Liz Lazarus's Blog, page 3
March 30, 2016
Official Launch Party
It's almost here - the official launch of my novel, Free of Malice, at Red Martini Bar in Buckhead, GA, on March 31st.
Thrilled to welcome guests to enjoy appetizers & drinks from the many Atlanta locations featured in the book, like Davio's, Fat Matt's, Mama Mia's, Joseph Drouhin wine and martini's from Red Martini!
And, Thomas Barnette will be singing the theme song to the book, Let Me Breathe!
Look for party pics on my AuthorLizLazarus FB page.
Thanks,
Liz
Thrilled to welcome guests to enjoy appetizers & drinks from the many Atlanta locations featured in the book, like Davio's, Fat Matt's, Mama Mia's, Joseph Drouhin wine and martini's from Red Martini!
And, Thomas Barnette will be singing the theme song to the book, Let Me Breathe!
Look for party pics on my AuthorLizLazarus FB page.
Thanks,
Liz
March 9, 2016
Free of Malice: Omitted Chapter
Pondering the Omitted Chapter
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, writing a novel is not for the faint of heart. You pour your heart, soul, and creativity onto the page and hope your readers will fall in love your characters, flow with your storyline, note your realistic dialogue and gift for turning a tale. Sounds so poetic, right?
After finishing the galley for Free of Malice, my first editor suggested that I cut this chapter from the book, as it wasn’t “advancing the story”. While I agreed and nixed the chapter from the final version of the book–it resides on my computer as the omitted chapter. I peek at it periodically and wonder…did I do the right thing? Though it doesn’t necessarily advance the story, it does give more insight into the nature of the husband, Chris. As we approach the official launch of the book, I’m sharing it with you on my blog. What do you think? Was it right to cut or I should have left it in?
OMITTED CHAPTER – Friday, July 7 before dinner, Houston’s parking lot
We took Chris’ charcoal Infiniti FX35 toward Buckhead and Houston’s restaurant. A crowd had already formed outside on the top deck, so Chris dropped me off at the door to put our name on the waiting list while he went in search of a parking spot in the packed lower lot below.
As I waited in line at the hostess stand, I watched Chris’ Infiniti zipping over to a spot where a yellow Volkswagen bug was about to leave. I could picture Chris tapping the steering wheel as he waited impatiently. Even his car looked restless; the blinker clicking, ready to snatch the coveted space. As the bug backed out toward Chris’ car, a black Miata darted into the space blatantly stealing the spot.
Chris’ horn blared. I could picture the gesture he must be making. A guy about 5’9″ in a black double-breasted suit got out of the driver’s side and a buxom bleached blonde in a tight red mini dress stepped out of the passenger side. The guy shouted something at Chris, flipped him off, and then he and his date walked up the stairs to the deck where I was still standing in line. Chris’ Infiniti squealed off and drove the full length of the parking lot to find another space on the far edge.
Oh, boy, he’s pissed.
From a distance, I watched my husband get out of his car and stomp toward the restaurant like a boy whose precious toys had been taken. Instead of coming straight up the stairs to me, he went out of his way to pass the Miata in the “stolen” parking space, stopped by the front of the car and then mounted the stairs.
I was now first in line at the hostess stand and waved to Chris so he would see me. He waved back and then noticed the black suit and red mini dress four people behind me. A huge grin came over his face.
As Chris passed the couple, he deliberately bumped into the guy and said “Excuse me.” He flashed a cocky smile and then strutted up to me and kissed me on the cheek. The hostess gave us our pager, told us it would be a ninety minute wait and suggested we grab a drink. As we maneuvered toward the inside bar, Chris deliberately took my hand and led me back toward the black suit and red mini dress who were still waiting in line. He leaned over to the guy and said, “I couldn’t help but notice your front right tire looks a bit flat. You might want to check it.” A look of rage came over the guy’s face as we walked off.
“Oh no, what did you do?” I asked in a hushed voice. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Just tell me that guy isn’t going to pour his drink on us or anything.”
“I think we’re safe, but he did steal my parking spot.”
“I saw. You didn’t let the air out of his tire, did you?”
“No, besides, carrying that tub of lard in the passenger seat will probably deflate the tire on its own.”
“Chris!” I admonished.
“Let’s forget it. You know, I will say this. There is justice in the world. Look at them, they cut me off, yet they‘re the ones still waiting in line.”
Chris’ comment resonated with me. If there was justice in the world, then I wondered what would happen to him?
What do you think? Was it right to cut the chapter or I should have left it in? Please take the poll on my blog by March 16, 2016.
Yours in thrill-seeking.
Liz
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, writing a novel is not for the faint of heart. You pour your heart, soul, and creativity onto the page and hope your readers will fall in love your characters, flow with your storyline, note your realistic dialogue and gift for turning a tale. Sounds so poetic, right?After finishing the galley for Free of Malice, my first editor suggested that I cut this chapter from the book, as it wasn’t “advancing the story”. While I agreed and nixed the chapter from the final version of the book–it resides on my computer as the omitted chapter. I peek at it periodically and wonder…did I do the right thing? Though it doesn’t necessarily advance the story, it does give more insight into the nature of the husband, Chris. As we approach the official launch of the book, I’m sharing it with you on my blog. What do you think? Was it right to cut or I should have left it in?
