Tag: writing

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Full Moon Solomon's Sword WIP Updates

WIP Update 17

WIPU

As an author I’m constantly on the road to publication, but sometimes I lose my way. Fortunately for me, I keep these WIP Updates to help me get back on track and find my way. For most of the summer I was transitioning my site and blog to self-hosting and working on some other new projects. All that left little time for personal reading and writing. As much as I love to read, as a writer who wants to be a published author, it’s imperative that I write.

With that being said, I did manage to find some beta readers for two of my stories I’m working to release. I was going to try to release It’s Like the Full Moon around Christmas, but I think I might wait until February, but if the situation presents itself, it won’t put it off longer than necessary. I’m already working on a marketing plan for it. I have high hope for this story because I feel it has a more general appeal than my Eternal Curse story and really hope that people will give it a chance.

I’m working on a companion guide for my second Eternal Curse book. I’d like to have it out as a free ebook for a while before I release the second book, but I’m not in hurry on this. I have time to get that story just right before trying to release it.

One of my short stories will be released soon in an anthology so that should provide me with enough of a sense of accomplishment to keep me going. In the meantime, I’m slowly but surely making progress on my Solomon’s Swords story, and I can already see that a new working title will have to be considered.

-Do you have a WIP Update to share? I’d love to see it.

-Feeling a little lost about what’s going on in this post? Just see the side panel and search ToiBox Topics, WIP Updates, to get all caught up. Also check my Works In Progress tab to see what else I may be working on.

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 September 2014: Transitions

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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 often how well others handle transitions, those times spent in between one part of your life and other. I don’t think I handle them too badly, but I know I have room for improvement. I also wonder how one identifies whether they are in a place of transition rather than a consistent state of being. For instance, in terms of relationships, there the dating/courtship period and there’s marriage; the transition between the two is called an engagement. What do you call when you’re in a place somewhere between being a newbie/novice and being on top/an expert in your field? I feel like that’s where I am.

I’m been writing and blogging for about four years now and I’m still no expert and definitely not on top, but I’m no novice either. Sometimes I count my goals to give me perspective, but lately I’ve learned that counting them isn’t enough. I also have to reevaluate to make sure to pursuing what truly best and simply chasing after something for all the wrong reasons.

I guess the point of all this is that I feel like I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things, but I’m just not there yet. So, do I continue down this path the same way I’ve been going, try something new, or try to stopping wanting so much? I seriously don’t see the latter as a viable option.

Do you feel like you are in a transition or have you been in one? How did you get out? I’d seriously love to know.

After listening to me ponder my own query, here’s something that you may or may not be interested in and that may put a smile on your face. I’ve just relaunched my You Tube channel with all new programming and just aired my first episode. You can check it out here if you’d like.

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts: Laura, Mark Koopmans, Shah Wharton, and Sheena-Kay Graham!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #151).

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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Author Insights Videos

It’s a brand new day on You Tube!

So, last year I launched my You Tube channel unsure of what I was going to do with it. I knew I wanted to interview authors and help support their books, but it’s crazy how many authors are afraid of video interviews. Not that I love being in front of a camera myself, but I’m not exactly camera-shy either. I really wanted my channel to be a way to connect with people, but it seemed to just be a little lacking.

I’ve been working hard all summer trying to find a solution to this problem and I think I have some ideas that could really work, if only I can find an audience to embrace them. I will continue my efforts to interview authors whenever I can find some brave enough, but I’ll also be adding in some purely entertainment content that I find interesting. I will continue my book snippets “Toi Reads” whenever the mood strikes and will continue to promote my own works whenever an opportunity is appropriate, but I’d like this channel to be less about me and more about everything around me.

I’ll be making efforts to reach out to friends, family, colleagues, and strangers to both guest host and sponsor videos. Guest hosting is a free endeavor that helps me and whoever participates. It provides my audience with some variety and keeps them from having to stare at me constantly. For the guest hosts, it’s just like being on TV. People get a chance to know you a little better and you get to promote yourself in a passive manner. Sponsorship is whole other issue; click here to learn more about both.

So here’s what I’m planning. I’ll be sharing movie and book reviews, discussing writing, creative, and other working techniques and methods, talking about music and vinyl records, and even sharing some silly opinions on greeting cards. (This one you’ll just have to see to understand.)

So there you have it. I’m putting myself out there in yet another way. I can’t wait to see what comes of this.

This is an unofficial Author Insights post.

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