Carnal Awakening ~ Uncovered ~ Behind the Story

My book Carnal Awakening released today from Ellora's Cave . Yippeee!!!

I have a feature on my personal blog where I explore my books. The feature is called uncovered. This month I explored Carnal Awakening. This is the post I did on behind the story of Carnal Awakening.

So let’s get uncovered….

In this uncovered we will be talking about how the story Carnal Awakening came to be.This story came to me out of nowhere. I was actually working on another story when Shay - my heroine - came to me and demanded her story be told. She also let me know her story could not be told as one story but would be a series of stories. Imagine if you will a woman who knows what she wants but is unsure how to ask for it. I’ll be exploring Shay in another Uncovered later this month.

Once Shay came to me I let my mind wander. I knew that this story would have to have a lot of twists and turns. I worked out the plot and my mind raced then it came to me. There would be a special gift that leads to the awakening of these characters. A gift that is rare and beautiful. A gift that is used with grand romantic gestures. It says so much and yet not enough. But imagine if it had the ability to have a more active role in getting a couple together. A gift that would travel through realms to get where it needed to be to bring them together. Once they were together it is up to the couple where things lead.

As I built the gift and the world Shay and Mikhail inhabit I pushed the boundaries. Their world is one of passion, intrigue, and most of all an adventurous nature. Each has their own things they must face. Shay has to overcome her reservation, while Mikhail must realize duty and desire are both possible.

Carnal Awakening leads you on a path of not only a sensual awakening but also into the discovery of what is inside. There are a few other surprises thrown in and more to follow in the next books.

Come along for the exploration of Shay and Mikhail as they are awakened.

I leave you with this question. What is a moment of awakening you experienced?

Taige

Desired Silence

This always seems to happen to me and wondered if it happens to other.

When you’re right in the middle of a really intense scene in a book. I mean it is heart pounding, sweaty and you’re at the edge of your seat. Then wham the phone rings or someone talks to you yanking you right out of it. Oyy. That happened to me today. Not once but a couple of times. The first time I was finishing the new Nora Roberts High Noon and just as I reached the pivotal part the phone rang. It frightened me so bad I threw the book up in the air and spilled my drink. My phone rarely rings so was annoyed. I picked it up and tried to answer pleasantly but I can’t tell you if I succeeded or not. I’m sure you guessed it already who was on the other end of the phone. A TELEMARKETER. Since I know they are only doing there job I was okay I tried to be polite and told them not interested and they kept going on and on. I hung up and went and got my book.

So I started reading again and was back into the book when … you guessed it the phone rang again. This time I at least kept my book in hand and answered the phone all the while I was thinking was I the phone company or what. And I’m sure you know what I am about to say. It was another TELEMARKETER. I didn’t even try to listen I hung up. By this time I was so annoyed I put the book down and booted up my computer.

I started working on my current book and was going well when you guessed it the phone rang again. By this time I sighed and picked up the phone. At least this time it was someone I wanted to speak with. A friend who I hadn't spoken to in a while. Before I knew it hours had passed. After we got off the phone and I started to get back into my scene but then I thought about it, stopped and took the phone off the hook. Achieved. Silence. {grin} I got lots of writing done and finished Nora's book High Noon.

What do you do when you need some me time?




Taige

Fantasy – What is it really?

I am revisting something I thought of a while back. Fantasies. I had posted this to my own personal 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

Inside Seducing A God

Seducing a God, my first book with Ellora's Cave releases today. Can you feel my excitement. LOL. On the side is the delicious cover. So today in honor of my release I am going to talk about how the story Seducing a God came to be.

I’ll be honest I hadn’t ever thought of doing a theme story before and never imagined to try for one at EC. After making a tough decision concerning with the path my writing career was taking I was surfing the various publishers for something spicy to read. While at EC I decided to check out the submissions. As I sat there reading the call for submissions and came across the Naughty Nuptials theme my mind started to race and heart started to pound. I went to bed and my mind still raced and I could not sleep. The story was unfolding so fast in my head and I know I had to write it down. So I got up and fleshed out the story for what ended up to be Seducing a God.

My hero Markus M’ar Riage, The God of Matrimony came to me first. He epitomizes everything that love, relationships and marriage is all about. He is strong, gentle, and all out sexy. I knew he needed a woman who although seemingly shy she would knock his socks off.

My heroine, Paula Stroker made her presence know from the beginning. Although she is slightly unsure around me she knows when she sees Markus she wants him. Also she has a unique profession. {You’ll have to read the book to find out}. Paula is a smart; take charge yet vulnerable and sensual woman.

These two characters compliment each other. Yet they face an obstacle Paula has an aversion to marriage and Markus being the God of Matrimony cannot help but believe in all it entails. They led you on a wild ride of sensual pleasure and discovery. Also there are a few other surprises thrown in.

So take a seductive journey with Paula and Markus and let yourself be seduced.

So I leave you with this question. What is the most seductive thing you have done or had done to you?

Taige

Amazing Writer Race

I'm revisiting a topic I had on my own blog 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 for another year - this year it was all stars – run around the world all vying to win a million dollars I was 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

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

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

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