SO VERY PROUD

I am proud to say I know some phenomenal women, who are also authors.

I surround myself with authors of all genres and love reading. 

So to be in the company of these ladies is always a pleasure.

Deliah Lawrence just released, Gotta Get It Back. A follow up to Gotta Let It Go. I'm so very proud that I met her years ago and we have shared laughs and stories. While at the same time encouraging each other.

Cerece Rennie Murphy is also a phenomenal woman author. Who writes what she loves; Sci-Fi and her latest novel, The Wolf Queen has made me read something I was never interested in before. Who knew that I liked Sci-Fi as much as I do.

Penny Clover Petersen is also a phenomenal woman who writes cozy mystery novels. Imagine that; I actually like cozy mysteries and her novels are hysterical and also always include some cute little recipes that her and her sisters have either tried or grown up with.

Tracee Garner is also a phenomenal woman author who rights contemporary novels. Set in DC and also because of the strength she shows us every day. 

I like to take this time to just recognize four of the women that have come into my life and shown me to keep pushing through the world of authors and putting out the best work and the best of them that they give their readers with each book

Please check out these women and pick up their latest or all of their novels. You will not be disappointed.

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

I blinked my eyes and summer was over and now the fall has begun.

Where did all of my time go?

Well, I spent a lot of it,  recuperating from various illnesses and trying to find my drive to write again.

I'm not ashamed to say that I have been occupy my time with relationships and travel and tiny house plans but now is the time for me to sit my butt back at my computer and get these novels done.

Yes, I said novels.

Since August, I have been working on three novels, at the same time. 

Trying to finish up, The Stiletto Stalker. Working on The Teacher's Lounge and also working on a new romance; not yet titled.

See; while it may "seem" that I have become a slacker; I really haven't. 

Life got in the way but so did I. You see, I got in the way of my own writing. Every time I wanted to sit down and write; something would pull my attention away from it. Grand kids ( I have a new set of twins grandchildren, which makes 11 for me!) Work...trying to retire so that I can write all the time. Friends...yes, I love hanging out with my friends.

So you see, my life took on a life of it's own and now I'm ready to slow myself back down and get back to my first love. 

Writing.

So, where did your time go? How did you spend it and was it worth it? 

I can say...Absolutely!

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER

What have you done in your writing life?

Did you go to any conferences? Did you sign up to attend some conferences? 

Did you complete that manuscript? Did you submit your completed manuscript to a publisher?

Did you set up a dedicated writing space? Do you use that writing space at least once a day?

These are questions that you should be asking yourself. Remember, this was supposed to be the summer of embracing your author life.

What? You didn't answer yes to any of those questions? Why? What is the hold up? Why didn't you take the Summer of 2017 to be the summer of you embracing being an author? 

I haven't done much in my writing life except purge some old manuscripts that haven't seen sunlight since they were first conceived. However, what I did do was that I began to prepare myself for the fall conference and writing workshops. 

Being an author is never ending. Being an author is not as easy as just sitting down at a computer and typing out a great story. It involves marketing, being a business person and being your own biggest fan.

Being an author means that you are attending conferences, that you are writing at least once a day and that you are finishing up the manuscript and submitting it to a publisher. It also means that you are prepared for the criticism that comes with being an author.

So, summer is almost over. What are you going to do to prepare for the fall?

REJECTION IS A GOOD THING

Rejection isn’t something that anyone likes to go through.

Being a published author, I worry about rejection.

Rejection from a publisher, an editor or from readers.

How do you overcome the fear?

By saying to yourself: I will be better for it.

Yes, rejection serves a purpose. 

It allows us to remember that we are humans and make mistakes. It reminds us that we are not perfect, no matter how hard we try to be. It also reminds us that we have to, correction, we MUST continue to get better in our writing.

Readers are not going to allow authors to sit back and push through mundane work. Publishers aren’t going to let authors think that don’t need improvement and if you have a good editor; they will make sure that they are pushing you to bring out the best words you have.

Yes, Rejection is hard but it is necessary.

So don’t just sit there crying because you have gotten another rejection (or your first rejection).

Dust yourself off, pick up that pen, paper, Notebook, computer or IPad and begin the rewriting process. 

