Carla Swafford, Author

New Year’s Plans

Posted on December 31, 2013January 3, 2014 by Carla Swafford, Author

If you’re like me, you rarely make New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year. Usually, I find myself deciding in the middle of a year what to do the next year. I’m a firm planner-ahead person. Funny, considering I’m a pantser (write by the seat of my pants) writer.

This year I decided not to go to any conferences in 2014. This will be only the second time in ten years I haven’t been to a conference (National and/or regional). The last time was the year I received The Call (2011). That year all of my funds went to an entire Family Vacation. We try to do that every other year. This coming year though is a milestone for hubby and I. Our fortieth wedding anniversary and we plan to go on a train ride through parts of Alaska. Can’t wait!

Another plan is to self-publish three novellas that will continue The Circle series. Of course, I have other plans, but if you’re like me, there are a few we keep to ourselves. You know, to keep from having egg on our face if the plans fall through. I don’t know about you, but I rather eat eggs than wear them.

Oh, I will be at Heart of Dixie’s Romance Readers Luncheon and possibly at Southern Magic’s. But those are local and don’t cost me as much, though I will say I spend a lot of money on the basket I give away. For details about the luncheons, go to their websites: heartofdixie.org and southernmagic.org

Circle of Danger, Circle of Deception, Circle of Desire, My Books

Be Kind To An Author Day

Posted on December 29, 2013December 28, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I’ve decided to proclaim today as “Be Kind To An Author.”

So you have your favorites. Well, then go out and show them.

1) Review one or more of her book(s) or at least rate it.

2) Click LIKE on her Facebook page.

3) Follow her on Twitter (@carlaswafford).

4) Do all of the above on Goodreads.

5) Sign up for her newsletter.

Hey, I can only hope I’m one of your favorites. 😀

Conference

Blast From The Recent Past

Posted on December 28, 2013December 27, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I came across this video of Avon’s Two Ply Bride contest that was held at 2013 RT Book Lovers Convention in Kansas City. It was so much fun! I was a judge (dressed in gold) with Lorraine Heath and two Avon Addicts. Crazy!

Odd Observation, Writing

Baffled?

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Love that word along with bamboozled, hoodwinked, charlatan, flummox and so many more. All words you don’t hear people say anymore. You’re more apt to read it in a historical novel. I wonder what words we say now that will be quaint fifty to hundred years from now?

Anyway, that’s not what this post is about. I’m baffled by the popularity of a certain series of books — and no, it’s not Fifty Shades of Grey — and I won’t give the titles as I never say negative things about other authors’ books. Well, not on line and rarely verbally. I chalk up the success of the books due to the world having a wide range of readers. As there are people who love my books and others who do not, and I’m happy to say the loves way out number all of the others. Thank goodness!

Whatever.

When it comes to my reading taste, as I mentioned here before, I vary from inspirational to paranormal to erotica (BDSM) to historical to contemporary romance. Preferable that all have the word romance in the genre.

I guess only half the time do I follow the crowd in reading the popular book or series. When Harry Potter came out, I had no interest in reading the books and only watched the first movie. Not my thing. No matter how beautifully they’re written. Same with Charlene Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series. They just didn’t interest me. Nothing against the books or authors . . . *shrug*

Though I did/do read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. And I read Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander and Fever series. All of Kresley Cole’s series including the new one she started (and I can’t wait for #2), The Dacians. Anne Stuart’s Ice series (wish there were more of those).

I can’t go in details about why I’m baffled without giving away the series, but I will say the decisions the female lead made irritated the crap out of me. I kept saying, “Dumb, dumb, dumb.” Each to their own.