Daydream Zone

One of my favorite things to do when I am having problems with a book is to daydream. One of my spots I like to use to day dream is my living room. I get my blanket, go to my living room, turn off the lights and TV put on some music really low then sit on my couch. I spread my blanket over me, lay my head back and close my eyes. My body relaxes as the music plays and the calm overcomes me. After a few moments I am in the daydream zone.

As my mind wanders I let what I have written so far in my story unfold in my thoughts. As the story goes the part I am stuck on comes up I daydream of various possible scenarios I can take with my story. If the scenario doesn’t work it stalls and I go onto another. When I hit on one that does my mind races with all I need to get back to work. Sometimes it take more than one of my daydream zone moments for me to get over what is giving me issue.

I’ve also been known to fall asleep during those daydream zone moments. LOL. But as I have said before many of my best ideas come from dreams. So if you see me somewhere with my eyes closed I’m working. Yep that’s what I am doing. Hard at work. (grin) Daydreaming or dreaming of my next story.

Taige Crenshaw
http://www.taigecrenshaw.com
…increasing the sizzle factor

Blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog
Chat Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crenshawcafe
Newsletter: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/newsletterandgroups.shtml
Free Reads Site: http://www.satinnotes.com

Wilde Seduction - What happens when a woman who doesn’t know how to relax meets a man whose lust for life will change her and make all her deepest desires come to life?

Buy here at Total-E-Bound.

In the steps of the Romantics!

On my recent trip to Scotland I did some historical sightseeing with a difference! On a beautiful sunny and calm day we embarked on a small fishing boat for a trip to the island of Staffa.

It took about an hour to reach Staffa from Mull, where we were staying. The island is uninhabited and is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. It was originally formed 60 million years ago as a result of violent volcanic activity. Staffa’s magnificent basalt cliffs, which resemble enormous organ pipes, were created when liquid rock cooled and hardened into columns. The sea caves for which Staffa is also famous were formed when the sea wore away the soft volcanic ash at the base of the columns. The name “Staffa” comes for an Old Norse word meaning wooden building staves which suggests that like modern tourists, the Vikings also marvelled at Staffa’s basalt columns.

Staffa was farmed during the late 18th century and the ruins of several stone structures on the island suggest that people either lived there permanently or seasonally. The island was first brought to the attention of the wider world in 1772 by the famous botanist Joseph Banks, who wrote: “Compared to this what are the cathedrals and palaces built by men! Mere models or playthings, imitations as his works will always be when compared to those of nature.” It was Banks who coined the name “Fingal’s Cave.” This was a reference to the then fashionable Macpherson’s Ossian, the tale of the great deeds of the Gaelic hero Fingal, a bestselling epic poem, which was later proved to be a forgery. The poem was discredited but the name of Fingal’s Cave stuck!

Banks’s “discovery” of the island coincided with the spread of the Romantic Movement across Europe with its emphasis on wilderness, emotion and natural splendour. Staffa soon became one of the “must-see” sights of Scotland. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell attempted to land on Staffa during their tour of the Hebrides in 1773 but were beaten back by heavy seas. Fingal’s Cave went on to become a place of pilgrimage for the Romantics: William Wordsworth, John Keats, Sir Walter Scott, JMW Turner and Felix Mendelssohn all visited and were moved to write, paint or in Mendelssohn’s case create a piece of music inspired by the island. The island proved so popular with visitors that in the 19th century a romantic-style folly was built to provide some shelter and a place to rest and eat. This is in ruins now but it’s possible to imagine Regency and Victorian visitors huddled within its walls when the weather turned stormy and I did think what a wonderful setting it would make for a book!

We followed the walkway along the cliffs and entered the cave, which is a hugely impressive 250 feet long and 70 feet high. The sound of the sea crashing on the rocks does indeed mimic music and it was an awe-inspiring place. This photo shows Monty, our intrepid sea-dog, admiring the view outside the cave! Unfortunately, by the time we got back to the boat, the wind had changed and the tide was creating big waves that were driving onshore. We had to choose our moment to leap back into the boat, arguably the most exciting part of the trip! All in all though it was worth it to see the majestic splendour of Staffa’s cliffs, to stand in the spot that had inspired the poets, writers and musicians of the Romantic Movement and to hear the sound of the sea that had suggested to Felix Mendelssohn the music of the Hebrides Overture.

XOXO, Gossip Girl




My latest obsession? Gossip Girl. Oh yes, I know everyone else is obsessed with this show, but something about it just holds me captive. Maybe it is the swooning stars, the fashion, the high class society, the rivals, the music, or the relationships, but it definitely has received my undivided attention.

