Toi Thomas's Blog, page 120

6 Sentence Sunday 07

This is a weekly meme hosted and originated by 6 Sentence Sunday. Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel -6 sentences from chapter 6.
Everything was compiled in summary and broken down into detail with charts and graphs. It was all there in front of her, Giovanni’s entire genetic history and make-up. Mira couldn’t believe it. As she stared closely at the document in front of her, Giovanni begin to feel a sensation of relief, along with a little bit of dread. He knew what Mira was feeling; he knew she’d realized that he wasn’t a liar or a fake. She knew that he was truly something unique, so much so that it was, in fact, a little frightening.
To participate, pick six (6) sentences from anything you like (it can be from a Work in Progress (WiP), something you recently sold, something you hope to sell or even something already under contract and available for purchase – and don’t worry, Six Sentence Sunday is for published AND unpublished writers ). Then post them on your blog on Sunday. That’s all there is to it!
Posts are for bloggers only, but comments are open to all. Please post a link back to Six Sunday, the “anchor” site, to let people know where you heard about the idea. You are not required to list the week’s posters on your post…And don’t be afraid to share the love by adding the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets about Six Sentence Sunday. You can follow the official Six Sentence Sunday twitter at: https://twitter.com/6_Sunday.
*The informative content listed above was taken directly from the 6 Sentence Sunday website with a few paraphrases for ease of viewing and reading. Please review their FAQs for more details.

Saturday’s R 4 Sharing 05

This is a weekly meme hosted by Eternal Curse Series. Throughout the week, guests and followers will have the opportunity to vote on the week’s topic. Each Saturday, I will post my thoughts on the subject matter and will include my top 5 whenever applicable. I greatly encourage guests and followers to comment and contribute to the subject of the day.  How do you feel about video reviews?
Like’em, don’t like’em, don’t care, prefer written reviews: these were the options to choose from, but there was no interest in the topic this week. I guess I would have to say I like the idea of video book reviews, but I don’t know if I want to do any, even though I have challenged myself to do one at some point. This subject of reviews has been an issue with me for a while now, so I’ve decided to face the issue head on.  Tomorrow, my Author’s Insight will explain more about my plans for reviews.  
Comments are welcomed. Be sure stop by this week and vote for next week’s topic.

Interview 03

Greetings, humans, half-breeds, and everything in between. This week I had the pleasure to interview my new friend, Justin Bruytens, an aspiring writer and fresh young blogger. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.  Hi there, Justin! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ECS Universe. Don’t worry about the darkness, your eyes will adjust. Let’s get started.
So who is Justin Bruytens?
I am a young aspiring writer. In order to improve my writing skills, and to encourage myself to write more, I decided to make a blog, so I guess I am a blogger as well. I am generally weird, open minded, and calm, even when aggravated. As for what I prefer to write about… well I write about many things on my blog, but in my stories I so far just stick to fantasy/fiction.
I’m a big fan of fantasy and fiction as well, though I realize those are both broad terms. It’s that you know what you like. I’m sure it helps when you’re writing.
 
So whacha got for me today?

School, practicing guitar, writing, and my blog take up a lot of my time, which together normally result in me being way too tired. As a result of this I sleep A LOT on the weekends; also most of my writing is done on the weekends. The only other thing I can think to add is writing is my favorite thing to do, playing/practicing guitar comes second, and I love going to concerts and listening to loud music.

 As a writer I figured writing would be you favorite activity, but it’s pretty cool that you play guitar and like music.
 
Where did the inspiration come to start your project?
Many different things contributed to my decision to start my website, where I do my blog and reviews. Exposure and practice were the two major factors.
 I hear that. I fought the need to start a blog for the longest time, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.
 
What is best and worst thing or experience about blogging, in your opinion?
Aren’t really many bad things that I can think of about blogging, only thing that is kind of annoying is thinking of a topic, but often times I will discover a topic while living my everyday life.
 That’s a cool way to look at it. I still have trouble coming up with topics to write about. I guess that’s why I like doing interviews….
Do you ever blog about your stories or works in progress?
I do and plan to continue to do so, but I don't do it to such a degree that I force feed my work down all the readers that I have, at least not to my knowledge.
 
Any comments on blog comments?
I LOVE comments and I LOVE feedback… Of course only compliments and constructive, comments saying “You are terrible” Are really just a waste of everyone’s time, if you don’t like something avoid it… Also, so far they are hard to come by for me, I assume because not that many people look at my blog.
 That may have something to do with it, but I don’t think that’s all of it. I have to admit that I often don’t leave comments, though I am getting better about it.
 
