Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 129

November, sweet memories, and Turkey Run

In May of this year, seven other writers and I went to Turkey Run State Park for a retreat. It was a
time some of us needed, some of us just wanted, and all of us enjoyed. We ate, we brainstormed, we talked, we firmed up friendships that had been firm anyway, we drank wine. I had the best time and I hope the others did, too, but I remember whining a little to Nan that I didn't get as much work done as I would have liked.

Several months later, an opportunity came up to write a short Thanks...

Where Dreams Come True

I recently returned from a week in Orlando, Florida. I wish I could say I am well rested from a relaxing vacation, but alas I am not. Happy, yes. Filled with wonderful memories, yes. Looking forward to the next vacation, yes. Rested?? Not in the least. We tend to go at full throttle on vacation. Proof: I lost five pounds, and that certainly was not from watching what I ate (except to watch it go in my mouth.)

The reason for our exhaustion is simple: Disney World.

We love Disney World. We geek a...

The Ideas That Stay With Us

By Margie Senechal

As writers, we always have ideas. Some great, some good, others bad. 

We sift through our ideas to find the ones that will sustain. Usually it takes writing a few chapters to decide if the idea has legs to go the marathon of a novel.

And then there are some ideas that just stick with us in recesses of our brains tucked away in a tiny little drawer called ideas. Or Stuff I want to write someday.

Years ago I was in an online writing exercise group. I wrote genres I'd never e...

Grown Up Coloring - What's the Fuss About?

We all have our different ways to dealing with creativity (or the lack of it). Margie likes to puzzle, Liz is a quilter. Usually when I'm blocked or don't know what to do with my manuscripts, I go for a walk or I sew.

For the past several months the interwebz have been awash in the latest creativity craze: adult coloring. Experts (and coloring book designers) insist coloring is a great way to de-stress, to be creative, to unblock those writing blocks.

News outlets have interviewed all kinds of...

I Bring the Happy...

I’ve been thinking a lot about the new book, well, books. I haven't been writing much and I know that a lot of that has to do with the fact that I'm still grieving Kate, but it's also that I've let other stuff take priority, mostly the paying gigs. I love editing, especially romance novels and now I'm getting to do so much more of that kind of work. I'm amazed at how much romance is out there and how much more respect romance novelists are getting.

In April, at the IRWA miniconference, Lani D...

Of pinnacles and Pollyanna

It is no surprise to anyone how Pollyannish I am, because I tell you about it every time I turn around. One day last week, A Heartwarming Christmas, the boxed set I’m a proud part of, hit the USA Today bestseller list. How cool would it have been, I thought, if that had happened when I was in my 30s and had more energy and more ambition and more books left to write? Because I’m 65 years old—also no surprise; I tell you that, too—and I’m tired by noon and ambition is only the difference betwee...

My Anti-Bucket List…

The Wranglers are pleased to welcome Louise Lyndon to the round corral. Louise grew up in country Victoria, Australia, before moving to England, where for sixteen years she soaked up the vibrancy of London and the medieval history of England. She has since returned to Australia and now lives in Melbourne.

In 2013, Louise won first prize in the historical romance category of the Crested Butte Sandy Writing Contest for her story, The Promise, which has since been retitled and is now known a...

Not a Drinking Game, but it does Involve Wine

Let’s keep running with the wine theme this week. Last week, I waxed eloquent (snicker!) about the terroir of character. This week, I pose the question: If your favorite character was a wine, what wine would he/she be?

In an attempt to be somewhat universal in my example, I’ve chosen the “Pride & Prejudice” Characters (as portrayed in the BBC mini-series):
Jane Bennet. Something light, sweet, and inoffensive. Probably a Moscato or Spanish Vinho Verde.
Mr. Bingley. Bubbly and a little ef...

Puzzling It Out

by Margie Senechal

This is my view this morning out my writing window. I moved the bird feeder and house into that tree for that specific reason. Sometimes I just aimlessly stare out the window at them. And at my wishing wells. I have three of them  in my yard. They're pretty tattered at this point, but they inspire me to dream. As does this view.

I call it plotting. As I am not an outliner or plotter, being able to be still and study a tree, birdhouse, and wishing well are integral to my...

I'm A Sports Girl!

I've always known I was a sports girl. When I was really little I can remember being in the barn with my grandfather and the radio would be whatever channel had a baseball or football game. My grandfather didn't cheer loudly, mostly he got whatever work he was doing done, but every now and then, when the announcers voices would get wild with excitement, I would see him clutch his tools a little tighter in his fist or nod his head emphatically.

When I was a young teenager, the Royals - who were...