Author: Carla Swafford, Author

Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. And that’s not all, she’s crazy about hockey. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and lives in the Southeastern U.S.
Posted in Odd Observation

How Do You Know You’re A Writer?

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

Surprised WomanYou know you’re a writer when….

10. You have a reputation at your day job of being a workaholic. What other reason would you grumble and talk to yourself as you type on your computer during lunch?

9. You write your child’s excuse for an absence and the teacher begs for the last three chapters. She wants to know how it ends.

8. You stir up trouble wherever you go. A story is only as good as the conflict.

7.You get pulled over for a ticket and the officer finally tells you no more questions.

6. You hear some good juicy gossip and then start thinking of a way to use it in a story. “I swear, your honor, I changed their names.”

5. You keep paper and pen on the nightstand. Did you know your relatives think you have a kinky sex life because of it?

4. You eavesdrop in conversations, swearing it’s research. It has nothing to do with the deep spine-tingling voice or his five-foot wide shoulders.

3. You have problems handling small talk. You’re always looking for motivation in the dialogue.

2. You catch yourself wanting to takes notes while someone chews you out. “She bobbed her head as one hand waved in the air.…”

1.You critique your spouse…in bed. “But, baby, there has to be better reason for us to do it now.”

[reprint of my post from Romance Magicians’ blog 2/2/2011]

Website: www.carlaswafford.com
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Posted in Writing

Things That Turn You On

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author
naked-heat-cover
To be Released February 21, 2017

The other day, I was re-watching a simple video (click here to go to my Facebook page to see it) I had made of a ice hockey netminder warming up before the second period of play. The way he skated back and forth to the beat of the music was so hypnotizing. I find myself going back and watching it over and over again.

Yeah, yeah, if you’ve been reading my blog, you know how much I love hockey, but still there’s nothing provocative about it. Sure, the guy is 6′ 5″ and in great shape, but with all the gear on, it’s hard to tell anything.

Other people watch it and don’t see anything of great interest. They maybe say, “cool,” but not much more.

Becoming fascinated by something that’s nothing really remarkable happens to me on occasion. *shrug*

Several years ago, it was a music video by Reba McEntire titled Cathy’s Clown (click here for music video). In the video, Bruce Boxleitner plays the mistreated lover/husband of Cathy’s. Reba’s character is a prostitute singing about her love for him despite his being emasculated by his wife. The part I love, besides the way Reda sings, is how Bruce’s character notices Reba’s intense stare and gives her a wary smile as if he’s unsure how to react to her attention. There’s something about that smile that got to me. I freaking watched that video over and over again. Even just hearing the song remains me of that scene.

There’s a Leann Rime song, Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way (click here for music video), that I loved so much, I wrote a whole book based on that song.  The book isn’t published yet, but I plan to find a home for it, or self-publish it one day.  Heck, I have another book I wrote from listening to I Shot The Sheriff by Eric Clapton (click here for music video). Same thing for it, find a home or self-publish one day.

Obviously, writing a book is how I get rid of that song replaying in my head.  HA!

At times, certain books and movies have done the same to me over the years. Thankfully, this craziness of watching or listening to something over and over again is spread out over a period of time and keeps me from worrying about my mental heath. *smirk*

So what is about these little things that fascinate me? I believe it sets my imagination on fire as you can tell with the songs. Makes me want to write that perfect scene with that moment or feeling I get from watching or listening to that certain part.

For that favorite book I love to read over and over again, until a new one takes its place, it encourages me to work harder at being a better writer. I want to write a book that someone wants to visit again and again.

Posted in Odd Observation, Writing

Walks Like A Panther

Posted on by Carla Swafford, Author

red-river-wayneHow many times in numerous books have we heard the hero walks like a panther or tiger or some creature on the prowl? They’re cliches, but I understand the concept. He has a smooth step with a determined gaze.

It makes me think of a certain actor named John. No. Not John Travolta. He’s known for his walk going up stairs (Get Shorty) and his moves on the dance floor (Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction). It’s John Wayne who is known for his walk.

With that thought, I went searching for videos of John Wayne’s walk. Of course, I came across the hilarious scene in The Birdcage with Robin Williams trying to instruct Nathan Lane’s character to walk like a man. He’d suggested John Wayne’s walk. Luckily, I found one where it shows both clips (John Wayne’s and Nathan Lane’s) along with the original French film and “the walk.”

Click here to go to YouTube and watch.  It has Spanish subtitles.

One thing to remember, John Wayne was so much more than his walk. The way he held his head and shoulders. He stares straight ahead. He doesn’t look down. The man didn’t worry about tripping over his feet. His sureness in where he was going and what he was going to do next is so obvious. Yes, he’s an actor, but don’t you know part of his own persona shows in that stride.

John Wayne was a man’s man. Lordy! Not many of them anymore.

Here’s another video on how to walk like a “badass.” The guy tells it like it is. Click here and enjoy.  LOL!