Who’s brain are you just itching to scratch? 
Google SearchThis is probably the easiest question for me… Without a doubt Marilyn Manson. He is one of the only role models that I have ever really had; even if it’s not at the point where I just worship everything he does and says. I still think about the words that come out of his mouth. For those of you that don’t know he is a controversial figure for many valid reasons, and the lead singer of the band Marilyn Manson. I first began to "look up to him" after I finished reading his autobiography, which revealed to me many things about him that I did not know, and made me look at a lot of things in a different way.

 Controversy is definitely something that Marilyn Manson exudes. I can see how a young man like you can relate to or find inspiration in him, but don’t get too caught up in “worshiping” him. He’s just a guy like you… Lift yourself up some J
Now this where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Brah, yes!
Alright then, here we go.
 
Who is so you and why?
There isn’t really anyone I have been compared to as a result of looking like, or being like. But I was called Justin Bieber for a decent amount of time, only as a result of my initials being J. B.
 Isn’t it funny the connections people make sometimes? I would never have thought to make  that connection myself.
 
What’s makes you chill?
What always relieves stress for me is listening to music, to be more specific listening to faster paced more “aggressive” music.
 My husband used to listen to a lot of what he calls “angry young man music” whenever he wanted to blow off steam. I guess it must really work. He’s always been such a laid back guy….
Any thoughts on techno (just wondering)?
Yes actually I think it can be pretty cool depending on what group, and what sub genre of it... I especially like just laying down and listening to it, while really only doing one other thing at the same time. Thinking.
 
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
IMDBThat’s a tough one… I have to go with Chumscrubber,which is a great independent film.  I’ve never seen that one, but I’ve heard it’s very intense. Maybe I’ll check it out. From what I know of it, I’ll go ahead and let the rest of this audience know that this is an extreme parental advisory film and is rated R. If kids aren’t an issue, please check it and see for yourself what it’s all about…

Would like to give a short 100 word or less review of this film Justin?
I rather not simply because I find it challenging to summarize independent movies...
No worries Justin, I have trouble reviewing just about anything.
 
What makes you geek out?
Video games because I had a very nerdy phase and I know far too much about them. I also have a strong opinion on what makes a video game good.
 Video games are here to stay for anyone out there who doesn’t like them. Being a writer, I can see why you’d like video games. They are so creative. I think it’s cool that you like video games… I like comic books.
 
So what’s testing your patience right now? IMDB
Game of Thrones season 3, it has a release date, but still… it’s just such an amazing series, and is even based on some really good books.
 I’ve read book one, but haven’t seen the series. I think I’ll wait to watch it all in one sitting. I’ve heard lots of people going gaga over this show.
 
When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?
Google SerachCountry and pop the majority of the time will be the genre that makes me go “Please turn it down”. Even though I am not against everything labeled as such, and I especially like Korean pop as far as pop goes. Songs that I love… well here are a few, but there are a lot of songs that I love. A Perfect Circle: Pet, The Outsider, Weak and Powerless, The Package, Rose, and Judith. Marilyn Manson: Mobscene, (S)aint, The Bright Young things, Disposable teens, Rock is Dead, okay so pretty much all of his songs, much rather not list them. Mindless Self Indulgence: Majority of their songs. 30 Seconds to Mars: A lot of their songs.  Danny Elfman: The Little Things. Like I said I love a lot of songs… so for now I won’t list them all. 

What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had?
Isn’t really one that stands out. Whenever I travel I have a lot of fun, so probably one of my trips to Europe, or maybe the cruise I took to Greece, Turkey, and Egypt.
 Wow, how did we get this far into the interview and are just now learning that you are a world traveler? I think that’s great. I can only imagine and agree that traveling to these places would be a lot of fun.
 
Ok, humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all for today. For more from Justin Bruytens, check out these great links:
Blog: http://reviewsblog.webstarts.com/a_blog.htmlReviews: http://reviewsblog.webstarts.com/reviews.html

WWW WEDNESDAYS 06

WWW WEDNESDAYS… is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading, where you share (1)What you’re currently reading, (2)What you recently finished reading, and (3)What you think you’ll read next.
Comments and shares are welcomed here, but please try to share with Should be Reading as this is their meme.
1. What are you currently reading?In addition to what I was reading last week, I’ve started: Burning Bridges (The Bleeding Heart Trilogy) by Nadege Richards and The Perfects by Wendy Reaks. From last week: Childhood’s End by Author C. Clarke, Embrace (Gryphon Series) by Stacey Rourke, and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.
2. What did you recently finish reading? Haven’t finished anything this week. I may have too much going on.
3. What do you think you’ll read next? Well since I started some new books I hadn’t planned on, I’ll leave this open for the time being.    
What is your WWW Wednesday?

