So, guess who forgot to schedule this post last night? ME!
Well, I made it back to YouTube towards the end of 2018 and then disappeared again. Luckily, it’s a new year and a new day (I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot. 😉 )
Over on my YouTube channel, I have the usual things lined up as well as a few new things. I’m hosting author interviews again and have a new flexible format that should suit anyone. If you are interested in a video interview, sign up here.
Right here at The ToiBox of Words, I also plan to feature more authors. I have author interviews lined up and a few guest posts too. If you’d like to be featured on this blog, sign up here. I’m also trying to start reader interviews over at my Lit Carnivale blog, but haven’t had much interest. If you are interested, let me know here.
Over at A Small Gang of Authors, today, we have a cool post of various authors sharing why they write. Tomorrow I’ll be continuing 1 of my 3 ongoing series, Would You Read This? where I pitch story blurbs/taglines and mock book covers. I hope you’ll check it out, and if you are interested in guest posting over there, check thisout.
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
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.
Well, I don’t know what happened. I wrote my November IWSG post early and saved it, but when I went to edit and post it last night, it wasn’t there. 🙁 I felt defeated and headed to bed. After a good night sleep, I woke up, walked my dog, did some other social media, and decided to reconstruct my post. Better late than never… I guess.
Optional Monthly Question: How has your creativity in life evolved since you began writing?
Even before I started writing with an intent, I was an active creative individual. I never really mastered a particular skill, craft or art, but I’ve always dabbled. I bake from scratch, sew pillows and purses, paint canvases, decorate a classroom (now a desk), and so much more. Creativity has always been part of daily life, although, since I spend so much time writing now, some of my other creative outlets suffer until a special occasion brings them to the surface.
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October’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was Chrys Fey. Being a fan of her work and blog, I was happy to see her gain this recognition. Please, be sure to stop by and show her some love.
Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I continue my series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today I share my paranormal story, In the Window.
Also, we are hosting our first-ever short story contest and letting readers decide the winners. There are cash prizes for the winners and each entry is 500-words or less. If you are up for it, please check it out. It’s a lot of fun.
The IWSG Book Club book for October/November is: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe The discussion for this starts November 19th and I’m ready. I read this quickly and simply need to write my review. A great classic for those who appreciate the darker side of fiction.
– Now, on to the personal updates.
There’s lots going on, but I’ll have to blog about that later. I’m still a little bummed my original article disappeared. In any case, here are two videos you can check out if you’re up for it.
Here is me showing off some of my new books.
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Has writing affected the creativity in your life?
Did you have better luck uploading your post today?
Do you like short stories or flash fiction?
Got any good news to share or need some encouragement?
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: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?
I write stories, whether fiction or non-fiction because I enjoy it. I’ve never not enjoyed the writing process, but sometimes the business of publishing can suck the life out of writing. That’s one reason why I stopped trying to publish so much. When I have something that’s ready, I publish it; otherwise, I just enjoy the process.
For me, the process of writing is therapeutic. Writing can also be an escape. When reading a good story isn’t enough to help me cope with the world around me, writing and creating does. When I wrote my first book, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, I didn’t know that’s what I was doing. I was going through a very tough time and was a bit depressed. I’ve had worse bouts of depression over the years, but at the time, I was on the verge of something really bad. Writing that story helped me avoid a major wave of depression and helped me express a sense of hope I didn’t know was in me. It also helped me reconnect with my faith in God.
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September’s IWSG Newsletter member spotlight was K.J. Scrim, a newer member to the hop. If you can, be sure to give her a visit this month. I’m sure she’d love it. This month she’s #136.
So, I posted my WEP-IWSG entry way early again this month. If you want to check out, I’d love to know what you think?
Over at A Small Gang of Authors, I’ve started a new series: Would you read this, where I pitch blurbs and cover art for short stories I’ve written. Today is the first post. If you have the time, please click the image to check it out.
The IWSG Book Club book for October/November is: The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
This one is a short story, so hopefully, everyone will be able to read it in time for the discussion. I didn’t read the last book. 🙁 I tried, but life got in the way. I’m excited about this one though. I really enjoy the works of Poe.
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Now, on to the personal updates.
So, my new job is going well, but the last week of the month was a bit stressful. Still, it was a good kind of stressful. I wish I had discovered this path five years ago. I don’t know if I would have been ready to leave the classroom then, but if I had known this was a possibility, I definitely would have left the classroom two years ago.
I finally made it back to YouTube and have been posting up a storm. You should stop by and see some of the stuff I’ve posted, such as the video below and the ones featured on my side panel.
Also, I’ve made a breakthrough with my illustration struggles and will have lots to share with you next month.
Lastly, I’ve decided to release the “controversial” book I mentioned last month. I really didn’t mean to give the wrong impression, but the book is only controversial because it’s an opinion piece, written by a self-published author, about book review culture. This is not a book about how to get reviews or how to write reviews. It’s really about the culture and thought-process of those who choose to and not to write book reviews. I’ve already had some authors tell me they want nothing to do with it while others have been very encouraging. In any case, it means a lot to me so I’m going to putting it out there. I’m putting together a slideshow presentation and a video series to go along with the book.
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Do you find your writing to be therapeutic?
Gonna try out the IWSG Book Club book this time around?
Are you on YouTube? Did you check out any of my videos?
I submitted my story to the anthology. Wish me luck.
My encouragement for this month: write what makes you happy.
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