Categories
IWSG

#IWSG June. 2023- Life Without Writing?

Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click here to learn more or sign up.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.

Optional Monthly Question: If you ever did stop writing, what would you replace it with?

I don’t see myself ever not engaging in some sort of writing activity throughout my life. If; however, I was prohibited by law, with the threat of death and generational fines; yet- somehow oddly not banned from drawing or dancing- I’d do one of those. I don’t think I’m particularly good at either, but I do enjoy them both immensely. Plus, I don’t see cooking ever becoming illegal, though the world is getting crazier every day, so I could also express creativity with the meals I make.

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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS

#iwsgbookclub

Member Spotlight

Razor Valentine – Goodreads, Amazon

Craft Book

How to Rock Self-Publishing – Goodreads, Amazon, Bookshop

Now, on to the personal updates.

May was a busy crazy month for me. Some good, some not so good, but fortunately nothing too bad. I was so busy, I actually forgot to post to this blog and my Patreon community a few times. I won’t go back and do make-up content for this blog, but I have a plan to deliver the make-up content to my Patrons. Plus, I’ve been working on a lot of new and exclusive content.

While I didn’t read a lot, I did keep up with my Goodreads challenge, which I’ll post about next week, along with my book reviews. I did write a lot, which I wish I hadn’t forgotten to share, but like I said, I have a plan to make up that content. I recorded and posted two new videos on my YouTube channel: Counting My Blessings and Have U Seen This, featured below.?

Oh, oh, and I’m so excited to release season two of my Read Local Show! I’ve completed three episodes and hope to get at least one more. Season 2 Episode 1 airs this Friday, 6/9/23 with author Drema Deoraich. I’m still trying to line up talent for the Read All Over Show, so if you know anyone interested, please send them my way.

Birthday month, I mean June, has started out in full force, so I don’t have too much to say until the dust settles. Happy Birthday to all my family, friends, and anyone else who has a birthday in June.

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What would you do if you couldn’t write?
How has your year in reading been going?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog.
My response time has gotten slower but I’m still making my rounds.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Patrcia Josephine,
Olga Godim,
Meka James,
J. Lenni Dorner, and
Cathrina Constantine!

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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 #28).

Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.

Categories
Book Club Books

What I #read in April. ’23 & what I #amreading!

Today the IWSG Book Club launches our May discussion about what we are reading. It doesn’t have to be a book club selection just something you are excited about. Let’s all share what we are reading, and perhaps, we’ll find something to add to our own TBR lists. Click this link to go straight to the discussion. I’m currently reading Brides of Maracoor. I plan to start others but want to finish this first.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.

In April 2023, I completed 1 and ½ titles. My goal was 2-3. I had to DNF one title and decided to hold off on a picture book for a while. I am still on track with my Goodreads Challenge.

2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Toi has
read 2 books toward
her goal of
36 books.
hide

Below you’ll find my star ratings and review tags for each title I completed in the indicated month. You can also click the images to see the thorough reviews. There may even be a video for you to watch below, but I make no promises.

Rating: 5.0 – Review | Amazon | Bookshop

Rating: 2.0 – Review | Amazon

Check out my Goodreads Wrap-Up video or watch my Book Review video below (I elaborate on the public reviews I’ve posted).

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IWSG BOOK CLUB THEME CHALLENGE

#iwsgbookclub

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So tell me, what are you currently reading?
Did you read anything interesting in April?
Are you going to try the May theme challenge?

Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.

Categories
IWSG

#IWSG May. 2023- Inspiration is here!

Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click here to learn more or sign up.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.

Optional Monthly Question: When you are working on a story, what inspires you?

Life inspires me, but sometimes I have to focus and seek inspiration. I will listen to music that evokes particular moods or that helps set a scene. I will people-watch to observe natural reactions and responses. I will look at or attempt to create art that helps me flesh out a character or situation. While I might like to sit back and let the inspiration come to me, sometimes I get tired of waiting and just try something- usually a writing prompt.

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IWSG BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS

#iwsgbookclub

Member Spotlight

Razor Valentine – Goodreads, Amazon

Craft Book

How to Rock Self-Publishing – Goodreads, Amazon, Bookshop

This a voluntary monthly challenge, just for fun.

Now, on to the personal updates.

I had such a good time at RavenCon16. Check out the video below.

I’ve been writing more than I’m used- not a lot- but enough to make me feel proud. I even submitted a story to an anthology. Even if the story isn’t selected, I’m just proud I was able to submit something.

I haven’t written my April book reviews yet, but my reading was 50% positive and 50% not-so-positive. I’ll be talking more about that next week when I post my reviews, but the Book Club Library challenge turned out to be quite a ride.

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What inspires you when writing?
What do you think of this month’s theme challenge?
It may take some time, but I promise, I will eventually stop by your blog.
My response time has gotten slower but I’m still making my rounds.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Joylene Nowell Butler,
Ronel Janse van Vuuren,
Meka James,
Victoria Marie Lees, and
M Louise Barbour!

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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 #28).

Thank you for making it this far down the virtual page. Kudos to you! I’d love to know what you thought of this post in the comments below. Stay safe and be blessed.