaign that may not go anywhere, but since I’ve only shared it with family and friends so far (I don’t count Twitter), I won’t feel too bad if no one supports it. I’m used to my family and friends ignoring anything involving my writing, excluding my mom and a handful of others who are my biggest supporters. Again, if you have the time, I’d love for you to check out my campaign video.

Don’t say it enough; thanks bunches for visiting this blog and reading my babble.

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When is your story ready?
Do you handle unwanted change well?
Ever had a tiff with Amazon? Should I publish my emails?
Any thoughts on 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:
Beverly Stowe McClure,
Megan Morgan,
Viola Fury,
Madeline Mora-Summonte,
Angela Wooldridge, and
Susan Gourley!

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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