It Won't Last Long

I guess everyone in Alabama will be posting pictures like this, but I couldn't resist. We rarely get snow as you can imagine.

Working On Art

I've been working for the last few hours on updating my writer groups' website. Usually takes a couple hours or so because I'm always trying to improve it. If you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think. www.southernmagic.org Also I redid my bio on my website. www.carlaswafford.com

Thankful Friday

Today I was thinking about all the writers conferences sponsored by RWA chapters I've been to in the last 10 years or so. They go like this, 3 in Birmingham, 3 in Shreveport, 3 in Atlanta, 1 in Melbourne, 1 in Ft. Lauderdale, 1 in Jacksonville, FL, 1 in Knoxville, 1 in New Jersey, and 1 in Pensacola. And to think all but two were in the last five years. That's 15 conferences, folks.

I've been to only 1 RWA National conference and it was in Atlanta and I do plan to go to this year's in Washington DC.

Of all the conferences, including the one in Birmingham I was chairperson of and I really should be ashamed of myself, but I have my reasons, the favorite one was the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Atlanta last year. I'm sure it had a lot to do with me being a finalist and having my two best buddies with me to celebrate.

My second favorite was Ft. Lauderdale's because I came away with FIVE requests. It pays to be friendly to those you sit with at lunch and dinner.

Getting back to the thankful part, I'm thankful I have a job that provides the funds (though I've given up several other things to do so too) to attend the conferences. In some cases, I've even purchased air fare to attend them.

Another Funny Commerical

This is why I read when my hubby drives. I hate to nag and he'll tell you that I rarely do. Smart man.

Love Me Some Bruce

I love me some Bruce Willis. Die Hard, Die Hard With A Vengeance, Live Free and Die Hard, The Whole Nine Yards, and The Sixth Sense are my favorites. Though I do like him in almost anything. Loved his Friends episodes.

The first time I noticed him was on an episode of Miami Vice. He played a wife beater. Too bad for him, but it was a great episode and his character was such an asshole. He let us see early in his career he could act.

Down The Yellow Brick Road

I'm working my way down the yellow brick road. I don't expect it to be paved with gold, but I hope to see a wizard at the end who will help me find a home for my stories.



In other words, I've sent out three queries to agents. They're the top of my list and I can only hope one will say, "Hey, I love your voice and story. Let's talk."

Are You THAT GIRL?

I'm the type of woman when I hear a noise in the back yard, I'll look out the window. If I can't see what or who it is, I'll step outside. Yep. I'm THAT GIRL. The axe murderer's perfect victim. Can't help it. Chances are it's nothing but a neighbor's dog.

And I Would Like To Thank...

Whenever you watch a NASCAR event and they interview the winner, he'll say something like "I couldn't have done it without my Coca-Cola, Mobil Oil, Pizza Hut, Goody's Powder Chevrolet team." Yep. The longer the mic stays in front of them the more sponsors they'll mention. Too funny. Even stranger is that I don't mind. And yes, I'm like so many NASCAR fans, I'm more apt to buy from my favorite driver's sponsor. LOL!

Just think if romance writers had sponsors and when they stepped up on the stage at a RWA National Conference to accept their RITA. Would they say something like "I wouldn't have done it without my Books-a-Million, Dell, HP Multipurpose paper, Lexmark, Charter Internet, [insert agent and publisher] team"? Yeah. I can see it. Patches all over my formal dress, shaking up a big bottle of champagne and changing out tiaras with different logos in rhinestones as I talk with the interviewer from Romance Novel TV. Oh, yeeeaahhh.

Super Heroes

I don't know why I was thinking of this today but of the numerous Batmans, I liked Val Kilmer the best. Then again, any man would look good in a black leather/vinyl mask. Just something about a man's lips. Though I have to say, George Clooney's looked stupid. He almost had a grin and I don't think of a happy man when I imagine Batman. Val's lips did it plus he looked might good in a tux too. Bale is too skinny despite the muscles and nothing pretty about him.

Thankful Friday

This week I received two phone calls that almost gave me heart attacks. One was from New York, New York to my cell phone and they hung up. I thought, "Oh, no! I didn't get to my phone in time and it was an editor!" Then I remembered the five manuscripts with New York editors were two to four years old. No way was it one of those. I Googled the number. Nope! Not an editor. Just a marketing call. Good thing they hung up.

The second one happened today. It was a call from Ontario, Canada. Now that was a possibility. I sent a partial to SuperRomance (Harlequin) on January 3. The person asked, "Is this a business number?" I said, "Yes." They said, "Sorry." Then hung up. Of course, I Googled that number. Nope. :::sigh:::

So what am I thankful for? For having the hope that one day one of those calls will be for real. And for not having a heart attack.