Carla Swafford, Author

Cars

Eight Answers to Crazy Car Questions

Posted on November 20, 2013October 9, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

Here are some answers to the crazy questions people have asked me over the years about cars and driving.

1) If your garage or carport is filled with junk and you park your car in the weather and never wax it, yes, your paint job will fade away and show the metal underneath.

2) If your car is filled with every empty fast food bag and carton known to man along with the dirty diaper you tossed in the backseat, yes, people will know your house looks the same.

3) If a car coming toward you flashes its lights, it’s warning you of a wreck ahead or a cop ahead or both, or if a car flashes its lights behind you, it’s telling it’s okay to pull in front of them (most likely you have your blinker on — a few of them do work in automobiles).

4) Yes, if the Interstate is I-65 North, the same interstate goes South and is called I-65 South. That’s the other side of the road going the opposite way.

5) Yes, you need to keep up with the mileage, so you know when to get your oil changed. Yes, it is important. Same for tire rotation.

6) Don’t push your window up to test your electric windows to see if they’re really close. Bring it down and then press up. Otherwise, if you keep testing it while up, the motor will burn out, and you’ll be getting your bacon, egg and cheese biscuit by opening the driver’s door.

7) Yes, when you squeal your tires (older model cars or customized ones can still do it), you leave rubber on the road and that means your tires will wear out faster. A woman I knew would say each time she heard it, “Music to my ears.” Her husband owned a tire company.

8) Big trucks cannot see you if you pull over in front of them. Really. So make sure you can see the driver’s face in the rearview mirror when you pull over. If you can see the driver, he/she can see you. If all you see is grille, then they can’t. And they can’t stop as fast as you can, empty or full.

I’m sure I’ll think of more later.

Odd Observation, Writing

Misconceptions

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

I love writing stories about misconceptions. You know where the hero appears to be a bad guy (and may be one) and he has a problem trusting that there are good people in the world. So cynical. And the woman is good, but people say ugly things about her and how her family is trash, so she has to be trouble too, right? Love it! Even reversed.

We all know in the real life nothing is as it appears. That’s why people fight and argue and are ugly to each other. We can only judge others by our own experiences. If our past involves having people betray or berate us, we expect it from everyone. Our insecurities can be a booger.

As most writers know, editors care little for conflict that could be solved by a simple conversation. I’m sure there are some stories written where the hero and heroine trust and love each other enough for that to happen pretty quickly. You know, talk and believe each other.

Oh, no, not my characters. I love seeing my couple suffer as they learn to trust. And trust isn’t a stable emotion. In the beginning it doesn’t take much to blow all their hard work to hell and back. If you don’t trust yourself (Should you really believe in this man or woman? You’ve been hurt or seen others hurt over and over again.), how can you believe they won’t betray you? Again?

Bride and groom kissing.

The gradual move from distrust to believing what they say keeps me reading the book. And of course, the sexual tension keeps me turning the pages too.

Yes, love can conquer all ― that’s why I write romances ― but true love takes time and the length of one book usually does it.

Writing

They Kissed as He . . .

Posted on November 11, 2013August 7, 2025 by Carla Swafford, Author

The last few years I’ve seen a trend for the hero to be six foot five and taller. Yes, I know that my hero, Rex, whose story is in CIRCLE OF DECEPTION, is six foot five and even a secondary character, Liam, is six foot six. But for me those are exceptions in my manuscripts. I usually keep my fellows anywhere from five-eleven to six-two, and still that’s above average for the American male.

Anyway, with this tall man trend going on, I’ve read love scenes where the man would have to be a contortionist to preform sexually as the heroines remain shorter than average (5′ 5″) in most of the stories.

Think of it this way, the hero is thrusting (I’m trying to keep this PG-13) and he decides to suck on something taut in the female chest area. There’s some adjustment that’s needs to be done. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but let’s say his thrusting slows because his center must shift quite a bit as he bends like a paperclip.

Then there is the sweet cuddling scene. They can be in bed or standing next to each other. The heroine is five-three and she snuggles her face into the hero’s neck. Is she standing on a box? If he’s six-five, her nose should be buried in his chest hair. Of course, he could bend down or he could lift her, but I rarely read anything like that.

Oh, oh, and when she feels his hardness (you know what hardness I’m talking about) against her hip/pelvis as they dance or hug . . . LOL! Is he stooping?

Here are some celebrity couples and their heights. This will help you figure it out. I have a feeling that some of the couples have to get inventive in bed (and out).

And don’t get me started on how a six-seven man can hide or steal just anyone’s car. Seats in the average car will not accommodate those legs, no matter how far back the seat is pushed back. That’s why most tall men drive trucks or over-sized vehicles (e.g., Hummers).

I also drew stick figures (6’5 vs 5’4″) to give you an idea of the differences. Be sure to remember, I’m an author, not an artist.

So I suggest you keep your fellow average height. You can always make your heroine shorter if he has to tower over her. Then I sometimes wonder about guys who . . . no, I’m not going there. I might start a fight then or hurt someone’s feelings.

(updated August 7, 2025)

Odd Observation

Quote for the Moment

Posted on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Odd Observation

Woo-hoo! Here I Am!

Posted on November 10, 2013November 9, 2013 by Carla Swafford, Author

Lately, I’ve been thinking about that episode in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) where a girl has been ignored by everyone especially her classmates to the point she disappeared. That’s how I feel recently. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve waved my hand (almost figuratively) and been looked over.

As a writer, I do lots of positive things for attention, hoping that people will remember my name and maybe, just maybe, buy my books. I won’t go into details because it’s really so silly.

Okay. Pity party over. (No need to slap me.)