Writing – Page 16 – Carla Swafford, Author

Things That Turn You On

Posted on February 1, 2017February 1, 2017 by Carla Swafford, Author

naked-heat-cover — To be Released February 21, 2017

The other day, I was re-watching a simple video (click here to go to my Facebook page to see it) I had made of a ice hockey netminder warming up before the second period of play. The way he skated back and forth to the beat of the music was so hypnotizing. I find myself going back and watching it over and over again.

Yeah, yeah, if you’ve been reading my blog, you know how much I love hockey, but still there’s nothing provocative about it. Sure, the guy is 6′ 5″ and in great shape, but with all the gear on, it’s hard to tell anything.

Other people watch it and don’t see anything of great interest. They maybe say, “cool,” but not much more.

Becoming fascinated by something that’s nothing really remarkable happens to me on occasion. *shrug*

Several years ago, it was a music video by Reba McEntire titled Cathy’s Clown (click here for music video). In the video, Bruce Boxleitner plays the mistreated lover/husband of Cathy’s. Reba’s character is a prostitute singing about her love for him despite his being emasculated by his wife. The part I love, besides the way Reda sings, is how Bruce’s character notices Reba’s intense stare and gives her a wary smile as if he’s unsure how to react to her attention. There’s something about that smile that got to me. I freaking watched that video over and over again. Even just hearing the song remains me of that scene.

There’s a Leann Rime song, Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way (click here for music video), that I loved so much, I wrote a whole book based on that song. The book isn’t published yet, but I plan to find a home for it, or self-publish it one day. Heck, I have another book I wrote from listening to I Shot The Sheriff by Eric Clapton (click here for music video). Same thing for it, find a home or self-publish one day.

Obviously, writing a book is how I get rid of that song replaying in my head. HA!

At times, certain books and movies have done the same to me over the years. Thankfully, this craziness of watching or listening to something over and over again is spread out over a period of time and keeps me from worrying about my mental heath. *smirk*

So what is about these little things that fascinate me? I believe it sets my imagination on fire as you can tell with the songs. Makes me want to write that perfect scene with that moment or feeling I get from watching or listening to that certain part.

For that favorite book I love to read over and over again, until a new one takes its place, it encourages me to work harder at being a better writer. I want to write a book that someone wants to visit again and again.

Odd Observation, Writing

Walks Like A Panther

Posted on January 30, 2017January 30, 2017 by Carla Swafford, Author

red-river-wayne How many times in numerous books have we heard the hero walks like a panther or tiger or some creature on the prowl? They’re cliches, but I understand the concept. He has a smooth step with a determined gaze.

It makes me think of a certain actor named John. No. Not John Travolta. He’s known for his walk going up stairs (Get Shorty) and his moves on the dance floor (Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction). It’s John Wayne who is known for his walk.

With that thought, I went searching for videos of John Wayne’s walk. Of course, I came across the hilarious scene in The Birdcage with Robin Williams trying to instruct Nathan Lane’s character to walk like a man. He’d suggested John Wayne’s walk. Luckily, I found one where it shows both clips (John Wayne’s and Nathan Lane’s) along with the original French film and “the walk.”

Click here to go to YouTube and watch. It has Spanish subtitles.

One thing to remember, John Wayne was so much more than his walk. The way he held his head and shoulders. He stares straight ahead. He doesn’t look down. The man didn’t worry about tripping over his feet. His sureness in where he was going and what he was going to do next is so obvious. Yes, he’s an actor, but don’t you know part of his own persona shows in that stride.

John Wayne was a man’s man. Lordy! Not many of them anymore.

Here’s another video on how to walk like a “badass.” The guy tells it like it is. Click here and enjoy. LOL!

Writing

What’s In a Title?

Posted on October 9, 2016October 16, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

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. 🙂

Writing

Romance Readers Luncheon

Posted on May 7, 2016May 7, 2016 by Carla Swafford, Author

With two Romance Readers Luncheons coming up this year, one in Huntsville with Kristan Higgins and another in Birmingham with Jennifer Ashley (special guests Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, and Lynn Raye Harris), I couldn’t help but remember about my favorite luncheon. It was the year Anne Stuart appeared as the keynote speaker in Birmingham.

