Interviewing Author Ann Lenaers

Interviewing Author  Ann Lenaers

Q1. Tell me about yourself. What are your favorite books to read?

A. I’m a single mom of one amazing daughter, currently 11 years old. My passion is my work as a Christian author, public speaker, and certified life coach! I strive to help people develop healthy communication skills and emotional intelligence through the Word, science, psychology, and experience so we can mature together. I enjoy all kinds of books, but I’ve been reading a lot of faith-based books lately. Currently it’s “The Kingdom Of God Is Within You” by Leo Tolstoy. It’s a book about the Christian view of non-aggression by the same man who wrote “War & Peace”. I love a book that challenges my thinking!

Q2. When did you decide you were going to write a book?

A. Life has thrown heavy emotional challenges my way that pushed me to write in a therapeutic capacity. I realized I enjoyed it, so when I have a message to share, I often get the writing bug. It’s at a point now where I find it hard to keep up with everything I want to write!

Q3. How did you come up with the name of your book?

A. “Perfect Love: A Hero’s Journey” is a very literal title. It’s a workbook that follows the 17 step hero’s journey by Joseph Campbell to help people develop the concept of love as it is mapped out in scripture, following along with my personal testimony and offering coaching tips.

“Redeemable” (which will be available soon) was inspired by a woman at a conference I attended who said “It is not our job to decide who can be helped and who cannot. Who is redeemable? Everyone.” The story about that event is in the beginning of the book.

Q4. What are you working on for 2019?

A. I’m currently in the process of recording my books to become available on platforms like Audible. I’m a board member for two new non-profits that are ramping up this year. I recently accepted a position as community outreach coordinator at my local church. Plus I’m getting really focused on my public speaking career! It’s been busy, but so very worthwhile. 

Q5. How long have you been writing?

A. I’ve always had an interest in writing songs, poetry, etc, but writing became a serious passion in the end of 2015 as I was working to cope with the loss of a dear friend to suicide the previous year.

Q6. What advice would you give other authors? 

A. Write what you know from your heart, and map it out ahead of time. Outlining can help prevent a great deal of writers block moments.

Q7. Where can people find you online?

A. www.peaceistheroad.org

www.facebook.com/peaceistheroad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoolhtj66FX98dArcbSSqUQ

Q8. Do you plan on making more books in the future?

A. Yes! I actually have three more books planned at the moment. One will be called “Redeemer” which will pull leadership lessons from the life of Jesus in the gospel. The second will be called “We Need To Talk” which will be offering people helpful communication skills to improve our ability to talk about important but challenging subjects like politics and religion. The third book will be called “Sorry, Not Sorry” and will be a Christian apologetic book from some viewpoints I don’t see many people discussing. They’re all mapped out in my mind. I’ve just got to type them up!

Q9. How many books have you written?

A. So far “Perfect Love: A Hero’s Journey” is the only one in print with “Redeemable” not far behind. I have written two other books prior to these that will remain unpublished.

Q10. Did you go to college to be a writer?

A. No, actually I was a vocal music performance and acting double major with a desire to be on Broadway. Life sure does throw curve balls, but I feel blessed to be able to utilize this creative outlet to help people.