Trust me, you will be glad that you did.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

What is the genre I write in?

Well with a name like B. Swangin Webster you may assume, erotica. WRONG!

I write Contemporary Dramas. It can also be called Urban Drama

Next question…oh, like street lit? WRONG!

Contemporary/Urban dramas are nothing like street lit. 

There are no drug dealers in my novels (well one time there was but he was just passing through) and there are no women stripping for money or marrying a man for money.

Street lit is hard core literature that has taken the literary world by storm. Most street lit novels will have titles that include the word, (pardon my language) Bitch and Nigga. Most likely they will have covers with stacks of money on the cover or a scantily clad woman or man.

My novels have none of that. Yes, it may contain the word Bitch but not in EVERY conversation.

Contemporary dramas are stories that can be lived right now. They could be your neighbor’s drama and most of them are LIFETIME movies. You know; the ones that have the stalker, the mistress or the missing child. 

What I write is taken from today’s headlines and fictionalized to put you in the middle of the situation and have you going through all of your emotions. 

If you don’t use at least 4 (or 5) emotions (well some say there are 6 emotions; but that’s another blog) while reading my novel, than I haven’t done my job.

So take a look at one of my novels and see what I write. Don’t assume that you won’t read an urban or contemporary drama because most movies that aren’t mystery, suspense or action are in fact contemporary dramas.

Give me a try and see if you enjoy it. Please feel free to contact me after you do; I’d love to hear from you.

bswanginwebster@gmail.com

Make sure to LIKE my fan page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbswanginwebster

THRILLERFEST 2015 HERE I COME

Every year in July; New York City is converged upon by aspiring authors, writers, NY Times Best selling authors and ME.

OK, so I'm an author but I haven't made any "list" yet except the "stylish shoes list" and hey, while I love being on that list; I'm hoping that one day I make THE list. No; not NY Times best selling list but the list of authors who are on panels.

I'm still to afraid to put myself on the panels at +International Thriller Writers Inc Thrillerfest. I know almost all of the people on all of the panels because they have been on my radio show. I have even taken selfies with them but sitting up there with them..nope; "I'm not ready" and yep; I'm admitting I'm scared.

So this year, I will be sitting in the audience being a great marketing person looking for ideas and then I will take my customary selfie shots while in the panels and then I will ask that one question that no one asked or wants to know except me. Then I will fantasize about being up there next year...yeah; next year I'll be on the panel.

Ok, I said that same thing LAST year but really, next year I'll make that leap. After all, I have cute shoes. 

So if you are going to be at Thrillerfest this year; please look for the girl in the six inch heels taking selfies with anyone that will let her. 

WHAT WILL I DO IN 2015

I plan on doing the same thing; only more of it.

That's the simple answer.

The real answer is: Work harder to sell more novels; Work harder to get more people to read; Work harder to make my radio show better and Work harder in my personal and professional life.

That is why I will now begin posting my show  here as well as on YouTube. Most people don't like YouTube but for me; I've learned that you have to step out of your comfort zone and tackle the things that scare us the most.

You will now begin to see my show, The We B Swangin Show every Friday.

Consider it a rerun of my Wednesday show. So what I want you to do...yes, I'm talking to you. Don't look around, I'm talking to you, the one reading this.

I want you to share it on your Google pages, Share it on your Facebook pages, Share it on your Twitter pages and you never know..you may earn a spot on my show with me. Showing off your shoes, your writing skills or just hanging out at the coolest station ever!

So now that you know what I will be doing in 2015; what will YOU be doing?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

That is the question I ask a lot of people and a lot of people ask me the same thing.

This week I am doing a lot. So I decided to give you a run down of what my week normally looks like.

Sunday: Today I sat down with the committee of the #MDC3Con and talked about the final preparations for the amazing conference in Hunt Valley Maryland. Then I will have a meeting with my stylist, my personal assistant and also my publishers. Yes, although Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, I'm not resting.

Monday: I will work a full 8 hours, then put in another five hours at my office of Intrigue Publishing. Then I have a networking event to attend at 6:30 and then hopefully it is off to bed by at least 11pm.

Tuesday: I have a production meeting for my show on Wednesday. That is only after I work eight hours at the middle school and five hours at the office of I.P and then hopefully I will get home before 11pm but somehow I don't think that will happen.

