I’m gonna keep this simple…

So, I’m moving. Got me a new blog and website. But I’m not going to just leave you all behind! You’re too awesome for that!

The thing is, much as I love my new place, I get how shifting from place to place can be a PITA. For motivation, I’m going to make you an offer. Any blog followers from here that follow me to my new blog gets a change to win a copy of my new book, The Trip. They will also be entered along with new followers for the giveaway of a second copy!

To enter, go here: www.im-no-angel.com and follow on networked blogs. That’s it!

Best of luck! And don’t forget to visit!

In Someone Else’s Skull

One big book finished. One coming out September 5^th. One sequel to write.

So where’s my head at?

Not where it needs to be. Not yet.

Being a prolific writer is great, and I guess some people would call me one. At this pace, I’ll likely have four full length books, and at least two novellas, published this year. Not a bad start. And I can keep this up without my writing suffering. No problem!

Except…

Well, if you’ve read my books, you might notice they are very, very different. Rosemary Entwined is sweet and romantic. Deadly Captive is dark and disturbing. My novella, The Trip, falls somewhere in-between. Obviously the characters in each story are very, very different.

I say again. Where’s my head at?

At the moment, somewhere between the three books.

Unfortunately, that makes it hard to write well. I can’t be thinking about Kurt and Rosemary in the apple tree—never thought apples could be so sexy!—or Mark and Shawna struggling in the bushes (sneak peak butt plug scene coming soon) while I’m thinking of creative new ways for Cyrus to torture his latest victims. It’s kinda like trying to watch a movie while you’ve got five stereos blasting five different stations.

So what do I do? Meditate? Brainstorm? Slam my head on my desk until all the noise goes away?

On occasion, but in a situation like this, nothing works but immersing myself in the mentality of whoever’s head I’m supposed to be in. If someone’s supposed to be falling in love for the first time, I have to do everything possible to recall what that’s like. Only better. Brighter. If my characters are living through hell, I have to throw myself into the depths. Music and movies, poetry, pictures, anything that will make the emotions real.

I’ve mentioned method acting before, I’m sure. Well, to me, writing well takes some of the same skills. When I was in college, I had to do a monologue. My choice, from any script or play, and I chose a scene from The Abyss. I read the whole script until I was the woman, encouraging her lover to live. Everything that brought them to that moment was in the back of my mind. As I stood in the middle of the classroom and spoke to the man who was now my lover, dying, with only my words to hold on to, I lost myself completely. With the last words, tears fell, and the students and the teacher clapped. But I couldn’t come back.

I sat alone for a bit and forced the woman—a character who was no more than words on paper—into the back of my head. I think she still lives there. My teacher came and gave me a hug. “Watch the movie again when you get home,” she said. “So you’ll remember he lives.”

And she was right. I needed that closure because while I was doing the monologue, I’d forgotten—or more, I didn’t know. I wasn’t supposed to because the woman whose life I was living didn’t.

Back to writing, I believe that is one of the most important things you can do to make your characters real. Forget the happy ending. There isn’t one. Not yet.

Sorry to cut this short, but my characters will never get any kind of ending if I don’t get back to them! <g>

Guest Post-Emotions of the Rain

Please welcome my guest—->

Taige Crenshaw

It has been a very rainy time the last few weeks. It had me thinking again of how rain makes me feel. There is just something about the sound, scent and overall feeling that rain brings out so many various emotions. When I look out my window at the rain coming down I think of some of the different rains that and what emotions they invoke.

All New

The misty rain brings to mind the softness of a kiss or the blush of first love.

Lost and Adrift

The soaking rain with the wind blowing you to and forth batters at you like that moment when all seems lost in a relationship you put your all into. Everything you are yet it seems as if all is lost and there is no middle ground.

Resonate in the Soul

The deluge of rain with thunder and lightning resonates in the soul just like that moment when you know that person is forever yours. They are the one for you. The tumultuous emotions makes your soul sing.

