Tag: romance

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IWSG Videos

#IWSG February 2019: My Creative Interests & a feature from author Tatum James.

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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.

I was almost in tears when I woke and realized my post hadn’t gone live. Seems I set it for the wrong date. 🙁 Oh well, better late than never… Hold on tight ‘cause I have a lot to cover today.

Optional Monthly Question: Besides writing, what other creative outlets do you have?

I have so many creative outlets, I sometimes have to schedule the time I spend doing different things. While reading itself isn’t a creative outlet, writing book reviews and filming book videos can be. I also enjoy cooking and baking from scratch (or semi-homemade when resources are scarce). I love to draw and paint, and while I’m better at drawing than painting, I’m not really good at either. Still, I love to do it. I used to love sewing pillows, purses, and other things, but getting back into it has been tough (again resources…). And lastly, I love to dance. I used to be really into jazz, ballet, and hip-hop though I never trained for them. Still, I do enjoy a good beat or melody.

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January’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was L.G. Keltner. Be sure to stop by and check her out, if you have a chance.

IWSG BOOK CLUB NEWS

The IWSG Book Club on Goodreads is changing things up…
And members are love’n it.

-5 Discussion Questions: We will pose 5 questions that you can answer about the book we’ve read as a group. You can answer one question or all five. It’s up to you.

-Discussion Day Poll: Every discussion day, there will also be a poll that all members will get invited to answer. This is a great option to participate that is fast and simple.

-Quiz: You can also help us create a Goodreads quiz for the book we’ve read.

-Giveaways: Every Discussion Day, book club members will get a Goodreads message that will include the chance for members to enter a free Rafflecopter giveaway.

-Freebies: When we announce the next reading selection, another Goodreads message will go out that’ll include a downloadable freebie, which could be anything.

-Other Polls: We will also invite members to answer writing or reading-related polls during our “down” months. One poll will be related to the book in some way.

We read a new book every other month, alternating between craft books and fictional books that demonstrate an aspect of writing. Members vote on our fictional books. Join us here.

Goodreads

Our February/March 2019 book is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. This book was voted on by our members as a good example of setting. Discussion Day will be March 20th.

The cover for the next IWSG anthology has been revealed and there’s a new admin to the group. Click the image to get more information about the anthology release date and more.

The February WEP-IWSG sign-up is open and I feel pretty silly not having a story posted yet. While I do have until the 20th to get my DL-link up, I’m having trouble developing a story for the theme I came up with (Yes, you read that right. It was all my idea). He he, guess I didn’t think that through very well.

AUTHOR FEATURES

I’m happy to announce that I have some lovely authors to feature today. First, over on my YouTube channel, I’ve interviewed two authors and have another on the way. I’m always up for interviewing more authors. Check out video interviews for Christina Weigand and Joanne Lipford. Plus, I had a lovely blog interview with author Rhiannon Lee, on Monday. And today, I present you with an original article from author Tatum James.

What Becomes Of A Broken Doll?

By now, some know that Tatum James is a pen name. I recently signed with Major Key Publishing writing under my real name. I wanted to keep my author life separated from my regular life. Plus, some of my scenes are graphic so I wanted to disassociate from that.

I began a love affair with storytelling at a young age. I would read or watch something and think of ways to make it better. My favorites came from the urban fiction genre, well that’s if we exclude Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are.  I was introduced to urban fiction in 8th grade. A more mature classmate brought in a book about a hair salon. I couldn’t believe there were books with characters like people I knew.

I didn’t realize that I was talented until some of my teachers and friends brought it to my attention. I loved writing but, I couldn’t see myself doing it as a job. Instead, I chose to be a nurse, which I’ve done since 2009.

I became a published author in November of 2018, self-publishing my first novella Identical Sins. Soon after I published my baby Diary Of A Broken Doll which I had completed about 2 years earlier and the sequel Diary Of A Broken Doll 2.

Diary of a Broken Doll is a coming of age story of a girl with a negligent mother. The protagonist Courtney becomes wrapped up in a world of drugs and sex. Once she is in, there’s no turning back. There is a 3rd part to the series coming February of 2019.  In the 3rd installment, the readers get a more personal look into her life with Drew, the guy that saved her from her mother’s home.

Find Diary of a Broken Doll at Amazon.com.

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Now, on to the personal updates.

I’m crazy busy with my day job, plus all the stuff I’m doing online. That’s just the state of my life right now, and for now, I’m okay with it. Not letting myself get too overwhelmed. I do what I can and don’t worry about what I can’t.

Since it’s February, I’m doing my self-created #28daysofgraphicnovels challenge over at my, Carnie the Bookworm, Instagram account.

 

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And, I finally finished my semi-animated read aloud video series for story time. I worked really hard on it and am happy with what I was able to accomplish with very little technical skill, low-tech equipment, and minuscule time. I do so hope you will give these 5 short videos (less than 5 minutes each) a look and or a share.

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What other creative interest do you have?

Gonna try the IWSG Book Club Book?

Gonna try my storytime video series?

I’m feeling good at the moment and wish you nothing
but blessings in your endeavors.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:

 Raimey Gallant,
 Natalie Aguirre,
CV Grehan, and
Michelle Wallace!!

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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 #50).

This post contains some affiliate links. Please see the about page for more information.

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
Fun Hops IWSG

Déjà vu or Voodoo #WEPFF Challenge featuring The Nameless Ingenue #amwriting #flashfiction

Yeah, I’m way early again this month, but I can’t do anything else with this story so I might as well post it.

