Saturday, October 31, 2020

On the Crossbar by Liz Flaherty #RomanceGems



I have spent the evening doing what I often do--thinking about what I should be doing. It's not that I'm lazy. Exactly. It's that my concentration is...lacking. It's not my fault if the sunset is glorious, is it? And that there's a utility pole standing at attention there. It's one of those wooden ones with a crossbar and a row of glass conductors on the bar and it looks as if the whole row is staring mesmerized at the pinkish-orangey-purply western horizon. So, can you blame me? If even a light pole can't look away, how can I?

Like every other time of year, this is my favorite. The colors have been spectacular here in the Midwest this fall, and they've hung on much longer than usual. It's like Mother Nature is patting us and saying, "There, there," because 2020's been so difficult and beauty makes everything more bearable. 

It's been a hard writing year for me. A year of maybes and outright rejections, of career corners that I can't seem to find my way around, of winding down before I'm sure I'm ready. I haven't completed a full-length book, although I'm close. And I may never write another one. That thought doesn't hurt as much as it used to, although there's still some sting to it.

But in this season of...not discontent, exactly...more like autumn itself, such lovely things have happened. My story, Something New, was part of Last Chance Beach: Summer's End and my novella, Wisdom of the Heart, is in Christmas Comes to Dickens. As a writer, there's not much that's better than being nestled in among talented friends. Writing these short stories and having all the feels while doing so have made the colors last so much longer and brighter and better than they might have. 

Stories always have beginnings, middles, and ends. Sometimes the middle sags, but sometimes you want it to go on for a really long time because even if the end is wonderful, you don't want the story to be over yet. That's where I am in my writing life. There on the crossbar watching the sunset. And hoping it lingers a while.

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Speaking of Facebook--weren't we?--we hope you join us tomorrow for a Facebook party. There will be lots of conversation, fun, and maybe a giveaway or two. https://www.facebook.com/groups/christmasindickens/





17 comments:

  1. As always, such a heartfelt and thoughtful post. I am such a fan of your writing, Liz. Have a happy Halloween!

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    1. Thank you, Maddie, and I return that compliment!

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  2. I can't wait to read Christmas Comes To Dickens. I immerse myself in all things Christmas in December and than includes all the Hallmark movies and all the books!

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    1. Me, too! Although I've already been "at it," today's really the day it starts for me.

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  3. I watched several Christmas movies while I was writing my novella for Christmas Comes To Dickens. I watch and read Christmas stories all year. Your post today perfectly expresses the way I feel lately. I do love, love, love your writing.

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    1. Thank you so much! I just finished really enjoying HOLIDAY HEARTS!

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  4. Sometimes we just need to sit and enjoy the beauty of life! There's nothing wrong with that!

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    1. I do lots of it, too. I have this great window...

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  5. Do you have room for me on that pole? Because there are days I feel exactly the same way. But that’s no surprise because you and I...we share a lot, I think. I have a special plan for myself over the dark days of winter and I hope to come out on the other side when spring blooms again. Enjoy the beauty Liz...each moment is all we have.

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    1. You are so right, and we need to enjoy those moments! Blessings to you in those dark days.

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    2. I forgot to say that the boxed sets were a wonderful bridge from my darkness to where I am now, which is much brighter than I’ve been for some time. I am looking forward to a cozy winter!

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  6. You're a wonderful writer. Don't despair. We chose a very challenging career. Sometimes one has to step away and then return to see the beauty of your own writing.

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    1. Thank you, Marcia. Did we choose it or did it run us down? Lol!

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  7. I'm sure that like me, everyone here has scrificed a lot to tell our stories, and sometimes we sacrafice too much, which is why it's good to step back, admire the beauty, smell the roses. Celebrate who we are and how far we've come. Liz, your words, book or blog, make the world a better place.

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    1. What a kind thing to say. It is so important to take the time, though, isn’t it?

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  8. As I'm often reminded, we have so many choices in life. In a way we're lucky, but in another it often means leaving or letting go of something else that stays behind us. One way or another, I know you'll go on. and it will be the right decision. I can tell by the strength and the thoughtfulness in your writing. Best to you. See you on that road.

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    1. Thank you, Nora. It’s not really lonely there, is it?

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