Wednesday: I have a radio show to do at 4pm. But before that I have to work eight hours and then prepare my guests and intern for the show. I will be on the air until 5 pm at +WLVS Radio and then at 6 pm I will need to meet some fans to drop off their signed novels and then meet a great group of readers for an impromptu book club meeting. Home by 11 pm. (again, fingers crossed)

Thursday: I recover from the show and then prepare for next week's show. I will then head to Baltimore for a meal prepared by a very special chef and then I will prepare the bags, gifts and questions for my assignment at the +MdC3Con

Friday: The #MdC3con begins and I am one of the members who need to be there at 9 am. Then I will moderate a few panels, talk about social media and then network at the bar afterwards. The day will end sometime around 11 pm or until I finish up my last drink.

Saturday: I am still at the conference and the day will start pretty early. While you sleep at 7 am I will be up and making sure the panelists and rooms are set up for the second day of the conference. I will then moderate and be on panels.

Now, that is a normal week. Except that the conference is probably replaced by the book club event, special speaking event and/or Reading Diva's event.

So now that you know what I am doing; what are YOU doing this week?

NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY

There is never enough time in the day for me to do everything that I want.

For instance; today is Tuesday and already I have gotten behind in things that I need to have done.
I need to prep for tomorrows radio show on +WLVS Radio and then I need to get at least 20 pages of edits done for +B Swangin Webster novel. I then need to finish up reading my girl +Lindsay Errington pre-novel and then I need to take care of mailing out some ARC copies of novels for +Austin Camacho and +Jeff Markowitz after which I need to finish mailing out the copies of novels for +Annie Rose Alexander all this while wanting to spend time with my cute grandson, Isaiah and then I must walk the dog.

Before all that can happen, I must finish work on my 'day' job. Yes, I actually have a day job, working at a middle school in Waldorf, Maryland.

+Mattawoman Middle School is where I spend almost ten hours every day doing things that help pay my bills. Don't get me wrong; I love my job! I love the students I come into contact with every day but some days like today; I'm so ready to quit because I'd rather be writing.

Which brings me to the 'not enough time in the day' theme. Since there is NEVER enough time, I never get to get my hair done, or my nails done or take a spa day. I squeezed in three days of vacation with my kids and my family because I was determined to relax. I loved the time away, at the beach and spending time with my honey and kids but I began to feel guilty about it afterwards. So I did what any workaholic would do. I started working longer hours.

Today I received a jolt. My blood pressure spiked so high that the blood vessels in my eyes burst. Not a good look, so the doctor said, "slow down, relax or risk having a heart attack or stroke". Ok, I am going to listen so today, I am not going to worry about if everything gets done. I am going to do what I can and then I'm going to stop working after 7pm. If it doesn't get done, there is always tomorrow, right? Because there really is never enough time in the day to do EVERYTHING that you want to do.

But it beats laying in the hospital or worse. So for those of you that are workaholics; please slow down; your life depends on it. There isn't enough time in the day to do everything and there never will be.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...

Last night I attended a birthday celebration for a friend. She turned 45 and instead of having your typical birthday party, she threw an "Oscar-like" party.

Birthday girl, Kabrena with Me

There were balloons, the #Oscar2014 statue, #paparazzi and even a #RedCarpet. There were 'interviews' with the 'celebrities' and there was a dramatic entrance by the birthday girl herself.

When we all were seated we were entertained by dancers and had a 'not so live band' performance.

Then came the 'nominees' and the awards.

The categories were cleaver. Best Mother Award, Best Catering Award, Best Videographer, Best Photography, Best Community Service and Best Inspirational. There were other categories but after the first two hours they all seemed to run together.

Oscar for Best Author Mentor

Imagine my surprise when I see the category for Best Author Mentor and my picture appears. I was up against some tough competition and I won the award for Best Author Mentor! I was in shock and I didn't have a prepared speech. I did my best #Academy speech and they didn't have to cue the music because my speech was short and sweet.

Although there was a mix-up with the trophy and I needed to hand my back before receiving the right one after the ceremony.

This was a great night for me and I have displayed my #Oscar award proudly in my library. I can now say, I am an Oscar Award Winning Author.

