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WIP Updates

#WIP Update 22 #amwriting #amreading

WIPU

My writing came to a halt recently when I had a health scare and then I started back to work. So, that basically means that I haven’t written any fiction lately. I’m barely keeping up with my blog, but here I am writing another post. One thing I can say, though, is that the worst is behind me. I’m fine and ready to get back on track.

I’ll be implementing my fall writing schedule starting next Monday. I try not to do any writing or blogging on Sunday and I try to limit my social media interaction. Come Monday, though, I’ll start with 30 minutes a day and work my way to 90 (by the end of the week). It may not sound like a lot, but that’s pretty much all the writing I get in when I’m not on holiday or vacation. It’s increases a bit in the Spring because more daylight invigorates me, but this Winter, I may revert back to 30 minutes. I guess we’ll see how things go.

Next month, I hope to have a more hearty update for you, similar to the last one I posted.

Well, that’s all I have for now. Got some cool stuff happening on my side panel you might want to check out, aaand… If you’re up for it, please check out my Reading Challenge Update.

-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

Categories
Be Careful WIP Updates

#WIP Update 21 #amwriting

WIPU

So, writing is a tricky thing (in case you didn’t know). I’ve done quite a bit of writing as of late, but I haven’t made a whole lot of progress on any one story. (How is this possible you ask?)

Well, in the process of picking up stories I hadn’t worked on in ages, I found that my original vision for many of them has changed. This month, though, I just want to focus on my progress with the Saying Series 2 book. At the moment, the working title is “Be Careful What You Wish For.”

Since I’m bringing back all the characters from the first book but choosing to focus on one in particular, I had to figure out how to put my new (well, new to this installment) heroin at the center of the action or drama. Needless to say, there’s going to be loads of relationship issues and not all of them will be Lisa’s fault (she’s matured since book 1).

So here’s the basics of what I’m working with. Lisa and Teddy are working to keep a spark in their relationship as they both continue to excel in their careers, which kinda pulls them away from each other. Between Lisa and Rebecca, someone has to get pregnant soon so Sarah Rapture can have a grandchild. Paul, Alex, and a few new comers are back on the dating scene and it’s a little scary (some of Lisa’s life lessons will come in handy here). And while I’m sure some will be put off by this, there will be race issues addressed (in case you didn’t know, Lisa is black… dunt, dunt, dunnnnnn! 😮 )

Well, that’s all I have for now. I’ll explain about some of the other stories I’m rewriting and or structuring another day. If you’re up for it, please check out my Reading Challenge Update.

-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 August 2017: reading/writing/editing pet peeves & other #questions

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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: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

Since I really don’t like editing, mainly because I’m no good at self-editing, it’s all one big pet peeve to me. I don’t mind offering feedback on other people’s work, but self-editing seems like an oxymoron to me. To me, if I write something, I know what it’s supposed to sound like and look like, so I can’t see those places where the ideas in my mind and what’s on the screen or paper don’t match. I really don’t like editing.

In terms of writing, my pet peeves are interruptions and inquisitions. It drives me crazy when people won’t let me write. It’s hard enough finding those magical moments when you are motivated to write and actually have the time only to be trapped by someone else’s need to chit-chat after ages of silence. I swear it happens every time. Then there are those times when you’re writing something and people want to talk to you about what you’re writing, or they want to watch you work and get inspired or any number of annoying things to show that they are all of a sudden interested in your writing when they’ve never cared before.

As far as reading goes, while most people will go on and on about style, voice, and p.o.v., the biggest pet peeve I have is when the author has treated the reader like a simpleton. It drives me crazy when authors explain things that don’t need to be explained. I think I do this myself sometimes and I make myself so mad when I do. Gotta work on that.

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Now on to the personal updates.

I’ve been sick, again. I’m always sick, but as long as I’m not in the hospital it really isn’t that bad. I’m used to it, but it does make keeping up with schedules and plans difficult. I’ve also been losing my battle with depression lately. At least I can say that now; I’m currently in a better place. It’s what I call the bounce back. It’s difficult to talk about depression with people who don’t suffer from it because it’s an entirely different thought process; it’s emotional and it’s messy. Most people avoid those who even mention depression, which is why I rarely talk about it. But since I’m doing better at the moment and will, prayerfully, stay that way, I figured it was important to put it out there in case someone is feeling all alone in their struggle.

On a lighter note, I’ve been keeping up with my YouTube channel pretty well, but I’ve realized that I won’t grow a large following with it. With my efforts split between this and other blogs and YouTube, there’s simply no way for me to put the time and interaction into it that would take for effective growth. At this point, it’s just something else I like to do whether others join me or not.

I’ve been writing quite a bit, though I don’t feel like I’m making much progress. Still, it feels good to be writing on a regular basis. I’ll talk more about it in my WIP update on Friday, where I’ll mention how my last public appearance, for a while, went the night before. I’ll be attending “Meet the Authors” at the Central Library in Virginia Beach. At least I’ll get to show off my new business cards.

If you have a moment, I’d love for you to visit my CURIOUS QUESTIONS page and offer your two cents on the question being asked. Thanks bunches.

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So, what are some of your read/write/edit pet peeves?
Any issues you want to talk about?
Any advice for my library appearance?

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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Christine Rains,
Dolarah @ Book Lover,
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor,
Yvonne Ventresca, and
LG Keltner!

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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 #61).

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