Failure Is Not Forever

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9)

“Do you know how you get from one mountaintop to the other mountaintop?” a good friend asked one day as we chatted over afternoon coffee.

Inspiration for the Long Writing Journey

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

Every Christmas, under a canopy of stars, we would carry our pajama laden children to the minivan. We’d tuck them into car seats and strap down a television and VCR to provide entertainment during the marathon journey across the country.

Three Blessings of Being a Writer

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

For years I’ve taught the importance of counting our blessings. I’ve written that thankfulness must be a lifestyle not just a one-day event. I know these things. I’ve practiced thankfulness. I know its life-giving power.

But lately I’ve been deep in the mire of studying (again) about platform and social media and all those things we nonfiction writers must constantly work on. And I confess, I’ve been a little conflicted.

What Pancakes Taught Me About Dead Dreams

What pancakes taught me about dead dreams

by Andy Lee
@WordsByAndyLee

Have you tried to succeed at something and failed time and time again?

Did you finally throw in the towel with the disappointing yet relieving thought, “I guess I’m just not meant to do this. I will never be able to do it, so I’ll give up.”

When Miracles Take a Long Time

by Andy Lee @WordsbyAndyLee

A sign hangs in my kitchen that reads, “Faith makes things possible, not easy.”

Ironically, I bought that sign the same year I sat down to write my first book. And though the writing flowed easily, nothing prepared me for the publishing giants I would face—doubts, questions, and hard work after the ink had dried on the manuscript.

Compelled to Write

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce you to my friend who's a fellow blogger and author. Here newest book, A Mary Like Me, is taking the world by storm and I'm so glad I was able to convince her to stop by The Write Conversation. Be sure to give her a warm welcome!

Compelled to Write
by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

Compelled to Write.

Authors are either audacious or brave or both.

What makes us think we have something to say?

Sometimes, as a writer, I wonder if I’m crazy. Doubts fill my mind. 

But as a blogger, writer and now author, I'm finding that my "job" is not about the blog, the books, or my wit or wisdom, or lack of it. It's about a compelling.

I am compelled to write. What started as a whisper from God seven years ago, an idea for a book, has become my life. It's 8:30 on a Thursday night, and I'm compelled to sit down and type a post for my blog. Nobody is forcing me. No paycheck waits in my mailbox at the end of the month. I just can't help it.