BE PREPARED FOR UNEXPECTED TREASURES

Today I am going to talk about an author that I have known for a little over three years. Mr. +Austin Camacho

We met by accident at the now closed Borders Book Store in Waldorf, Maryland. I was the debut author coming out with my very first novel and he was coming out with his seventh. Yes, at that time he was on number seven but now he is on number nine.

He whizzed in with his cart full of books, a tray of assorted cookies, bookmarks and postcards. And there I stood, with a table full of books and that was it.

Since I have a competitive nature, I couldn't let him show me up. I told my assistant to find a store and buy me some candy. I didn't care what kind, just get me something. I then walked back to see just what this 'guy' was doing.

He was rushing around in a flurry, setting up his table, his books, his postcards and oh yes..those damn tray of cookies. The nerve of him! I wanted to talk but instead I became intimidated by him and didn't want to seem so amateurish, which I was but I didn't want HIM to know that. He asked me how I was doing, I told him I was a new author, he asked me what my book was about and I told him and then he told me about his. I had to buy it because I couldn't let on that I was really on spying on him. I bought, Russian Roulette and promised to read it.

Well, I didn't read it because my youngest son read it first and wouldn't give it back. When I tried to retrieve it he said, "Mom, go get another one, this book is really good." What just happened. I HAD bought a book, the one he had and yet I was being told to buy another one. So I went back to Borders and bought Damaged Goods

My goodness, I was hooked. I had just found another author that I could start a series that was foreign to me. I had never read any mystery novel before and this gave me a great first timers look inside what a great story a mystery could be. I loved it and read it four times. (guess I really DID like the book, huh?) I finally got up the nerve to email him about how I like the book and then proceeded to ask him for advice; (you knew that was coming didn't you. I mean c'mon, he was on number seven, I was on number one)which he said he would give, as long as I didn't ask to many questions.

I'm so lucky that Austin S. Camacho was in that book store on that day promoting that book. I learned so much from him, namely, never show up without something that will bring people to your table. Always smile and never sit down. Oh, and I've had some kind of treat at my table!

Thriller Fest is coming...among other things

I am so excited that the conference season for authors is upon us.

Yes, that means that #thriller13 is just around the corner and that also means that the #C3Conference will be right behind it.

Thrillerfest was my introduction to conferences and I have been hooked ever since. They put on a class act show and the banquet dinner is where big publishers and small publishers sit down, share a meal and talk about the great accomplishments of great authors.

Last year I shared a table with Steven James, author of Queen, Pawn and Knight. I also got to talk with +Eriq LaSalle and even got a picture with him. You should check out my website, and I also brought home lots of books.

In September, I will then be a presenter at the Creatures, Crimes and Creativity conference in Baltimore and I am so excited! The conference is the first of its kind and we are all excited to be a part of it. +Jeffery Deaver, +John Gilstrap and many others have already signed up for it and we hope that you do to. If you want more information, please click, http://creaturescrimesandcreativity.com and all of your questions will be answered.

I hope to see you at one of these conferences. You will be able to spot me, I'll be the one in the stilettos!

Priceless Moments



(left-right)
Sonny 85, Ginny 70
Harold, 72, Flora 85



For the past month I have had the pleasure of getting to know the parent's of +Austin Camacho.

Mr. Sonny and Mrs. Ginny are two of the funniest people, well besides my parents; that I know.

They welcomed me into their family with open arms but also with open hearts.

I learned so much from them but the main thing I learned was that life is to precious to 'rush around' doing things.

Mr. Sonny said, "if life was meant to be rushed, we would all be dead."

Truer words were never spoken. Mr. Sonny is 85 years young and his son just turned 60. Austin is the spitting image of his father and they have an unspoken love for one another that does not need words. It is in the laugh or the joke that they share.

Outward appearances don't matter, what matters is what is inside of a person's heart.

Mrs. Ginny is a funny, energetic woman who loves every creature. Her little dog Cuddles, is a little ball of fur with just enough teeth to eat but loves to go 'for a walk'. Mrs. Ginny fashioned a bird feeder from Cuddle's empty dog food containers and now we have "Red" and her companion coming to our backyard every day looking for seeds.

