Tag: Lit Carnivale

Categories
About Toi Holiday

2020 Means Clear Vision

Happy New Years Around the World

Every time I hear someone say 2020, instead of two thousand twenty, I think of eyesight. I haven’t had 20:20 vision for quite a while, but I do feel like I have a pretty clear vision of what I want in the coming year.

First, let’s look back a bit. Yesterday (still going today) I spent most of the day catching up on the last WEP challenge entries. I went out of town for the holiday and wasn’t able to get good Internet service. I was able to access a few things on my iPad, but even that had limitations. So, the rest of this week is catch-up time and next week my New Year will truly begin.

In 2019, I really started to make strides in my efforts to host a book fair by getting my name and idea out there. I attended 3 author/vendor events and narrowed down my ideal venue to two locations. I will spend all of 2020 fundraising so that the 2021 event will be all that I hope.

Below is a breakdown of all that I read in 2019. Click here to see the Goodreads page that displays all the lovely book images and links.

  • Novel length books = 28
    • Adult Fiction = 11
    • YA Fiction = 3
    • Middle grade = 8
    • Novella/Short Stories = 2
    • Nonfiction = 5
    • Anthology/Collections = 3
  • Graphic Novels = 18
    • Fiction = 15
    • Nonfiction = 3
    • Anthology/Collections = 2
  • Children’s/Picture Books = 25
    • Fiction = 23
    • Nonfiction = 2

In 2019, I also watched a lot a TV and Movies that I should have shared on my YouTube channel. In 2020, I’m going to do better about sharing things and not letting my lack of production value keep me from doing so.

Writing goals for 2020 include publishing a picture book about my dog, at least one short story collection, and hopefully a collaboration. I plan to keep submitting to anthologies and collecting rejection messages. I hope to complete the rewrite of my original paranormal series, though I seem to have hit a wall with it. Even if I complete the rewrite in 2020, the publication will still be a ways off.

Reading goals for 2020, 75 titles (includes nonfiction and fiction: novels, picture books, and graphic novels). I plan to share more of my book reviews than ever before. I also plan to read books written by authors from my local area as well as books by bloggers I’ve followed for some time. I will be sharing much of that experience over at my Lit Carnivale blog.

The last thing I plan to do in 2020, starting today, is going back to revive an old blog series called, Count My Blessings.

I don’t have the new graphic ready yet, but it’s coming. Today I am blessed to see a brand new year filled with new possibilities.

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

Blog and YouTube Updates

So, guess who forgot to schedule this post last night? ME!

Well, I made it back to YouTube towards the end of 2018 and then disappeared again. Luckily, it’s a new year and a new day (I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot. 😉 )

Over on my YouTube channel, I have the usual things lined up as well as a few new things. I’m hosting author interviews again and have a new flexible format that should suit anyone. If you are interested in a video interview, sign up here.

Right here at The ToiBox of Words, I also plan to feature more authors. I have author interviews lined up and a few guest posts too. If you’d like to be featured on this blog, sign up here. I’m also trying to start reader interviews over at my Lit Carnivale blog, but haven’t had much interest. If you are interested, let me know here.

Over at A Small Gang of Authors, today, we have a cool post of various authors sharing why they write. Tomorrow I’ll be continuing 1 of my 3 ongoing series, Would You Read This? where I pitch story blurbs/taglines and mock book covers. I hope you’ll check it out, and if you are interested in guest posting over there, check this out.

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 December 2018: My Writing Knick-knacks!

72b25-iwsg2bbadge

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 are five objects we’d find in your writing space?

My writing space changes often, but at least I do accomplish most of my writing at home. Whether I’m at home or out in the community there are a few things I always have to have with me to help me feel like I’m truly ready to write, create, or anything else involving story creation. I need my Kindle. I keep my Kindle with me at all times. It has so many books, both fiction and nonfiction, with valuable notes I can reference. I also need my phone because, duh, it’s 2018. Smartphones can do so much and research is only like 10th on the list of helpful things. I also need a beverage. Writing makes me thirsty. If it doesn’t make you thirsty, you may not be as passionate about it as you think you are. Finally, the last two things I need are pen and paper, usually in the form of a spiral notebook and a pencil bag filled with all kinds of writing utensils.

****

November’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was J.H. Moncrieff. I adore this writer and blogger and was delighted to see her gain this recognition. Be sure to stop by and check her out, if you have a chance…Oh, and she’s one of our lovely co-hosts this month.

Oh, and hey, guess what. I got a special newsletter feature last month because… I WON THE WEP THEME CHALLENGE! Muh Ha Ha Ha 😀 That’s right, when February comes along and you’re trying to come up with a story that fits the theme of 28 Days, you’ll have me to thank for that. Coming up with themes isn’t one of my strong suits, so winning this challenge was really cool. Thanks WEP-IWSG for the opportunity to participate. If you haven’t seen my feature yet, please check out the newsletter here to do so.

The December WEP challenge is happening now. I’ve linked up but haven’t posted a story yet. I’m hoping to add my contribution by the 15th at the latest (I posted on the 12th, ha ha) . I just hope I’m not the last one, but no big deal if I am.

Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I continue my series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today I share my first ever romance story, Encounter.

The IWSG Book Club book for December/January is: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
The discussion for this starts January 23rd and I’m ready. I’m already half-way through this book. The only reason I haven’t finished it is because I’m reading it before bed. It’s really entertaining and insightful.
–
Now, on to the personal updates.
It’s the holiday season and I’m super busy, just like everyone else.

I don’t have my tree up yet and I’m craving a need to bake, but again, I’m super busy.

I’m so disappointed with myself. I have like 20 books I haven’t posted reviews for. Seriously. 🙁 My end of the year mission is to spend time with my family and post these reviews. My writing can wait… to some degree.

I’ve been working on a series of storytime videos, to hopefully promote my children’s books. Part of me is afraid people will download the videos and not buy the books? Any advice on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Lastly, I’m a bit insecure about my ability to follow through with my dream to start a book fair and finish any of my current WIPs in the next year. My world won’t fall apart if I don’t achieve these things, but not doing these things makes me feel small and insignificant. I don’t need to be a big deal or center of attention, but I was hoping that my writing and my dream of a book fair would help me connect with other people. Other than the family and friends who put up with me, which by the way- none of them are readers, I don’t feel like I’m connecting with anyone. I love my reading and my writing; it’s part of who I am, but it is really lonely sometimes.

****

What do you need around you when you write?
You gonna give the WEP-IWSG writing challenge a try?
Any advice about my storytime video series?
Got any good news to share or any encouragement to offer?

****

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
J.H. Moncrieff,
Tonja Drecker,
Patsy Collins, and
Chrys Fey!

****

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #51).

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