Musings: I remember ……

Today is September 11 and it carriers so much memories for me and many people. I debated if I should post this but I felt compelled to. I don’t talk about it much but I work close to the World Trade Center and was there that day. Here is what I remember.

I remember already being at work that day and a loud sound.
I remember calling my Mom on the phone and hearing those words the World Trade had been hit. Then silence as the phones went out and we could not speak.
I remember not knowing what was going on and then the fear racing through us all.
I remember going to the lobby of my office building and seeing people coming in blanketed in ash and anguish in their eyes.
I remember the indecision if I should leave or stay at my office.
I remember deciding to leave and that first step outside which brought the taste of ash to my tongue and horror in my mind.
I remember my first step in ash too deep to even leave footprints.
I remember going around the office building and seeing those lone shoes and briefcase sitting there discarded.
I remember meeting a tourist who did not know which way to run.
I remember a terrible sound then a cloud of smoke rushing at us.
I remember running, running and finding strength I did not know I could ever have.
I remember the rumors that the Pentagon was gone and the White House was no more.
I remember that first breath of air free of ash.
I remember the cup of water pushed into my hand by someone trying to help anyway they could.
I remember the droves of people walking without shoes, clothing, and no idea of how we would get home. No knowledge of what had really happened.
I remember the hours after struggling walking, running and finally able to catch public transportation.
I remember the bus ride done in anguished silence.
I remember walking up the block to my house.
I remember the door opening and my mom there to catch me as I collapsed crying and happy to be alive.
I remember the seconds. minutes, hour and days after still not believing that it was real.
I remember the TV images of people pulling together to help then I remembered once again the cup of water that kept me going and I cried more tears.
I remember going back to work that first day after everything. The guns, fear and uncertainty on each corner.
I remember to pray for those found but forever gone.
I remember to pray for those lost and never found.
I remember the hope and perseverance of a city that had lost so much and world never forget.
I remember to thank god each and everyday that I made it out of alive.

Today is September 11 and I remember.

Musings: The End……

The End.

These are two most beautiful words to a writer. It means you are done with another book. Well at least until edits and so forth. I wrote these words on not one but two stories in this last week. One was a short read which I already contracted. LOL. I won’t announce with who just yet. But look for details real soon.

It is a good feeling when you get a story complete. Usually after I finish a story I take sometime off before I jump into another story but this time I find that there is a story talking to me. So I have jumped back in and started working on another story. I have a few ideas in my head demanding there time. So for the next few month’s I will be very busy working towards the end.


Just in case you missed it Golden Seduction releases tomorrow at Ellora's Cave.

Musings: Revisiting Changes……

Last week I mentioned I would be making some changes to the blog. Changing around the days I post certain things and so forth. Adding some new things.

Since I was in a changing and planning mood I sat down to make a few changes to my writing calendar. Yeah, yeah I have one. It keeps me on track with what I will write next. What I have planned for my next book and so forth. If a story idea comes up or something unexpected I can shift to accommodate it.

So I was changing my calendar and realized a few things. Well besides I will be busy writing for a good long while. Which is great.

I realized how much my writing has changed. I won’t get all philosophical on you but just say I am pleased with what I am doing now. Pleased with what I have planned.

Ahh the feel of change is good.

Musings: Changes……

These last few weeks I was thinking of making some changes to my blog. Changing around the days I post certain things and so forth. Adding some new things. Look out for a few things coming to the blog real soon. Some of these changes will tie in with blog, Crenshaw Cafe- my chat group , and my website.

As I was thinking of changes to my blog I started thinking of other changes I have made in my life recently. I won’t go into detail but all the changes I have made in these last few month’s has enriched my life, made me stronger and set me on a path for my future goals. The first half of this year I had major upheavals that I had to face and overcome. Which, I did but with some bruises and disillusionment. I gained some wonderful people in my life and lost a few who I came to realize were not as they seemed. This time has been eye opening and I wonder what will come next.

