Category: Writing

[Reprint of my post on 08/15/2014 at the Romance Magicians blog; it was so much fun, I thought it worth repeating here.]

Carla’s busy for the next couple of weeks. So she wanted my help in writing her post, and I told her I would on one condition, that she write me into her latest book. Well, she did. Sort of. The tricky little bitch. She gave me a two-bit part in CIRCLE OF DISHONOR. And only a small mention in CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE. Talk about being gypped!

*sigh*

Okay, okay. I didn’t fine tune the agreement. I’ll know next time. Anyway, my name’s Olivia St. Vincent, and if the name is familiar, then thank you for reading my story in CIRCLE OF DESIRE and my cameos in CIRCLE OF DANGER, CIRCLE OF DECEPTION, and CIRCLE OF DISHONOR. Though the last one she wouldn’t even let me kiss ―

Olivia. Shut up and get to the post you promised to type for Carla.

That’s sugar britches, everyone. My hubby, Collin, who probably won’t live to see our third anniversary coming up this October.

Enough, Olivia!

*eyes roll*

He has a point. Now, the conversation we had with Carla the other day.

—

Carla: Olivia, what are the top five traits you look for in a hero?

Olivia: Well, let’s see. I never imagined falling for a man who talked in a near whisper most of the time. Though I must admit, when he talks, a room full of arguing operatives shuts up in seconds. That’s a man who can lead.

Carla: So number one would be a commanding voice.

Olivia: More like number five. The voice helps get my engine running, but it’s not number one.

Carla: Olivia, don’t forget this needs to stay PG. So no physical traits to be included in the list.

Olivia: I’m hurt. You don’t trust me?

Carla: Let’s say I know you too well.

Olivia: Very well then, let’s get to it. Trait number four: a hero must be comfortable with handling weapons of all types. You know how I love guns, especially sniper rifles, the more powerful the better.

Carla: So an expert in weaponry. I guess, when it comes to a trait, it would fall in the category of being protective. That would be number four. Three more to go.

Olivia: A hero must be honorable. He would never take advantage of those weaker.

Carla: Now we’re getting somewhere. I agree totally.  That would be number three. So you think Collin is honorable?

Olivia: Humph! Who said we’re talking about him? I thought you wanted to know about heroes.

Carla: Collin is certainly hero material. He could have killed you instead of bringing you into his organization, the OS.

Olivia: He could’ve tried.

Carla:  Olivia.

Olivia: Oh, okay. Yes. He handled it rather well that time I held the sniper rifle on him and accused him of betraying me to The Circle, though he did eventually hand me over to them.

Carla: You know he didn’t have a choice. Your ex-boss would’ve killed the two OS operatives he held hostage.

Olivia: Yeah, yeah. Don’t beat me over the head with it. Collin’s all noble and a bag of chips.

Carla: You sound almost jealous.

Olivia: Everyone thinks he’s God’s Gift to the universe and I’m evil incarnate. Wouldn’t you get tired of being painted like that?

Carla: I’m sorry. You’re right. Let’s continue on with our list.

Olivia:  All right. Number two. Hmm, this is getting more difficult. I can’t include body parts?

Carla: No. Physical. Traits.

Olivia: Don’t get snippy. What is it that you call a hero who’s a push over when tears are involved?

Carla:  Maybe you’re thinking compassionate.

Olivia: Sure. Compassionate. I like how it goes along with passionate.

Carla: Ooolivia.

Olivia: That’s not a body part. Geez. You’re no fun.

Carla: Let’s move on to number one. What’s the most important trait?

Olivia: Easy. He must be intelligent.

Carla: Smart. I agree.

Olivia: Collin was smart enough to fall in love with me.

Carla:  I thought we weren’t talking about Collin.

Olivia: Of course, the man’s got a big enough—

Carla: Oooliva!

Olivia: Now who’s being naughty with that dirty mind? Tsk, tsk, tsk! I was saying he had a big enough ego without me adding to it.

Carla: *sigh* Okay. Go over there while I talk with Collin.

Olivia: Fine. But don’t believe a word he says.

Carla: Shh! Behave, Olivia. Collin, thank you for being so patient. It’s only fair to ask you a similar question. What are the top five traits you look for in a heroine? Starting with number five.

Collin: Definitely confidence. A woman must know her own mind and be sure of her abilities.

Carla:  Much like Olivia, wouldn’t you say?  

Collin: She’s certainly confident in her skill with guns.

Carla: Why do I get a feeling you’re saying she isn’t always sure of herself?

Collin: At times, her bravado can be an act.

Carla: I see. She acts tough but is a softy inside.

Collin: That’s true though she hates to admit it. Number four is adaptable.

Carla: Uh, I’m not sure what you mean by that.

Collin: She understands the world isn’t black and white. There’s a lot of gray. Sometimes what you believe is true, isn’t.