How about you? Are you in love with Gossip Girl too? I haven’t watched the second season yet, so please don’t spoil anything for me!!! Pretty please, thanks! But…look what arrived in my mail yesterday from Amazon. Eeeeek! Can I just say that I am a tad excited? PMS is out the window lovelies!

So…guess what I am doing tonight? Yep, you got it right. Me and my TV have a date with Gossip Girl. Actually, my roommate and I are going to watch it together. We got hooked on season 1 and now we need to catch up with season 2!

Ironically enough my roommate’s first name starts with a B, and my first name starts with an S. Ha ha ha, isn’t it perfect?? So I facebooked her today and said, B – “I look forward to our Gossip Girl extraordinaire tonight, let’s see how long S and B like each other.” ~ S




So what is your favorite couple, or hope to be couple on the show?

Mine is bad boy Chuck and bad girl Blair. Yep, two people who sometimes, or I should say most of the time don’t have a soul seem perfect for each other in my book. I love the plot that Chuck falls in love with someone who he thought he was never capable loving. I also love the idea that Blair is just as lonely as Chuck. They both have their problems, which makes them perfect together. Ahhh, can’t wait to see what happens.





Who is your favorite cast member?

I love Serena…I think her character is so complex and so beautiful. Not to mention I want every. single. one. of. her. outfits. Right now!!!!!!


For you Twilight/Gossip Girl fans out there, here is this from Flickr. Isn’t it awesome?

I will leave you with a picture of our bad. ass. Isn’t he great??

That’s all for now. Remember…don’t reveal any plot lines from season 2, or the real Gossip Girl might have to be revealed. But…I wouldn’t tell even if I knew. Ha!

XoXo,
Gossip Girl

20 Things About Me

Happy Sunday! Just got back from the beach with Big Kiddo and thought I would catch up on my tags, the first one being from Fashion Tidbits, 20 things about me. Thanks for the tag and you must all check out her 20 things and join her blog, beauty encompasses her! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

1. What is your favorite item of clothing?
I don’t have a specific brand name that I like, but I love sun dresses and maxi dresses the best, they are so comfortable.

2. What are your biggest obsessions?
Buying clothing, books, traveling, everything pink, flowers, chocolate covered gummy bears, and romantic movies.

3. Who inspires you?
God, my mom, and Big Kiddo are beyond inspirational.

4. Who is your favorite designer and why?
Gela Nash-Taylor (née Gela Jacobson) and Pamela Skaist-Levy, both are designers of Juicy Couture. I love that even though the girls had no funds to start their business, they reached for the stars and look where they are today!

5. What is your favorite song ever?
That is super hard to decide so I can’t choose a specific song, but I love the artists Jason Mraz, Idina Menzel, Colbie Caillat, and Imogen Heap to name a few. I can’t wait for Colbie’s new album to come out soon! She makes me feel like I am in Hawaii or right by the ocean whenever I listen to her music. Imogen Heap bring me into a fantasy land where I can go anywhere and do anything my heart desires. Both new albums Breakthrough (Colbie) and Ellipse (Imogen Heap) come out August 25th! Can’t wait!

6. What is your favorite song right now?
I’ve been listening to Carly Simon the past week and am currently loving the song Coming Around Again, it reminds me of my childhood road trips with my fam and makes me feel close to them whenever I listen to Carly.

7. If you were a sweetie what would you be?
Chocolate covered gummy bears. Can you tell I like these a little too much?!

8. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – what words would you use to describe your rainbow?
“There’s the dream chaser!”

9. What are your favourite films?
Tristan and Isolde, Last of the Mohicans, Sex and the City, Princess Bride, Taken, Prince of Egypt, and the list goes on and on!

10. Who is your favorite actor?
Clint Eastwood

11. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
In Maui, Hawaii sitting by the ocean at sunset.

12. What are your 3 favorite smells?
Vanilla, strawberry, and blueberry muffins

13. What are your 3 favorite tastes?
Sushi, sweet fruit, and salty snacks

14. What is your most treasured possession?
My journals and some rings that my grandmother has given to me over the years.

15. What did you always want to be/do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a nurse, then an actress, and then a graphic designer. I ultimately got into Communications.

16. If you were an ice-cream what flavor would you be?
Chocolate

17. If someone made a short film about your life, who would play you?
Jessica Simpson, she is such a beautiful and talented singer! I don’t care what the media says.