Aftermath

As the rain slows and the rainbow comes out reminds you that you know all will be right. No matter what happen you will be stronger than yesterday.

There are so many more variations of rains I could explore. So much that the sounds of rain bring out in me. No matter what I experience I can compare it to the variety of rain. The next time wherever you are take a moment to appreciate the sound, scent and overall feel of rain. Let it wash over you with the many emotions of rain.

* * * * *

Taige Crenshaw is a multi-published author with books available at Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, Total-E-Bound and Summerhouse Publishing. Taige has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance. With novels set in today, in alternate dimensions, or in the future she writes with adventure, fun sassy heroine’s, and sexy hero’s. Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels. You can find out more about Taige at her website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com or blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog.Check out free reads at http://www.satinnotes.com/.

 

Hurricane

Summerhouse Publishing
Coming August 19, 2011
Series: Singleton ~ Book 1

Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel
Format: E-Book

Buy Link: http://shpub.me/taigecrenshaw  

When life gives you a second chance how do you decide what to do?

Julianne Locke knows the pain of loss and what it can do to your soul. She has refused to let any man close… until an accident put a man in her path who will change her life. Keenan is the one man she cannot seem to put in a category or keep at a distance. Whether it is fate or coincidence that brings them together, Julianne cannot walk away from this man who pushes all her buttons and makes her want to believe in hope once again.

Keenan Callaghan’s first look at Julianne makes him forget that he’s there on business. The instant attraction and connection he feels for her leaves him unsettled. But he quickly comes to the realization that he wants to know more about this woman who not only tempts him, but makes him forget all else but her. Julianne might be trying to keep him at arms length, but he’s a patient man. He knows the best way to weather a Hurricane is to hold on and ride out the storm together… forever.

Excerpt From: Hurricane

“No. Just wanted to know more about you,” Keenan replied.

Julianne controlled her expression, not wanting him to see her shock. Keenan’s smile, that same damn affable one, made her know he was aware he had unsettled her. She didn’t like it one bit. His hands rested on the table. Her mind flashed, imagining his fingers on her skin. Julianne stiffened.

“Well, now you know a bit. I would offer you a tour of the place, but I really need to get to work.” Julianne stood.

She gasped as Keenan moved, holding her chair for her. For such a big man, he was fast.

“Thanks. Let me see you out.” She strode toward the door and reached to open it.

His hand on her arm stopped her. Julianne held in the shudder at his touch.

Closing her eyes briefly, she opened them and blanked her face into the business persona she used with a difficult client. It kept them at bay and offered her a shield of control. She glanced at him with a cool look.

“Is there something further?”

“Trying to put up a barrier against me won’t work.”

“I don’t have any idea what you mean.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily.
Internally, she cursed. She was usually blunt and able to handle things.

“You do. It was the same reason that I was so rude at the hospital when I spoke with you. There’s a spark between us, Julianne.” Keenan’s smile was gentle and his look knowing.

The sound of her first name in his sexy voice was almost her undoing. Julianne refused to let him affect her. She pulled her arm away from his. Keenan’s finger stroked her arm before her released her.

“All we have is business. And since that’s done, we have nothing further to say,” she replied.

“We had business. I didn’t want to pursue anything while I was doing my investigation. Now that it’s complete, there’s a lot for us to discuss. I want to get to know you further, Julianne. Have dinner with me?” Keenan’s light green gaze was intent.

“I don’t date.” She said firmly.

“Why?” he fired back.

Julianne gritted her teeth. It figured he would push the issue and question her.

“None of your business. Even if I did date, I don’t like aggressive men,” she stated.

“That’s good to know, since I’m not aggressive.” Keenan grinned affably.

“Could have fooled me,” Julianne muttered.

“I do go after what I want,” he said softly.

Julianne was caught by the look in his eyes. It was tender and possessive. She clenched her fist. He had no right to have such an expression. They didn’t know each other.

But you want to, her inner voice goaded.

No I don’t, she countered.

Keep lying to yourself. You want to go out with him, the infernal voice said.

