It’s always great to have Liz as a guest on our blog! And I’m in awe of how prolific she is–read on and prepare to be wowed!
Thanks for having me back, Chicks. I feel like I was just here. Maybe because I was. Anyway.
A little over a month ago, I release Shattered Sight, the first book in a new series, The Jackson Davis Mysteries. For those of you keeping score at home, yes, it is a third series. On April 8, the sixth book in The Homefront Mysteries, The Lies We Live, released. That makes book 13 and 14. I still have two more books in The Laurel Highlands series – this fall’s Silent Witness and book 9, which I haven’t started yet. There will be three more Homefront books for a total of 9) and two more Jackson books (for a total of 3). Which, if I never write anything else, will give me a total of (grabs calculator) 21 published books. I think. Numbers and I have a tenuous relationship.
Why do I mention this? Well, as I type, I’m looking at the alumni magazine for my alma mater. This summer, I will attend my 30-year college reunion. A college friend sent me a text this morning (she just finished reading The Lies We Live.) “OMG you…”
A few minutes later, this was followed by a GIF of a woman falling backward with the caption “Seriously? I can’t even…”
Did I think I’d be here 30 years ago?
Oh heck no.
Thirty years ago, I thought I’d be a teacher. Writing a novel was the furthest thing from my mind. There are writers who start their bios with “I started writing with a crayon…” I am not one of them.
I fell into writing fiction the way I fell into being a software technical writer. It just happened. One day, I said, “I like murder mysteries. How hard can it be to write one?”
Cue insane laughter.
It can take a long time to find the thing you were meant to do. The thing that lights you up inside. For my day job, I am taking an online course and the latest module talked about “flow.” This is when you are so deep in what you are doing, time ceases to exist. You look up and it is hours later – but you hadn’t noticed because you were so absorbed in your activity.
Writing fiction is my flow. No matter how hair-pulling the process is, no matter how much I think, “I am never going to get out of this pickle,” there is nothing (well, very few things) I’d rather be doing. I sit down at my computer at noon and before I know it, it’s one-thirty and I have to return to the day job (I’m late, to be honest). I wish I could stay there for the rest of the afternoon – but the day job pays better.
Where am I going with this? I’ll tell you. People look at me and wonder if I am insane writing books in three active series. Maybe, but I think that’s part of “flow” – it’s a little crazy. Other people may not understand it – not unless they have the same flow – but that doesn’t matter. The only person who has to understand is you. And maybe your significant other, who does have to put up with you when you’re in that state after all. It’s not crazy to you. It’s life-giving. Maybe you make money off of it, maybe you don’t. It’s not about the money. It’s a heady feeling, kind of like runner’s high, when you are in the zone and things are clicking.
That’s where life is. When you’re in the “flow.”
May you find your flow – whatever it may be.
Readers, what’s the activity that puts you in your “flow”? Comment to win a print or ebook copy of either Shattered Sight or The Lies We Live (US only for print copies – sorry).
ABOUT LIZ:
Liz Milliron is the Shamus award-nominated author of The Homefront Mysteries, The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series, and The Jackson Davis Mysteries. Her short fiction has been published in multiple anthologies. Liz is a member of Pennwriters, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and The Historical Novel Society and is the current Secretary of the Pittsburgh chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Education Liaison for the National SinC board. Liz lives in the Laurel Highlands with her husband and a very spoiled retired-racer greyhound.
ABOUT SHATTERED SIGHT:
NIAGARA FALLS POLICE DETECTIVE JACKSON DAVIS IS LIVING A LIE.
He has the perfect life: married, two children, a home, a promising career.
Underneath, however, he battles self-doubt and guilt over the explosion during the pursuit of a suspect that cost his partner her sight and her career. He denies having PTSD or any trauma related to the event, but those around him know better.
When Jackson returns to active duty and is tapped to lead the investigation into the death of a prominent local business woman, all of this comes to the forefront. He must learn to work with a new partner and deal with his personal demons if he is to catch the killer—or he risks losing it all.
Chicks on the Case 
I’m excited to hear about your new series, Liz, and I applaud you for your ability to write multiple series at the same time. I also have several series published (Natalie McMasters, Sherlock Holmes, and the 3M Detective Agency) but I find myself able to work on only one at a time–that is, I have to finish one book before starting another. I suppose this stems from a deep-seated fear of not being able to finish what I started, although there’s no reason for it with a dozen novels completed.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m in awe of both you and Liz, Tom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, Tom. I can’t draft more than one book at a time. But I can edit one while drafting another. That allows for a little overlap in work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats, Liz, on all your series! Wishing you the very best with the new one! I’m definitely in the flow when writing…or reading. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jen. That’s the best part, isn’t it? Just being right there feeling that “writer’s high.”