18. What would your perfect afternoon consist of?
Ocean dreaming and a picnic on the beach. Need I say more?

19. If you were a flower what would you be?
Pink roses

20. Tell me one random thing… be it your favourite line from a song, scene from a movie or quote from a book…..or tell me about something that you love.
“Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies.” – Carrie, Sex and the City

“I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.” – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

“It took me a really long time to get here, but I’m here. Carrie, you’re the one.” – Big, Sex and the City

Have a wonderful Sunday night Ocean Dreamers and have a lovely week! I would love for you to answer one of these questions for me so I can get to know you better! :)

Stop Jealousy by Getting Rid of Your "Jealousy Ear Worm"

earworm.jpg

Last week, we took a much needed day off and the two of us–along with Otto’s son –took a “road trip” to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see the Bruce Springsteen exhibit.

With all the music being played and exhibits that had music in them, we certainly came home with our share of “ear worms” …

If you’re not familiar with what an ear worm is…

It’s a song that gets in your head and plays over and over–and over.

You usually can’t get rid of it until you exorcise it by listening to another song or in some cases actually listening to a recording of the song that’s been driving you crazy–or you get focuses on something else.

For us, Bruce Springsteen songs often become ear worms.

While there’s nothing wrong with them, it can get annoying to have the same song playing over and over in your mind until you do something about it to change your focus.

An ear worm doesn’t have to be a song.

It can be something that someone says to you–usually it’s something critical that you’ve taken in and repeated over and over to yourself until you believe it.

For example, someone might make an off-handed remark about your hair and it stays with you all that day and can even run your life for years!

You might be wondering right now what a “jealousy ear worm” is…

Redwood Room & Sailing

Happy Sunday! I am so super tired right now, but I wanted to show you some pics of all our adventures this past weekend.


Sailing in San Francisco was beautiful. It was everything I expected and more. It was so relaxing and mesmerizing to be out on the water for so long. We were out on the water for about 6 hours and it seemed to go by so quickly! We did pull in for one pit stop to get out and stretch at Angel Island, but besides that we were sailing away!

Later in the afternoon it was very coooold. You can probably tell from the look on Big Kiddo’s face. Or the lack of expression a couple of photos below. He he. I think it took me a couple of hours afterward to warm up in the car! Brr! It was totally worth it though!

At first there were no winds, so we weren’t really sailing. We were just “puttering around,” as my Big Kiddo explained it. Ha ha. But then all of a sudden, we hit this huge pocket of wind by the Golden Gate Bridge, and we took off. I had no idea that the boat goes to the side when you are sailing, so at first it scared me. When I was explained that it was perfectly normal, I relaxed and enjoyed the experience of sailing.

The sites were gorgeous – we were by Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the infamous Alcatraz Island, where there was a federal penitentiary, which used to be off-limits to the public. It reminded me of the Count of Monte Cristo.

Despite relaxing and having fun on the water, I found out that sailing is not all fun and games. You really have to listen to directions and know how to steer. I have a lot to learn but at least my Big Kiddo was very patient with me. Since I am not that great with directions to begin with, I really had to try hard to listen and then apply and remember what he said. At one point I almost crashed our boat when we were pulling in the dock because I got so scattered. Yikes! Glad we weren’t going that fast and I dashed to the side to push our boat away from another boat to prevent any dents. That would not have been good, so I’m glad we made it back alright. I think I could seriously get into sailing and am thinking about taking some lessons so I can get up to speed. Literally. Ha ha.

On Friday night we went to a bar called Redwood Room in San Francisco. I was in awe of how classy the ambiance was. I also loved the interior of it. I wasn’t able to snap any pictures, but I dug these off of the internet to show you.

I loved the lighting that they used for the Redwood Room.


The room had candles everywhere. It made the atmosphere very romantic.

Philippe Starck revamped this bar at the Clift Hotel, a historic space featuring the original redwood paneling and a large bar supposedly carved from a single redwood tree. It definitely was an elegant place with a sophisticated clientele that usually spends evenings here for drinks and conversation. On this particular night however, my Big Kiddo and I listened to the music, enjoyed eachother’s company, and people watched. Its always fun to me to observe what is going on and this was certainly entertaining.

The only thing was I wasn’t very prepared in the fashion department because someone didn’t tell me that it was dressy and that I should bring a pretty outfit! Shame on Big Kiddo. I was the only girl in the room with tennis shoes, but oh well, I still had fun and I didn’t have to worry about blisters in heels from walking the streets in SF. Plus I could eat fries late since I didn’t have a tight dress on. Lol.

