FAQs
Below are some answers to frequent questions Anne receives.
Q: I have no idea what to do with my life! How did you know you wanted to write and speak, and how did you make that happen?
A: Hey, I still have no idea what to do with my life, but I’ve learned to live the day in front of me. Sometimes that day meant having an office job I liked. Sometimes it meant having a job I couldn’t wait to leave. I knew from the time I was in the fifth grade that I loved to write, but never planned on writing a book. Over the course of a few years, I saw things that broke my heart and how we are constantly being rescued, and decided maybe I should write books about them. The speaking didn’t come so easily. I gave a speech in the 8th grade and vowed never to give a “speech” again. When I was 24, I felt strongly that I needed to surrender that fear, even though I still had no plans or no doors open to speak. The doors began to open a year later, and haven’t slowed down since. Will I be writing books and speaking forever? I hope to, but I’ve learned that life is not predictable. That’s the reason I take it one day at a time, simply focusing on the people and the things in front of me that day. Who knows what tomorrow can bring? Embrace today. Hope for tomorrow.
Q: I am a blogger and would like to build my platform. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Lucky you! I wrote three blog posts about my thoughts on this. You can find them:
It is my humble opinion that if you set into blogging with a goal of becoming a well-read blogger, you probably should check your motivation before you begin. Blogging is not the end all…being a good person with a good heart is.
Q: I really want to write a book but I don’t know where to begin! Do I get an agent? Send out proposals? Self publish? What’s your process?
A: Fortunately much smarter people have given great advice on these very things. I’d liken myself to an accidental author. I never had a strategy for getting published, which although many may argue, was probably the reason why it happened. For me personally, I’ve written consistently since my junior year of high school. That turned into blogging, which turned into online articles, which turned into articles in print (most written for free, I should add) and then the books. Write because you must, and because you have something burning in your heart – not to get published. Being published doesn’t make you a writer. Ever read a bad book? Exactly.
My book writing process looks very similar to what Don Miller writes about here.
If you are certain you would like to write a book, I highly recommend the following resources:
- On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
by William Zinsser
- The Writing Life
by Annie Dillard
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
by Steven Pressfield
- Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
by Anne Lamott
- A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life
by Donald Miller
- The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
by Seth Godin
Also, these blogs are written by people in the publishing industry with various perspectives – not all of them represent my own personal beliefs but that’s what makes us all different, right? They are highly worth subscribing to.
- Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson
- Mary DeMuth, So You Want to Be Published
- Chip MacGregor, Literary Agent
- Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
Finally, I do have a category on writing. But please know I’m more of an accidental author than a planned professional so often times I’m pretty liberal when forming opinions.
Q: I am (or someone I love) is struggling with a porn addiction. Can you help?
A: I’m so sorry that you are going through this. When I was sixteen, I was abused by someone I trusted and I believe that opened the door for my own issues with addiction, including porn. When I was twenty one, I knew I needed to get sober – from everything – so I literally threw out my computer and quit other things cold turkey. When I got another computer several years later, I didn’t have internet for a while. Now that I do, I use the software from XXXChurch.com which composes reports on internet usage and emails it to a group of people I trust. That website also has resources if you are the spouse or loved one of someone addicted to pornography.
It is not an easy road, and if you are truly addicted to anything, I personally believe you will always be an addict. But you can be a sober addict and continue to live in recovery day by day (sometimes minute by minute).
The things that helped me the most were:
- Drastic measures – getting rid of what was used in the addiction, as inconvenient as it was
- Talking about it openly with people I trust
- Setting structured boundaries
- Having a Plan B for when my will fails
- Giving and receiving grace when disappointment happens
If you are a woman addicted to porn, I recommend visiting Dirty Girls Ministries.
Q: I heard you have dealt with depression and anxiety disorders? Any advice?
A: You could say that. I’m still trying to figure out what is funky in my brain chemistry. You can read about my journey here. My best advice is to see a counselor or therapist you can trust, and don’t be afraid of medicine. It is not a spiritual issue. You don’t lack faith. Chemicals get jacked up sometimes. Ask for help. Trust me on this…I’m still learning.
Q: Can you write about my company, non-profit, or missions organization on your blog or Twitter?
A: First, I am so thrilled you are passionate about SOMETHING. So many people lack passion period. On a more sensible note, I get requests to write about people’s organizations, as noble as they may be, probably ten times a week. Unfortunately, I am unable to promise that I can write about your organization or mission. Feel free to send information about it to info@flowerdust.net and if at some point, it makes sense to pass on to the readers of my blog or on Twitter, I will do so, but I have a very special relationship with my readers, and don’t want to take advantage of them by promoting things all the time. Please know this does not mean I don’t agree with or admire what you are doing…it’s just the reality of the requests I receive and the direction I need to focus on my blog and online communication.
Q: Will you participate in my book’s blog tour, write a review or give away copies of my book or CD on your blog?
A: Similar to the previous question, I get multiple requests to write about books and do blog tours and reviews every day. In 2008, I received over 200 copies of books or products that people wanted me to consider reviewing. I do occasionally review or giveaway books on my blog, but it is either because it’s a book I’ve stumbled on myself that I think would be beneficial to my readers or because it is somebody I personally know well (like, a close friend) and want to support.
Unfortunately, I am unable to promise that I can do this for everyone. In fact, it rarely happens, to be quite frank. If you’d like to send me a copy anyway, feel free to send information about it to info@flowerdust.net and if at some point, it makes sense to pass on to the readers of my blog or on Twitter, I will. If not, I won’t.
Thanks for understanding.
