Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 201

What do you love to write?

You know, I love writing romance. Even more, I love writing (and reading!) women’s fiction. The fact that I’m published in romantic fiction thrills me as much now as it did 13 years ago when my first book came out. (Always Annie—long out of print but you can still find it.)          But I have a little secret. My favorite thing to write is an essay. Just a little 400-1200 piece on whatever captures my interest in the moment. I wrote a newspaper col...

The Lovebirds

I was absent from WordWranglers last week. Thanks so much Liz Flaherty and Cathy Shouse for filling in - I really appreciated it!

For those of you who don't know, we lost my grandmother last week, so we were on the road (travelling to Missouri, back home) and doing the family thing. You know what, though? It wasn't a sad, horrible, very bad thing. More a celebration of my grandmother's life, which I think is important. In addition to services, we grandkids were asked to come back to my grandmo...

Twice Blessed

 On June 4th, my debut book, Wild Horses, was released. It was more than a dream come true. It was 20 years of blood, sweat and tears. Yeah, I know, a cliche', but still true nevertheless. This book released in e-book format. Crimson started with that format with the plan to have PODs down the road.

My husband got me a Kindle for my birthday in July, and it was an unbelievable thrill to see my book on it. My book! I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying those two words! My book! My p...

Of Weddings, Writing Conferences, and Dirty Little Secrets

Welcome guest Cathy Shouse today with a new and more affordable look at conferences--and weddings!
There’s been some buzz about the Romance Writers of America national conference that happened in California a few weeks ago. Frankly, attending that event wasn’t in my budget this year. So I’ve tried to pull up my big girl panties, smile, and pretend I’m not green with envy.
Friday’s USA Today report that the average couple spends $26,989 on their wedding jolted me out of my funk. I was reminded...

Rules I Hate!

There aren’t that many rules I dislike, really. Once you show me the reason for a rule, show how it’s one that keeps others from harm, improves lives, makes people laugh, and creates overall improvement, I’m your girl. I’ll not only follow that rule, I’ll encourage others to as well. Oh, crap, maybe there are a lot of rules I hate, so I’ll stick to the writing ones. Here’s my list—we’ve gotten very listy over here on the Wranglers, haven’t we?

1. POV. One per scene. No head-hopping. Okay, I ca...

Smelling Underwear and Other Romantic Stuff

  Remember the days when people took the time to get to know each other? Boy and girl meet, they go out to dinner and a movie. If money's tight, maybe a picnic in the park. I've noticed that good old-fashioned romance has started to disappear.

 We have moved into the age of real-life romance being reduced to a form of scripted entertainment based on drama for higher ratings. Never been a The Bachelor or The Bachelorette fan, but I have watched those celebrity "looking for love" shows...

Tale of the Curly Sedge

Two years ago I came across a plant at the Farmer's Market called a Curly Sedge. I'd never seen it before and bought it because it was so unusual. 

It's kind of wiry, twisty green spiky plant. I bought it in a 3 gallon container and was told to keep it wet. You water it like a bamboo, keeping the water brimming along the top. 

Well, it was summer and I'm not always good about maintaining my plants when it gets super hot. If I close and I forget to do it in the morning--well, nothing g...

Changing the Scene

A few days ago (or maybe weeks, I'm terrible with time) someone asked me what I do when I get stuck. Technically, they asked what happens when I have writer's block, but I don't believe in writer's block and that led to an entire conversation in which said person was eye-rolling me...and we won't go there. So I'm rephrasing. Being stuck is quite different from wailing and moaning and gnashing-of-the-teeth because 'I'm blocked'.

Yes, I'm not feeling the pain. Let's move on before I really get g...

Lost and Finding my Way

            The last few weeks have been pretty tough. Three weeks ago on Wednesday, I lost my beloved little cat, Tangerine. I won't go through all the painful details again, but it was gut-wrenching. He was with us for over ten years, and much loved. If you want to know more, read my tribute to him, two Fridays past.
Tangerine with PK


 my book  Then, about a week ago, my 2nd publisher, Ruby Lioness Press, sent an abrupt email that...

Who's your heroine?

Skyler and Shea Wilson


          It seems I’m always borrowing these days! This weekend, I was reading Celia Yeary’s blog about heroes at celiayeary.blogspot.comand it got me thinking about heroines. I know it’s not a new subject, but I always think it’s interesting nonetheless.          When I judge contests, I’m notoriously hard on heroines. This isn’t fair, probably, because just as I don’t like everybody I meet, it...