Sometimes I fear my mind goes to dark places. For that reason, I try to steer clear of dark themes, yet they always seem to find me. Most of my adult fiction has some sort of dark theme, outside of my romantic efforts. This theme, for some reason, really spoke to me. Don’t know why. The day I really paid attention to what the theme was, I wrote the story below.

Just in case: you’ll see the word “ingenue”, pronounced (an – zhuh – noo) <– real phonics OR (on – zjay – new) <– my phonics, lol ;).

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The Nameless Ingenue

The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, searching each other out like constellations in the night. They’d made it; together at last. She in her pearly linens clinging to her timid flesh that radiated with hope and unrequited passion. He in his clanging metals and silken coat, spread taut across his muscled form, pulsating with unquenched desire.

Their bodies drawn into one another, melting into gliding and swaying limbs. Their toes barely graced the sheen of the dance floor before their shoulders dipped into an unending embrace. Their lips pressed together in a tender massage, as though one was resuscitating the other. Their hands reaching and groping as though there were no other lovers sharing the dance floor.

When their lips parted, and their eyes gazed into each other’s souls, the ingenue felt something tugging at her heart. There was a subtle ache as she tore her eyes away, darting her focus around the room. Her eyes landed on a glass of Champaign with her reflection waving at her mockingly. She understood then, this is not how it was supposed to happen.

Pexels.com

The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, hungry to hold each other tightly. They’d made it; together at last. She in her white lace wrapped around her supple flesh excited to face her first lover. He in his coat of jewels and metals, sparkling with strength and confidence as he prepared to claim his prize.

Eagerly, she reached for the champion, desperate to offer him her body. Like a king at court, the champion accepted the gift of her flesh and squeezed it tight, shocking the horrified onlookers. Gasping in terror, the ingenue pleaded with her eyes and clawed at the vice grip around her body. The champion swept the floor with her dangling feet, forcing her into a deadly waltz.

Sniggering with ominous elation, the champion twisted red rings around the ingénue’s neck. The pain of betrayal sent her eyes reeling with regret and searching for understanding. With her eyelids slipping towards oblivion, she glanced at her dying body, reflected in a glass of Champaign. She understood then, this is not how it was supposed to end.
–
The nameless ingenue and the revered champion met on the dance floor, eager to claim each other’s hearts. They’d made it; together at last. She in her borrowed white gown, hugging the smooth flesh of her supple body. He in his silk coat and achievement ribbons; his chest puffed in adoration and pride.

Eyes fluttering, and hands pressed against her heart, the ingenue waited for her champion to embrace her. Boldly wrapping his arms around her waist, forgoing formalities, the champion pressed his lips against his prize. Together the lovers embraced and savored the sweetness of passion fulfilled.

When they’d drawn a sufficient crowd, the ingenue raised her hand to the champion’s neck and stabbed him with a blade that had been concealed beneath her laces. The champions body fell limp and tumbled to the floor; shock and heartbreak distorting his once handsome features. Dancing lovers parted the floor, fleeing the menace radiating in the ingenue’s eyes as the blade in her hand raised and lowered again and again.

Surrounded by horrified revelers, an ache shot through her heart and she fell to the floor searching for understanding. Hands clinching the fabric over her heart, she tossed and turned, trying to shield her eyes from the violence she rained down on her lover. She caught a glimpse at her reflection in a half-cracked glass of Champaign and she understood. The ingénue understood; this is how it was all supposed to end.
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Huddled under the elegant cloth of the banquet table, the sister’s eyes sparkled with glee. With flushed cheeks and heaving breaths, she clutched the handmade ragdolls as though her life depended on it. The dark doll had been torn down the back, its stuffing of cotton and hair spilling onto the floor. She tossed the white doll, now stained with red wine, to the end of the table’s length and sighed in relief. She had enjoyed her playtime and was satisfied with the result of her game.
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FCA- 701-words- The Nameless Ingenue 2018 Copyright © Toinette J. Thomas

Well. That’s that. Did it feel like déjà vu?
Did it make you think of Puppet Master? (I kind of had that in mind.)
Too creepy; not creepy enough?

Please, take some time to read other stories in this hop. All stories should be posted by October 17th, but early entries arrive daily. Look for any name or link with DL next to it to enjoy a short story. I guarantee you will laugh, cry, be terrified, and more.



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 Full Moon Reblogs

Reblog- #Music, My Muse: part 2 by Toi Thomas #OurAuthorGang

Today, I’m hanging out over at A Small Gang of Authors with part 2 (finally, sorry it took so long) of my series on music and writing. I’m starting with the topic of mood music and interpretation. Please check it out.

From Pinterest via PicMonekey
“Today, in part 2 of the Music My Muse series, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on mood music (see part 1here).

I feel like most people have the same general idea of what mood music is. It’s all about setting the tone or atmosphere for something specific, usually romance, but not always.

In terms of romance, people often imagine a fancy restaurant with lit candles and a suited man playing a violin. However, some people will imagine star-lit mountains in the background of a small campfire with someone playing an acoustic guitar. What’s more, some people might actually imagine pink silk sheets, a bottle of champagne, and either a sappy rock ballad or a smooth R&B groove. Not one of these is better than the other, yet they are all setting the same tone of romance, in very different ways…”

Read more at A Small Gang of Authors.

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