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

Author Page:   https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Meyette/e/B0087F27JM/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/elizabethfmeyette/

Twitter:           https://twitter.com/efmeyette

Goodreads:     https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153760.Elizabeth_Meyette

Pinterest:         https://www.pinterest.com/bettymeyette/

Linked In:       https://www.linkedin.com/profile/preview?locale=en_US&trk=prof-0-sb-preview-primary-button

Sequels

            Have you ever been on a vacation where you didn't want to leave the people and/or the location? Have you ever gotten to the end of a book and wished it didn't end there? Did you ever wish you could find out what came next?

         That often happens for me. I love epilogues--you know, the "five years later" when you find out how the main characters managed reality. Sometimes, a book will have secondary characters who are so compelling I hope the writer will give them their own story(s). That often happens when I write. For months (sometimes years), I'm caught up in a world I've created with people I've grown to know and love and I don't want to leave. I want to stay and see what happens next.

        When I finished writing Switched, I knew I had to tell Veronese and Scott's story. I liked Scott right away. His cocky, devil-may-care attitude appealed to the reckless side of me—the side I've always kept hidden. Scott reminded me of Tom Cruise in Top Gun with his cute grin and "doncha love me" attitude. Veronese, on the other hand, was super serious, nose to the grindstone, intense. Yet, there was a vulnerable side to her. She needed someone who could help her see that life can be fun. Never mind the ship was under attack, never mind they had to keep Scott's true identity a secret, never mind a saboteur was wreaking havoc. Sometimes, you just have to lighten up. In so many ways, I found Veronese was very much like me. Super serious, etc. until a certain guy came along who showed me how to have fun. I got my guy. And Veronese got— Ordinarily, that would be a spoiler but, c'mon, I write romance so you know there will be a happy ending.

        Switched, Too is coming June 10^th. I've been waiting for everything to come together for this book for over ten years. It had to be put on the back burner when "life" took over. Now that it's almost ready to be released, I'm getting so excited.

By the way, a very special thanks to all who responded with advice on which cover to use. It was unanimous. And thanks to everyone who checked out the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion yesterday. It was great fun for me. I hope you found it fun, too.