Stacking The Shelves 06

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, and of course ebooks!*Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use Tynga’s official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!*You can set your post any way you want, simple book lists, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!*Tynga’s posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.* Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday to add your link so others can visit you.*Visit other participant’s links to find out what they added to their shelves.The information list above was taken directly from Tynga’s Reviews blog.Here’s what I got.Tom Horn vs. The Warlords of Krupp by Jackson Paul and Glen Robinson - ebook The Kiss of Night by Jackson Paul and Glen Robinson - ebookThe Perfects by Wendy Reakes- ebook

Just for fun, ECS will also be Entertaining My Brain. I will be sharing the comics, movies, live shows, and vinyl records I’ve added and or will be seeing at venues or theatres.  Please feel free to share and comment. *Picked up a Twilight Zone graphic novel just because I could *Got an Amazon gift card for my birthday and still deciding what to buy. *This week has been so crazy, I haven’t even watch my Netflix movie yet. Can’t what to see what I have next week.

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you a...

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, and of course ebooks!*Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use Tynga’s official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!*You can set your post any way you want, simple book lists, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!*Tynga’s posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.* Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday to add your link so others can visit you.*Visit other participant’s links to find out what they added to their shelves.The information list above was taken directly from Tynga’s Reviews blog.Here’s what I got.Tom Horn vs. The Warlords of Krupp by Jackson Paul and Glen Robinson - ebook The Kiss of Night by Jackson Paul and Glen Robinson - ebookThe Perfects by Wendy Reakes- ebook Just for fun, ECS will also be Entertaining My Brain. I will be sharing the comics, movies, live shows, and vinyl records I’ve added and or will be seeing at venues or theatres.  Please feel free to share and comment. *Picked up a Twilight Zone graphic novel just because I could *Got an Amazon gift card for my birthday and still deciding what to buy. *This week has been so crazy, I haven’t even watch my Netflix movie yet. Can’t what to see what I have next week.

Giveaway Update

I'm so happy to announce the winners of my book giveaway. Rachel Mahurin and Crystal Young should be receiving their signed copies of Eternal Curse: Giovanni's Angel this week. Congrats guys and Happy Birthday to me. I have a huge smile on my face knowing I've gotten some cool gifts, some new fans, an author spotlight posted at Ravenz Reviews, and an article posted at Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog. Yay for me!
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6012241.Toi_Thomas  

6 Sentence Sunday 06

This is a weekly meme hosted andoriginated by 6 Sentence Sunday. Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel -6 sentences from chapter 5.
“That’s ok,” Giovanni replied. “It’s been so long since I’ve been around someone new. I can’t image how strange that must be for you,” he said, leading her around the corner, back towards the main hall. There Giovanni pointed at a painted floral feature hanging on the wall along the side of the staircase. He slid his hand down the deep engraving of a petal and rolled his index finger over a small bump. There it was revealed, a secret door leading to a small platform and another staircase going down into darkness.
To participate, pick six (6) sentences from anything you like (it can be from a Work in Progress (WiP), something you recently sold, something you hope to sell or even something already under contract and available for purchase – and don’t worry, Six Sentence Sunday is for published AND unpublished writers ). Then post them on your blog on Sunday. That’s all there is to it!
Posts are for bloggers only, but comments are open to all. Please post a link back to Six Sunday, the “anchor” site, to let people know where you heard about the idea. You are not required to list the week’s posters on your post…And don’t be afraid to share the love by adding the hashtag #sixsunday to your tweets about Six Sentence Sunday. You can follow the official Six Sentence Sunday twitter at: https://twitter.com/6_Sunday.
*The informative content listed above was taken directly from the 6 Sentence Sunday website with a few paraphrases for ease of viewing and reading. Please review their FAQs for more details.

Saturday’s R 4 Sharing 04

This is a weekly meme hosted by Eternal Curse Series. Throughout the week, guests and followers will have the opportunity to vote on the week’s topic. Each Saturday, I will post my thoughts on the subject matter and will include my top 5 whenever applicable. I greatly encourage guests and followers to comment and contribute to the subject of the day.
What Do You Prefer?
I asked the question and did not get the answer I hoped for, but that’s ok. I know that at least one my fans prefers to read fiction in either hardback or paperback formats. I guess, for myself, no matter how big my ebook library gets, I too prefer paper books. I’m personally a consumer of limitations at the moment, which is why my book library is so full. Ebooks are inexpensive compared to paper books and especially compared to audio books. Of course, I would have a soft for audio books, but I do prefer to read the words when I can.  If I had more time and money, I’d increase both my paper books and audio books, but for now, I’ll just be content to have the luxury of obtaining books at anytime.
At this point, I think I’m more excited at the prospect of gaining participants in this weekly poll than I am about actually offering my insights. I can’t wait to see how my results turn out next week.
Comments are welcomed. Be sure stop by this week and vote for next week’s topic.