OMITTED CHAPTER – Friday, July 7 before dinner, Houston’s parking lot
We took Chris’ charcoal Infiniti FX35 toward Buckhead and Houston’s restaurant. A crowd had already formed outside on the top deck, so Chris dropped me off at the door to put our name on the waiting list while he went in search of a parking spot in the packed lower lot below.
As I waited in line at the hostess stand, I watched Chris’ Infiniti zipping over to a spot where a yellow Volkswagen bug was about to leave. I could picture Chris tapping the steering wheel as he waited impatiently. Even his car looked restless; the blinker clicking, ready to snatch the coveted space. As the bug backed out toward Chris’ car, a black Miata darted into the space blatantly stealing the spot.
Chris’ horn blared. I could picture the gesture he must be making. A guy about 5’9″ in a black double-breasted suit got out of the driver’s side and a buxom bleached blonde in a tight red mini dress stepped out of the passenger side. The guy shouted something at Chris, flipped him off, and then he and his date walked up the stairs to the deck where I was still standing in line. Chris’ Infiniti squealed off and drove the full length of the parking lot to find another space on the far edge.
Oh, boy, he’s pissed.
From a distance, I watched my husband get out of his car and stomp toward the restaurant like a boy whose precious toys had been taken. Instead of coming straight up the stairs to me, he went out of his way to pass the Miata in the “stolen” parking space, stopped by the front of the car and then mounted the stairs.
I was now first in line at the hostess stand and waved to Chris so he would see me. He waved back and then noticed the black suit and red mini dress four people behind me. A huge grin came over his face.
As Chris passed the couple, he deliberately bumped into the guy and said “Excuse me.” He flashed a cocky smile and then strutted up to me and kissed me on the cheek. The hostess gave us our pager, told us it would be a ninety minute wait and suggested we grab a drink. As we maneuvered toward the inside bar, Chris deliberately took my hand and led me back toward the black suit and red mini dress who were still waiting in line. He leaned over to the guy and said, “I couldn’t help but notice your front right tire looks a bit flat. You might want to check it.” A look of rage came over the guy’s face as we walked off.
“Oh no, what did you do?” I asked in a hushed voice. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Just tell me that guy isn’t going to pour his drink on us or anything.”
“I think we’re safe, but he did steal my parking spot.”
“I saw. You didn’t let the air out of his tire, did you?”
“No, besides, carrying that tub of lard in the passenger seat will probably deflate the tire on its own.”
“Chris!” I admonished.
“Let’s forget it. You know, I will say this. There is justice in the world. Look at them, they cut me off, yet they‘re the ones still waiting in line.”
Chris’ comment resonated with me. If there was justice in the world, then I wondered what would happen to him?
What do you think? Was it right to cut the chapter or I should have left it in? Please take the poll on my blog by March 16, 2016.
Yours in thrill-seeking.
Liz
Free of Malice – The Omitted Chapter
Pondering the Omitted Chapter As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, writing a novel is not for the faint of heart. You pour your heart, soul, and creativity on to the page and hope your readers will fall in love your characters, flow with your storyline, note your realistic dialogue and gift for turning a tale.…
February 18, 2016
Judging a Book By Its Cover
There’s a funny story about the profile on my book cover. Years ago, one of my work colleagues decided to be silly and Xerox his face. (Let’s be glad he chose the face – could have been worse!) The picture came out so blurred and creepy that you couldn’t tell who he was. I actually…
February 10, 2016
Free of Malice: New Cover Reveal
I’m thrilled to share the new cover for my upcoming novel, Free of Malice.
I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the poll on social media. I appreciate your feedback and support.
Without further ado, drum roll please! What do you think of the new cover? Let me…
View more on Liz Lazarus's website
I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the poll on social media. I appreciate your feedback and support.
Without further ado, drum roll please! What do you think of the new cover? Let me…
View more on Liz Lazarus's website
February 9, 2016
Free of Malice: New Cover Reveal
Free of Malice: New Cover Reveal I’m thrilled to share the new cover for my upcoming novel, Free of Malice. I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the poll on social media. I appreciate your feedback and support. Without further ado, drum roll please! What do you think of the new cover? Let me…
February 2, 2016
10 Little-Known Tips for New Authors
10 Things Every First-Time Self-Publishing Author Should Know I love late night talk shows. (I’m staying up late to catch Clooney on Jimmy Kimmel.) I adored Leno’s monologues (still miss him, though I marvel at Jimmy Fallon’s talent), but Letterman had the trademark on the Top 10. So as a tribute to late night icons…
January 25, 2016
$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card Giveaway
Do you have the month-end blues? Is your credit card payment due with your holiday expenditures? Did the snow or inclement weather ruin your weekend plans? Let me brighten your day. I have a little gift so you can treat yourself (or someone else) to a new read. Enter TODAY to win a $25 Barnes &…
January 17, 2016
Writing a book is like getting to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
How many edits, editors and proof cycles does it take to write a book? “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? One, two, three, CRUNCH! Uhm, three!” How many proofreads does it take an author get to the final version of her book? One, two, ten,…
January 13, 2016
Thank You, Lady Gaga
On Thursday, Lady Gaga was nominated for an Oscar for her original song “Til It Happens To You” from CNN’s “The Hunting Ground” documentary on finding justice for college rape survivors. In a statement, Gaga dedicated her nomination to sexual assault survivors. “This nomination lends a voice to so many victims and their families around…