The deer also made fast friends with Mrs. Ginny because she bought them carrots. Image that! They came looking for grass or whatever they eat and hit the jackpot!

They (Mr. Sonny and Mrs. Ginny) drove here from Florida and arrived on March 28th and sadly they left on Monday after being here for a month. My heart was heavy but I was also happy to have gotten to know two more beautiful people.

My parents and Mr and Mrs Ginny are around the same age and I treasure the older generation.

I just hope that one day the younger generation realizes what they have if they still have their grandparents around; #priceless moments.

Interview with Austin S. Camacho

What have you learned about yourself as a writer from your first book to your latest novel?

I've learned that no story is ever quite as good as I want it to be... and that the next story will be better because of what I learned wrestling with the last story.  Also, I have learned that creating great fiction requires more than talent - you need to study your craft and never stop learning how to do it better.

Why did you make Felicity Irish in the Stark and O`Brien series?

I wanted to play with the concept of opposites attracting.  I started with the most familiar character for me - an inner city African American man with military experience.  When I reached in the other direction I ended up with a white woman from another country who had been an outlaw.  She needed to speak English of course, and aside from Scandanavians the Irish have the lightest skin of anybody so that's where I landed.
 
 In the Hannibal Jones mysteries, are the characters that help Hannibal anyone that you patterned them after?

Hannibal's posse all started out as stereotypes but I expanded them from there.  So none of them was based on any individual... except Virgil, who is loosely based on one of my uncles, who came back from WWII Army service hooked on heroine.
 
Your latest novel deals with a very sensitive issue that a woman would face. How were you able to capture the emotion of her feelings towards what happened to her?

That is the essence of writing fiction.  I have to be able to put myself in the emotion shoes of each character.  Emotionally women are different from men, so we men have to observe them very closely during moments of extreme duress and capture those emotions for later use.  Once you've seen a woman go through being really hurt, you can portray it in words.
 
In the age of e books how are you making your novel stand out from the rest?

I believe good writing will stand out regardless of the format.  I hope my novels stand out because of their well-developed characters - people you are happy to get to know and keep up with.

Do you listen to music, watch television or need total quiet when you write?

Definitely music!  It blots out distracting noises and amplifies emotion, making it easier to put the right emotional content into my writing. 
 
Since this blog is about shoes, books and writing...tell me what book you like the most, whose writing style you mimic and who is your favorite show designer.

I don't have a favorite book but I do have favorite authors: Raymond Chandler, Ellmore Leonard, and Walter Mosely of course.  I dream of writing Chandler's poetic prose and Leonard's real, troubled characters, with Mosely's perfect sense of social setting.  But I can't even name a shoe designer...LOL...
 
Tell my audience where you will be next.  I will be reading at the Art and Lit event at Watermark Gallery at the Baltimore harbor on April 7th.  You can read all about it at https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/513941071981686/ 

Where do I go?

Where do you write? Well I go to my most favorite place ever.



See the window?



I just moved into a new home and inside of my bedroom there is this small closet. Now the closet is suppose to be for clothes but it has a 32x28 sized window in there. My clothes would be visible and I couldn't have that.

So...I did what any clever minded individual would do.


I turned it into my own reading, writing room.
the whole little project cost me $35 dollars. Yes, can you believe it. 20 for the chair and 15 for the bookcase. Oh and do you notice that little green number? Hehehe, that's my stiletto shoe business card holder. See, it IS all about the shoes!

All of those books you see, FREE. I got them at Thrillerfest this year in New York. (see another reason to visit these conferences)and that isn't counting the other bookcase in my sitting room. Score!

So now I go into the closet and sit and create. My laptop plugs right outside of the closet, oh, excuse me; writing room. And the light is perfect. I can sit in there for hours, and I have. #dontjudgeme.

When and if I decide to come out of the closet, it's because I want something to drink. Now to figure out how to add my single cup coffee maker.

I think I got it!

Oh the joys of being an author! So tell me, where do you write?

Introducing...part 2

B. Swangin: Do you think there is a difference between being an author and being a writer?



 DB Corey: I think the difference between a writer and an author is the publishing part, of course. Being published allows you to claim the title of, author. But if you ask me what I am, I’ll tell you I’m a writer, unless I’m feeling especially full of myself. Then I’ll tell you I’m a novelist.



