Name, Age, and State: Angie Arndt, 50, South Carolina

Job-title: Writer/blogger

Web/blog site URL: http://www.angelaearndt.com; http://joyonthebackroads.blogspot.com; http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com, http://www.devokids.com

Give us your job description in 25 words or less. I’m writing a cozy mystery. I also write blog posts for writers and I’m an assistant editor for DevoKids.com.

Describe a typical workday. I always try to read my Bible and devotions first. That starts my day off right. Then I read a couple of pages of a writing craft (like a how-to) book and write in my journal. Then I start working on my novel. I try to write as much as I can, so this includes lots of cappuccino (I make my own). In the afternoons, I create and post games and puzzles for the DevoKids site.

However, I may have to do some research as I write. In the past, I’ve taken a citizen’s academy course at a sheriff’s office, petted a police dog, and visited an emergency room to get information for my book. I never know where my book will take me. It’s lots of fun!

What led you to realize that you wanted to do this type of work? I used to be a Corporate Trainer for a large insurance company. But then I became disabled and I found that I couldn’t work outside the home any more. Because of my illness, the only pain-free place for me was in my home, in my recliner. But I’m so blessed that God had placed a desire to write in my heart a few years before and I already had an idea for a novel.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in your industry that you admired? There are so, so many writers in the industry are influential to me: Gayle Roper, James Scott Bell, Brandilyn Collins, Deb Raney and many, many others. I’m so blessed to belong to an organization called ACFW – American Christian Fiction Writers. It’s filled with published authors who are very willing to mentor and help unpublished writer like me learn the craft of writing.

What type of education or training was required to land your job? I have a Master’s degree in Education and that helps me with the DevoKids website. However, learning the craft of writing is an on-going process. There are so many books, conferences and workshops available to help. I’ve been to studying the craft for about six years and still have so much to learn.

What do you love most about your job? Having the opportunity to encourage others in my writing, meeting with other writers, and hearing that my writing has helped someone.

What one part of your job do you wish you could hire someone else to do? Edit. I hate to proofread. Ugh!

What advice would you give to teenagers wanting to get into your field of work? Start journaling and get in the habit of writing everyday. Some of my best blog posts have come from my journals. And read, read, read. The best influence for writers is to read good books. Here’s a link to find some good books: http://www.fictionfinder.com/.

How does your job allow you to use your God-given gifts? I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to share what God has done for me (gift of encouragement) and use His inspiration to tell my little stories that illustrate His grace.

Do you have any hobbies or off-hours pursuits that teenagers would find of interest? I love to sing in the church choir and used to do pen-and-ink drawings before I became disabled. These days, I love playing with my grandchildren and my three dogs.