Still Waiting

Writing Your Story Can Change Your Life

September 23, 2021 by Ann 1 Comment

I started writing my story years ago; long before I was anywhere near a book contract or a marketing team, I felt that the Lord was inviting me into a process of writing my story down and–in the process–meeting him in the middle of it. I’m not sure I’ve done anything more powerful in my personal spiritual journey than write my memoir.

Memoir is the genre that I love the most, because it’s the genre that allows us–even gently forces us–to re-examine the lives that we have been living as we write them down on the page. A good memoir isn’t autobiography, and it isn’t a personal journal. It’s the true story of our lives written in such a way that others can understand, access, and be changed by it.

I’m not sure there’s a more dynamic form of the written word.

Our God is the God of story, and he loves making himself known through our stories; it’s how he’s wired us. We start loving stories as children, and we inherently know when a story has a satisfying or unacceptable ending, because we were made to long for resolution, peace, and hope.

Our God is the God of story, and he loves making himself known through our stories. Share on X

If you’ve always wanted to write your story, or if you’ve been wondering how you can tell your story in a meaningful way, I’m going to suggest that writing your memoir might be one of the most powerful things you can do in your personal journey with Jesus. Down the road, might your story impact hundreds or thousands of people? I hope so! But in these days and months, writing your story will transform you most of all. I know that it has transformed me; I got to see Jesus at work all over again as I’ve written my memoir over the past years.

I just opened registration for the Writing with Grace Memoir course that starts in October. To say that I’m thrilled about this class is an understatement; I’m practically jumping out of my chair!

I’d love for you to join me over at Writing with Grace–you can even see the video that we created just for this course. And because of the craziness of the last year and a half, I’m offering this course at 25% off–for everyone. I think we all need the chance to write our stories.

So, if you’ve been aching to write your story, this is your time. I can’t wait to see you there!

Registration is open for Writing with Grace: Memoir! www.writingwithgrace.com #amwriting Share on X

Still Waiting Is Turning One!

April 9, 2018 by Ann Leave a Comment

I can hardly believe it, but Still Waiting just had its first birthday. WOW!

It’s been an incredible year of hearing from readers about how the book has encouraged and impacted them in their own journeys with the Lord. I’ve heard from women and men, adults and teens, students and professionals. And the feedback has been the same: It’s so good to be reminded that God is still faithful even when my circumstances don’t seem to be changing. It’s so good to be offered hope.

I know, without a doubt, that this hope doesn’t come from me. There’s one source of true hope, and his name is Jesus. But it’s been an immense honor to get to partner with him through sharing my story and pointing readers to the hope that he gives. It’s been a deep joy to get to remind readers that they’re not alone as they wait on the Lord for breakthrough–in any area of their lives.

There's one source of true hope, and his name is Jesus. Share on X

If you haven’t read Still Waiting yet, I want to encourage you to pick up a copy this week! You can get it wherever books are sold, and maybe–like this reader who just emailed me–you’ll find yourself with more courage and trust as you wait on Jesus. I’ll leave you with her words–they humbled me and reminded me of how much God can do when we entrust our stories to him and others:

Just so you know, your story continues to encourage others by pointing us to the hope Jesus offers. I’m re-reading it now after what has quite possibly been the hardest year of my life, finding more hope than I thought possible in your vulnerability and grace-filled trust of God’s power to redeem even the hardest parts of our stories. Thank you for obeying Him and being brave enough to put your heart on paper for the glory of God. Your courage is contagious, and it makes me want to trust God more with my broken places. His version of our stories is the best one—thanks for using your words to remind me that He’s not done with mine yet. –J.H.

Thank you, Lord, for Still Waiting. The story–and the glory–is all yours.

P.S. To celebrate Still Waiting’s birthday, we’re offering giveaways ALL WEEK LONG! Find me over at Instagram to join in the fun!

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Still Waiting Releases Today!

April 4, 2017 by Ann 3 Comments

The day has finally arrived! Still Waiting releases today!

I can hardly believe it, to be honest. I signed the contract for Still Waiting back in November of 2015, and at that point, April 4 of 2017 felt like a lifetime away. In the thick of finishing the writing, combing through edits, choosing a cover and setting up a launch team, April still seemed like a far-off reality.

Still Waiting by @annswindell has released! Don't miss it! http://amzn.to/2nDvPz8 Share on X

But now, we’re here, and my story is out in the world!

