Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Marie Hamilton-Guarino

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is a part of my overall well-being. I’ve been writing since I was in kindergarten and have always wanted to be an author. My happiest moments in school were anything to do with writing of any kind. I love writing in the self-help genre about the topic of change and time management. My latest book, The Change Guidebook, really illustrates why I love to write, as I believe it will help create a narrative to help people view change in a more positive way. It’s really a great tool for anyone’s best life toolbox! Over the years of owning the Best Ever You Network, I’ve also realized a need for children’s books with messages of encouragement and inspiration as well. I’ve had the honor of writing three children’s books with Sally Huss. Our bestselling book A Lesson For Every Child, Learning About Food Allergies is widely used in schools and classrooms. I think writing is an incredibly important medium for the world, as I believe whenever we write something, there is the potential to impact others in a positive way.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Writer’s block can be so frustrating. I believe the best cure for it is great friends. I tend to get stuck when I have an idea and I’m not quite sure whether it’s a good one or not. I certainly don’t want to waste time writing more about a bad idea, so I will turn to a few friends, share the idea and any thoughts they have and usually it helps with the block. I also cure writer’s block with just stepping away from the material and picking up my love for baking instead. Chocolate chip cookies are a tried and tested cure for writer’s block and many other ailments.

What is your favorite time to write? My favorite time to write is early in the morning here in Maine, at my kitchen table which looks out to our backyard and the woods. I love the birds flurrying around the bird feeders we have. I also love to write during snowstorms or thunderstorms. I wrote most of my latest book, sitting by our pool in the backyard. I write from a place of relaxation and gratitude.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? The best piece of writing advice I received is from a colleague who said, “You need to find your voice.” Once you find your voice, you’ll take the reader on the journey with you. It’s just so true. I hope with all my books you can hear my actual voice right there with you as you read. My books are written in such a way that they are intended to be conversational or spark a conversation with others and you can hear me sharing stories from my own life.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? Hands down, for me, it’s the networking & social media part of being an author that I love. It’s very special to hear from the readers and fans in my social media and I also cherish the other authors that I am friends with. We have formed quite a group of self-help authors that all support each other and cheer each other on. I also think audiobooks are a wonderful format and it was a joy to narrate my own with The Change Guidebook. I think it is one thing to write and book and it is an entirely different thing to find readers for it and market the book. Today, books are a team effort. I love authors supporting other authors and writing communities. That collaborative spirit fuels everyone’s success and it is very much needed. If you are very lucky your book may just magically sell. However, for most of us, there is a ton of work involved with marketing the book and it can be very fun!

Elizabeth Marie Hamilton-Guarino’s The Change Guidebook: How to Align Your Heart, Truths, and Energy to Find Success in All Areas of Your Life is out now with Health Communications Inc.