Toi Thomas's Blog, page 69

Top 5: 11 Animated 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.”

Wikipidia

Non-comic Book Animated Movies

1. Winnie The Pooh

2. Peter Pan

3. Toy Story

4. Gulliver’s Travels (Fleischer Studios)

5. Wall-E

I adore cartoons (not anime, not that I don’t like it) so of course there is so much more on this list, but this is the top five.

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: animation, author, biography, cartoons, likes, movies, personal, Toi Thomas, top 5

Sample Sunday 42

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 These samples of published and unpublished works are protected under the U.S. Copyright agreement.

Eternal Curse: Battleground chapter 5.2 (wip)

Mira asked me to go inside the church with one of the other men to find all the things she needed to set up her medical station, and that’s when things went terribly wrong. I followed her friend Malik, who seemed like a nice enough guy with a simple face and cheery disposition, but once we entered the sanctuary he seemed to drift away from me.

As I entered the space, the usual calm I felt upon entering a church was not there; instead, I felt anxiety. I felt the pulse of a struggle taking place in the shadows. I could sense it and could almost feel the harm drifting along the surface of my skin. My body became hot all over and I knew something was happening. I continued to wonder, looking around frantically, and called out to Mira’s friend who I thought was looking for the equipment, but something was persistently tugging at my mind. Then I heard it call out to me.

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: EC: Battleground, Samples Tagged: angels, demons, Eternal Curse: Battleground, family, fiction, reading, sample excerpt, spec-fic, Toi Thomas, war, wip

Author Insights 11: Topics vs. Themes (part 2)

Topic: 1a subject of conversation or discussion

Theme: 2a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art

The Three Major Themes of Eternal Curse

Purpose | Discovery | Faith

Discovery

The discovery of truth is prevented more effectively, not by the false appearance things present and which mislead into error, not directly by weakness of the reasoning powers, but by preconceived opinion, by prejudice. ~Arthur Schopenhauer

Much of the “action” of this story is fueled by need to discover something or the actually process of discovery. In this story the role of discovery is two-fold. There is the physical act of finding something new or “new to you” and then there is the realization of something that’s been there all alone, but has been hidden or unseen.

I’m not giving away any spoilers here, but the discovery of the Eternal Curse is the ultimate goal even though the characters don’t know they are looking for it. In truth, the curse itself isn’t a secret or mystery, but the characters do struggle with acknowledging that it truly does exist. Ultimately, it is the discovery of what the curse actually is and deciding how it will affect their lives hence forth that is greatest discovery Giovanni and Mira will find.

Oh, but there is so much more to be discovered in the interim. Intimacy between two people is always a journey of discovery especially when not focusing on the physical. While Giovanni has much to learn and discover about relationships, in general, platonic and romantic, Giovanni, Mira, and Abraham learn a lesson or two about emotional intimacy and attachment to others.

Eternal Curse also happens to be one of those stories that doesn’t just come right out and tell you some things. Much of the plot has to be figured out by the reader which also adds to the sense of discovery. There are some discoveries that are so minute, that if you are reading carefully, you might not pick up on them until the very end.

Lastly, the discovery of truth is hindered by the presence of fear. Fear is the main obstacle holding back the characters of this story from learning the truth. As fears are overcome and set aside, discoveries will abound only to lead to more mysteries and struggles to solved and overcome.

To hunt is instinct, to discover is intellect; to be human is to never stop searching.

Next time I’ll touch on the subject of Faith. Until then, please enjoy this excerpt from Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel.

~

Mira sat in silence, watching a tear form in Giovanni’s right eye. She couldn’t figure out if he was trying to scare her or if he really meant what he was saying. With shivers running down her spine, Mira realized she had to break this awkward silence. “So, what did you think when you first saw me, that is before I fainted? Was I what you were expecting?” she asked cheerfully.

Giovanni’s body perked up as he began to answer her question. “You were not what I expected you to be. I thought you’d be older. You seemed to have done so much in your life and expressed yourself with such wisdom and maturity. I thought you’d be a good companion for Abraham.”

“Abraham!” Mira said with a giggle. “You must have thought I was really old… Tell me, am I much of a disappointment to you?”

Giovanni thought about it for a moment. He relived the experience in his mind and tried to explain and understand what he felt the moment he first saw her, but he couldn’t do it. He had never felt that way before. “I don’t think I was disappointed at all,” he said. “I think I was overcome with excitement. I liked the way you looked right away, but you also made me feel…small somehow.”

