Meet Eliza Knight

 

We recently connected with Eliza Knight and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eliza, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

I have mixed feelings. It depends on what the block is. If you’ve been writing thousands of words a day and then on the 5th day your brain is coming up empty, then step away and do something to refill your well. Likely, it’s not writer’s block, just a need for a refresh. If you haven’t written in days, then maybe the scene you’re working on doesn’t work for the story. Maybe it’s because you need to add more conflict. Maybe it’s because you started your story in the wrong place, or you need to develop your characters more. Really analyze – is it burnout, or is it because you need to dig deeper? If it’s been weeks, months, and you’ve found yourself unable to write, then it’s time to consider a new project that speaks to you. Writer’s block is our brains silent way of resisting the work, and figuring out what the reason is often makes it easier to flip the switch.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Eliza Knight, and I live on the Suncoast of Florida with my family. I’m a USA Today and International bestselling author of historical fiction and romance. As Michelle Brandon, I write suspense. My books have been translated into multiple languages, and most recently, my historical novel A Day of Fire was optioned for a television series.

I’m an avid history buff, first becoming enamored with all things historical when I was in elementary school and took a trip to Versailles. I grew up in DC and spent many weekends at the fabulous museums there.

As a history lover, I run the blog, History Undressed, and I’m the host of the podcast, History, Books and Wine where I interview guest authors weekly.

When I’m not reading or writing, I love to enjoy nature, the beach, relaxing by the pool, drink wine, do puzzles and binge-watch my fav shows! I’m also an avid traveler, and I love to go adventuring!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I like to call it the three P’s: patience, persistence and perseverance.

Writing creatively for a living takes all three, not only for the writing process, but for the publishing and promotional aspects of it as well. Without patience, a writer might go mad with the waiting. Without persistence, a writer may not finish a manuscript, or get in front of an agent or editor. Without perseverance, a writer will not survive the submission process, and reader reviews.

My advice, beyond finding peace with the three P’s, is to write, write, write and read, read, read.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Overwhelm is a condition many writers experience. Overwhelmed by our plots, or our own self-deprecation. Overwhelmed by deadlines or promotion. It is a state we live in, I fear. What I do to keep myself from collapsing is spending time outside. Fresh air, sunshine, really help to calm the spirit and refill the creative well. I take daily meditative walks. If I’m in a slump with the writing, I walk. I walk to take breaks between scenes. I walk to plot out the next scene. Walking also combats a very sedentary lifestyle that comes with being a writer. I read outside, too.

Also, something I do now that I didn’t use to do, is give myself permission to have a break. Sometimes when the writing isn’t working, the emails are coming too fast, and my to-do list is 8000 feet long, I actually close everything up, and take the rest of the day off. Coming at it refreshed is a lot better than being stressed over it and getting less done.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

No credit necessary.

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,