Toi Thomas's Blog, page 64

ToiBox Blog Weekly Recap 06/07/14

Check out my Recent Posts links to see what I was up to this week.

I started out this week with Sample Sunday 46- It’s  Like the Full Moon chapter 4.2

On Monday, I posted My Top 5 comic book movies.

On Tuesday, I added to my Character files opinions from Abraham about Eternal Curse.

On Wednesday, I shared my monthly contribution to WWW Wednesday, and then…

I posted my monthly contribution to the Insecure Writers Support Group (still need to visit a few more this week).

On Thursday, I forgot to post Tea and Conversation, but I did share a link.

And yesterday, I posted a brief Friday Forecast followed by an interview with author McCollonough Ceili.

-No Adventures in Blogging today. I’m playing catch up.

-I’ll be going a little vacation soon, but don’t worry, I’ll have some treats to share while I’m away from regularly scheduled posting. More on that later.

-I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself this week and enjoy a very pleasant weekend.

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

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: author, biography, blessings, blogging, books, character, culture, discussion, entertainment, fashion, geek, interviews, journal, life, likes, lists, reading, reviews, sample, wip

McCollonough Ceili Interview

The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: McCollonough Ceili.

image provided by author

So tell me, who is McCollonough Ceili?

I am an Irish/American who discovered a love for writing when asked by my American mother to pen my autobiography Noria, Since then I have not been able to stop writing, which has resulted in the publication of several books for all ages.

Wow, you’ve written an autobiography as well write fiction books for all ages; I’m very impressed. I can’t imagine trying to write about myself, I’m just not that interesting.

So whacha got for me today?

I have a book that started out as a dream, from there it went to a self guided tour of the history of Ocean lifeguarding, nnd finally ended with the book, “What Happened in Hallandale”.  Some of the things you read in said book really happened, others did not. The main reason I wrote this book was so that I would stop dreaming about these character.

Below is what my editor had to say about the book. Which can also be found on the back of the book.

“Dive into a dreamlike world of love, courage, magic, and death. Twelve-year-old Piper can travel to the world of angels and, she learns, through time. Rushing back to the past to correct a terrible tragedy, she learns that there are things you can change – and things you cannot. This tale of love that transcends death, courage that transcends time, and the power of compassion will break your heart and heal it, and then leave you still longing for more.” - Summer Foovay, Editor

Small world, I think. I wrote my book for the same reason. I needed to stop dreaming about those characters. Dreams are powerful things…I love the description your editor offers. It pulls you right in.

So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of “What Happened in Hallandale”?

Piper, a magical child from the modern world is telling the story of what happened when she ventured to 1940s Hallandale Beach Florida. Ms. Piper went to Hallandale to try and stop a terrible mistake, though in order to do this she must break into an ancient Irish tomb and steal a  spell.

Oh, so this is a time travel book. I really like time travel stories. I like seeing how people from different times react to the changes.

Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?

I write whenever and wherever I feel inspired, which basically means that I carry a pad and pen with me always. I also have recording program on my cell phone so I can speak aloud thoughts that come to me during a time when I should not be writing; example: when driving the car. I get most of my ideas from dreams that I have had and the world around me. I spend a lot of the week jotting down ideas, then come the weekend I put them together into a chapter or two.

I am currently working on the sequel to “What Happened in Hallandale”, titled “Awakening the Truth”

That phone app sounds clever; I need to look into that. Glad to hear you’re extending your story into a series; series are fun.

What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?

I am inspired by a lot of different writers, though when it came to writing “What Happened in Hallandale” I was inspired by the “Real Laurie” Real Laurie is the women for whom the character Lorraine was based on. She was a woman who had to change her name from Lori to Laurie jus so she could get into medical school. She lived in a time when women were not supposed to become doctors.  I was also inspired by actress Nancy Valen whom I feel looks a lot like Laurie.

Valen played on the American show Baywatch.   Every Time I would see Ms. Valen as Captain Thomas a memory of stories told to me about the real Laurie would come to the surface of my soul. It got so intense that I would find myself watching the show with the sound off and writing  most of what became “What Happened in Hallandale”  In fact she even inspired the title of the  book, the “real” part of my story happened in another place in Hallandale. I discovered that name when I was reading about Ms. Valen.

I hope you won’t take this as an insult since she’s not Irish, but I get a Joan of Arc feeling from this Real Laurie character. I’m liking this story more and more; you just keep adding layers to it.

Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?

Okay this is a tough question. I guess I would have to say Mr. Dick Van Patten, I believe that we younger ones can learn so much from those of his generation, plus I love the light in his eyes, there be a wise soul beneath them.

Good man and a good show, Eight is Enough.

Who is so you and why?

