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: What’s harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?
For me, it’s definitely book titles. I have this whole obsession with names and their meanings and keep a list of possible names I could use at any time. Book titles, on the other hand, elude me. Even after I’ve settled on one, I never really feel it fits. At some point, I have to call the book something so people will know what they are getting. It’s not easy making that final decision.
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So, first off, this is going to be a long one, but for good reason. I’ll be back to my shorter posts next time, I promise.
Now, I’d like to congratulate Juneta Key on her member spotlight in the May newsletter. Not only is she a great blogger and writer, she’s constantly giving back to the community. A very well-deserved recognition.
Now, on to the personal updates. Please stick around for a special new release message at the end.
So, in case you missed it, I unpublished the first two books in the Eternal Curse Series (they are still available to anyone who asks for them). You can learn more about that at the link above. Needless to say, I have a lot of writing to do with that rewrite as well as finishing the first draft of my Sayings sequel, which I still don’t have a title for. I seriously thought I’d be on my 3rd or 4th draft by now, but as usual, my day job, which is convenient for writing, is also so stressful as of late, that it’s blocked all my creativity… Oh well, that’s life.
On a slightly fun note, I’m in position 56 on the IWSG blog hop list. When I started out, I was 181. All that means is that many people have come and gone, and likely come back again in the time I’ve participated in this blog and I’ve been sticking with it and moving up the ladder. Being part of this group is one of my greatest accomplishments. I’m sadly thinking of reducing my blog to once a month post, still being open to interviews and spotlights whenever someone needs to fill a spot or wants some free promo… We’ll see what happens.
In typical Toi Thomas fashion, I’ve taken on a project that’s probably too ambitious for the likes of me to pull off, but since I can’t stop the dreams from keeping me up at night, I’m going for it. I’m attempting to host a fan-fueled book fair in my local area sometime next year (or the year after 😉 ). I’ve created a cute little mascot named Carnie the Bookworm. Would you like to meet him?
Over at A Small Gang of Authors, we are hosting our first ever book cover contest. We’d love for you to head over, check it out, and vote in the comments. Thanks bunches!
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So, are you a whiz at book titles but struggle with character names or vice versa?
Would you ever unpublish a book? Does the idea of it terrify you?
What did you think of Carnie?
You gonna enter Chrys Fey’s giveaway?
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Beverly Stowe McClure,
Tyrean Martinson,
Tonja Drecker, 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 #56).
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
15 replies on “#IWSG June 2018 & Write with Fey #newrelease #giveaway”
Congratulations to Chrys!
Two of my books I never could come up with a name for them. My publisher did.
Chemist Ken would be very proud of you climbing the IWSG ladder like that!
I may put myself out there one day and have people on social media name one of my books. It’s such a tough thing for me.
I say yes to Juneta. She is awesome and deserves much praise. And congrats on your new number. I looked at mine too. Couldn’t help myself. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
I know. Isn’t it cool to see yourself moving up the list. 😀
I didn’t hear about the unpublishing. Or maybe I did? I don’t know. Life gets crazy fast, eh? Here’s wishing you all the creative juice you need going forward and that the job will prove less draining in the near future.
Thank you. It was a tough decision, but it was clearly the right one. I hate not having the books listed publically for the world to see, but I also don’t want to give the world less than my best.
Ah, Thank you for the shout out. I was so surprised when I opened the newsletter. It made my day. Thank you Shannon and Toi.
Your little worm is too cute.
I would probably unpublish and redo if I thought I could do better. I think it is an awesome project. Yes it would terrify me.
Already entered the giveaway. I hosted her on my site yesterday. Go Chrys! Congrats!
There are so many wonderful people participating in IWSG but I always get excited when someone I follow gets recognition. Glad you like Carnie.
Juneta is also a moderator for the IWSG Book Club. That wasn’t mentioned in the spotlight and deserves a mention. You and Juneta are excellent moderators. I couldn’t do it without either of you!
Thank you so much for shouting out my book and for sharing the giveaway. 🙂
I don’t know what happened, but I could have sworn I replied to this comment days ago. Sorry it’s not here.
I was happy to share your book. I got my copy and am almost finished with it. Good stuff. I’ve enjoyed the IWSG Book Club so much. Feel like I dropped the ball a little last month but I’m right on track for the next discussion.
Well done on your position on the IWSG list! You and everyone else in this group are so supportive of all of us newer writers lower down on the list 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I’m not sure why I didn’t receive notifications for some of my comments. I love being part of the IWSG and am happy you found us.
Congrats on moving up the ladder! 🙂
There’s nothing wrong with reducing your blog to once a month post, which frees up more time for writing and other types of activities.
I struggle with character names. My characters remain Mrs. B, Mr. X and Miss Y for a very long time.
I read an interesting IWSG post where the author said she researches geography and culture before settling on a name. Another IWSG participant said that a name needs to also be decade-appropriate, which makes sense if one actually wants to find the best possible name for the character.
I also like the ‘sound’ of a name. But as wonderful as a name ‘sounds’, the aural appeal should ideally be secondary to the appropriateness of the name.
Wow, I hadn’t considered the whole “decade appropriate” thing, but like you, I like to like the ‘sound’ of the name.
Well done, Toi! And, I’m with you, book titles are excruciating, and even after I think I’ve got it right, six months later, I’ll change it 🙂