Most people who follow me on my blog and Facebook know that I’m a big fan of hers. Anne’s Ice series is one of my favorites, especially the book FIRE AND ICE. Hey, I even have a hero named after her series and based on her hero in that book. Be sure to check out Ice Takahashi in my book, CIRCLE OF DISHONOR.

The best part of the luncheon with Anne was that I had volunteered to pick her up at the airport. Such a hardship. NOT! I greeted her with a sign that read “Your Greatest Fan!” Oh, yes, she had a worried look on her face. Think Stephen King’s MISERY. HA! I promised her I didn’t have a sledge hammer. She looked relieved to say the least. It was the best fifteen minutes I spent in a car. She was so much fun to talk with.

Though at any of the luncheons, you probably won’t have fifteen whole minutes of alone time like I did with one of my favorite authors, you do get a chance to speak with them, shake their hand, and get your book signed. I promise. They will be excited to be asked.

Plus you get a bag of free books, a chance at a door prize and other opportunities to take home a basket of goodies. And the authors (there are many) at each table usually have all kinds of fun swag for you to take home. Yes. You get to sit with a published author and ask questions to your hearts delight or sit there and listen to what others ask. If you’re an introvert, don’t worry. No need to say a word. Just sit and enjoy a lunch and lots of romantic literary energy around you.

So you want to know more about these fun happenings? Huntsville’s is June 11 at the Westin Hotel near Bridge Street Town Centre. Click here to find out more. Birmingham’s is November 5 at the Embassy Suites near the Riverchase Galleria in the suburb of Hoover. Click here to find out about this one. Come to one or both. You will have a great time. Food, free books, free author swag, opportunities to buy more books and get them signed by the author, and lots of entertainment.

Of course, I will be hanging around. Come and sit with me. Don’t leave me alone. You never know what kind of trouble I can get into. Well, maybe you want to help me get in trouble? Hmmm. You sound like my kind of people. HA!

Hope to see you there!

REVISED – Originally published on the Romance Magicians’ blog, August 25, 2015.

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Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. She’s a rare creature in the Deep South, she loves hockey too. Her current book is the Brothers of Mayhem MC book, HIDDEN HEAT. Be sure to check it out. The next one, FULL HEAT, will be released July 19.

http://www.carlaswafford.com
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Time Magazine, [Circle of Danger] “. . . involves deadly assassins, drug lords and doing it.”
Action-Adventure-Romantic-Suspense

Full Heat, Hidden Heat, Men, My Books, Naked Heat, Reading, Writing

A Growth of a Series

Posted on December 30, 2015December 31, 2015 by Carla Swafford, Author

First, I love reading books with bad boy heroes. Hell, I married one. If you’ve ever read my Circle series, you’ll know how much I love writing about dangerous, ill-tempered (HA!) men.

When I began writing the Brothers of Mayhem series, I had already read a couple MC (romance/fiction) books and watched all of the Sons of Anarchy. Click here to read my post about researching the series.

So I thought readers of MC books would be interested to know that the first book (HIDDEN HEAT) of the Brothers of Mayhem is not the typical MC story. The majority of the bikers in that story are not good guys. But you will see a shift in book two (FULL HEAT – Storm’s story). It has a mixture of good and bad. New blood.

By book three (NAKED HEAT – Wolf’s story) you’ll see more of the brotherhood that you come to expect in a MC romance. And in the fourth book (RAW HEAT – Cutter’s story), the club heals and the brotherhood tightens.

It’s like this, throughout the series, each book can be read separately as stand-alones, but like the romance in each story, the club has a path to take with all of the ups and downs. The growth of the club as an unit will ensure its survival. In the end, it will have the right guy in place and everyone will be happy. *sniff* I do love for my people to have a happy ending.

And you could say each story has something for everyone, from the unique MC story to the hard core.