Newsletter
Things That Turn You On
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.
Walks Like A Panther
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!
About NAKED HEAT
Being a love ’em and leave ’em sort of guy, Wolf never expects to fall for Sofia Cruz. But he keeps their dating low-key, only talking about the here and now. All is good until he discovers her cousin is the leader of the hated Thirty-Second gang. Before their relationship becomes any deeper, he breaks it off and tries to stay away. That is until his MC marks her cousin for retaliation. Wolf kidnaps her. Just to make sure she’s safe.
Sofia is afraid to fall in love again. The men in her life have ignored or used her, especially her ex-husband. So finding out she’s dating a deadly Mayhem Brother, terrifies and excites her. She agrees not seeing each other again will be for the best. So why is she now handcuffed to the sexy biker? And why is she not sure if she wants to be set free?
Everything is looking up, Wolf has proclaimed her as his old lady, and she’s falling in love with the biker. Then her ex is released from prison, and she’s certain he wants revenge for her setting him up. Her cousin wants her back under his protection, and the president of the local MC has decided to use her in his goal to become the next Brothers of Mayhem national president.
To Wolf, it’s all simple. The only way for anyone to reach Sofia is over his dead body.
What? Another Newsletter?
Today, I noticed my newsletter had 76 new subscribers to sign up this month. WOW! That was awesome, but when I looked at the list I noticed some were Spam addresses (9). Then I noticed quite a few of the older subscribers were not even opening my newsletters. Hadn’t for the last six or more newsletters, and that’s over a span of 18 months. So what happens to those? I delete them.
After I get a certain number of subscribers, I’ll have to start paying MailChimp when I send out a newsletter. Can’t have that, especially if they’re not reading the sucker.
Thus why I’m keeping an eye out. This is the third time I’ve culled out those who have no activity. Sure, it’s nice to have so many people receiving it, but really, it doesn’t do me any good if people are not even opening the email.
Love MailChimp. So easy to work with, and they give me some great info.
If you want to read my newsletter – I plan to send one out next month – you can sign up here.
Carla Swafford, Author 