Taige Crenshaw -…increasing the sizzle factor

Before I write the next book in one of my series I read the previous book. This is my way of getting back into the world of that book. The feeling of it. Familiarizing myself with what I’ve created. Get the characters in the series back into my thoughts.

This is the stage I’m at right now as I get ready to write another book in one of my series. When I do this stage it always surprises me that I get drawn into the story again. Sometimes little things I put into the book shock even me. I guess it might be the distance from the book. The one I get between writing it, subbing it, taking a break from the series and then coming back to write the next. This is the good thing about having multiple series or other projects to work on. You can step away from a series and do something else.

Back to the book I am getting ready to work on. I’m back into the series and I’ve gotten that thrill for it. Excited about diving back into the series. Ideas of what to do with the book are flowing and it is all gelling together. I love this moment of rediscovering passion.

In my opinion what makes the difference between an ok book and a great one is that all-important “ah hah” moment.

So what is an “ah hah” moment?

Ah Hah Moment ~ Taige Crenshaw Definition:A moment that elevates a story beyond just a book to a book that makes the reader remember a line or scene that makes them go back to it time and again. This is a true keeper book that has wear and tear from continued reading. The book you buy multiple copies of and don’t lend it to anyone.

These “ah hah” moments aren’t only in books. They can extent much further than that. They also happen in movies, TV shows and things that happen in your everyday life. In movies and TV shows these “ah hah” moments are those you remember and discuss with others. This is what happened to me recently. Some friends and I were discussing some of our favorite shows and movies. I noticed that each person had an “ah hah” moment when they talked about their show or movie they liked. In the everyday instances they ranged from falling in love, loss, and just a feel good or bad thing. Whenever I talk with others it is interesting hearing all these moments that resonated with each person.

No matter that type of “ah hah” they all had one thing in common – they leave a lasting impression. Resonate with you long after done.

Now back to books. So what makes an “ah hah” book? There is no sure formula. It has to be something that resonates with the reader. For me an “ah hah” moment is what makes the story more real. A book that from the first line they capture me. To that last line that makes me feel not only content but when I go to sleep I dream of the book. And long after that last word I think of what I read. Give me everything. Emotions laid bare. Build the setting so I can feel it like I am there. Bring me along with the characters step by step. Give me a plot that is intriguing and makes me flip the pages.

Then the most important thing of all “ah hah” me. Give me something in the story that will flip that special figurative switch inside. This will bring reading to an all-new level. When you hit that “ah hah” level you are on my automatic must buy and read now list. Again we go back leaving a lasting impression. One that resonates with the reader.

As a reader I seek out that “ah hah” moment in books. Those books are keeper ones that line my shelves and I read often. As a writer I strive to give the reader that “ah hah’ moment. Since reading is so varied and goes by what resonates with the reader I don’t succeed with everyone. Yet when I do with even just one reader I feel I have done what I set out to do – given that “ah hah” moment that will make me a keeper for a reader. I have a few readers who have contacted me letting me know that my story resonated with them in someway. That is it’s own “ah hah” moment that makes me as a writer proud.

What are some of your “ah hah” moments in books?

One of the things I enjoy most of any of my creative endeavors is coming up with the first idea. This is when it is only an inkling of what it will end up. When it is nice and simple. The first bloom in the mind that tickles the brain. Something that is just beyond becoming a full thought. Once it does become that inkling it is fun. The fun of letting it grow in you mind. Getting a concept. Discarding it as not right to go with your inkling. Then still thinking and then finally that concept that fits with the inklings (first idea). You slowly add layers to the idea and it becomes more. But it all starts with that simple idea first.

I was reading through my inklings (first idea) notebooks. As I read I could remember what I meant for that first idea. My mind filled with all the feelings I was having when I came up with the first inkling. From sad to overjoyed. It was such a journey of writing. The first inkling notebooks is a place I go when I’m working on a new concept. It gets my juices flowing. Makes my creativity go into high gear.

Ever so often I take one of those inklings (first ideas) and make it into a story. That is what I’ve been doing lately. Working one of my inklings (first idea) into a story. I’ve been having fun playing with the inklings (first idea). I think I have the right story to go with my inklings (first idea). I plan to let it get a more fully formulated before I start writing. I’m excited about it.

No matter what you creative pursuit – crafts, drawing, writing, songs and so on there is always that inklings (first idea). The first thing that gets you started. When you see the finished product for your inklings (first idea) it creates a sense of accomplishment. And to think it all started with a simple idea. After all simple is best.

Someone asked me about my process I use for my self edits. This is a process that I came up with too many years to think about when I was in college. It helped me produce concise as clean as I could get it papers and such. I’ve since adapted it for writing my books. This is just my process and works for me. First I’m going to mention the draft.

After the first draft of the book is done I let it sit for a bit before I do any edits to it. Usually about a month or so. This lets me go back once ready for self edits with a fresh perspective and eyes for the book.

Note: This might change according to if I am on a deadline. As in if the book is for a call that I am subbing to, a date due to a publisher or so.

Initial Stage:
So after letting the book sit for a bit I start reading. Reading only. No editing. When reading I overlook any typos, wrong words usage and so on. In this stage I am looking for the flow of the book. Any gaps or unresolved story lines. I just mark brief notes if there is a hiccups I find. This is for me to look at the later to address when I get into the actual self editing.

First Stage:
After a complete read through of book beginning to end I go back and address the hiccups I found. I find any gaps or unresolved story lines and fill them out. If for some reason a thread or scene I had started in the book but it doesn’t work for it now I get rid of it. I take the passages and save them. I put them in my “Writing Bits”, this is a folder which I have for all such scenes that I cut from my books. They might not work for one story but could for another.

I work on all those places that I need to fill in or so on. Until I addressed everything I saw so far.

Middle Stage:
This is the deep editing stage. The one where I look at grammar, spelling, plot, pacing and characterization. Addressing everything in the story. For grammar I have a mini checklist of things that I tend to do when I write. Overuse of words, awkward phrasing and all that. Spelling is twofold. In my paranormals I might create a language so I must make sure the spelling of a word I created in consistent. And of course if it isn’t my created word must make sure it is spelled correctly. (grin) For Plot and Pacing I see if what I am trying to achieve has been done and the overall feel of how the story is flowing. This could mean I might also have to fill in some threads or more scenes. Characterization is to make sure that I have kept things true to what I have created the characters to be. Making sure that it reads true who the core characters is.

This is the more complex of the stages since I am addressing everything in depth.

Final Stage:
This is another read through of the book. In this one the book should already be very clean and concise. As I read I address anything I missed in the other stages. Filling them in, corrections and all that.

Postlude Stage:
Last part where I do a full read through of book. By this stage there should be no more self edits that I will do. The book is ready to sub. Now I am reading for the joy of the story. Although sometimes by this stage I sort of hate the book. Been with it so long and all I want is it to be done already. LOL.

Self Edit – time frame

There is no set time frame. Each book is different and some may take more work than others. And times can vary according to how much work I need to do in each stage. With each book I’ve gotten better at not leaving any threads or scenes unresolved so I usually don’t have to fill in things or cut most of the time. I just take the time I need to get the book as clean and concise as I can before I sub it.

That is basically how I do self edits.

Reposting

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 to look 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 favorites are 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, shape shifter, 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….