Toi Thomas's Blog, page 92

ToiBox Blog Weekly Recap 11/9/13

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

I started out the week with Sample Sunday 19- It’s Like the Full Moon, chapter 2.4…

After kinda having an extra hour of sleep.

I talked about Garfield on My Geekdom.

After voting, I added to my character files the results of Mira’s Rorschach Test.

I announced that I was still in the running for 50 Great Authors You Should Be Reading

I shared a story and link from ALLi about a book award.

On Wednesday, I posted a lame WWW Wednesday post.

Then I shared my first Insecure Writers Support Group post.

On Thursday, I posted my 9th WIP Update.

And yesterday, I posted a very brief Friday Forecast before…

Alec Hawkes shared If Brains Were Dynamite.

Be sure to stick around today for another installment in my Adventures in Blogging; next week I think I’ll take a break.

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

If Brains Were Dynamite by Alec Hawkes

image from Amazon.com

Book Title: If Brains Were Dynamite

Author Name: Alec Hawkes

Publisher: Independent

Reading Level: adult

Genre: satire

Content Rating: PG

Available Formats: ebook, paperback



Number of pages: 116

Purchase links: Consumer Review by C.W. Lovatt| Amazon UK | Amazon U.S.

Book Blurb from Amazon.com

The follow up to ‘Common Sense Would Be Good’. Expanding on the same theme, the author mocks the crooks and idiots who continue to make a mess of running government while lining their own pockets. Very funny.

Author Bio from Amazon.com

image from Amazon.com

My name is Alec Hawkes, an English chap with a rather good sense of humour. I am in my early 50′s, and have had no formal training whatsoever in how to write. That is, of course, since my school days. However, I love to read and I love to write. My writing style is all mine. My day job is a night job, for I am part of a nearly extinct species, the dear old milkman, unique – I do believe – to Britain. Please correct me if I am wrong. I have a deep affection for comedy, irony, satire, and anything that raises a chuckle or deep belly laugh, or even merely an eyebrow. My own books – two so far, with more to come – are satirical swipes at the political and banking systems in Britain. I am told that many a chuckle and raised eyebrow come from reading my books. My third, which I am working on now, will have a more international feel as I have a ‘pop’ at many more politicians. All in fun, of course, though with a serious underlying message for the buggers to TELL THE TRUTH!

To learn a bit more about Alec Hawkes, check out his special Facebook Interview here.

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: Guest Posts Tagged: author, book, guest post, humor, politics, promotion, satire

Friday Forecast : 11/08/13

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

My Top 5: Fruit…I know who cares, but I really like fruit.

Character Files

A Post from the Past

Tea and Conversation: Flashbacks

Lastly, next Friday I’ll post my interview with author Paula Hrbacek, who has written several books including Stars Shine After Dark and who also writes for the Examiner.com.

No review scheduled for next Friday, but perhaps the week after.

–

Today author Alec Hawkes talks political satire.

Have you had a chance to check out the Dose of Daily Gratitude blog. There have been some touching posts this month. See my side panel for information.

Oh…and I’m still in the running to be one of 50 Great Authors You Should Be Reading. See side panel for details.

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

WIP Update 09

So much has and hasn’t happened since last I wrote. Let’s see…

Not only did I finish all the details of my shorts, I have published them. Legend of the Boy and Unexplained are not available for purchase. You can check out My Books to learn more and to see if and or when I’ll run a promotion for them. So far, I’ve already received one consumer/reader review for Legend of the Boy. You can check My Spotlight if you want to see what was said.

After being ridiculously sick for two weeks straight, struggling to celebrate my birthday, and publishing my two shorts, I have managed to completely ignore my other WIPs, but that’s about to change. Now that things have settled again, I’m going back and looking at what I’ve already put forth for both, Solomon’s Sword and It’s Like the Full Moon, so I can wrap them up and move them along to betas…I may be in need of new betas; any suggestions?