Although there are very few month’s left in this year I know there will be more things coming my way. And no matter if they are good, bad or indifferent I will face them down as I have done everything else. Whenever I have a birthday I like to think and that is why I usually take time away for myself. So in my introspection I came to these conclusions.

Who I am will not change.

What I believe will not falter.

Where I am going will not be stopped.

How I get there is still to be reveled.

When I get there I will know.

Even when I am there I will strive for the next and next.

This is what living and life is all about. Striving and being more.

Musings: The Emotion of Writing

I had an interesting discussion the other day. Okay I’ll admit it was more of a debate. It was concerning a book a mutual friend and I had both read. She didn’t like and I loved it.


That led to a long debate of us both listing out points and countering why we liked or disliked the book. We got loud and emotionally about our point of view.It was interesting. We had others around us who had read the book chiming in and those who hadn’t asking more about it. It even led to other discussion of various author’s work we liked, did not like, the reasons why or why not. It was a very reveling conversation.


This is the emotion of writing. No matter if your book is not liked or liked. It has created an emotion. As an author this is what I want to do. Whether it is good or bad. I want you to feel it. The one thing I do not want is apathy. That is like a punch to any writer. Please NO APATHY. Give me any emotion and I will feel that I have done my job.


Now I am not saying if I get a bad review or email that a reader didn’t like my work I won’t get a little upset at first. But when it comes down to it I will be content and happy. I created a reaction.


An Emotion.


I touched the reader in someway. From that little debate I had the other day. I realized that people will remember you if they have enough emotion whether good or bad. I got a few new authors to try just from that conversation alone. Hey just because someone didn’t like a book doesn’t mean what they saw as flaws I or another reader wouldn’t see as treasures.


Come on and share the books you have read and created strong emotion. Don’t be shy it can be good or bad.


Taige

Musings: Let me Speak I have a Voice

“Come on it should go this way.” Voice A states.

“No I want it this way.” Voice B defends

“You better let me speak or…” Voice A warns.

“Or else what?” Voice B shoots back.

“I won’t say a word and we’ll see how far you get without me.” Voice A said with no inflection in the tone.

“Both of you shut the hell up and work together.”

Voice C says in exasperation and walks away.

Voice A and B watch each other fear on their face and run after Voice C to apologize.


This is a mythical conversation between a writer (Voice B), the characters (Voice A), and the muse (Voice C).


As a writer it is hard when you have vision of how a story will go then it takes a different turn because of how the characters want it to be. My characters live for me. They have personalities, wants, desires, and opinions just like anyone else. I learned long ago to let them speak and give their opinion. I learned to work together instead of against each other. This helps me create vivid real people and paranormal beings that make you want to laugh, cry, fight, and love with them. Writing takes a mix of all parts working together.

Don’t get me wrong in no way it is always roses and harmony but we have learned to work together. When my characters and me come to an impasse usually my muse Mikayla will come in and knock sense into both of us. Or if Mikayla (she is a bit bossy) goes on the she knows the best and no one else knows crap frame of mind I have my own ways to get her to listen to reason. It involves a whip, keyboard, and chair. Heck it is too complicated to explain but it works. Me, Mikayla, and my characters (in whatever novel I am working in) work as a team to get the best story out to you the reader.

This may seem strange that they are real to me but then again writers have a tendency to have a vivid imagination. Stop it Mikayla. Back the hell up.

Mikayla here. I’m not part of anyone’s imagination. I’m just the more flashier side of Taige. She thinks I’m bossy. Please that woman is a hard task maker who demands the best of the characters and me. It’s a challenge to live up to but we have to step up or get rolled over by the gentle whirl-spin that is Taige Crenshaw. Yeah, yeah that was sarcasm if you missed it. Taige isn’t gentle when it comes to her work. I remember… Ah Crap I have to go. Taige is fighting something fierce as I sit on her. Hey son of a .. watch the damn teeth.