Here’s a picture of what the Redwood Room looked like in 1905. Big difference, huh? I love the history behind this room and even in 1905 it was gorgeous.

Okay, I am super tired. I feel like I was gone for a week instead of only two days! It was well needed though and I love seeing new sites and creating new memories with my Big Kiddo. Excuse my sappiness, he he. I hope you darlings had a wonderful weekend. What was the most exciting part of your weekend? Maybe relaxation was what was ordered. I know I will need that soon. ;) I’ll be around on your blogs to see for myself what everyone is up to soon!

Lifehouse Everything Skit

I saw this skit when I was home on Easter day at my church, and it truly touched my heart. Not only did it stir my emotions, but my heart was stirred with awe and amazement that God loves us enough to bring us back when we have gone through pain or have turned away from Him. He brings us back from our past and makes us whole again. Anytime someone is suffering, God is there in the back ground, beckoning that person to come back to Him. He aches for our love, trust, and faith. He loves us so much and whenever we are hurting, He is there with us. He is only a prayer away. God will hold you and love you forever.

My Lovely

Since I am on my music kick…here is another group that I really love! I have been so busy creating crafts that I seem to temporarily forget my passion for music. I love singing, so I am often searching for new artists that inspire me. This group has toured before and they are just starting out in the Christian music spectrum. If you are familiar with Christian music, then you will recognize the name Rebecca St. James. Anyway, these are her brothers and they are coming out with a CD. You can actually download them for free on MySpace. Their names are Joel & Luke. Here is their MySpace page: Joel & Luke

My favorite part of this precious and breathtaking song is:

“Shall We Dance, Shall we take a moment to draw closer, My lovely…I want to be able to love you, I want to be able to be there when you cry.”

This is a such a romantic song, especially if you desire to draw closer to your heavenly Father, and the love of your life that He has gifted you with on earth! :)
Every time I listen I feel love and comfort, and I think of myself being held by my heavenly Father, or whisked away into my boyfriend’s arms when he asks me to dance.

Writing Styles of the Young and yet-to-be Famous Firsts! by Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg

Key words:  Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Linda Lael Miller, Harlequin Famous Firsts

Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg is on the Harlequin Famous Firsts blog tour! Marsha was an editor at Harlequin when many of the future romance genre’s future stars were acquired. In the past few weeks she’s contacted many of the authors and they are sharing their “firsts” with us: their inspiration; their creative process; their love of the romance novel. Today, more on how they write….

Like many now established romance writers, Stella Cameron began her writing her career when her children were small, so she early developed the habit of writing at night.  Music was always playing in the background, and she still follows this procedure, setting the mood, and see-sawing through a first draft, occasionally stopping to read and make sure no threads have been dropped, and then ploughing through that initial draft another few times to layer in complexity and nuance.

Both Lori Foster and Vicki Lewis Thompson declare that their writing process has changed drastically from their methods when they first began.  Vicki used to outline copiously and print out the book as she wrote it.  In today’s writing climate, however, she feels “much more protective of the process of creation.” She avoids printing out the book until she is sure she is ready.  For her, while the story is still living in her computer, it continues to be her sole possession, still pliable clay amenable to molding.  But once it’s printed, it’s out there, in public, and harder to change.

For Lori Foster, the advent of technology takes the credit for making her a better writer.  Research is so much easier to accomplish, that her imagination is liberated.  And in the olden days, when she used a typewriter, she was much more hesitant to delete a scene. Now, she can be more creative and easily change her work at will.

Has Linda Lael Miller’s process changed?  Not really.  She’s an early riser, writes about five hours a day, can create a first draft quite quickly, and then goes back to edit.  But elements have altered around the established approach.  Linda feels she is now a much better writer, because she has had so much experience and practice, and her ability to produce a fast first draft came from her training writing category romances to deadline and her drive to make a living.  And in the early days, she had a bonus weapon in her arsenal.  She lived next door to Debbie Macomber, and the two fledgling authors swapped chapters and input every day, a two-woman support group helping each other through a lot of growth and change.  What a lovely example of friendship and generosity netting success for both parties!

Tomorrow you’ll find me at Romancing the Blog. My previous topics include: Ideas for their First Books at Bookbinge , How Technology has changed for writers at Plot Monkeys and part one of the creative process at the Blaze Authors blog.

As  a special treat we have provided  1 nostalgia Harlequin tote bag and 8 Famous First novels to giveaway to a reader picked at random from the comments on this blog.

