Because I Love It by Taige Crenshaw

A conversation that I’ve had a few times in the past and more recently got me to thinking. A lot of blood, sweat, time, sleepless nights and tears go into anything that you love. Whether it is sewing that fabulous outfit, painting a picture, crocheting a throw or any other number of things you do. With each it takes all of what I mentioned above to get to that finished point. It’s the same with being a writer. Let me break it down.

Blood – I’ve typed so hard that I’ve left blood on the keyboard or gotten paper cuts while reading through pages of my manuscript. Hey paper cuts hurt something awful. (grin). I put my figurative blood into each book I write. My heart and soul are on each page.

Sweat – I’ve broken into so many sweats as I’ve pounded away at the keyboard trying to get a scene just right. Talked with a reader which I love to do. Since I am shy this is the hardest for me. Hush those who know me that are laughing. I am shy, just not with those I know and am comfortable with. But I digress. I’ve sweated about a variety of things. Waiting anxiously to hear back on a submission. Edits for my book. Opening a review of my book.

Time – The amount of time spent  writing the book, self-editing, self-editing again, crit partner editing, your editing again and then off to the publisher and time to wait for a response. And if you get that all lovely response of “yes” then even more waiting to get to the process. When you’re in the process there’s even more waiting to get through the process. Then after the process even more waiting until the actual release. Then release then more waiting to see what people think. Whew I am tired of even imagining the time. Yet each moment is worth it. So worth it all.

Sleepless night – The idea in your brain that will not understand that you are sleeping and forces you out of bed in search of paper to write it down. The book you are writing that will not let you rest until that last scene is just so, or that last word is complete. The excitement of a new project. The wait for the submission that you sent. Or waiting for a note/call from your editor.

Tears – Oh the tears I have cried as I write a scene in a book or read a letter from a reader who actually got the story as intended. The awesome review that said that one phrase that made you smile that lets you know that your story did as you intended it to do. The bad review that even though they didn’t like the story there was something constructive in it that you took away for future reference. The tears of completion that you finished the story and it was written to the best you could get it. The tears of relief for the contract or publisher you wanted that story to be with. The tears of making hard choices that will be best for your career.

I could go on and on with a list of what all the things above mean in correlation to writing. I’ve been asked many times why do I write. My quick response is “it’s in my blood, soul and heart”. The more complex one is “because the blood, sweat, time, sleepless nights and tears go into it because I love it.” I get lots of confused looks when I give the complex one so I usually give the simple explanation. With the complex response I’ve never tried to articulate what I meant until now. There are so many layers to it all. So much to say. If you think about it all those points cover many things you do in your life. I have many creative outlets that I pursue. I draw, love to sew, do crafts and cook. Each are things I love and that I want to be my best at.

No matter what you are pursuing. The things that you put your heart into – that you bleed for – figuratively and in reality. The things that bring you closer to people you would never have expected to have anything in common with. Things that may, take time away from family and friends. What you sweat over because you want it to be your upmost best and create a reaction – good or bad. The nights where you cannot sleep because your thoughts are consumed with whatever project you are working on. Or the wonder when it is seen by the world and how they react. The tears you shed to get there, between going there and as you get there. Each tear has a purpose to make you go forward. They each make you learn and grow.

In each thing you do that involves blood, sweat, time, sleepless nights and tears none of it matters because it all boils down to one thing. You do it because you love it.

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Bio:

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:

Website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/

Blog – http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog

Blurb for Firestorm Encounters:

This is book five in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency series, see the full series listing here

What do you do when you find a man who sets your senses aflame but being with him could cause repercussions?

Kaitya Erutan is finally at ease with her two sides—Amazonian Warrior and Firebird—and she doesn’t need complications. Yet a little quirk of fate makes her realise what she wants. She’s overcome by desire burning through her when she sees him—a man who sets her pulse racing. Sometimes life throws the most pleasurable of curves, and Kaitya isn’t about to let this sexy man go. Be it destiny or something else, she doesn’t care—all she knows is he will be hers—and she his—in every sense of the word.

Fyodor, the Shadow King, has responsibilities to his people who have been displaced by a madman’s plan. Breaking out of the shadow of his father’s deception is a tough undertaking—his focus is on the task and he doesn’t need any distractions. From the moment he arrives at the Phoenix Intelligence Agency, he realizes he might not want anything to shift his attention. But he is about to get it. Kaitya resonates in his shadow and she will not be denied. Not that he could resist her—Kaitya’s deceptively laid-back attitude hides the core of a woman who is as determined and stubborn as he is. Her beauty is surpassed only by the depths of her soul. Kaitya is out to have everything he can give and demand that he go even further.

Each action and choice will change the course of their lives. They will need each other to face whatever comes. When will meets passion it will blaze under firestorm encounters.

Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series.

Like the sound of Firestorm Encounters? Buy it here.