You have to excuse Mikayla as I said she is a bit bossy and thinks she knows everything. As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted (glaring at Mikayla while she looks down at her nails a smug little grin on her face). In the process of creating characters that live everyone has to be a part of the process. You have to listen to each other’s opinion. Years ago this was hard for me. I had a vision I wanted and the characters / Mikayla each had their own thoughts. When I realized in order for us to make the best book we can we all had to join forces. I learned to listen but not let the personalities of the characters and Mikayla drown me. We find a balance that works for us all.

Even when I read I hear the voice of the characters. I don’t know if that’s just me but I do and I enjoy novels that the characters voice speak to me more. Even some characters that stick with me even after the story is finished I take with me as I sleep. They pop up in my dreams. That to me is a sign of a great book. Characters that stay with you afterwards and make you wonder what is going on in their lives.

With my own characters that I have already written I don’t have to wonder. They pop up in my dreams also letting me know they are still there. Who am I kidding the new characters and Mikayla when we are on a role won’t let me sleep or have a moment to myself. Well that is a different topic for another blog. LOL. Yeah my mind is full and I love it.

My question to you. How does the characters in any novel you have read or written speak to you?

Taige

Musings: A Spin On Things

You’re probably wondering what the top I used in this blog is all about. I like to think of it as my talisman when I write. I don’t have a real one yet but I look at the picture of the top that I have posted in my office and wonder about all the possibilities. Then I break all those possibilities and push the boundaries.

Just like a top I like to add my spin on things and let them land where fate deems fit. As a writer I strive to be different. When I sit down and write a story I write not just as a writer but also as a reader. I want to be entertained and want to entertain, thrill, entice and make you come back for more. Many say there is power with free speech. I say there is power in the way you write the words in your free speech. It is amazing what the human brain can come up with and I am asked many times how I come up with my ideas and I always find there is not really a way to articulate how I come up with ideas. I just simply say I put my spin on it.

Yet it is so much more. One of my greatest ideas places lately is the Subway. Yes you heard me right the Subway. As I ride to and from work and people are rushing to get to work or get the heck home I sit and dream of the next adventure I will take. I laugh, cry and curse as the plot plays in my head like it is happening to me at that moment. Yes as you can imagine I get strange looks but I don’t care I am too deep in my story for it to even register. Well unless someone actually asks me what is wrong then they wish they didn’t as I bring them into my story to. LOL. If the mood strikes me I’ve been know to pull out paper and if that’s not available tissue/napkins and write. I scribble furiously and get my ideas down and even chapters. You can imagine how my desk looks with papers when I get ready to write. LOL.

Now back to the spin on things. Differences are what make us and I like to explore that then smash it to push it to the extreme. I have found that this works for me. The trick is you have to let go and let the muse take you where it will. Me and Mikayla - my muse (yes she has a name because she is very demanding and opinionated) have a good working relationship. Meaning I let her have free rein and when I do it works in both our favors. We push each other to do more and give more. With each book I sit to write I wonder what will make this different and memorable then I realize that no matter what you write as long as you put your spin on it you already have the battle of a great story won.

I try and create novels that are unrestrained by reality. Hell I build worlds that defy definition and enjoy each and every improbable part of it. I love fulfilling anything I think is needed in a great story. Of course that means an engaging plot, lots of sex, fantasy and escape. An escape from the normal everyday and into the pages of a wonderful tale. I revel in the forays of the alpha male hero type and the kick butt heroine whether they be human, vampire, shape shifter, witch or anything else. There is freedom when you let go the restrictions and let the imagination free. Step outside what is expected. I love, fight and live with all those characters I create. Isn’t this really what it is all about? Taking a spin and letting it flow.

Novels are an adventure just waiting for you to open the pages and take a whirl. It is all about imagination and using it to escape. So take a spin and see where you end up and let your mind escape…

So, what does the spin on things mean to you or what novels have you read that had a spin on things that made you long for more….

Taige

Musings: Reader Gold - Series/Serials ~ the nity gritty

With all the reading I have been doing lately my thoughts have turned to another blog I wrote before. I've updated it a little from my original post.


Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about series and serials. What they are and how I feel about them. There are so many books coming out each month and a lot of them are part of a series/serial.

First here are my definitions of them both:

Series ~ Taige Crenshaw Definition:

Novels that has a related story theme but each one is complete in and of itself.

Serial ~ Taige Crenshaw Definition:

Novels that feature/follows the same main character/s yet are still a fresh story each time.

No matter which way you slice it I find whether it is a serial or series I enjoy writing stories like this. It gives me room to stretch my mind, push my characters to give me more and wallow in there adventure even more. Although I enjoy these stories I don’t usually start writing with the intention of it being a series/serial sometimes it just happens to evolve that way.

I write what I love to read and I’m one of those readers that wondered what is next for such and such main character. Or what happened to this sub - character that I liked in this or that novel. I go hunting to find more and when I find it I feel like I’ve struck READER’S GOLD. I jump up and down and shout in glee. LOL.

I remember an instance where I picked up an author that I hadn’t tried before. The novel was great and imagine my glee that I struck reader gold and it was a series. I went back and bought all of there novels except one it was sold out. I searched and searched for years for this one book and couldn’t find a copy. Not even a used one. I even contacted the author to find out if the story was going to be re-printed. To my dismay it wasn’t at that time. Amazon even had over 200 people waiting for a copy of this book when I checked. I stopped checking the numbers after I saw the amount of people. No one was selling. A few years after looking I finally struck reader gold in 2005 when the book was reprinted and I was able to finish my collection. I know me and over 199 other people very happy.

As my thought’s of Reader’s Gold evolved I thought of all the author’s who have some wonderful series/serials that I feel are Reader’s Gold. They line my shelf and I go looking for them when they are released. Everyone should have a little Reader’s Gold on there book shelf.

Can you imagine so many readers looking for an author. Searching for that Reader’s Gold. That is what I want my novels to be to my current and future readers ~ Reader’s Gold. No I don’t want you the reader to wait a long time for my books but I want you to be so drawn into the worlds that I create you can’t wait to see what happens next.

Who are some author’s that are your Reader’s Gold and why?

Taige

Musings: Amazing Writer Race ~ Revisted

I'm revisiting a topic I had thoughts on a few years ago. It is amazing how appropriate it still is.

Okay I’ll admit it I like reality shows. There has been an influx of reality shows but in my humble opinion there are only a few that are worth watching, I won’t go into a list of them but one of my favorites is The Amazing Race. After watching the contestants year after year run around the world all vying to win a million dollars I am usually pleased with the outcome. Then I started thinking again how I was in a sort of Amazing Race myself. The Amazing Writer Race that is. I'm going to post once again my way of thinking of my own Amazing Race. Now don’t think like that. I know exactly what I am getting at.


Imagine for a moment what the Amazing Race really is. It isn’t only about the money (which is a million dollars) it’s about the experience on the race. Now lets me give you the break down on what are the similarities and differences between The Amazing Race and The Amazing Writer Race.

Starting

Amazing Race – before the race even hits TV a call goes out for entrants. Contestants have to sign up and I’m sure go through process before they are picked.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – Before you can become a writer and idea must form. That call to pick up the pen or peck on that keyboard to pound out a story.

Differences – A writer is the only one who judges if you are worthy to be in the race and what must be done.

Point A to B

Amazing Race – once in the race you have to get from point so and so to here or there with your wits, leg work and a little money

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – As a writer you use your wits, legwork, and money to get your writing out there.

Differences – The road to Point A to B changes as you do and the way there is not clear cut way. It is up to you to get there at your own will.

Places, Culture, and Customs

Amazing Race - Each leg of the race the contestants goes to a new place they have to make themselves familiar with the places, culture and various customs. They even participate in some of these.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – a writer has to do the same thing get in tune with the place, the scents, and people there.

Differences – the writer is the one who builds the world, the cultures and customs they follow. This gives you more leeway to make it yours.

People

Amazing Race - along the way you meet various people in these places you visit that.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – In your writing life you met and get to know so many people that you take away something from each.

Differences – You get to know the people longer and better and form lasting friendships.