I’ve had some snags in my collaborative project, but such is the case when working with so many people, but things seem to be coming together again. Hopefully the next time I write, I’ll have another publication announcement to make…

And as much as I try not to distract myself, I always seem to do so. A story idea came to me yesterday and I may have to pursue it, but I won’t report on it until I have either a full chapter or a complete outline.

Feeling a little lost about what’s going on in this post? Just see the side panel and search My Topics, WIP Updates, to get all caught up. Also check my WIP tab to see what else I may be working on.

Do you have a WIP update to share?

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 Tagged: author, books, character, fiction, process, wip, writing

#IWSG November 2013: Overcoming Insecurities

I’ve wanted to participate in this group for the longest time, but I was too insecure to do so. I always feared that I’d somehow drop the ball and not live up to the expectations of the group, even though they don’t expect much. I think deep down I was just afraid of being a small shrimp in continually growing sea of tight-knit colorful fish. I felt like all the wonderful authors already participating in this powerful support group and community wouldn’t have time to get to know me or allow me to get to know them.

I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a while now just watching and admiring…Now I’m stepping out on faith. I want to be apart of this community. I want to be able to help and support those who need it and to also receive help and support in return, but mostly I just want to be apart of something I’ve admired for so long. Just to be apart, not outshining anyone or standing out in a crowd- just to be apart, is sometimes all you need. It’s more than enough to keep you going and I want to apart of this.

I hope I’m able to make many new friends and that I’m able to contribute something of value into their lives.

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share inspiration and support.

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: blogging, community, encouragement, friends, insecure writers support group, overcoming, writing

WWW Wednesday 11/6/13

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.

Due to illness and bad timing, I have no new update to report at this time, but next month is already starting to look better. Be sure to check out what others are reading and sharing, and do the same.

Sorry for the inconenience. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: Memes Tagged: books, try this

F.Y.I- Read An Indie Author: ALLi Book of The Month Awards

I just saw this post and am sharing it. I don’t know what the deadline is, but the nomination procedures are very specific and must be done at the link provided.

It seems as though you can nominate any Indie-published book.

I hope I make up my mind who and what to nominate before it’s too late.

Check it all out here: http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/read-an-indie-author-alli-book-of-the-month-awards/

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: author, books, contest, indie, nominate, self-published, try this

I’m Still in the Running!

Click here to vote.

I’m a finalist in the Christian genre. I’d truly appreciate your vote and a little spreading of the word, if you don’t mind. Thank you for all your wonderful support…I still can believe I made it this far.

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: 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading, autho, author, books, contest, recognition, TheAuthorShow, try this, vote

Character Files from the ToiBox 34: Mira- Psych Test

Rorschach Test

This is not a real Rorschach test , but simply a fun little additive to the whole character profile motif.

Subject EC:GA 4-Mira describe test image #1 as:

A nightmare come to life. She seeing herself being chased by it, but affirms that “it’s not real.”

Subject seems to have a solid grasp on reality, but is still unsure of herself. Her lack of detail in describing the image, may be an indication that she’s fooled herself and maybe even the rest of us. She is harmless, but valuable.

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: angels, blessings, character, cultural study, demons, fiction, profile, spec-fic

My Geekdom 05: Garfield

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

I truly believe that there are some people who are put on the planet to make the rest of us feel good about ourselves. In the world of cartoons and comic strips, Garfield is “the one.” No one can be as lazy, sneaky, and indifferent as Garfield and still be as lovable. As self-centered as he can be, Garfield has redeeming moments and qualities. He’s not a mean or hateful cat; that would require too much effort. Though he’s not swarming with friends and invitations, he loves the ones he’s close to and they love him.

The truth is, I relate to Garfield. It’s hard to explain, but that cat gets in my head. When I write sometimes, I try to think what Garfield would do and do the opposite. When push comes to shove, Garfield would never sit idly by if his friends truly needed him, but if a plate of lasagna was in his way, it might take him a while to come to the rescue.

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, blogging, comic strip, friends, Garfield, geek, inspiration, lazy, Pinterest, process, try this, writing