No, I do not. He’s already driving me to talk to myself. I don’t need the hassle, she said firmly.

Julianne wrenched open the door, gesturing for him to leave. Keenan took her silent urging and passed her. Julianne followed. He turned suddenly, crowding her. Gasping, she stepped back instinctively before she caught herself and stood her ground. Scowling, Julianne glared at him.

“I unsettle you.” His grin was smug.

“You startled me,” she countered.

“Deny it all you want, but you’re intrigued by what might be between us. I’m a patient man. I can wait until you come around. You have my number. Call me when you change your mind.” Keenan shrugged, turning and striding away.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2011.

All Rights Reserved, Summerhouse Publishing.

Rant about Words…

This is going to be like a drive by slip in. I had a thought and figured I’d share, but I’ve got to get my crazy on and keep writing DCCD so I don’t have to keep all you lovely people waiting.

Since to write good (I’m doing my ditching grammar thing before I get into my WIP ) you’ve gotta read, I constantly have my nose in a book. Either I’m beta-reading, or I’m picking up something new and visually gulping the words down. But there are some words that catch in my throat like seeds or peels in a smoothie.

And I decided today I’m going to bitch about them.

5. Giggle. Yep, that’s right. Can’t stand it. When used for a man. I’m sure some people will take offense and I’m really, truly sorry, but it really irks me when a big guy giggles in a story. Just doesn’t seem like a sound a man can even make! Chuckle, snicker, snort! Save the giggling for the girls. The girly ones. Because when your badass assassin giggles I kinda hope someone will hear her and shoot her. Unless she’s on vacation. Then I might forgive her.

4. Whine. Unless your character is very, very young or is being denied orgasm (I’ll be honest—needing to get off makes me whiney too!) please do not have him or her whine! Secondary characters I’m not supposed to like are one thing, but I lose respect for characters who whine. And if your heroine is doing it to be cute…well, good luck to you, I don’t know many authors who can pull that off.

3. Wail. This word annoys me so much—and it’s used a lot during sex scenes. Some of my favourite authors use it! Every time I see this damn word I feel like I’ve bitten into tinfoil. I watch porn and even those women don’t sound like emergency sirens when they’re getting humped like they’ve never been humped before. I seriously think more authors need to consider gagging their characters. Might make it easier than coming up with sexy sounds.

2. Nekked. Really. Really? This one I just don’t get. Well, I guess in dialogue…if you really must…but still. Why? Just why?

1. Spunk. Worse than cream. Just gives a really gross visual in my opinion. Spunk makes me think clumpy stuff, like cottage cheese. Not sure why but it’s a word guaranteed to gross me out. Cum. Semen. Hell even seed if you can pull it off. But get your hero checked out if he starts ejaculating spunk.

So, are there any words that you just can’t stand? Could be anything.

I’ve got Plans! Lots and Lots of Plans!

Okay, since there are a lot of people eagerly awaiting the sequel to Deadly Captive, I just want to know I hit the ground running with some twisted stuff and finished my first chapter. I tried this new thing called outlining, or plotting—yeah, giving up my pantser status—and my daily word count has just about doubled. Which means I’ll have plenty of time to finish, get beta-read, and edited, and get the book out by the end of the year! Or sooner!

I’ll also post some teasers between now and then and try to keep you all updated.

Speaking of updates, you can now purchase Deadly Captive in print! I’ll be posting more details soon. I will also be starting a new blog and website in September, which means more contests. And guests! Lots and lots of guests!

So, yeah, this is probably not my most educational post—I consider the flogger one the most educational!—but I’m pretty excited about all the changes and new projects and I couldn’t wait to share a bit of that with you!

My schedule will be updated shortly, as will my contest page. I’ll also be adding a Coming Soon page (temporarily here, and it will be feature on my new website). Give me a shout if there’s anything else you’d like to see that’s not already on this blog.

There’s more, but my muse is poking at me so I’ve got to get back to writing before he spanks me! Or maybe… <eg>