No one that I know of, oh wait my American mom thinks I look like the woman who plays on Bones. Temperance Brennan. I but I honestly don’t see it.

You may not look like the actress who plays Temperance, but maybe you just have Bones vibe about you…but I can kinda see a resemblance.

What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?

GoodReads.com

I am at my wee desk in the kitchen of my home, I can hear the washing machine, I just finished eating an orange. The book that is currently on my nightstand is “Dear America Hear my Sorrow” the diary of Angela Denoto, New York City, 1909. It is hardback and I am excited to read it, because it is one of the few books from the Dear America series that I have yet to read. My ideal spot is my bed!

That sounds lovely. It has everything that reading should be: comfort, excitement, anticipation, and your referred reading medium.

What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?

The Dear America series was my favorite book series back then along with all of the books written by Betty Ren Wright.  I love those type of stories so much but have yet to write one like them me self.

Wow, you read Dear America as a kid and are still reading it now. That’s dedication and it very pure, honest, and nice….

There is more fun and insights to this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog for the full experience. For more information about this author, McCollonough Ceili, please visit the links below.

Blog: NorianGirl

Amazon Author Central: Mccollonough Ceili

Facebooks: Mccollonough Ceili

Twitter: @noriangirl

LinkedIn: Mccollonough Ceili

Purchase links for “What Happened in Hallandale”: Amazon

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

 

Filed under: Interviews Tagged: author, books, character, ebook, fiction, interviews, Irish, life, links, McCollonough Ceili, movies, music, process, reading, time travel, Toi Thomas, try this, writing

Friday Forecast : 06/06/14

Highlighting interviewees, guest posters, my standard weekly posts, and whatever else I can think of, going into the next week.

So, here what’s happening next week:

Sample Sunday

Listography and Mira’s birthday

Character Files

Blogdom

Count Your Blessings

Friday Forecast possibly followed an author interview

Weekly Recap and possibly another Adventures in Blogging Post.

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Today, please enjoy my interview with author, McCollonough Ceili.

FYI- I’ll be going on a short vacation soon, but more about that later.

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

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: author, blogging, interviews, life, reviews, sneak peak, try this, writing

Tea and Conversation: no post

I apologize to anyone following this regularly scheduled post. I was out late celebrating birthday month, something I’ll write about in A Day in My Life, and didn’t have time to proofread and formant my post for today.

Here’s a link to my Tea pin board if you’re in the mood for some tea.

Until next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: Tea & Conversation Tagged: Pinterest, tea

#IWSG June 2014: Summer Magic

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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As some of you may or may not know, I am a teacher by day. That means that summer vacation is quickly approaching. To say that I’m happy or looking forward to this vacation would be a ridiculous understatement. I’ve had a rough term in more ways than I care to try and list now, but with summer on the horizon, I have hope. Summer is a time of magic for me.

For me this summer vacation means:

More time to read leisurely. I haven’t skimmed through a book since college, but sometimes I feel as if I rush more than I’d like to with books because I’m trying to cram in a few precious moments of creative reading into my busy day as a means of relief. While that has worked, over the summer I won’t need to cram in my reading.

More time to write leisurely. For almost the same reason as above, I haven’t been able to write like I want to. I find, from past experiences, that my writing productively increases almost 3 times in the summer, when that’s all I have to focus on. That’s why the idea of being a full-time professional writer is enticing. To not have to work, but to be able to make a living writing would be ideal, but it’s currently not reality.

More time away from things that make me anxious. This means that in the summer, I don’t have to spend a lot of time around people. Some people love being around other people, but for someone who has anxiety just looking at Wal-Mart, going to work every day, surrounded by people, can be hard. I can say that the more time I spend around a set group of people the less the anxiety gets, but even if others think it’s weird, it’s sometimes nice to know that I don’t have to be around more than two people on any given day, in the summer.

More time to worry about myself. I spend of a lot of my time worrying about others and trying to do for others, even if I don’t always pull through. In the summer, there’s enough time for me to be a little selfish and spend some time thinking and doing for myself…I always lose weight in the summer and then gain it back when I return to work.

Needless to say, I’m ready for summer magic to take over my life. Below are some updates and shout outs for any who may be interested.

Are you looking forward to summer? What are your plans?

Happy Birthday to my sister, Tori J. Jones!, Eternal Cause is a Go!, possibly another publication on the way, and I need to get busy with Miss Boop.

After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:  C. Lee McKenzie, Tracy Jo, Melanie Schulz, and LG Keltner!

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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #179).

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

Filed under: IWSG Tagged: #IWSG, Alex J. Cavanaugh, alone time, Betty Boop, blogging, cause, charity, community, encouragement, insecure writers support group, leisure, life, reading, summer, Toi Thomas, Tori J. Jones, writing

WWW Wednesday 6/4/14

WWW WEDNESDAYS… is a weekly meme hosted by Miz B of “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.