Someone asked me what my dream is for Still Waiting, and I’ll tell you the prayer that I’ve been praying since I signed the contract: I’ve been asking the Lord to be glorified in and through my story, praying that this book will draw readers to the goodness and trustworthiness of Jesus as they walk through their own waiting seasons in life. That’s what my dream is–for readers to know they’re not alone, and that God is good toward them as they wait.

If you’re in the middle of any kind of waiting–waiting for healing in your body or mind, waiting for restoration in a relationship, waiting for financial breakthrough or for life to get better–I know, in part, what that’s like. And I wrote this book for you. I’ve shared some of the weakest parts of my own journey in Still Waiting with the hope that you will encounter God’s love in these pages.

I would love for you to buy a copy and let me know the journey that you’re on, too.

The opportunity to write this book has been absolute grace at every turn–from the amazing team I’ve gotten to work with at Tyndale, to the hundreds of people who have helped me get the word out, to my dear family who have carried me through the years and months of writing, editing, and marketing. It’s a team effort to write and publish a book, and I’m fully convinced that I have been the one who’s been the most blessed to be a part of this group of people!

Thanks for celebrating the release of Still Waiting with me! If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to pick up your own copy of the book!

You can also help me get the word out by talking about the book with friends and family, requesting it at your local library, tweeting about the book, and sharing about it on Facebook or Instagram! I’m so thankful for your love and support, dear friends!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Ann Swindell Still Waiting, book, book birthday, Book launch, book release, Still Waiting, Still Waiting giveaway, writing a book

Write Your Story, Change Your Life

September 20, 2016 by Ann Leave a Comment

I’m not sure there’s a more dynamic form of the written word.

Our God is the God of story, and he loves making himself known through our stories. Share on X

I just opened registration for the Writing with Grace Memoir course that I’ll be teaching this fall. To say that I’m thrilled about this class is an understatement; I’m practically jumping out of my chair!

Registration is open for Writing with Grace: Memoir! www.writingwithgrace.com #amwriting Share on X

I’d love for you to join me over at Writing with Grace–you can even see the new video that we created just for this course.

If you’ve been aching to write your story, this is your time. I can’t wait to see you there!

Filed Under: Book Writing, God, Writing Tagged With: Ann Swindell, Ann Swindell memoir, Christian writing class, Christianity, memoir, Still Waiting, write your story, writing class, Writing with grace

Still Waiting Cover Reveal

August 2, 2016 by Ann 29 Comments

I’ve been writing a book this past year, and have spent the last few months crystallizing edits with my powerhouse team at Tyndale. It’s hard to believe that nine months have passed since I signed the contract; we have less time than that before it releases in April of 2017!

One thing that I’ve loved about the process of seeing this book come to life has been the excitement generated around the cover. I’ll share more later, but Tyndale walked me through a really helpful and empowering process when it came to designing the cover of this book. Although their design team creates the cover, as an author I had a clear hand in the tone and feel of the design, which I was deeply thankful for.

The #stillwaitingbook cover reveal! Share on X

The cover matters so much to me because as much as we say otherwise, the truth is that we really do judge a book by its cover. Whether we’re perusing the stacks at a bookstore or clicking through pages online, it’s the front of a book that initially draws us in or pushes us away. My hope is that this cover will draw you in and thrill you as much as it has thrilled me!

I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here it is!

Isn’t it beautiful? This cover encapsulates so much about Still Waiting in one image. I’m amazed at how the design team captured both the beauty and the ache of trusting God; they nailed the feeling of yearning, and yet the rich colors point to the vibrancy that can be found even in waiting seasons. The handwritten title adds a softness to the cover without being overly dramatic.

In short: I love it. LOVE IT.

This cover blew me away the first time I saw it, and I’m so thankful that it will be the “face” of my first book. I’ll be sharing more about the book-writing process in the months ahead, but I wanted to let you be the first ones to catch a glimpse of the cover!

(If you’re new here and want to stay up-to-date with my work and this book, click here to join in on my monthly updates!)

Oh, and if you want to pre-order Still Waiting, you’re in luck. You can pre-order it here!

So, what do you think? Do you love the cover as much as I do?

Additionally, if you’re interested in writing, too, make sure to check out the course that I offer, Writing with Grace. Registration just opened TODAY, but it won’t be open for long! Click here to learn all about the class: