Tag: #IWSG

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IWSG

#IWSG June 2015: Wanting to be wanted.

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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.

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Before I bum everyone out with my insecurities, I’d just like to say that launching the sequel to my Eternal Curse Series at a local Comicon was the best decision I’ve made in a long time….

Now, lately I’ve been trying to look at myself objectively and reevaluate my role as author, blogger, and other. In my day-to-day life, I know exactly who and what I am. I’m a wife, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, and a teacher. These are roles that come easy to me, though teaching is the one that seems to stretch me the most. Working with the children is easy; working with other adults and the politics of the educational system is where things get a bit tough. Even with the challenges of my day job, I know where my place is and what my purpose it.

Now when it comes to being an author and blogger, I still feel a bit lost after all these years. Don’t worry, this isn’t a farewell statement of any kind, but to say I have insecurities would be an understatement. For the first time since I started the blogging journey I’m starting to feel a sense on synchronicity between my role as author and blogger. I actually feel as if these two roles are mutually beneficial, whereas in the past one seemed to interfere with the other, and vise versa, at all times.

While that is all well and good, I don’t feel comfortable in my mission, content, and or niche. I honestly don’t know that I fit into a niche, which is probably the root of my problems. I feel like the ideas and desires I have for reaching out to readers goes against whatever it is that readers actually want…but I just can’t seem to change my mind. I want to be flexible and free to express myself through many genres, but I run the risk of losing interested parties who are only interested in a particular thing I’ve done.

I had a silly notion of creating a You Tube presence that would connect me with other writers, which would in turn connect us all to a whole new audience of potential readers and fans. The problem is that writes don’t do anything on camera. So I’m trying to refocus my efforts to just interviewing on my blog, but many authors don’t seem to be interested in that either. I feel like I should stop reaching out to authors all together, even though I don’t want to.

I’ve tried reaching out to readers, offering pieces of myself and trying to connect with them, but not many seem to be interested unless I’m giving something away, and even that doesn’t  bring in too much interest. I know that I write because I love it and I know that I blog because I love it, but unless I start addressing all my content to myself, I’m left wondering, who am I reaching out too?

I wish I could make a difference.

Need to find a niche.

Wanting to be wanted.

So, have you found where you belong?
Do you know who you’re reaching out to?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
M. Pax,
 Tracy Jo,
 Patricia Lynne,
 Rachna Chhabria,
 Feather Stone, and
 Randi Lee!

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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 #108).

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 2015: FAQs and Answers

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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.

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Being insecure at home alone in front of my computer is one thing and being out in public, testing my limits, is something else entirely. I did this to myself, but it’s an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I got in early and saved a bunch of money, but now the big day is at hand and I’m feeling all kinds of anxiety…Oh, but you’re probably wondering what I’m talking about.

CITY400X400TWCC-A117In just ten days, I’ll be setting up an artist/author table at my local Comicon to sell copies of my paranormal series, Eternal Curse. My immediate insecurities include:

my fear of crowds, what to wear, do I have enough stock, do I have too much, will people ask a lot of questions, how much weight can I lose in ten days, will I get a chance to see any of the cool stuff at this event, will I have enough battery and data to handle credit/debit transactions, will someone heckle or criticize me just because they can, will I get anyone to sign up for my email list, will this be a waste of time and money, will anyone buy my books, and just what will I say when people ask the basic FAQ’s?

I’ve really given the last question some thought and have attempted to anticipate, answer, and memorize my responses in hopes that I don’t sound like a complete weirdo when the time comes. I’ve listed a few of the Q&A below and would love any feedback you’d be willing to offer.

ECGA coverWhat’s the first book about?

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel is an origin story where purpose is the main pursuit. It’s a mash-up between Beauty & the Beast and Jekyll & Hyde, which involves angels, demons, and everything in between, along with a spiritual or religious twist.

ECB coverWhat’s the second book about?

Eternal Curse: Battleground is the ultimate story of the one. My hero knows who and what he is and now it’s time to see him in action and all his glory. There’s a lot more action and adventure, which also comes with a great deal of pain and loss; but love, blood, and ash are all part of my hero’s cycle of life.

SeriesWhat’s the series about?

The series is a ‘what if ‘of Biblical proportions and is played out in modern and futuristic times. Told more as a work of general fiction instead of fantasy, the characters feel real and reflect reality in with their actions, relationships, and mundane daily activities, but when the moon rises the gates of Heaven and Hell open and the battle for Earth takes place. My character Giovanni just happens to be the lucky one at the center of it all.

What do you mean a spiritual or religious twist?

Stories of angels and demons and everything in between aren’t new, but tales of what if, on the Bible level that don’t bash religious doctrine, are quite rare. Take the tales of King Author for instance. My characters may not be in search of the Holy Gail, but they knights of a different caliber in search of a balance and peace on earth. There’s nothing scriptural about my books, but if I’m going to write an epic battle between Heaven, Earth, and Hell, I’m going to include God and the Devil.

What kind of response has your book/series been getting?

Most people have told me that the book is surprising. Most people aren’t sure what to make of the book just on the surface, but once they’ve read it, they say they get it. Everyone seems to walk away from this story with a different impact. Some readers are impressed with the refreshing spin on romance the books take. Some readers are intrigued by the alterations of religious ideas and the intermingling of fantasy and science fiction. Most readers, however, find that while there are subtle influences of other genres and classic stories, this series is simply not the norm and worth experiencing for that reason alone.

So, what do you think of my answers: good, bad, other?
Can you think of other questions I should be ready to answer?
Any of you have a public appearance coming up? What are you doing to prepare?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Eva Solar,
 Melanie Schulz,
 Lisa-Buie Collard, and
 Stephen Tremp!

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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 #115).

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 Videos

#IWSG April 2015: Why are authors on You Tube?

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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.

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I would like to start today’s adventure by saying…AHH! 😮
I can’t believe I’m co-hosting this month!

Honestly, with so much going on, including the A to Z Challenge, I’m just glad to be able to help out.

Now let’s talk about, “Why are authors on You Tube?”
1. Obviously it’s another opportunity to reach potential readers with:
-Book Trailers
-Sample Readings, and
-Interviews (however rare and elusive they may be)

2. To learn from others and perhaps go viral. – There’s a lot to be said about 15 minutes of fame. It’s more than most of us get. Also, by interacting with this audio/visual search engine and social media platform, your creativity may be increased by seeing what other people are doing around the world.

3. To have fun and share. (This is more of a why authors should try it.) – I get it, not everyone has the time, means, creativity, or motivation to host a You Tube channel, but I do it because I want to share my ideas with others, whether I’m reaching anyone or not; the same reasons I blog. 

Here are a few examples of how I use You Tube.
 

Also, I’ve put together an impromptu book blast featuring one of my video series. It would mean alot if  you could participate. Just click on the image below. Thanks.

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Have you given any thought to building your audience with
You Tube or some other video streaming platform?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s other co-hosts: Suzanne Furness, Tonja Drecker, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Bluee, and
 Donna Hole!

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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 #181).

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