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Elizabeth Esther

Goodreads Author

Born

in Fullerton, The United States

Website

http://www.elizabethesther.com/

Twitter

elizabethesther

Genre

Christian, Memoir, Self Help

Member Since

December 2016

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Elizabeth Esther is the author of "Girl at The End of the World: my escape from fundamentalism in search of faith with a future." A longtime, award-winning blogger, Elizabeth's other articles have appeared in TIME, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, Mothering Magazine, OC Family and The Orange County Register. Elizabeth is a mother of five and lives in Southern California with her family. ...more

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Elizabeth Esther I deal with writer's block by doing something other than writing. If I try and "push through" the writer's block, disaster strikes. My heart and mind …moreI deal with writer's block by doing something other than writing. If I try and "push through" the writer's block, disaster strikes. My heart and mind freeze up and the words that come out are usually angry, annoyed or anxious. I've learned that I have to give myself breaks because writing is hard work. Taking a walk in the hills or by the beach always relaxes my mind. I'm also a big believer in naps. I take a nap every single day. It cools down my brain and prevents overheating. I've also discovered that simple, repetitive hand-work that I can do without thinking is very soothing to my mind. While I was writing my second book I crocheted a bunch of simple, wagon-wheel coasters. Nothing complex. I found great relief in the simple repetition of crocheting.

Another way I deal with writer's block is by setting daily time limits for myself. When I'm writing a book, I work for 4 hours each day and try to write "2,000 Good Words" during that time. But I stop after 4 hours. If I haven't written 2,000 Good Words, I don't force it. Maybe I need to outline or free write or brainstorm. Sometimes I doodle or create a visual aid of what I'm trying to write. I keep lots of loose leaf paper, pens in different colors, drawing paper, markers and even paints nearby. There are times when I've literally "doodled my way out" of writer's block.

My most important tip for dealing with writer's block is to stop at a point where I'm excited to start the next day. This gives me a head start on the next day's writing because I know what I'm going to write next and I'm eager for it.

When all else fails, I take two weeks off. This is only for Very Bad Writer's Block. I have to completely step away, not even take a sneak peek at my manuscript. Maybe I'll let myself carry a little notebook in my purse to scribble down a thought (during the writing of my second book, I just used the "Notes" app on my iPhone). But I give myself a full-stop break. For me, forcing the writing to happen only backfires.

There is a caveat, here, though: I won't let myself take a break for longer than two weeks. After two weeks, I start losing writing muscle. I get sort of flabby, so to speak. Deadlines stress me out but they also keep me focused. Knowing I have a deadline keeps me from wandering too far off the writing path.

Wow, I've gone on quite a bit, here. I'll stop now. Apparently I don't have writer's block when I'm writing about writer's block! :)(less)

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Elizabeth Esther’s books

Average rating: 4.01 · 2,262 ratings · 301 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	Girl at the End of the World: My Escape from Fundamentalism in Search of Faith with a Future 4.02 avg rating — 2,155 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Spiritual Sobriety: Stumbling Back to Faith When Good Religion Goes Bad 3.88 avg rating — 104 ratings — published 2016 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Not Alone: Stories Of Living With Depression by Alise Wright, Ray Carroll (Goodreads Author), Joy Wilson 3.19 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Elizabeth Esther

Girl at the End of the World (2 books)
by

Elizabeth Esther (Goodreads Author)

4.01 avg rating — 2,259 ratings

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Elizabeth Esther rated a book liked it My Brilliant Friend (Neapolitan Novels, #1) by Elena Ferrante	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 20, 2025 04:19PM · like
Elizabeth Esther is on page 70 of 331 of My Brilliant Friend: Slow start. But starting to pick up interest. A wealth of characters. The translation seems a bit clunky at times. My Brilliant Friend (Neapolitan Novels, #1) by Elena Ferrante progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 14, 2025 07:59AM · like · see status
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Elizabeth Esther rated a book it was amazing The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Elizabeth Esther wants to read Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 14, 2025 07:22AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Quotes by Elizabeth Esther (?)

“We were taught to share at the expense of our own well-being. We came to associate self-care and self-love with selfishness.”
― Elizabeth Esther, Spiritual Sobriety: Stumbling Back to Faith When Good Religion Goes Bad

tags: mental-health, religion, self-care, self-care-quotes, selfishness

3 likes

“The greatest danger to a church’s spiritual health is a pastor-centric church model.”
― Elizabeth Esther, Spiritual Sobriety: Stumbling Back to Faith When Good Religion Goes Bad

1 likes

“Shame Brain happens when we see our mistakes as our identity. It’s the difference between “I made an error” and “I am an error.” Shame Brain can also take root when we allow others to blame us for things that are not our responsibility—”
― Elizabeth Esther, Spiritual Sobriety: Stumbling Back to Faith When Good Religion Goes Bad

1 likes

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