August 2013 – Carla Swafford, Author

TBR Should Be TFB

Posted on August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

That is Tragically Forgotten Books. I’ve wondered how many To Be Read piles out there have my books waiting for the owner to pick up and read.

For myself, I have over thirty . . . I think. Truthfully, I haven’t counted them, and I would probably be horrified by the number. A few months ago, I went through my pile and pulled every book that didn’t set me on fire to read it. Then I dropped them off at my day job, and let everyone pick out the books they wanted to place in their TBR pile.

Otherwise, I would be staring at the books and feeling guilty. I know the authors are hoping by giving away their books that they would get a new fan or two. If I let the books sit and not read them or give them away, I’m preventing that author from becoming successful. I know. No guarantee, but it’s a given it won’t happen at all if I don’t do something.

This year, I’m determined to read a TBR book between each one I purchase. So I’ve gone through five or so. That’s not many for the year to be almost over, but whenever I’m at home with extra time, I write. Reading is what I do when I’m burned out from writing and need a change.

The moral to this story is, if you have a large TBR pile, and some are more than a year old, it’s time to pass them on. Those authors will appreciate it.

What’s That On Your Ears?

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Today, I’m wearing my special earrings. So many people comment on them, but I really bought them because I write romantic suspense. Of course, other people think I must write something else entirely. Well, there was a little bondage in CIRCLE OF DESIRE.

But I am picking up Lexi Blake at the airport today for a special function my writers group is putting on tomorrow. I thought it would be a nice touch to make her feel at home. LOL!

By the way, you can purchase your own pair at buycostume.com. That’s where you can pick up some fun unusual jewelry and shoes. No. I don’t get a kick back. Just thought you would like to know.

Odd Observation

Let’s Talk About Sex

Posted on August 22, 2013August 22, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

What? Are you feeling uncomfortable? Worried about what an erotic romantic suspense author is about to say?

If you said yes, then you need to click elsewhere. I’m rather blunt about it as I truthfully and freely admit, I love sex. To me, all aspects of sex is a way to celebrate life. It makes my hubby happy, and it makes me happy.

Some of the best things about the modern age are birth control pills, condoms, vasectomies and tubectomies (tied tubes). The last two (done correctly) frees up the adults 100% to have sex without fear of pregnancies. Of course, there is the problem of STDs, but that’s why romances are so wonderful. They’re usually two people who are committed to each other and they don’t mind getting a test done to prove they’re okay.

Ha! Sure there are those erotic romances with multiple partners, but you will notice that once they have their certain someone (in most of the ones I’ve read, the female), they keep the circle small. Well, as small as the author wants the romance circle to be in the story.

I’m always surprised when someone gets uptight about my reading material or song choices. Yes. I love what people call naughty songs, such as Rude Boy, Sex on Fire, Animals (and several others from Nickelback) and many more.

Don’t get me wrong. I can talk all day long to customers, family, associates and never bring up the subject of sex or refer to a naughty thought. There’s a time/place.

In this case, this is my blog and I do write what I consider hot romance. Not erotica (love to read it, but don’t write it). So I felt I need to warn you these subjects will come up. This blog is usually PG-13, and doesn’t need the extra permission. I know how to phrase things. 😉

Then again, if you come back to visit me and the extra button (confirming your age) pops up, then you know I decided to be even more blunt. If that happens, Katie bar the door as you’ll be blushing for sure when you read my blog.

You’ve been warned.

Gmail

Gmail Tidbit

Posted on August 21, 2013August 21, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

In my day job, we use Gmail for our email correspondence. So it stands to reason that I know a tiny more than casual users. One thing I’ve seen a lot of Gmail users ignore, and probably don’t even know they can fix, is their signatures*. They turn up at the bottom of each email they answer. Not below their answer, but below the original email, the one they didn’t even send.

If you prefer your signature to show up in the correct place in your emails, do this.

Click on the GEAR at the top right side of the screen in Gmail.

It should show your GENERAL settings, starting with the Language section. If not, click on GENERAL.

Scroll down to “Signatures.” Look beneath the big box with your signature. Click on the small box next to the sentence that reads “Insert this signature before quoted text in replies and remove the “–” line that precedes it.”

[Updated: be sure to click on SAVE CHANGES at the bottom of the page when you’re through.]

That should do it. Open an email you’ve received from a friend, and you’ll see it shows up at the top. Now you can type directly above your signature. The correct way.

Hope that helps make your emails look more professional.

*For example, this is my email signature.

Carla Swafford

The Circle Trilogy, HarperCollins, Avon Red

www.carlaswafford.com

Look for me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Google+

Check out my books on Goodreads

Time Magazine, “. . . involves deadly assassins, drug lords and doing it.”

Odd Observation

A Little Bit Retro

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I thought I would let you see a couple more pictures from my wedding day. Plus one from when I was in high school. Just a photo booth one, but I like it because you can tell I was having so much fun. Considering I hate having my picture taken (unless you’re five years old, who really does?), this is one of the few pictures I have where I really look happy about it. To think of it, the Avon party had a photo booth and I had fun there too. Must be a photo booth thing. LOL!