“Oh, okay,” said Mira, a little flattered and disappointed at the same time. She felt she’d heard a compliment somewhere in Giovanni’s statement, but his speech and mannerisms lacked the emotion to solidify the feeling. Mira wasn’t quite sure how to react at that point. After a few silent moments of awkward tension, Mira began to raise herself up to head back into the house. Just then, Giovanni started to say something, as though they had been conversing the whole time.

“Did you know that you’re named after a special star?” he said, looking up at the sky.

“No, I didn’t know that,” she replied, retaking her spot on the porch. “I always just assumed I was named randomly. My benefactor never told me that my name had any significance.”

“Oh, but it does,” said Giovanni as he turned his head to look at her. “You are named after the first of a series of stars that change their brightness over periods of time. Mira is a large red star and it shines for like three hundred or so days at a time and then disappears from sight.” He returned his eyes to the sky as he continued to explain. “Then it miraculously reappears again. That’s why they called it Mira when they discovered it. It was like a miracle to them.”

Mira was in awe at Giovanni’s rhetoric. “Thank you for sharing that with me. That was wonderful,” she murmured. Giovanni shook his head, as if to say you’re welcome, but said nothing else and remained gazing upon the starry night. Mira thought to ask for the significance of his name, but it seemed that Giovanni had already shut down socially for the night. Mira said good night to him and headed off to her room.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel Copyright © 2013 Toinette Thomas

Eternal Curse is now available wherever books are sold.

Amazon | Nook

If you missed part 1 of this post, please visit the Writer’s Revolution to get the scoop.

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: Author Insights, EC: Giovanni's Angel, Samples Tagged: author, curses, discovery, Eternal Curse, excerpt, fear, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, intimacy, sample, spec-fic, theme, Toi Thomas, topic, Writer's Revolution, writing

ToiBox Blog Weekly Recap 05/03/14

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

I started out this week with Sample Sunday 41- Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, chapter 5.4

On Monday, I shared My Geekdom: Batman.

On Tuesday, I added to my Character files the preferences for Rebecca.

On Wednesday, I posted my review of Cloud Atlas.

On Thursday, I shared a kinda lame WIP Update (I’ll do better next time).

And yesterday, I posted a very involved Friday Forecast .

-Today I’m posting a special Author Insights, and…

-I’m sleeping in (Go ahead and leave comments; I’ll be around later).

-No Adventures in Blogging today.

-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

Friday Forecast : 05/02/14- Yes I still do these! :)

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

So the past few weeks have been a jumble. I’ve been just barely getting by and throwing up posts as best I can and that’s not like me at all. Slowly but surely, I’m getting back on track.

So, here what’s happening next week:

Sample Sunday

My Top 5

Character Files

Insecure Writers Support Group post and WWW Wednesday

Tea and Conversation

Friday Forecast possibly followed by an author interview with Jodie Sampson

Weekly Recap and possibly another Adventures in Blogging Post

–

Today will be a day of playing catch up. See what I’ve been too distracted to show you that I’ve been up to.

Writers Alive – youtube/radio interview (not your standard Q&A), worth a listen

My Week at the Writer’s Revolution

Preview |Interview Part 1 | Guest Post (There is a continuation.) | Interview Part 2

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the return of my Author Insights (Did I mention something about a continuation?)

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, Writer's Revolution, Writers Alive, writing

WIP Update 15 – Writer’s Creed 4

Again, I was late to posting this.  Eventually I will get back on track. For now…

I’m seeking one more beta reader for my Eternal Curse sequel. I’m almost finished with my, It’s Like the Full Moon, rewrite and I’m trying to finish up some other stories. Mostly I’m trying to get my life, blog, and writing back on track after a series of personal set backs. It’ll take time, but I’m still moving forward.

Click image to learn more.

Honestly, I haven’t been living up to the Writer’s Creed in the slightest. All I can do at this point, it try harder.

-Do you have a WIP update to share? Do you want to take on the Writer’s Creed 2014?

-Feeling a little lost about what’s going on in this post? Just see the side panel and search My Topics, WIP Updates-Writer’s Creed, to get all caught up. Also check my WIP 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

Filed under: WIP Updates-Writer's Creed Tagged: author, books, character, fiction, Paula Munier, process, Toi Thomas, wip, Writer's Creed, writing

Review: Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

I give this book a 5.

This is a really good book that still has me a little confused a month after listening to the audio presentation of it. I can’t image how Hollywood was able to pull this story off, but maybe one day I’ll bring myself to the point of watching the movie.

I’m not going to make any attempts to sound super profound here: I like this book because it was magical in a completely magic-free way. Themes that come to mind in this story of stories are: reincarnation, propaganda, racism, the power of knowledge and or education, and so much more…and of course there is a sense of love, but not really romance.  There is sex, violence, music, art, philosophy, and more all cosmically mingling from one story to another in this odd anthology.

