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Friday, September 9, 2016

Who's For Dinner with Elizabeth Meyette


Without Elizabeth Gilbert, I would never have published my first book, Love’s Destiny, so I would definitely invite her to be my dinner guest. My first introduction to Liz, as she calls herself, was her bestselling novel, Eat, Pray, Love, in which she documents her divorce and subsequent search for herself and meaning in her life. This book has empowered many people to take risks in order to lead a life of fulfillment, or what Julia Cameron says is to “leap and the net will appear.” Liz gave me the courage to do just that.

I had written Love’s Destiny years before it was published, but as an English teacher, I never had time to polish it enough to submit for publication. And…okay, I admit it…I was embarrassed to tell people I’d written a romance novel. I’d been teaching THE CLASSICS for goodness sake!

My dear friend, Lisa, made me sit down and watch Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk on Creativity. I cried as I listened to her affirm me as a writer…affirm anyone as a creator. Her description of a Divine Attendant Spirit blew me away, and introduced me to my own muse, Boris. You know that surge of adrenaline you feel when someone speaks your truth? Speaks to your heart? That’s what I felt as I sat there and cried. Elizabeth Gilbert gave me the courage to “own” my book—even to be proud I had written it. I retired from teaching early to pursue writing full-time because of the courage she inspired in me.

As I worked on my latest book, Buried Secrets, Liz again inspired me as I read her book, Big Magic. I picked her book up when I was most frustrated with the progress of Buried Secrets. I’d actually abandoned it, putting it up on my closet shelf. Liz talked about once feeling the same way about a book she was writing—she understood exactly what I was experiencing. Big Magic talks about all of us as creators, that is our divine DNA.

Her books are conversational, as if she were sitting across from you over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. While we were dining, I would ask Liz how she can present the depth of wisdom with such casual, unintimidating ease. And she might have trouble answering that question because she seems so self-effacing, and because her style is so much a part of who she is. I don’t think she could write any other way.

So, Liz helped me worked through my angst about Buried Secrets, and I am happy to say that it is now available for pre-order on Amazon – click to order.


 Buried Secrets blurb:

When Jesse Graham almost runs over a “body” in the road one night, she is plunged into a labyrinth of secrets, lies and murder. All Jesse wants is a simple life teaching at St. Bart’s… and a chance at love with Joe Riley. She realizes that plan has been thwarted when puzzling occurrences at St. Bartholomew Academy for Girls get increasingly dangerous. The danger doesn’t just spring from the ghost who haunts the grounds of St. Bart’s, but from a sinister presence that is not ghostly at all. As she digs into the mystery, threats on her life and the life of her student escalate.
Which danger threatens her life the most? The ghost haunting her student or the secrets buried in the school?

About the Author:
Believer in dreams-come-true and self-confessed chocoholic, Elizabeth Meyette is the author of four novels. Love’s Destiny and Love’s Spirit, are historical romances set in colonial Virginia. The Cavanaugh House and its sequel, Buried Secrets, are mysteries set in 1968 in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Before pursuing her writing career full time, Elizabeth taught English, Journalism, Library Science and Technology in Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English, a Master of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Arts degree in Library Science, Media and Technology from Central Michigan University. After retiring from teaching, Elizabeth embarked on her writing career full-time and, in addition to her three novels, has published poetry, magazine articles and her blog site, Meyette’s Musings. She says, “I haven’t retired, I’ve refired!” She is currently working on her fifth and sixth novels and three picture books.

Elizabeth and her husband Richard live in Michigan where they enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes. They have an agreement that she cannot cook on writing days after he endured burnt broccoli and overcooked chicken.  Fortunately, Richard is an excellent cook.

Visit Elizabeth at:
Website:          www.elizabethmeyette.com
Blog:               www.elizabethmeyette.com/blog
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/efmeyette
Pinterest:         https://www.pinterest.com/bettymeyette/



17 comments:

  1. Thank you for inviting me to your blog today, Diane. I love talking about Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic, and, of course, Buried Secrets ;-)

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    1. Happy to have you here, Betty. I can see why you like Big Magic. Because of your recommendation, I started reading it last night. Very compelling book. Best wishes for Buried Secrets.

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  2. What an inspiring story! Elizabeth Gilbert definitely sounds like someone I'd love to meet. A dinner conversation with her would be a bonus. I've ordered Buried Secrets and am looking forward to reading it!

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. Yes Elizabeth Gilbert is very inspiring! I hope you enjoy Buried Secrets.

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  3. I really enjoyed this post, Diane. Thank you so much!! It is inpsiring and I can't wait to hear one of Elizabeth Gilbert's talks. I think that's what I'm in need of at this very moment in time. Elizabeth's (Meyette) story is so lovely and I'm so pleased her fears were conquered. Good for you, Elizabeth! (If you're reading) Many congratulations on your new release and thanks for sharing your story. Wishing everyone a super weekend.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Nicola. I want to join the 2 Elizabeths (Meyette & Gilbert). What an interesting conversation that would be.

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    2. Thank you for your kind words, Nicola. I highly recommend Elizabeth Gilbert's Ted talk on Creativity. You can find it on You Tube.

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  4. Great post! LOVED Eat, Pray Love..... Good luck and God's blessings to you.
    PamT

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  5. Big Magic and Buried Secrets sound like great books! Enjoyed your post. Best of luck with your new release.

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  6. Inspiring post about your own source of inspiration! Best wishes for success and continued inspiration!

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  7. Wow, what a wonderful testament to an apparently amazing lady! I enjoyed hearing about your journey and inspiration. Your books sound great!

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  8. Thank you, Alicia. Yes, Elizabeth Gilbert is pretty amazing.

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  9. BURIED SECRETS sounds like a fantastic book, Elizabeth! Going to check it out. I have to admit, I always thought of Eat, Pray, Love as kind of whiney, but to be fair, I only saw the movie. You've convinced me to try to find her TED talk and maybe the book!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Leah. Her TED talk changed my life. You might like Big Magic, too.

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