A Day in the Life of a Romance Writer: Wait for it!
When I was asked to write about my day as a romance writer, I laughed. One thing I do not do well, is talk about myself. I can talk about my books and the characters living inside of them, but talk about myself . . . well, people will find out how ADHD I am. But I thought what the heck! I was kind of curious. Sounds crazy, but think about, how often at the end of the day you think, what in the heck have I done all day. So here we go.
I wake and stare at the window and wonder why it’s so bright at five a.m. and then realize it’s six and I’ve been dreaming up scenes for an hour. So I jump out of bed. Wait! Why do people say jump? Did this start when beds were too high off the floor? They did look cool and it would be neat to need a stepstool to get in one. I write a note to have husband raise the bed. When he asks why, I’ll tell him I have a thing for trampolines. *Snort!*
After a fast shower I slap on my makeup. Wait! Why do people say slap on? It’s not painful to apply. Well, it’s better than without. *Shudder.*
After fighting traffic…Wait! Fighting? Why fighting? I’m not fighting anyone. That’s called road rage and can get you killed in Alabama. Car behind me honks. Not the place to daydream or someone will want to fight.
I soon as I arrive at work, I check the company email then sneak in a peek at my personal email accounts. Yep. Two accounts. With four names. They say authors have split personalities. So right.
After working at the day job for a few hours . . . lunchtime! Pull out my lunch bag and do one of two things. Play dominoes with co-workers in the break room or stay at my desk and work on current WIP.Deadline is looming. So of course, I play dominoes.
I return back to my desk, losing at dominoes again. . I should’ve written on my manuscript. Nose back to the grindstone…Wait! Why nose and grindstone? Ouch! I switch over to Google to check that saying out and somehow find myself on Facebook where someone has posted a new picture of a cowboy with no shirt. I’m on horseback with gorgeous hunk of a man and we’re riding off—
Phone rings and I blink. Crap, where am I? After I answer the customer’s questions, I check personal emails again. Boss walks by and I flip the screen to company email. *Smile innocently*
Finally, it’s the end of the day and if I’m caught up, I work on manuscript while it’s quiet. Hit the door at five . . . Wait! Why hit? If I hit the door, I could break my hand. Why not a more gentle word like lean into the door. Nah! I want out of there fast.
Now I’m in traffic and why is everyone in my way? I’ve got a great idea for a scene I mustn’t forget it. A state trooper eyes me and not in the good way. I take my heavy foot off the pedal.
When I arrive at home, I look at the treadmill and promise to get on it tomorrow. Wait! Why do people say tomorrow never comes? So I change into workout clothes and pull out e-reader for latest book in my virtual TBR pile.
I’m feeling good about myself and go to eat ice cream bar and then two no-bake cookies. Wait! Nothing. Just felt like I needed to type that, though some days I feel like it should be “Squirrel!” My little homage to the Disney/Pixar animated movie, UP. I so can relate.
While cleaning off the makeup I slapped on that morning, I check my email accounts, Facebook, Twitter and make a few comments and send out promos.
Then at 9 p.m., Crap! What was the great idea I had in the car? Oh, well, I’ll think of a new one and try to remember to find the recorder that I bought for that very reason.
Time to write. Every 30 minutes: go to the bathroom, refill drink, (vicious cycle) write until 11-12 midnight.
Now time to brush teeth and then go to bed. As I fall asleep with smile on my face, I remember that scene. Surely, I’ll remember it tomorrow. I chuckle.
Before you start commenting, I’ll answer one question that’s probably on your mind. Do I really think about my manuscript and writing all day long? Yes. It’s an obsession. So now you have a chance to win an e-copy of Circle of Danger for being a commenter.
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ABOUT THE BOOKS
As the top assassin at The Circle, a shadowy group of mercenaries, Olivia St. Vincent can hunt down anyone. She’s been trained since she was a teenager to kill without feeling, to interact with men without love. But when she’s kidnapped by the enigmatic leader of a rival organization, she learns she’s been lied to for years. She never worked for the good guys.
Collin Ryker believes the sultry woman he’s abducted knows more than she’s telling about The Circle and its plans for complete domination. Over time, as they work together, Olivia’s tenacity and vulnerability captivate him. But if he isn’t careful, Collin will fall into the biggest trap of all: caring for a woman who can betray him to his greatest enemy.
Marie Beltane, a lowly data entry specialist for The Circle, resents being treated like a little girl and wants to help by proving she’s worthy of being a full-fledged operative. Disobeying Arthur Ryker’s orders to stay out of the way, she accepts a simple fact-finding assignment—only to have everything go horribly wrong. Now she’s been injected with the drug responsible for the deaths of four local women, a drug that puts her sex drive into overdrive.
Ryker wants nothing more than to keep Marie safe from the world. He’s already killed to protect her from one madman, and he may have to do it again. While on a search for an antidote to her mysterious drug, he falls into a trap and must fight a new evil. Now he must become the monster he’s always feared to save the woman he’s always loved.
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Carla Swafford knows her personal life isn’t as exciting as her characters. She lives in Alabama and is married to her high school sweetheart. A third generation storyteller, she enjoys all kinds of romances and loves writing about the different paths taken to that beautiful happy ending.
Circle of Desire and Circle of Danger are available now.
You can find Carla Swafford at
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