Interview with Anna P. from Annie Writes!

Hey y’all!  I am SUPER excited to bring an interview with Anna – a friend, author, and fellow blogger – to the blog today!  I recently did an interview with Anna over at her personal blog (click here) and she has sweetly agreed to do one here at Grace Notes as well.  Let’s get started!

Hi Anna!  I’m so thrilled to have you here on Grace Notes today!  Let’s dive right in, shall we?  To start, can you briefly introduce yourself to us?

Hi Grace! Thank you so much for doing this interview—it is wonderful to be here! I’m Anna, a Jesus-follower, author by God’s grace, editor of my e-newsletter, “Precious and Redeemed,” and blogger. Aside from writing, I love taking photography, reading God’s Word, learning American Sign Language, playing clarinet and spending time with my three sisters and puppy. I feel God calling me to be a missionary someday, but in the meantime, I hope to encourage others through my writing.

Please tell us about your blog!  Why did you begin blogging and what is your aim through it?

I began blogging in May 2017, hoping that I would be able to share the gift of writing God has given me with others. I have been so blessed to be able to write weekly articles for Christian girls of all ages! My goal in blogging is to encourage others in their walks with Christ.

Do you have any advice for new or want-to-be bloggers?

In the few months I have been blogging, I learned that I cannot write my blog on my own. I am not the writer behind the blog, God is! This definitely applies to writing my books, too. My biggest advice for new bloggers is to go to God and ask Him what He would like you to share with your readers, and ask Him to write through you!

In addition to being a blogger, you have also authored some books!  Can you share a little bit about your books with us?

Yes! I can remember in 3rd grade when I wrote my first short story called “Eliza Jane.” It was simple, yet I was more than excited about it! My passion to write has grown a lot over the past couple of years, and in 2015, I published my first book through blurb.com called, Chloe’s Journey to Trust. This book meant so much to me; earlier in 2015 I went through a difficult trial that helped me learn to trust God more, and I was excited to share how important it is to trust God with others! In August 2016, I published my 2nd book with West Bow Press, a juvenile Christian fiction book about a homeschooling family and all of their experiences that led to them learning to be joyful at all times called Memories with the Meadows! Then, by God’s grace, after struggling through writer’s block for many months, I was able to publish my 3rd book –a collection of short Christmas stories in December 2017!! Right now I am working on my 4th book, and hope to publish it before Fall 2018.

Being the oldest girl in your family, do you have any advice for all of us big sisters in the area of investing in younger sisters?

I have been learning that spending time with your siblings one on one is so important! This could mean having a tea party with them for 10 min., playing their favorite game with them for half an hour, or even spending an hour just talking to them! Something I have struggled with is focusing on what my sisters are doing wrong instead of what they are doing right. For focusing on what they are doing right, I have found that writing my sisters notes/letters on how I see them improving in a life skill or how they did a good job in ANY way can be super exciting and encouraging for them! There are so many ways we can invest in our younger sisters! Big sisters, the best thing you can do is pray and ask God to help you be a great big sister for your younger siblings.

What are some important Bible verses in your life?

Good question!! Philippians 4:6-7 has always been an important verse in my life, as I have struggled with anxiety in the past. This verse is so comforting. When I am scared, or worried, I can always turn to God and pray! Another important verse in my life is Proverbs 3:5-6. I have to remember that I can always trust God…even in the hardest circumstances!

What are 5 things you are especially thankful for today?

I am thankful that my mom homeschools my siblings and I, that we have a warm house to live in when it’s frigid outside, my family and friends, and I am thankful that we are able to read, memorize, and study God’s Word!

Let’s end with a fun question!  What is one food/restaurant you dislike that it seems practically *everyone* else in the world likes? :)

Hmm…well, I don’t like pizza for many reasons… and pretty much everyone else likes pizza, lol! J

Thank you again for joining me today, Anna.  It is an honor and blessing to feature you here on my blog!

Thank you so much for the privilege of coming to Grace Notes today!! J

I’d like to once again thank Anna for coming to the blog today.  It was a pleasure to interview her for this post.  You can visit Anna’s blog here at www.anniewritessite.wordpress.com.