Interview with author Elizabeth Gordon

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hello! I’m Elizabeth, a writer, creator, and professional actress. I’m also a manifestation coach and I love helping people live from their authentic truth. My passions include helping animals, drinking good coffee, reading perspective-shifting books, and being in the present moment. If I could have dinner with one dead person, I would pick Anne Boleyn because that girl knew how to shake up an empire and I think she would be fascinating to talk to!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “PLAY THE PART”?

A2. The biggest challenge was not overwhelming readers with too much information while giving them enough information to change their current understanding and create curiosity around growth. Because acting and manifesting are closely linked, I focused on the most important concepts to give readers a baseline understanding of each one. The other challenge was the technology! Publishing a book is a huge learning curve and I had to give myself a lot of space and self-love to complete the process while not losing my mind 😉

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. Some of the authors who have inspired me as a writer are Dr. Joe Dispenza (Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself), Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic), Tara Brach (Radical Acceptance), Jen Sincero (You Are A Badass series), Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love), Jeff Olson (The Slight Edge), David Kasneci (Project 369), and Dr. Nicole LePera (How To Do the Work). There are countless more, but these authors helped me hone my own style and taught me a lot.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. My favorite spot is my college campus, the University of California, Santa Cruz. I’m lucky enough to live close by, so I visit campus often to take walks and enjoy the serenity of the environment there. For those who are unfamiliar, UCSC is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and is a unique campus. Its beauty is unmatched and I am lucky to call myself a Banana Slug! Anytime I need a nature fix or to clear my head, it’s the best medicine.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘PLAY THE PART’?

A5. Because I was an actress for many years, I started to see the parallels between manifesting (acting as if you already have something) and acting (reacting to pretend circumstances truthfully). Because I know many people struggle with traditional manifesting techniques, I had the inspiration to combine the two. My method is fun, non-threatening, and allows people to become curious about what lives inside of them. A lot of traditional manifesting techniques can bring up stress or shame when they don’t work. My method takes a different approach and gives permission to our inner child, allowing them to play and express themselves again.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘PLAY THE PART’?

A6. It took me about 14 months with the last six months being intense. I allowed the process to come to me organically and took breaks when I felt stuck or unsure. I learned a lot about letting the project show me where it wanted to go rather than forcing it in a specific direction. I’m really happy with the result.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. You can find it on most marketplaces on Amazon. If you search for the book on your marketplace, it should pop up for you! If you can’t find it, you can always email me at totalwellnesscopywriting@gmail.com and I’ll find a way to get you a copy!

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘PLAY THE PART’?

A8. The title just popped into my head one day! Because I know what it’s like to play many parts (or characters), I realized that in everyday life, we’re all playing a part. All of us are actors in some form, which I talk about in the opening sections of the book. In manifesting, we’re told to assume the vibration of what we want to attract, which is another form of playing a part or playing make-believe. We all did this as children with no self-judgment and no self-shame. Now, it’s time to take that power back and play the parts you truly desire. For the cover, I designed it over time and wanted it to give the feeling of being on stage and under a spotlight. All of us desire to be acknowledged for our presence and gifts, so the cover was about inviting readers to be in the spotlight and shine their brightest! I get compliments on the cover constantly, so I guess I got it right 😉

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. I think this is about taking breaks and not forcing anything. Many days, the writing flowed out of me and I didn’t have to work at it because the message was so clear and strong. I was mindful of adding personal stories and triumphs so readers could relate not only to the material but to me as an author and teacher. I want readers to know that they are not alone in their manifesting journey and that this is a life-long study and process. I also made sure the book itself feels like a journey the reader is taking in real-time, which is why I made it a paperback book versus an e-book. I want readers to hold the book in their hands and feel their connection to the work. Because the book includes a 30-day program, readers can write directly in the book and note their growth and progress. This helps with accountability and forming new habits more easily.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Be authentic and write what you know. Part of what I love about writing is the freedom it gives us to express ideas, perspectives, or stories that we may feel uncomfortable sharing verbally. Writing is like playing a part because, on the page, we can be who we want to be without apology. The best writers aren’t afraid to get raw and honest because, at our core, that’s what we all desire — TRUTH. Another piece of advice that helps me a lot is to remember to be relatable. We want to read something because we want to find a bit of ourselves there. We want to know that we are not alone in this world and in this human experience. Great writing allows the reader to feel acknowledged while also inspiring them to expand, question, and grow.

Buy Play the Part on Amazon

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