Favorite Books of 2016

by Andrea Renee Cox

Did you have a merry Christmas? My family certainly did. I chose to simply enjoy it rather than take pictures. In a social-media world, it's sometimes pleasant to slip away from technology for awhile and live in the moment instead of try to capture it.

Would you rather capture moments to savor for later or enjoy them as they come along?

This year was a huge reading year for me. I completed my thirty-fifth copyediting job in only three years, and on top of that, I read over ninety books in my spare time. These are a few of my favorite discoveries during 2016:

Be My Guest: Lindsay Harrel + GIVEAWAY

by Andrea Renee Cox

I'm excited to host Lindsay Harrel today. Her debut book, One More Song to Sing, released earlier this month, and, y'all, I just know you're going to love it. And I cannot wait to see what other stories this lovely lady will bring us in the years to come. Stay tuned to the very end, because Lindsay is offering a paperback giveaway of her debut book.

Somehow, We Find a Way

By Lindsay Harrel

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career is finding the time to write.

I remember the moment I decided to write a novel: I was in the first semester of my master’s degree program, taking a course on fiction writing. It awakened in me the desire I’d had since childhood, the one I’d stuffed away and deemed impractical, full of too much competition. But the desire took hold and wouldn’t let go.

So then and there, I made a decision. I would write a novel when I was done with my master’s degree program.

Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky - Blog Tour + Giveaway!

by Andrea Renee Cox

Waiting.

Not the easiest thing to do. I’m not sure anyone would call it their favorite thing. But even in the fast-food and social-media era we live in, waiting is a necessary thing.

I’ve struggled with impatience my entire life. Over the years, I’ve prayed for patience, going against advice from lots of different people. But asking God for patience was something He had asked me to do, so I followed through. And He followed through. He’s faithful like that, you know. If we ask for something in accordance to His will, He is faithful to give it to us. I’m walking proof of that now.

The timing of reading Waiting for Wonder by Marlo Schalesky could only be God-ordained. He sent me this book as confirmation that what He’d been teaching me through my tutoring and editing jobs, as well as my personal growth, was that patience truly is a virtue and one worth asking for. It’s a gift worth fighting for. Yes, it’s a fight. To tame that impatience within our souls. To learn to rely on God’s guidance and especially His timing.

Be My Guest: Beth K. Vogt

by Andrea Renee Cox

Hey, y'all! Wow, has it been a crazy few days (or weeks) around here. Editing deadlines, Thanksgiving, tutoring picking back up from Thanksgiving break, and loads of Christmas cards to write, not to mention wrapping presents and trying to figure out what I'm going to bake this year. Yeah, talk about a mental overload.

So, I am thrilled that I had chosen today as the day to re-post one of Beth K. Vogt's blog articles, with her permission, of course. (The original article may be seen here.)

The Lesson in the Waiting

by Beth K. Vogt

I came across this quote while reading a book by author Robin Jones Gunn last week. Yes, I underlined it, thinking, “This will be a great quote for a future blog post.”

Today’s the day.

Craving God

by Andrea Renee Cox

Are you craving God?

For a while now, I've been asking God to help me crave Him more and more every day. Well, I believe that prayer is being answered. Every time I open my Bible, I am reminded yet again how much God loves me and how precious His patience and lovingkindness are. His mercy. Grace. Trustworthiness. Truly, the list is endless.

Be My Guest: Kara Isaac + GIVEAWAY

by Andrea Renee Cox

This year was quite a big one for Kara Isaac. She released her first novel, Close to You, back in April, and now her second book, Can't Help Falling, is available too. Kara is visiting Writing to Inspire today, and she's got a surprise for you at the very end, so be sure to stay tuned for that.

Giving Thanks in All Things

by Kara Isaac

This is the time of year when I get envious of my American friends as my Facebook feed explodes with photos of pumpkin pie (which I don’t even like!), fall flavored lattes (and I don’t drink coffee!), beautiful golden and orange vistas, and mugs of apple cider.

I live in New Zealand. Here we are finally shedding off the layers, grimacing as our white winter legs are inflicted upon the world and enjoying longer, warmer evenings. And I am not complaining! But I have to admit that I feel like we miss out as our calendar rolls through late November and there is no Thanksgiving on it. A holiday to pause and take stock for all the things that I am grateful for in the middle of a full life feels like a great idea.

Stories and Friendship

by Andrea Renee Cox

Every story I write presents challenges.

Though the difficulties may vary from one project to the next, a couple of things remain the same. Story and friendship both take work, but they’re also both worth the effort.

Story. It could fill up a year’s worth of articles. Story is everywhere around us, but if we look really hard, we can find the best ones. That’s part of my job as a writer, to discover those hiding treasures in order to weave them into tales readers will have a difficult time forgetting. Creating something unique and special every single time might challenge the limits of my imagination, but I cherish the opportunity to craft unforgettable stories that hopefully will find a home with readers around the globe.