Don’t forget that you can enjoy 16 free Harlequin novels by downloading them at www.HarlequinCelebrates.com. And the Harlequin Cover Art Show in New York runs May 30 – June 12th at the Open House Gallery,  New York City (201 Mulberry Street in Soho).

PS: Be sure to check out all of the books in Harlequin Famous First collection:

The Matchmakers [1986] by Debbie Macomber

Tears of the Renegade [1985] by Linda Howard

Tangled Lies [1984] by Anne Stuart

Moontide [1985] by Stella Cameron

State Secrets [1985] by Linda Lael Miller

Uneasy Alliance [1984] by Jayne Ann Krentz

Night Moves [1985] by Heather Graham

Impetuous [1996] by Lori Foster

The Cowboy and the Lady [1982] by Diana Palmer (available in September 2009)

Fit to be Tied [1988] by Joan Johnston (available in September 2009)

Captivated [1986] by Carla Neggers (available in September 2009)

Bronze Mystique [1984] by Barbara Delinsky (available in September 2009)

What would you like to ask one of the Famous First authors?

Writing Styles of the Young and yet-to-be Famous Firsts! by Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg

Key words:  Lori Foster, Stella Cameron, Linda Lael Miller, Harlequin Famous Firsts

Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg is on the Harlequin Famous Firsts blog tour! Marsha was an editor at Harlequin when many of the future romance genre’s future stars were acquired. In the past few weeks she’s contacted many of the authors and they are sharing their “firsts” with us: their inspiration; their creative process; their love of the romance novel. Today, more on how they write….

Like many now established romance writers, Stella Cameron began her writing her career when her children were small, so she early developed the habit of writing at night.  Music was always playing in the background, and she still follows this procedure, setting the mood, and see-sawing through a first draft, occasionally stopping to read and make sure no threads have been dropped, and then ploughing through that initial draft another few times to layer in complexity and nuance.

Both Lori Foster and Vicki Lewis Thompson declare that their writing process has changed drastically from their methods when they first began.  Vicki used to outline copiously and print out the book as she wrote it.  In today’s writing climate, however, she feels “much more protective of the process of creation.” She avoids printing out the book until she is sure she is ready.  For her, while the story is still living in her computer, it continues to be her sole possession, still pliable clay amenable to molding.  But once it’s printed, it’s out there, in public, and harder to change.

For Lori Foster, the advent of technology takes the credit for making her a better writer.  Research is so much easier to accomplish, that her imagination is liberated.  And in the olden days, when she used a typewriter, she was much more hesitant to delete a scene. Now, she can be more creative and easily change her work at will.

Has Linda Lael Miller’s process changed?  Not really.  She’s an early riser, writes about five hours a day, can create a first draft quite quickly, and then goes back to edit.  But elements have altered around the established approach.  Linda feels she is now a much better writer, because she has had so much experience and practice, and her ability to produce a fast first draft came from her training writing category romances to deadline and her drive to make a living.  And in the early days, she had a bonus weapon in her arsenal.  She lived next door to Debbie Macomber, and the two fledgling authors swapped chapters and input every day, a two-woman support group helping each other through a lot of growth and change.  What a lovely example of friendship and generosity netting success for both parties!

Tomorrow you’ll find me at Romancing the Blog. My previous topics include: Ideas for their First Books at Bookbinge , How Technology has changed for writers at Plot Monkeys and part one of the creative process at the Blaze Authors blog.

As  a special treat we have provided  1 nostalgia Harlequin tote bag and 8 Famous First novels to giveaway to a reader picked at random from the comments on this blog.

Don’t forget that you can enjoy 16 free Harlequin novels by downloading them at www.HarlequinCelebrates.com. And the Harlequin Cover Art Show in New York runs May 30 – June 12th at the Open House Gallery,  New York City (201 Mulberry Street in Soho).

PS: Be sure to check out all of the books in Harlequin Famous First collection:

The Matchmakers [1986] by Debbie Macomber

Tears of the Renegade [1985] by Linda Howard

Tangled Lies [1984] by Anne Stuart

Moontide [1985] by Stella Cameron

State Secrets [1985] by Linda Lael Miller

Uneasy Alliance [1984] by Jayne Ann Krentz

Night Moves [1985] by Heather Graham

Impetuous [1996] by Lori Foster

The Cowboy and the Lady [1982] by Diana Palmer (available in September 2009)

Fit to be Tied [1988] by Joan Johnston (available in September 2009)

Captivated [1986] by Carla Neggers (available in September 2009)

Bronze Mystique [1984] by Barbara Delinsky (available in September 2009)

What would you like to ask one of the Famous First authors?

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