Interview 02

Greetings, humans, half-breeds, and everything in between. This week I had the pleasure to interview my new friend, Brenda Covert, a niche blogger you just gotta meet. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.    ****
 
Hi there, Brenda! It’s so awesome to have you here at the ECS Universe. Don’t worry about the darkness, your eyes will adjust. Let’s get started.
So who is Brenda Covert? Author, Editor, Mother, Daughter, Child of God … that’s me! I’m the adoptive mother of two now-adult black children who were born in the USA, not Haiti or London or other places people have guessed. I’ve made a living as an author and editor since 2002. I love historical and nature site-seeing, photography, and amusement rides that don’t turn me upside down or sling me around. I live 500 miles away from “home” and wish there was a train from here to there so I could make the trip back more often.
Wow. Already I’m blown away by your story. I can tell this is going to be an interesting afternoon. I gotta tell ya, coming from an open door kind of family, I find it so refreshing that you opened your home up to little strangers that you’ve made your children…But let’s get back to the subject at hand: you the blogger.
 
So whacha got for me today?
I like my corn dogs smeared with peanut butter. J  Oh, and I love Christmas—the sights, sounds, aromas, flavors, and traditions. Love, beauty, joy, and inspiration wrapped in the miraculous birth of a Savior. I prepare for Christmas all year long to prevent holiday anxiety. My blog, “Christmas All Year Long,” suggests an idea or two each month for ways to prepare in advance for Christmas. I don’t blog a lot; I don’t want to overwhelm my readers and myself! After all, the idea is to prepare for the holiday, not just read about it!
With your great wit, I don’t think people would mind just reading about Christmas, but your helpful tips are really great. At first glance, I was leery of your blog, but now I love it. Just like you said, I was afraid it would be overwhelming, but it’s not.
 
Where did the inspiration come to start your project? As a lover of all things Christmas (except for barking dog carols and “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”—one must draw the line somewhere!), I started this blog because I was sick of being rushed through my favorite holiday. Each year I never seemed to have time to invite guests, to make and bake many of  my favorite treats, to go see live nativity events and Christmas light displays, and to relax with a cup of hot cocoa and watch Christmas specials with my family. I’d be up till 2 or 3am Christmas mornings wrapping gifts and crying from exhaustion. Christmas breakfast would become lunch because I overslept. I couldn’t take it anymore!Planning all year long struck me as the best way to have time to enjoy everything I love about Christmas when December rolls around.
I like the idea of planning ahead, but all year round is new to me. It does make sense. Oh, by the way, my father treats Christmas Eve Breakfast like a sacred rite of passage. We have a two-day celebration routine, and if breakfast doesn’t go well, the family gets stuck with the Grinch for the two days.
 
What is the best and worst thing or experience about blogging, in your opinion?
The best thing is connecting with readers. The worst thing is waiting for that connection to happen! ;-)
Am I ever relieved to hear you say this! I thought it was just me. I thoroughly enjoy making connections, and now that I’ve met you, my life has been enriched. I hope to make more connections.
 
Any comments on blog comments?
I like them and allow them. After all, with a topic like Christmas, the comments are sure to be good!
That’s good to hear. As rarely as I step out of my comfort zone to actually leave a comment, I find that I’m turned off by blogs that don’t allow it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand how frustrating spam content can be, but not allowing comments just doesn’t seem very inviting…
Now this where the questions get a little kooky. Are you ready, Brenda?
Cool beans, Toi!
Alright then, here we go.
 
Who’s brain are you just itching to scratch?
Ew! That sounds faintly zombie-ish. Let’s not speak of brain-scratching. LOL Wikipedia WikipediaAfter giving it a LOT of thought— Lady Jane Grey , Lazarus , Marilyn Monroe , George Washington Carver —I settled on my father. He died in 1996. The older I get, the more I realize I don’t know about him. For example, after his death I found out that he used to dance! I had no idea! His father died before I was born, and I’d like to ask what he was like. I never thought of it when I was younger. A month before Dad died, I asked if I could interview him about his experiences in WWII, which he never talked about. He didn’t want to be videotaped, and so I put it off. I wish we’d had more time together.
Aside from the comedy of your intro, which I enjoyed, this is so real and precious. I have to admit that I’ve had difficulty answering this question for myself, but your answer is awesome and inspiring.
 
