Tag: reading

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About Toi

Connecting with people is hard ’cause #IRead and “they” don’t.

I find that my friends and family don’t have much in common with me when it comes to books. Even my followers seem to like to read but don’t want to talk about it. Sometimes I feel like an endangered animal. I just don’t know why more people don’t read, especially since everyone tells kids how important reading is.

I know not everyone is on FaceBook, but if you are, I’d love for you to take and or share a poll I posted. If you look at all the options, even the hidden ones, it’s kind of funny.

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 October 2019: To Read or Not to Read?

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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.

Optional Monthly Question: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

Writers who don’t read make me feel uncomfortable. I don’t expect most writers to read as much as I do, but I do expect them to read somewhat regularly. Like the question says, why should other people read a writer’s work when that writer doesn’t read anyone else’s work. I don’t think it’s right to expect people to read and or buy your books if you aren’t yourself a consumer of books.

I always appreciate an opportunity to read an ARC, but I still buy books from other authors as well. (At least, I post my ARC reviews right away, while my leisure reads usually come with leisurely posted reviews.) I’ve seen writers online bragging about how they only read books sent to them for review purposes or they don’t read at all because they don’t have the time. I’m not cool with that.

I know I make reading a priority in my life, but that has nothing to do with me as a writer. If I wasn’t already an avid reader, I’d still make a point to read at least one book a month. For some writers, reading one book every quarter is all they can muster because they are so focused on their writing, and I think that’s great. It’s better than saying, I won’t make time to read but I expect other people to read what I’ve written.

So, those are my thoughts. Probably not popular, but it is what it is.

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IWSG Book Club News
September 25, 2019, was discussion day for Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice by Betsy Lerner. I haven’t made it over there yet, but I will. I must admit, I had trouble reading this one, but Part 2 of the book was better for me than Part 1.

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.

In anticipation of this being the chosen title, I read the book and watched the Netflix movie. Loved them both. Will say more at discussion time.

WEP-IWSG

The October challenge has been officially announced. Posting is the 16th -18th. I’ve already finished my story but may need to polish it a bit. I’m not in love with the story I’ve written but I feel it’s the story I need to tell right now. I’m open to other ideas coming along and playing out before submission day, so I guess we’ll see what I post when I post.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

Is anyone in the U.S. having a real Fall experience right now. It’s October and I’m still waiting to wear all my scarves and sweaters. I’m ready for cool temperatures and rainbow leaves. Plus, I really don’t want to be sweating on my birthday. I’m so ready for Fall.

I’m currently in the process of rewriting four books. Why, you ask? Apparently, I’m a crazy person who lets her characters dictate her life and right now they are all demanding makeovers.

OMG! I don’t care if no one says that anymore. I got to meet L. Diane Wolfe at the Hampton Roads Writer’s Conference last month and have no shame in admitting that I was a total fangirl. The whole writing conference was a wonderful experience, but meeting Diane just made it even more special.

This writer’s conference also lit a fire in me to get back out into my local community to network and share my writing and speaking skills. I have a few events lined up and feel good about sharing my love of books and reading. If I sell books along the way, great. If not, at least I got to have the experience.

Speaking of networking, are there any IWSG members living in or near Hampton Roads (Tidewater), VA willing to connect and or collaborate?

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So, are you a writer who reads or doesn’t read? Do you think writers should also be readers?

Thanks for stopping by. 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:
Ronel Janse van Vuuren,
Mary Aalgaard,
Madeline Mora-Summonte, and
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!!!

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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 #44).

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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About Toi IWSG

#IWSG March 2018: Is it time to celebrate a #writing goal? Why, I think it is!

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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: How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal / finish a story?

If I’m being honest here, sometimes just finishing a project is the celebration (boy do I wish I had more time to smell the roses). There is a distinctive feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing any writing project, but one must ask themselves, “At what point is a story truly finished?” For me it varies; sometimes a story is finished when I write “The End” and sometimes it’s not finished until I approved the proof. Regardless, I do feel as though I should celebrate these achievements more than I have in the past. It can sometimes be a long period of time between launch parties, so finding times and ways to celebrate other writing achievements seems like a good way to stay motivated and keep on track.

I’m totally open to suggestions.

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Now on to the personal updates.

Soooooo, all H*LL broke out at my day job last week and I almost had a complete mental breakdown, seriously. With the help of co-workers, family, friends, and prayer, I’m holding it together. (For those who don’t know, I teach. That’s all I’m going to say about that.)

I finished my graphic novel read-a-thon just shy of my overall goal, and it’s motivated me to keep reading graphic novels throughout the year. I haven’t done an update video yet, but I’m working on it. I may even be doing a side by side comparison later in the year, reading a novel and the graphic novel version of the story together. We’ll see.

I’ve written three new children’s books and am almost finished with the fourth. I’ll begin the process of having the stories beta read and begin the process of illustrating them very soon. I even plan to vlog about it a bit.

I’m very excited to accept my first invitation to go and read to students at a school in my local area. This is not a sales event or a signing, though I will be reading my books. I’m happy to not have the pressure of sales. Sometimes the one thing that’s better than making a sale, is the look on a child’s face when they enjoy the words and pictures you’ve made. I’m so excited.

Last, but most definitely not least, I was honored with the Encouragement Award for the February 2018 W.E.P. challenge. Even though I don’t always meet the challenge, I can’t express how much the WEP community has helped me grow as a writer. I am so proud and happy to receive this recognition… And guess what? I did a happy dance and bought myself some ice cream (not frozen yogurt) when I found out I won. Guess I can celebrate my writing goals when I think about it. If you’d like to read mine or any of the other wonderful stories of this WEP Challenge, just click the award image.

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So, do you or how do you celebrate your writing goals?

Has all H*LL broken out in some aspect of your life? How are you coping with it?

Read any graphic novels lately or know any I should check out?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Mary Aalgaard,
Bish Denham,
Jennifer Hawes,
Diane Burton, and
Gwen Gardner!

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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 #57).

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