DB Corey
and his lovely wife Maggie



B. Swangin: Can you finish telling us about your ritual while writing.

DB Corey:  I get my best ideas at night, when my mind is free from the daily drudgery. Eventually I have to tie all these scenes together.  That’ when I fire up the laptop, checks emails, browse MSN, and just goof off trying to “loosen up” so to speak. Then, when I’m ready, I like to re-read the last scene or two that I’ve written, and start writing by re-writing to get to the next creative (and I use the term loosely) phase. It’s like picking up a book you’ve been reading,  but have laid aside for a day or so. You open to the bookmark, back up a few paragraphs, and refresh your memory. My writing process is much like that. Then it just kind of flows until I get tired, or my muse goes to bed.

B.Swangin: I can empathize. When your muse goes to bed that the time you should rest. Because once your muse is up...man, things can get hectic.
Can you tell us what does it mean to you that you have a book about to be in print?

DB Corey:  More than I can convey. It was never about the money (don’t tell my publisher that). It’s about accomplishment. I’m in my 60s. I’m a middle-class worker bee. I’ve done some cool things in my life, but never really achieved what I thought I could—what I thought I should—until now. I don’t expect to become  a household word because of one book, but it’s something to be proud of, a small mark I can leave behind that proves I was here,  and I just wish my mom were still alive to see it.

B. Swangin: Well, of course it isn't about the money...well, we will keep that between us...lol....and I must say for 60, you look very good. I thought you were in your 40's. Maggie is a very lucky woman.
Well folks, I have to let DB Corey get back to work on his edits for his novel, Chain of Evidence and last question, when can we look for this hot new thriller?

DB Corey: Well if everything goes as planned, it will be released in June, just in time for Thrillerfest 2013

B. Swangin: Good luck and thank you for sitting down with me. Much success.

Mystery Writers make great friends

Today I have a guest blogger by the name of Lauren Carr. We met recently due in part to a posting on LinkedIn about an upcoming event next year on Sept. 13-15, 2013; C3 Conference.

She regularly posts for Buried Under Books blogs and today she decided to drop by.

Ten Advantages to Having a Mystery Author for a Friend (in person or on Facebook).

1.       If you’re ever locked out of your home, your mystery author friend will know best how to break in.

2.       Who better to show you where best to conceal a weapon?

3.       At Pampered Chef’s parties, they are very handy in detailing what kitchen utensils make the best weapons for use in self-defense … just in case your family launches a coup after serving them your world infamous tuna casserole once too often.

4.       Mystery authors are less sappy at conferences than Romance authors. We don’t hug as much. That isn’t because we’re standoffish. It’s because we don’t want you to detect our concealed weapons. Since we don’t hug as much, this means we don’t spread as many germs and you’re less likely to catch a cold when you get home.

5.       Mystery authors are more exciting. They are the only friends able to plot out your murder and list your friends and family as suspects in order of interest when you’re fifteen minutes late for lunch. (If your friend reveals that the babysitter did it, you may want to take a closer look at the sitter’s text messages.)

6.       During those paranoid moments when you think your next door neighbor is a mob assassin because he has been acting suspicious, your mystery writing buddy is the one friend you can count on to not only support your belief, but break into his house to illegally search it for proof. Of course, you can depend on your friend to bring the lock pick kit and know how to use it. (Don’t ask her how she knows how to use it.)

7.       If your spouse leaves you for another woman, your mystery author friend can advise you on how to fake your death and make it look like he killed you so that he will spend the rest of his life in jail for what he did.

8.       Your mystery author friend is more than happy to run a background check on that new mate you met online.

9.       On that first date, you can count on your mystery writing friend to tail you and your date all evening to make sure you don’t end up in a plot for their latest book … whether you want her to or not.

10.   We know what countries don’t have extradition.

So make a Mystery Writing friend today!

I’d love to make your acquaintances at any of my sites:

Website:  http://mysterylady.net/
                    http://acornbookservices.com/

Blog: Literary Wealth: http://literarywealth.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lauren.carr.984991

Gnarly’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GnarlyofMacFaradayMysteries