How do I top last month’s Star Wars post? Well, “Who Is Liz? – Part 4” is not quite as themed, but I hope it still gives you more insight into Liz the person, not just Liz the copywriter. That is my intention for this once-monthly series.
If you missed the other three parts to this series, you can find them here:
Ready to learn more? Let’s jump in!
Can you describe an unforgettable adventure that you experienced?
Absolutely! A couple years ago my husband and I embarked on Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 3-hour Wild Africa Trek. It was quite the experience! Those on the tour (8 people) were let into the park early in the morning before anyone else. As we walked the completely empty paths of Animal Kingdom, it was so peaceful. A rare experience at Disney for sure!
After being equipped with harnesses, we began the trek. This involved lots of walking, climbing, crossing a rope bridge over a pit of crocodiles, and riding in a safari vehicle through an African savanna while being surrounded by giraffes, gazelles, zebras, and more. It was beyond beautiful and so amazing to get that close to these wild creatures!
While in the savanna section, the guides took us to a small outdoor deck where we were served African-inspired snacks while watching baby giraffes totter by us. Adorable!
My favorite part of the tour, though, had to be crossing the crocodile bridge. Before stepping onto the bridge, our harnesses were strapped to the guide line. It was a very long rope bridge that swayed as we crossed it one at a time. Under us were very large crocodiles!
Being a Florida transplant, I’m used to seeing alligators on a daily basis; but to be walking right above crocodiles with only a rope bridge between me and them was a totally different feeling altogether.
Currently, the Wild Africa Trek is not available. However, if Disney brings it back, I highly recommend embarking on this tour! Once you leave the harness station, you forget you are even in a Disney park. The sounds of tourists squealing on rides is muted. The smells of restaurants cooking is gone. The appearance of a theme park disappears as you walk on the barely visible dirt paths past hippos, flamingos, and elephants. It’s as if you walked onto a real African savanna. Incredible!
What books are you currently reading?
I have a bad habit of starting a book, setting it aside, and taking months to finish it. And if I’m being really honest, I don’t even finish half of the books I start. As much as I adore reading, I find it hard to sit down, quiet my brain, and turn off the constant to-do list running through my head.
When I read novels, I have no problem finishing them. However, finding the time to do so is not easy for me. Being a full-time mother, wife, and business owner, I always have a million tasks that seem so much more important than sitting peacefully to read for pleasure.
All that to say…currently I am reading four books.
- Bible – I am working my way through the Old Testament, and I’m currently reading the book of Judges. It continually amazes me how the Israelites had experienced so many miracles and deliverance from their enemies, yet they repeatedly spurned God and turned away from Him.
- Capital Gaines – Anything written by Chip or Joanna Gaines is a great read! Their humor, candor, and wisdom winds its way through every page of their books. In addition, as a small business owner, their story is so inspirational to me as I’ve embarked on my own entrepreneurial path.
- Sell Like Crazy – This book was recommended to me by a wonderful business mentor and friend. It is full of nuggets of great business advice. Becoming a salesperson is all new to me, so this book has given me great advice on how to grow my business.
- How to Write Copy That Sells – This book, written by Ray Edwards, teaches his readers successful copywriting techniques. He stresses the importance of copywriting for every business. I am always looking to grow my writing skills, so I enjoy reading books like this one.
Why do you like writing?
Writing eloquently comes so much easier to me than speaking. When attempting to prove a point through speech, I often find my words become jumbled, and I quickly become flustered with my lack of clarity. My face flushes, and I stumble over my words.
However, when I’m writing, the world changes. My thoughts just seem to align themselves on the page, and I can formulate arguments in a way that makes sense to myself and my reader.
It is through writing that I feel I can truly express myself.
I am not sure what makes me so much more confident with a computer or pen in my hands versus using my mouth. But you know what? I’m 100% okay with it!
Who is your favorite author?
Since high school, my favorite author has been Jane Austen. In fact, I took a class in college devoted only to studying Jane Austen’s six major novels—Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. It was magical! My copies of these novels are certainly not pristine anymore—page corners folded over, words underlined or circled, and notes written in the margins. So, what does all that mean? It shows that a book is just that good!
To me, Jane Austen’s works are beautiful, emotional stories.
Even though the stories took place in England in the early 1800’s, many of the themes still ring true today.
It’s easy to relate to her characters and their inner turmoil with their futures. Jane Austen does a tremendous job of intertwining emotions, irony, romance, humor, and beautiful descriptions throughout her novels.
Your Turn!
Do you have any books to recommend that I should read next? Or if you have written a book yourself, let me know. Send me all your recommendations! I would love to check them out!