Detours/Road Blocks

Amazing Race - along the way there are detours and challenges to be performed before a contestant can move on.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – In your writing life you have detours and challenges to met also.

Differences – The type of challenges and the amount of time you have to overcome each is set by you. How you go about it is also set by you.

Other Contestants

Amazing Race - you have others that are in the race vying to get that money.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – as a writer you also have other writer’s who is vying for that book deal.

Differences – The support and true friendships that you find with other writer who are going after the same thing.

Winning

Amazing Race - At the end of all of that there is one winner.

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – A writer definitely wants to be a winner.

Differences – However there is many winners in this race and some of them are your friends who also is in this race as an amazing writer.

Time Frame

Amazing Race - there is a set time frame to get things some

Amazing Writer Race:

Similarities – You set goals and times to be done with various things.

Differences – Your time frame as an author is as long as you want and the race doesn’t end until you let it.

So in this Amazing Writer Race according to your genre there is more romance, mystery, far off place or any number of things. They lead most times to a happy ending or resolution. Whereas in my case as an erotic writer there is an added bonus of not only getting to build my own worlds the way I like them. My characters get to have lots hot spicy sex and still find that happy ending.

When it comes down to it the major difference in the Amazing Writer Race is even after we have won the prize – a book contract – we still keep racing to get the next, then the next and next until infinity. So we are always racing. And after that book is out we enter a whole new phase of the race.

Years ago when I first mentioned my own Amazing Writer Race I mentioned I was striving for the prize – a book contract. Well I got many of them. And you know what as I said then and believe now I got that win and still have a lot more wins to go in my Amazing Writing Race.

So come on and share how the Amazing Race or any other reality show or even regular shows relate to you and your life??

Taige

Musings: Fantasy ~ What is it really?

I am revisting something I thought of a while back. Fantasies. I posted this on the blog before and my feeling still are the same. So let's explore fantasy once again.

I looked up the meaning of fantasy and there were so many meanings and variations to this it was eye opening. I’m going to start with my least favorite then go on to my most favorite.

My least Favorite:

Fantasy~ An unrealistic or improbable supposition.

Now where do I even begin on this one? This is such a cold, analytical way tolook at fantasy. From time we are born we are taught to believe in many things that would from this meaning be considered “unrealistic” or “improbable”. The tooth fairy, Santa clause, Easter bunny, and sandman are but a few of the things we grew up with. It is a part of life that we believe at least until such things as this meaning makes us realize different. As a writer this meaning is totally out of my scope. I create living fantasy for readers and enjoy the hell out of doing it {grin}.

Now my most favorite is more like my way of thinking.

My most favorites:

Fantasy ~ Imagery that is more or less coherent, as in dreams and daydreams, yet unrestricted by reality.

Or

Fantasy~ An imagined event or sequence of mental images, such as a daydream, usually fulfilling a wish or psychological need.

All Hail the Fantasy brigade.

Ahhh. Now this is more like it. I create novels that are unrestrained by reality. Heck I build worlds that defy definition and enjoy each and every improbable part of it. I love fulfilling a wish. Wishes of a great story with lots of sex, fantasy and escape. Yes escape from the norm. I enjoy the forays of an alpha male hero type, kick butt heroine whether they be human, vampire, shapeshifter, witch or anything else. Becoming free of the restrictions of the imagination is what I strive to achieve. Take a risk. Become a daredevil. Love, fight and live with all those characters of fantasy. Isn’t this really what it is all about.

I tap into the fantasy I enjoy and bring it into reality at least for the time you read my stories and then after when it is remembered by you. Here is my definition of fantasy.

Taige definition of fantasy:

Escaping the constrains of reality and making a reality of your own. A reality where your deepest desires, needs, wants and all things your imagination can think of is real as long as you believe.

Novels are always an adventure and isn’t that why you read. To be drawn into a fantasy. At least for a time before real life issue take over. Fantasy is all about imagination and using it to escape. I enjoy bring a little escape to you.


So tell me what does fantasy mean to you….

Taige