Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 110

When to Say "The End"?

I haven’t blogged much about writing these last few (several?) weeks. Mostly because I haven’t been writing. I typed “the end” on my WIP, reviewed it a few times for plot and writing issues, sent it to my Betas for their thoughts, then reviewed it a few more times for plot and writing issues, then sent it to my editor for a final look-over and grammar/punctuation correction.

And while the story was in her lap, I wandered aimlessly, thought about working on book #3, decided to not to start wor...

Too Stupid To--Look! Squirrel

by Margie Senechal
 
In the writing world, we have something we call, "too stupid to live characters". You've met them, they're the ones who die early in a horror movie. 

I went to see the new Jason Bourne movie on Tuesday and while it was good--not great, sorry Matt--there was a returning character who did such stupid stuff she didn't deserve to last the movie. I just kept thinking, "You've been working for Treadstone (the ultra-secret CIA program of assassins) and you don't realize t...

#WriterWednesday: A Little Affirmation

Sunrise near Grand CaymanI don't think there is anything more beautiful or affirming than a sunrise at sea. It's okay if you don't feel the same, but for me there is something very magical about the sun rising out of the dark ocean, how it lights the sky on fire, and how one minute it is truly dark and the next, alive.

There are times when the least-affirming job in the world is to be a writer. Times when putting a single sentence together is beyond our grasp. I have those moments. Every write...

Me? Really?

You know, it's funny how we don't always think about how others see us until something unexpected comes along that shows you that others' impressions of you are completely out of whack with your own idea of yourself. And inside that convoluted thought is a real moment of self-discovery for me.This is going somewhere, I promise . . .

In the past few months, I've had several invitations/opportunities to blog or speak about writing, either as Editor Nan or Author Nan. I've never considered mysel...

The unappreciated gift

It's scary to me, this lack of interest I suddenly have in writing. I finished my WIP last week...or maybe the week before. I've been busy with promo--yuck--and with trying frantically to get involved in another story. But it's not working.

I have several beginnings I like. A proposal for a series has been with my publisher for at least ever if not longer. A sequel to Home to Singing Trees that is half done. A fix-up-and-release of Always Annie, my first book ever. The idea of editing and...

Life-Lessons from the Kitties

I haven't been writing much these past few weeks. With WIP #2 at the editor and contest judging season upon me, writing has taken a back-seat. So I don't have writing-related blogs. But life-related blogs, I have a-plenty.
We have two nearly-grown kittens in our house, and they have provided a wealth of entertainment for the family as they’ve grown and evolved their individual characters. Watching Jake and Sugar has also provided some quality life-lessons, many of which I should heed.

Take Nap...

A Walk On The Bright Side

by Margie Senechal
 
My husband likes to play this game, "Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

I hate this game. As any writer can tell you, the bad news that pops into our heads is cataclysmically bad. Not just your average bad. So, I always take the bad news first to get it out of the way. And usually, it's not really bad news just not great news.

That said, I'm going to play this game with you. 

Bad news: I received a rejection from Deidre Knight after getting *liked* in a twi...

What to Do After Writing The End

My friend, Jill Kemerer, had a great blog last week about three things we should do after finishing a manuscript - they're all great tips and ideas. Most of them I do (in my own version), but a few were new-to-me tips. Last week I finished two projects - one full manuscript and another proposal - so the blog was especially timely for me because I was in that just-finished place.

One thing I do that Jill doesn't mention is take a break. It's a short break, usually a day...or if I turn something...

Random Stuff Because I'm a Ditz . . .

Oh, Wranglers, I confess I spaced today's post. Some stuff is going on in my life that isn't for posting here and although that's not an excuse, it is a reason. So you know what? I'm just going to give you all some fun links today...interesting stuff that you might enjoy and also, some Sam because . . . well, because Sam is always a good idea.

An interesting article about authors and self-promo:
http://www.whimsydark.com/blog/2015/4/13/please-shut-up-why-self-promotion-as-an-author-doesnt-work

A...

What I love in a book...and what I don't

There are things in romantic fiction that will make me turn page after page, reading as quickly as I can and then whining because the book ends too soon. In no particular order, some of these things are:

Humor. Not slapstick or stupid or even usually overt. Just the kind that makes you snort surprised laughter then look around and see if anyone heard you. Nora Roberts is classic at this. So are Robyn Carr, Muriel Jensen, Kristan Higgins, Julie James, and a huge et cetera. When I find an author...