Although I wouldn’t say no to a big fat royalty check, either. LOL
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha! Same!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I’m singing in my chorus–that’s when I’m in the flow. We rehearsed the Mozart Requiem last night, and those three hours just zipped by.
Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, Liz, and congrats on the new series. Hurrah!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Leslie. I sang and played violin in my high school orchestra. Music is a great way to get in a flow.
LikeLiked by 3 people
High school orchestra da bomb! (I played clarinet in mine–and in the concert and marching band.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanted to play clarinet, because what I really wanted to play was saxophone and you had to start with clarinet.
Grandma did not approve.
LikeLike
Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing, Leslie! You’re so accomplished!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz, congrats on the new series – and your incredibly productivity! How do you do it? I can barely write 2 series a year.
As to flow, I honestly don’t know if I’m ever in it. My ADD gets in the way. I don’t think I’ve ever had the experience where time went by and I had no idea. I wish!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, make no mistake Ellen – I’m still only writing two books a year. I’m putting the one series on hiatus until 2026.
Great seeing you at Malice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Three cheers to you on the new releases, Liz! Back in my cycling days, I got in the flow a lot. Spinning the pedals as I listened to music and enjoyed the scenery was the best! Alas, a balky knee decided for me that I needed to retire. I miss that feeling. Writing comes close, though!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, J.C. Runner’s high, writer’s high, cycler’s high – all pretty similar, huh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, too bad, JC, but glad that writing gives you a similar feeling!
LikeLike
Baking makes me feel that way. When I have tried multiple new recipes and they are all successful I feel like I am in the flow.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Cheri, my daughter likes to bake. She’d agree with you! Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Liz! I am beyond impressed at how many books you’ve managed to finish. But now I know your secret: flow. I have been in a flow state before and it’s amazing when that happens. It’s usually when I’m working on a novel project — and by that I don’t mean fiction, but a new challenge. Now I just need to figure how to make that a more regular occurrence! (“Hey Alexa, find my flow” …?)
Thanks for your awesome and inspiring post! 😻
LikeLiked by 3 people
If only calling Alexa or Siri would do the trick, right? LOL
LikeLike
Congrats on the new series. We are definitely the beneficiaries of you finding your flow.
(No need to enter me in the giveaway since I’ve already read the book. But if you haven’t read it yet, enter. It’s great!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Mark. Great seeing you at Malice!
LikeLike
Reading puts me “in the flow,” at least fiction that’s snared my interest (a history textbook, not so much). Movies can do the same thing.
Your books sound promising; please enter me in the giveaway (print books are the best prizes!).
LikeLiked by 3 people
Mary, I can definitely lose track of time while immersed in a good book.
LikeLike
Watching basketball puts me in my flow. That and reading cozies!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Congrats on being the giveaway winner, Linda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice surprise! Thank you!
LikeLike
Linda, my son is a big basketball fan, so he would be right there with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Liz! I’m such an admirer of you and your books. (And wow, that’s quite a library you’ve created!) There’s nothing better than a sudden writing flow–but I often experience the reverse, lol. A walk on the beach in early morning or evening when not many others are there is my best creative flow inducer.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Being outside in nature is a great way to get in the flow.
Great seeing you at Malice!
LikeLike
Sorry to be so late but I just wanted to say thanks for visiting–and to say how much I love this! > “The thing that lights you up inside”
Congratulations on your new series and yes, wow, you are so very prolific! It’s amazing and impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cynthia. You are not nearly as late as I am. I had to pack Wednesday night and I returned home from Malice 4 hours ago. Unpack, laundry, and come back to answer all the people I missed. Where is my personal assistant?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz, congrats on the new series — and on being such a prolific writer! Thanks for hanging out today with the Chicks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Vickie!
LikeLike
Congratulations on your new series, Liz! You are a new author to me, and I’m truly amazed that you have published so many books!! Wow!!
I have thought that working with students is a job that’s absolutely not for me; nonetheless, I had worked for a after-school program for about 5 years, then as a teacher’s aide (working with students who have exceptional needs) for almost 10 years. Sometimes, the job could be frustrating and stressful, but once I started teaching, especially math, the “flow” will keep going from one group of students to another group (my classroom is resource setting). My satisfaction comes from my students’ expression : “oh, now I get it!”, “now, I can do division” or when I see their progress in their testing!
Emily – cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Emily. My sister is a teacher and she feels exactly the same way.
LikeLike