Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 103

Adventures in Surrey #SIWC16

Don Maass giving the closing keynote at SIWC 2016
I spent the weekend of October 20 – 23, 2016 at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference in Surrey, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver. I had an absolutely fabulous time. This conference was a boost of inspiration. It was also the kick in the pants I needed.

I arrived on Thursday morning and in the afternoon I took in Diana Gabaldon’s master class on Writing Sex Scenes. I figure if anyone knows how to write sex it’s her. And she didn’t...

The World Series... More than Just Baseball

I am not a sports person. My lack of interest--and therefore knowledge--in sports is so bad that
when I moved to Chicago years ago for a job, a friend of mine had to explain the various teams to me. The memo went something like this:

The Bears are football. The Bulls are basketball.
The White Sox and the Cubs are baseball. And if you don’t root for the Cubs over the White Sox, you’re no friend of mine.

Well, I can honestly say that it may have taken me a few *cough*cough* years, but I was definit...

Interesting Times

I voted. Last night, my family sat down with our mail-in ballots and went over the candidates and issues in our state, made our decisions, and mailed our ballots. I am so glad to have that over and done with. Phew...

And I must say, I am so thankful to live in a state where all voting is done via the mail. For one thing, who really does the research on the community issues beforehand? I know we didn't. And if you vote in a booth, you can't really pull out your pamphlet or research on the inter...

It's the Best Of Worst Of Fall

I've been in a little bit of a 'best of times/worst of times' mood the past week or so - and it has everything to do with the changing weather.

Spring and Autumn are my favorite seasons (although I love all four of them, at least for the first couple weeks of each), but fall is definitely my favorite-favorite. Except when the changing weather patterns got a little haywire. Yeah, hasn't been a banner few days here at Casa Knight - the kiddo has come down with bronchitis, which is aggravated by...

A Seasoned Rebel

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About Facebook...

I am a fan of Facebook. It’s the only social media I take much active part in, and I spend more time than I should over there, just scrolling and laughing with my kids and checking in on nieces and nephews. 
I post things, too. About blog posts, book releases, book sales, sunrises, and my grandkids. (My cats are snobs—I don’t post about them.) I tell everyone Happy Birthday, mourn losses with people to whom I have a vicarious online attachment, and pray for whoever asks for it. I laugh up...

My Four-Legged Colleagues

I’d like to introduce you to my colleagues at the day job. No, not my human colleagues, though they’re a pretty great bunch. I’d like you to meet some of my four-legged buddies.

We have a dog friendly office and so some of my colleagues enjoy bringing their pets to work. Some only come occasionally, but a couple come every day. There are some rules. The dogs stay in their owners’ offices; no running wild and free. Mostly. I love having them with us. There’s nothing like a little cuddle or a we...

Random Post-Vacation Thoughts

Hmmmm... I wonder what the
weather is like back home....Well, I’m back from my Disney World vacation, emotionally refreshed (if still a little physically exhausted) and trying to get back into the swing of reality. Hence why my post is more random than normal (randomer than normal?).

While I haven’t begun writing again, I see a light at the end of the tunnel to get there. Namely, the Indiana RWA’s November Retreat coming up mid-November. I’m looking forward to a long weekend with my fello...

Life In Balance

by Margie Senechal

Every year, about this time, I go through this dance with Nanowrimo. "Should I or shouldn't I?" "Will I or won't I?" "Can I or can't I?"

So, last week I sat down to write a pro and con list. However, the list got a little argumentative--as in the con side sounded a bit like a snarky devil on my shoulder.

Pro: I could focus on something new.
Con: But, will you?

Pro:I have my schedule a month in advance so I can plan my writing time.
Con: Writing time? (evil laughter)

Pro: I think I...

Romance, Teach Me Something

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog for the Pink Heart Society on things I've learned from writing romance novels.  This isn't a repeat of that post, but bebe's been sick for the past few days, and her being sick has put a big, old, slowdown on writing. Because there are breathing treatments and medicine doses and doctor visits and game playing (because despite not feeling great, 8 year olds need entertainment when they are sick). I'm used to this. Those of you who know us, know t...