Liz Tyner - Liz's Latest

Writing 101: Overwhelmed By a Lily

1/25/2020

Writing a manuscript can seem a bit daunting. This bug is inspecting a flower and seems overwhelmed. But it's just a lily. And while it truly is a magnificent flower, from his perspective, he could get trapped inside.

Sometimes people writing a book get trapped inside the first three chapters.

The beginning of the book is setting the stage for the reader. The story needs to take off, and the characters need their own world.

Just jump in, and don't get lost inside. Turn the page. Step back.

I didn't stick around to see what happened to the little bug. But I hope—instead of being overwhelmed, he took it all in perspective and found what he was looking for.

Buffalo

1/18/2020

In my childhood, I heard the stories of the buffalo being slaughtered on the plains. I was also aware of the efforts to reintroduce buffalo in my area.

Now, I live relatively close to two herds that I can visit, and while they're not a common sight on the plains, they're not difficult to get a photo of.

They always seem peaceable to me, but I have a respect for them. Some can weigh 1100 pounds, and I wouldn't want to make one angry.

January 11th, 2020

1/11/2020

I rarely tire of trying to catch a photo of an animal in it's natural surroundings...or even looking natural in a zoo. But these birds are from my yard, and I'm fortunate to have them in the area.

Writing: How Do I Get Past Chapter One?

1/4/2020

If your New Year's Resolution is to write a book, go for it. Four tips for getting started:

Dive in.
Don't worry about getting it perfect the first time.
Chain yourself to the chair. Set three appointment times on your phone, and have three dates a week to be in the chair until you're finished. Or...five dates.
Get positive reinforcement from your characters. You've left them hanging. The poor little ones won't have a life—a happy ending—or another breath until you get back in there and wrestle with them. Can you do that to your little ones? (I hope not!)

The Woods In Darkness

12/28/2019

The two previous pictures are some of my favorites caught by the trail camera.
I also have some from the back yard that I continue to enjoy.

The birdhouses have a short lifespan sometimes. I discovered one on the ground broken, and evidence of the culprits who benefited from the crime.

All's fair in love and birdseed.

Merry Christmas!

12/21/2019

Decorating 10 mini-Christmas trees in 20 minutes probably isn't recommended. I should have fluffed them out a bit first, and I could tell that their lack of perfection concerned others. I should have said, "Go ahead. Finish them however you wish." And meant it.

I realize that my version of Christmas decorating had been started by my mother many years before. She let us put the tree up, and then she basically left the room. We had the decorations and could do with them as we wished. She didn't complain, or comment, if I remember correctly. She may have told us, "Lights first," but I'm not sure.

She let us enjoy the process and our creativity. I'm sure it was easier for her to do as she had her hands full with her day-to-day duties. I'm also sure our decorating would never have won any positive awards. But, the end result was that our mother won all our hearts for nurturing us as she did.

In her later years, I realize she may have regretted allowing me so much freedom in my creativity. My Christmas cards moved away from traditional good cheer and took more of a Bad Elf phase.

Now, I see myself returning to the traditions...but maybe not entirely. Ten trees in 20 minutes. And without glitter or spray paint.

Merry Christmas!

Photo: My dining room table and a traditional Christmas display.

Writing 101: Procrastination

12/21/2019

Procrastination is to writing what Scrooge is to Christmas.

Charles Dickens said that procrastination is the thief of time.

While I was looking that up, I saw a bunch of other things online about procrastination which pulled me their direction.

You can't write a book when "more important" things are pulling you away.

Just make sure they are more important to you. Is it really how you want to spend your time?

If it is...go for it. You can always, always write that book next year. Well, not that book. You'll have a different idea for a different book eventually. But you can always write that the year after.

Those little characters inside your head might give up on you, and wander off into another person's head.

The answer to procrastination?

Prioritize.

Gifts for the One Who Has Everything

12/14/2019

While watching a podcast about Microsoft founder Bill Gates, I noticed that reading was very important to him. It was suggested that for the person who has everything, a book is the perfect gift.

So, I started imagining which book of mine would be best for Bill. I think Saying I Do to the Scoundrel will fit because the heroine has a business-like spirit when she hires her own kidnapper.

For Ms. Gates, I would recommend Redeeming the Roguish Rake because the heroine deeply believes in helping others.

In case Oprah needs a gift, I'd suggest To Win a Wallflower because the underlying theme of the book is about women's empowerment.

Saying I Do to the Scoundrel

12/7/2019

Perhaps choosing a man who falls asleep in the tavern isn't the first choice for a business partner, but in Saying I Do to the Scoundrel, it was the right business partner.

Even though this story is mostly set in the London countryside in the early 1800's, I feel it has a touch of the American west in it.

Excerpt:

He moved his head sideways, but his eyes remained on her. He stated, ‘You’re kidnapping yourself for the money?’

He saw the prim set of her shoulders. The clothing she wore, too much warmth for the weather, hadn’t been cobbled together by a person saving on expense. The ridiculous lace around the edge of her cloak and her ribbons didn’t come without a price.

‘Yes. It’s only a pittance of what I should have. My stepfather’s taken it all.’

‘You believe he’ll pay the ransom?’ He was more than curious. He was interested.

‘Yes. He wants me to marry his nephew, Fillmore.’ She leaned closer. ‘My stepfather does just as his nephew says. They are closer than a father and a son.’ She waved her gloved hand.

She shook her head. ‘Fillmore believes I should be his bride. I cannot take a step when he is in the house without watching for him and he is getting more and more determined every day. Rooms are being painted for him and furniture reupholstered. When that is finished next month, he is planning to move into the house—as my husband. I must be gone before then.’

He eyed the chit. ‘All I need to do is kidnap you—but you will be willingly kidnapped. Secure the ransom. Take my half and we part friends."

Trail Cameras Revisited

12/1/2019

The number one rule when you're placing a trail camera in the woods is to remember that it is a small, dark colored box, and it's no fun returning to look for a small dark colored box in a forest. Remember to make a mental note of exactly where you put the camera.

Animals know that it's easier to walk a trail, just like humans, so look for a place that already has a lot of animal tracks. Also, put the camera facing North or South so you won't get the sunrise and sunset glare. As tempting as it is to put the camera at eye level, a few feet from the ground will probably work best. You're not looking for things that stand six feet tall.

If you set your trail camera on video, be aware that the batteries will drain fast. The time it will take you to look through those videos is longer too.

Expect to take a hundred photos for one good one, or more. That's a conservative estimate. It might be more fun to put the camera near a bird feeder at first so you can decide if it's worth it.

If you decide you enjoy the cameras, think of investing in several. With three cameras, and a space of three days between changing the card, you can have quite a few pictures with less time maintaining the cameras. Each time you buy a camera, buy two cards, so you can switch the cards as you walk through the woods or back yard. Then, when you're in the house, you can view them on the computer.

You can buy a viewer, but I've decided against it. And you can spend more, and have the pictures sent to your computer. But, the most important thing you'll need is patience.

Start simple. See if you like it and have enough nature to keep you interested. You might discover that you have a thriving community of animals that roam your yard after dark