Carla Swafford, Author

What Can You Learn?

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

One of the many lessons I’ve learned writing over the years is that you have to keep an open mind. There is so much to learn, and sometimes the smallest things will turn on the little light bulb above your head.

For me, I wanted to improve on sexual tension. (And I’m still working on it.) Sexual tension is a large part of what makes romance books wonderful to read. I’m not talking about the sexual tension of the couple bouncing the balls in bed, but what if sex isn’t part of the story? For example an inspirational romance where the couple may kiss but nothing more. I’ve read some inspirational novels with great tension. Shocked? Don’t be. I read a large variety of romance. Or if you’re shocked that inspirational novels have great sexual tension, then you’re reading the wrong ones.

So in this case, it is more like the promise of sex tension. Or maybe it should be called attraction tension. Yeah.

Isn’t that one of the great things about first falling in love? Where the attraction is strong you know it will lead to something more, but for whatever reason you can’t go that extra step and see/feel each other naked. That kind of tension.

Yes. I know my heroes and heroines have no problem doing the deed without blinking an eye, but I want that tension in every moment they’re together, even after they do the mambo between the sheets. I’m a firm believer that a romance novel isn’t over after the first love scene. That’s when the tension heightens. Hey, they know the score and they want more. But there is a time and place to make love, and when those times aren’t available, the couple should be aware of each other and what they want to repeat.

When other authors do this, I know it makes me read faster. Not only do I want them to stop the killer (or werewolf or duke’s spy . . .), I want to see how much deeper they fall in love (it is a romance) as they’re swapping saliva and other interesting fluids. LOL!

I’m working hard to keep this post PG-13. One day, I may have to switch the blog over to 18 and over. Then Katie bar the door, my four-letter self will go wild.

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

You’re invited to the party!

Posted on December 13, 2013February 20, 2017 by Carla Swafford, Author

Final Hi-Res Cover Come to the party on Facebook! Lots and I mean lots of Avon authors! The party doesn’t end until midnight (EST). Lots of goodies being given away. Winners will be announced tomorrow there. I’m giving away my 3 books and swag. My post will be there at 7 p.m. (CST). Check it out. Click here.

Writing

Accents: How Do Ya’ll Say . . .

Posted on December 4, 2013December 4, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Have you ever read a story where the author used accents? I see it on occasion, and thankfully, nowadays most authors use it sparingly. In CIRCLE OF DANGER, Liam is a secondary character who’s Irish. He’d lived in the U.S. for about ten years, and his accent mostly showed up when he was emotional. So he may say “bloody” when mad or use “me” instead “I” when he’s in a teasing mood. As you can see, I used colloquialism as a way to convey the accent.

No need for abbreviating like people do with Southern accents. Ya’ll un’erstan? That’s just it. Using too many abbreviated words or even slang, can become confusing to the reader and slow down the story. Let them hear the accents in their own mind. One of the tricks to remember is that many accents have rhythms. Sometimes movies can be helpful to get the hang of that.

Everyone in the world has accents. Californians, Oregonians, and Washingtonians claim they don’t. Sorry, but you do. Mostly it’s just the accepted accent for the media. But in the South, we often think some of you sound like a Yankee. HA!

And not all Southerners are hillbillies.

OMG! Watch Too Much TV or What?

Posted on November 25, 2013November 30, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

When I was younger (note the “er” – HA!), we use to have only one season of new TV shows. Nowadays, with so many channels and original programming available, we have a lot to choose from.

At the same time, you’ll start watching a show and before you know it, it’s cancelled or the end of the “season” is over. So I struggle to remember the programs I fell in love with the year before. So I thought I would try to make a list here and add or delete it as time goes along. I can be fickle about what show I’ll be faithful to (good-bye Two and Half Men).

CAN’T MISS SHOWS (When on air)