Carla: Oh, okay. Like her believing The Circle were the good guys. That is, they were at one time, but had gone to the dark side you could say.

Collin: Yes.

Carla: I like how you’re up front about Olivia being the heroine you’re describing.

Collin: She can be when she sets her mind to it.

Olivia:  I heard that!

Carla: This is Collin’s turn! Go! Let us talk.

Collin: Number three is intelligence. A heroine needs not only brains but street smarts too.

Carla: I find that interesting. Would you like to speculate on why she placed it as number one for heroes?

Collin: No.

Carla: Would you at least explain the sexy grin you’re wearing?

Collin: No.

Carla: Alrighty then. Let’s move on to number two.

Collin: Number two is a heroine must be loyal.

Carla: Loyal? Do you want to explain that one?

Collin: A heroine will sacrifice herself for the greater good.

Carla: Oh, no, you didn’t. You didn’t pull the Buffy card.

Collin: I’m not sure of what you mean, but a heroine will stand by those she loves even when it might endanger herself.

Carla: Okay. You can have that one.

Collin: The top one is independence. There’s nothing sexier about a woman, than one who knows her own mind and doesn’t need to lean on others, including a man, to achieve her goals.

Carla: Wow! I love hearing a man say that. When a man isn’t threatened by a woman knowing her own mind … wow! That’s sexy.

Collin: I’m taken.

Olivia: You tell her!

Carla: Uh-huh. I wasn’t … I didn’t mean …. Oh, heck.

Olivia: Come here, sugar. So I can show you one of my goals.

Carla: Uh, anyway, thanks to Olivia and Collin for helping me out. Quit that, you two! For goodness sakes, get a room!

—

Okay. That’s all of the interview. I think it went well. Don’t tell Carla this, but I think she has a crush on my sweetie. Actually, all of the Circle guys. The woman can be such a slu ―

Olivia, you need to wrap it up now. 

Sure, sure. *leans closer* His voice has gotten all soft and heated now. That means he’s pissed or turned on or both. I do know I’m in trouble. See my knees shaking? NOT! Want to wrestle, lover boy? *laughter* Come over here and try to pin me to the floor!

Ladies and gentlemen, ignore my wife. Carla would like to warn you her books are very hot, and the world her people live in is violent. A world filled with assassins and betrayal. But two lovers can find a sanctuary from all the craziness by loving each other.

Ah! Isn’t he sweet? I do love that man. Now, drop those drawers and let’s have fun. What? What? Don’t glare at me. That’s as romantic as I can get.

*door slams*

Website: www.carlaswafford.com
Twitter:  @carlaswafford
Facebook: CarlaSwafford, Author
Amazon: Carla Swafford Books
Barnes & Noble: Carla Swafford Books

The other day at a meeting with other writers, one NYT bestseller author said she couldn’t start her book until she thought up a title. Most likely the publisher would change the title before releasing it, but it helped guide the author in the feel of the story line.

I totally understood what she meant. Ninety percent of the time, I have a title for the book I’m writing even before the first word is written. My editor at Loveswept understands that. She even helped me decide which one to use, and when the first title had to change, we worked together for the new one along with the other Brothers of Mayhem titles.

Hidden Heat was originally Burnout, but another author had one coming out with the same name. To think of it, I don’t remember seeing the book afterwards, but my goodness, everyone and his brother has that title. So I’m happy with Hidden Heat. LOVED the double entendre, don’t you? If you don’t know what I mean, then you need to read the book.

If you’re wondering, how can a title affect a story? If you read the title, How to Flirt With A Vampire, would you think it’s a romantic suspense? No. More like a romantic comedy paranormal. What about As Far As The Eye Could See? That could easily be a contemporary romance or literary fiction. Any title with dark, deep, blood, shade, kill, and die, can be romantic suspense or paranormal.

Most titles can be interchangeable and easily forgettable, but a writer or publisher should never let it be misleading, like placing the title Purple People of Mars, and it be about a gunslinger in the late 1800’s American west. (Made me remember the movie, Cowboys and Aliens. Good, fun movie if you don’t let logic play a part.)

Like I said, titles are important to me when I write. Since I started using Scrivener to organize my work-in-progress, I’ve started giving each scene a title. I usually have two scenes per chapter (can be as many as four, but not as often), with one POV per scene. It helps me remember where I’m going with each scene. And if for any reason, I need to go back to a certain scene, it’s easier to find. Plus I love having fun with them. You should’ve seen Hidden Heat’s. I have to say they were hilarious and dirty.

Here’s an example from Naked Heat on the left.

For those who have taken my workshop, Save The Story, you will see I’ve used my beats for each chapter. Then the scenes are titled below it. You can almost tell what I’m about to write about. “Once more with a smile” should be easy to figure out considering I write HOT romantic suspense.  HA!

So, for many authors, the book’s title is important. Although most readers never remember them, no matter how good the book. For that matter, the story is more important. Well, that and the author’s name. 🙂