Odd Observation – Page 6 – Carla Swafford, Author

Conference, Odd Observation, Pictures

Party NYC

Posted on July 27, 2015July 27, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

I had a blast in New York City. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Sightseeing cruise with buddy, Heather Leonard.

Intrepid Navy Ship in background with planes.

Times Square ahead (Heather Leonard and Meda White in front of me)

Yankee Stadium in background with cool speed boat

Heather and my other buddy, Meda. Had so much fun with these ladies.

One of the well dressed men I saw in NYC. SO MANY GOOD LOOKING MEN! My neck hurt from looking.

They did a presentation and opened this wall. Then you saw NYC from way above.

Food! This was one of the good restaurants. Sadly, I forgot the name but it was near the theater.

View from One World Trade Center (this was a floor – really an outside camera projecting beneath the glass)

View from One World Trade Center. (Amazing, isn’t it?)

Odd Observation

I’m Anti-Martyrdom

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

If you’re wondering what I mean, see if any of this sounds familiar?

Everyone ignores me in the meeting/class/workshop/conferences.
I’m always dumped on/given more work/forgotten.
Others have more fun/time to talk/goof off.

Oh, I’m sure I can think of a dozen more. Some that I’ve even said before I caught myself.

Really, people, most of those statements are simply because you won’t stand up for yourself or open up. Yes. I’m an extrovert, but I do have moments where I feel insecure. You wouldn’t know it but when I was a kid, I stuttered. Not terribly bad, but bad enough for people to poke fun at me. I still stutter when I get angry or extremely nervous. Plus I have difficulties pronouncing certain words. A little quirk of mine. I know what they mean, just don’t use them often enough in speech. And anyone who sees pictures of me know I’m overweight. Over the years, I’ve heard enough about that to be self-conscious.

Okay, what I’m getting to is that everyone have issues and insecurities. When you feel dumped on, ignored, or/and left out, stop and think of how you can fix it. More times than I can count the problem starts with yourself.

If I don’t want to feel that way, I found if I open myself up, things change. If they act like an asshole, the world is large. look for another friend, nice acquaintance or companion. There are others out and about who are in the same spot.

So keep that in mind next time you feel like a martyr.

Why do you think all of those nerd movies are so successful? One nerd finds like minded nerds to hang around.

Odd Observation, Writing

Chains, Whips and Music

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

I love writing hot stories. And I especially like hot songs.

Though I’m not presently writing a BDSM romance, I think the following would be some good songs to listen to while doing so. What do you think? What are your suggestions? Put a link in the comments.

My Books, Odd Observation

How to please every reader

Posted on January 9, 2015January 13, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Yep. I tricked you. It’s on the Romance Magicians’ blog. HA!

And you’re right. You have to click here again to read the post. It’s my monthly journey to the dark side . . . to my Romance Writers of America chapter’s blog. *smirk*

I’ll be back in next few days when the urge hits me. For now, it’s time for me to get back to writing my newest book. My heroine is in deep doo-doo and doesn’t know it yet.

Contract, Odd Observation, Writing

Good Bye Bitter Sweet and Hello Brightness

Posted on January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

Earlier this week, I wrote a long post about the last year and what I have to look forward to and then yesterday morning I deleted it. It was way too sad and wordy. So the short version is this.

2014 had a lot of good moments to celebrate while darkened by one bad event.

At the end of August last year, I lost my biggest cheerleader. My dad. He died unexpectedly. One important thing was he knew I was in the middle of working with a new editor toward a new contract with a new publishing house, and my writing career was looking up. He was very happy for me. Being a voracious reader, he was as excited as I was about me being published and continuing to be so.

So in October, I received a two-book contract from a wonderful editor at Penguin/Random House’s Loveswept line. Yay! And then a couple months later, I signed with Prospect Agency. Love my new agent!

I’m starting off 2015 the right way. All fresh and new. I have to pinch myself on occasion. Other times, I freak out and worry that I have lost my mind. Who am I kidding? I can’t write!

Well, this is where I dig in my heels and prove I can do anything, if I want it bad enough. Nothing will stop me but me. And I won’t let that happen. Heck, my daughters and writing family won’t let me. I’m so grateful for them all.

Watch out! I’M BAAAACK!