Who is so you and why?
I have been compared to Wonder Woman. How cool is that? LOL! Friends felt that my ability, as a single parent, to work from home while homeschooling my children and being involved in a variety of extracurricular activities qualified me as a Wonder Woman. And truthfully, I used to have bad dreams where I played a superhero role, fighting (or hiding from) evil and trying to save the world—or at least my children. It was a stressful time in my life, to be sure. My pastor said I was trying to make up for the absence of my children’s birth parents and adoptive father. I’ll admit it—I was trying to prove that one parent was just as good as two!
Ya know, Brenda, every time you answer a question, I realize more and more why I like you. You’re just “good people” and worthy of a Wonder Woman comparison, but that’s where I have to stop. At the mention of Wonder Woman, I started to lose a little focus; us comic books geeks are easily excited.
 
What makes you chill?
I am lying in bed with my night sounds spa playing softly. I have a spray bottle filled with water laced with lavender essential oil . I spray it toward the ceiling and then enjoy the mist that falls on my face and arms. Very pleasant and relaxing.
Well now, when you decide it’s time to relax, you don’t play around. This sounds wonderful. The only thing missing, from my standpoint, would be some herbal tea.
 
If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
IMDBNo contest, it’s The Princess Bride. I’ve seen it so many times, and it’s still exciting and funny every time and has the requisite happy ending. There’s not a moment when the story drags. It’s my idea of the perfect movie.
Oh, you’ve done it again. We really must hang out. I am crazy about this movie. I could just go on for hours quoting from it. I love when Indigo tells Vizzini, about inconceivable, “I do not think it means, what you think it means.” LOL!

 
What makes you geek out? Amazon
The Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve read all seven books and own the three DVDs. When each of the three movies came out, I watched carefully to see where the storyline strayed from C.S. Lewis’ work and explained it to my kids (multiple times. I probably bring it up every time we watch!). Some changes I don’t mind so much, but others I do. For example, the Pevensie children do NOT break a window and then run and hide! That was completely out of character! O the outrage!

You are seriously cracking me up. I know that feeling of reading a book or series and then looking for the discrepancies in the film version. My problem is that I love both literature and cinema equally and am always left wanting when the two intersect.
 
So what’s testing your patience right now? IMDB
The HobbitMy daughter and I already have Groupon ticket vouchers that we plan to use to see it.
That’s a good one. I’m looking forward to it also. I think it’s cool that you and your daughter share some of the same interests, and The Hobbit is a great interest to have.
 
When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage? I love Mandisa ’s music. That would be the background to much of my life. Pink has some original songs that would fit at times (if you bleep the naughty words for me). “So What” tickles my funnybone! For rage, just look to screamo music. I hate it! My son plays it sometimes when he visits; I think it’s made to feed rage, and that’s not a good thing. I’d rather be happy, so no screamo for me.
You are one cool mom. You have your own taste in music that’s not afraid to dabble in the modern, and you care enough about your son to know what screamo is. You rock!

 
What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had? That’s a tough question. I enjoy so many things! Vacations; being introduced to delicious food (tee hee); watching my children perform—whether in gymnastics, dance, sports, or singing; meeting authors at a couple of mystery conferences. Hmmm. If I have to choose just one experience, I’ll say being cast as the Fairy Godmother in a local production of Cinderella back in 1990. That was exhilarating! I have a photo around here somewhere …
 I know it’s hard to choose just one from so many thrilling life moments, but this one sounds and looks like a lot of fun. I have no talent for the theatre, but I like a lot. I bet you kept the cast laughing during rehearsals…Well, Brenda, that you so much for taking the time to talk with me. Don’t be a stranger.
****
Here’s one final bit of random hilarity that Brenda so graciously shared with me. I asked a question along the line of what’s a favorite catch phrase she liked to use, and this is part of the answer I got.
I let my yes be yes and my no be no. However, when something goes wrong, my signature phrase is “Nuggets!” If it’s really upsetting, it’s “Chicken nuggets!” I’m still waiting for that to catch on. ;-)
What a glorious hoot and inspiration Brenda has been. Ok, humans, half-breeds, and everything in between, that’s all for today. For more from Brenda Covert, check out this great link: http://ChristmaswithBrenda.blogspot.com