As I am only contributing to this meme on a monthly basis, while comments and shares are welcomed here, be sure to visit Should Be Reading each week to see who’s reading what.

1. What am I currently reading?

I lost some days, more than a week; and it’s hard to explain why, but I’m slowing getting back on track. I’m way more than halfway through all of these, except for Cruel Beauty, which I just started because I got a free audio copy of it.

   

2. What did I recently finish reading?

I stopped reading all together for, just under, two weeks. After that I was given a copy of Stardust. I liked the movie and so read the book. It helped me get back into my normal reading routine.

3. What do I think I’ll read next?

No change here, but now that it’s out and I’ve got my copy, I’m ready to read it.

What is your WWW Wednesday?

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

Filed under: WWWWednesday-Blogdom Tagged: books, Toi Thomas Reads, try this, WWWWednesday

Character Files from the ToiBox 61: Abraham- Opinion on Eternal Curse

What is the Eternal Curse to : Subject EC:GA 1-Abraham

To Abraham the Eternal Curse is living a long and prosperous life, while trying not to feel guilty about wishing he was dead, just so he could be with his beloved Sarah once again. He feels that he’s cursed to live without her, and so chooses to be happy for the life he has until his time finally comes to move on.

For Giovanni, Abraham thinks the Eternal Curse is that Giovanni has never known love the way he has.

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

Filed under: Character Files, EC: Giovanni's Angel Tagged: #thetoiboxofwords, Abraham, angels, character, demons, Eternal Curse, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, opinion, profile, spec-fic, Toi Thomas

Top 5: 12 Comic Book Movies

This is a list of my top five something. Most of the time my lists are pretty static, but sometimes I do change my mind. While I do try to apply some logic to my choices, sometimes I pick things that make no sense and for no good reason other than “I like it.”

from Wikipedia

Comic Book (non-animated) Movies

1. Batman 1989

2. The Avengers

3. The Incredible Hulk

4. Dark Knight Rises

5. The Watchmen

-Honorable Mention- Man of Steel

I can’t spend too much time thinking about this list because it can and will change depending on my mood. I’m constantly discussing my opinions with other fans of geekery and sometimes they influence me, but in the end I decide.

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

Filed under: Listography-Top5-MyLife Tagged: author, biography, comic books, likes, movies, personal, Toi Thomas, top 5

Sample Sunday 46

Here is approximately 100 – 150 words from a randomly selected original piece for your enjoyment. These samples can include excerpts from my all my WIPs and my Eternal Curse Series, but only as works in progress (not the final products). These samples of published and unpublished works are protected under the U.S. Copyright agreement.

It’s Like the Full Moon chapter 4.2 (wip)

She rushed through the door and accidentally slammed it behind her. “I’m up, I’m up, sorry won’t sleep in late again,” said Lisa pulling the covers from her body and trying to stand up.

“Oh Lisa, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” said Rebecca sweetly. “It must have been an awful draft,”

“You sure about that,” asked Lisa still a bit shaken up. “Cause I’m up if you want me to be up.”

“Really, I am sorry Lisa, but it’s good that you’re up.”

“Why’s that good,” asked Lisa, yawning into one hand and scratching her head with the other.

“It’s good because it’s going to take you at least an hour to get yourself dressed and ready for the tour and by then it will be lunch time.”

“Oh yeah, I mean yay hooray…the tour; guess I’d better get ready.”

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

 

Filed under: Full Moon, Samples Tagged: contemporary fiction, drama, fiction, friends, It's Like the Full Moon, reading, romance, Toi Thomas, wip

ToiBox Blog Weekly Recap 05/31/14

Check out my Recent Posts links to see what I was up to this week.

I started out this week with Sample Sunday 45- Eternal Curse: Battleground  chapter 5.3

On Monday, I observed Memorial day 2014, and then…

I posted My Geekdom: Disney, and then…

Bruce Jenvey stopped by to share for his author spotlight.

On Tuesday, I added to my Character files the preferences for Mr. Thornton, and the…

I announced that Eternal Cause is a Go!

On Wednesday, I shared my review of Cinder, and then…

Bruce stopped by for day of his author spotlight.

On Thursday, I shared a very satisfying WIP Update and Writer’s Creed.

And yesterday, I posted a brief Friday Forecast followed by an entertaining interview shared by Bruce before saying farewell to the ToiBox.

-No Adventures in Blogging today, I have a party to get ready for.

-I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself this week and enjoy a very pleasant weekend.

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

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: author, biography, blessings, blogging, books, character, culture, discussion, entertainment, fashion, geek, interviews, journal, life, likes, lists, reading, reviews, sample, wip