I’ve probably already confused a few people, but that’s ok because I’m still a little confused myself. I mean, I get it. I understand what I heard and how it all works together, but just don’t know if I get the meaning of it all. What I do get is a warning about the human condition and the many great and scary things we are capable of. When advancements in technology, communication, and politics come together it’s powerful, but that’s only one part of it. Time and change is a variable humanity has no control over and it seems to be the ultimate mastermind of fate.

I seriously do not have the words to describe exactly what it is about this story I loved, I just know I was intrigued and compelled to complete it from the very start. I’m a lover a well told stories and this book tells amazing stories and in a very creative way. This book makes you think about things you never knew you neglected, at least I did. I can clearly see that this book would be too intense for a great majority of my friends, which is why most of them have seen the movie, and based on their responses to that, it’s a good thing they stayed away from the book.

In any case, I think this is a great adult read. Something to get your mind going to places you never thought to go. The pace fluctuates, the themes and stories can be confusing, but reaching the end is totally worth it.

This review has been posted to GoodReads.

If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try these links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble.

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: Reviews Tagged: blessings, books, break down, character, Cloud Atlas, contemporary fiction, cultural study, David Mitchell, drama, fantasy, fiction, future, humanity, journal, life, movies, music, past, reviews, sci-fi, spec-fic, Toi's comments, war

Character Files from the ToiBox 56: Rebecca aka Becca -Preferences

Preferences: Subject FM 1-Becca

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Food: tiramisu

Favorite book or Movie: Circle of Friends

Favorite Music: pop

Favorite Pastime: reading

Other: Elegant, likeable, and caring. Very organized and neat.

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, Full Moon Tagged: #thetoiboxofwords, character, contemporary fiction, cultural study, drama, family, fiction, friends, It's Like the Full Moon, preferences, profile, Rebecca, romance, Toi Thomas

My Geekdom 11: Batman

Pins from Pinterest that inspire me and indulge my geekness. http://pinterest.com/toinette_thomas/my-geekdom/

Please do not copy this image. Click this image to visit Pinterest and share, share, share :)

Here is some more cool conceptual art. If there is still someone out there who didn’t know I like Batman, well, now you know. He’s my favorite comic book hero. The only other hero I’m liking as much as him right now is, Giovanni, from my Eternal Curse Series, but that of course is a little biased.

Batman is my favorite comic book hero whether he’s the caped crusader, part of the dynamic duo, the world’s greatest detective, or the dark knight. He’s my favorite for three basic reasons.

1. He’s super smart and observant.

2. He’s not afraid to admit it when he doesn’t know something; that’s why he spends so much time researching and training, so he can know as much as possible. If anything, he’s a role model for doing your homework and not wasting a good mind. (We’ll just overlook his policy on following the rules.)

3. He has no super powers, but is the first to be called when the super heroes need help.

Don’t get me wrong, I know billions of dollars have helped Batman’s cause, but that’s one more reason why I like him as a person (real or fake good qualities count). Bruce Wayne, or whatever Batman is popular at the time, is who he is because of tragedy. Batman could easily have chosen to become a villain, but he chose to be good (or at least fright crime). Speaking specifically of Bruce Wayne, despite his playboy persona, he’s a hero because, even with all his money, he knows he could never be happy knowing that there is evil unchecked in this world as he sat around and did nothing.

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: My Geekdom Tagged: author, Batman, blogging, comic books, D.C., education, Eternal Curse, geek, good vs evil, heroes, humanity, inspiration, Pinterest, process, smart, Toi Thomas, try this, writing

Sample Sunday 38

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.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel chapter 5.4 (wip)

As she stepped out onto the deck, there stood Giovanni looking taller and grander than he had the day before. He was holding out a steaming mug towards her with a handsomely subtle smirk on his face. “Warm green tea cocoa for you?” he asked, placing the warm mug in her hand. Giovanni tried to shield the warmth of the mug and the touch of his hand with a thin cloth beneath it, but he still managed to send yet another jolt of energy through her body, as he brushed the edge of her finger.

“Green tea cocoa,” Mira inquired with a giggle, “how does that work exactly?”

“Just try it,” replied Giovanni. “It’s very chocolaty and amazingly refreshing and rejuvenating.” Mira took a sip and smiled, it was truly delicious. The steamy chocolate mixture soothed her throat, warmed her tummy, and perked up all her senses.

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: EC: Giovanni's Angel, Samples Tagged: angels, demons, Eternal Curse, family, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, reading, romance, sample excerpt, shape-shifting, spec-fic, Toi Thomas, war, wip