The Writer’s Desk with Andrew Farley

Andrew Farley is quietly helping millions of people discover the beauty of their new identity in Jesus Christ. He serves as lead pastor of Church Without Religion, a non-denominational church on the high plains of West Texas. Andrew is also the author of seven bestselling books, including The Naked Gospel and Twisted Scripture. Andrew Farley LIVE, a nationwide call-in radio program, airs across North America every weeknight at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Be sure to visit Andrew on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and sign up for his newsletter.

Q&A with Andrew Farley

TG: Everyone always asks for an interesting fact, we’re going to flip the question. What is one boring fact about yourself?

AF: I’m allergic to chicken, turkey, eggs, and dairy. Now, imagine going out to dinner and needing to avoid all those things! It makes ordering very interesting…. er, boring.

TG: Why did you write The Grace Message?

AF: I wrote The Grace Message to showcase how much better the Gospel is than how it’s commonly portrayed. What the average person hears is: “Jesus saved you. Now, get busy – do more, be more, love more. God likes a future version of you that performs better, and you need to get there. Your heart is not right with God, but you need to live right. You’re a sinner, but you need to live holy.”

Good luck with all that! I wrote The Grace Message to highlight where we’ve failed to infuse God’s grace and our new identity into what we believe.

TG: Did you have any surprises or learning moments while writing this title?

AF: Yes, I did! I was surprised by how many emails and real-life experiences I had to go through to find the best ones to use. The book is filled with pushback from those who weren’t sure about God’s grace and testimonies of those whose lives have been transformed. This book has more stories and personal interactions than any of my other books, and it took a lot of reviewing of my past interactions to find the best ones!

TG: What do you hope readers take away from your book?

AF: I hope they see how radical God’s grace really is – that, as believers, we are fully forgiven, completely loved, and never abandoned by God. Living under God’s grace is way better than any of us can even imagine.

TG: Do you have any habits or rituals as a writer?

AF: I change locations every couple of hours. I find that changing my setting re-energizes me. Whether it’s my living room, a coffee shop, or a patio overlooking some water, I’m always on the move!

TG: What habits would you encourage others to take up to be a more productive writer?

AF: For me, productivity comes from pouring my ideas out on the page, not judging them. Just write. The best way to get something done is to start. So, if you’re writing a book, you don’t need to start at the beginning. You can begin anywhere you like. What part are you inspired to write today? Write that part. Then build the book later. Also, don’t judge any of your writing until you’ve got an entire first draft cranked out. Only then is it time to start cutting, editing, and polishing. That’s my method.

TG: What do you snack on or drink while writing?

AF: Maple water is my new thing. It’s like a natural and healthier Gatorade. Great taste. Nothing artificial. It’s from Canada (real maple syrup straight from the tree is used!), and it tastes great.

TG: How do you overcome writer’s block?

AF: Exercise. Once I’ve had a half hour or more of exercise, it clears my mind to write again.

TG: Are you an “edit-as-you-go” writer or do you wait until the very end before you do any editing?

AF: I wait until the end so that my own judgment calls about the writing don’t discourage me. I get an entire first draft done before I do any editing.

TG: What would you say is the most common mistake new writers make?

AF: As I said earlier, it’s difficult for some people to just get started. They’re staring at a blank page trying to write the first sentence. That’s why I say, “Start anywhere. What inspires you today? Write that! You can put all the pieces of the book together later.”

TG: What is the best piece of writing advice you’re ever received?

AF: Write to help people. Write from your heart to the reader’s heart.

TG: What book(s) are you currently reading?

AF: Right now, I’m reading I Can Only Imagine – the memoir of Bart Millard, the lead singer of MercyMe. Bart is a friend of mine, and the movie and book about his life are both fantastic.

Enter for a chance to win one in three paperback copies of The Grace Message.*

*Due to shipping costs, the giveaway for the physical copy is open to US mailing addresses only.

More about The Grace Message:

What Is God’s Grace—and What Does It Mean for You?

Grace. It’s a word we’ve heard since the very first step in our faith journey—but do we really believe in God’s grace?

Grace raises eyebrows. It begs questions. Grace turns everything upside down. The Grace Message invites you to discover the best flavor of Christianity and celebrate the good news of the Gospel to the fullest. Here, you’ll learn:

• how to abandon rule-based living and stop trying to measure up

• why your new identity in Jesus matters more than you can imagine

• how you can now enjoy God’s New Covenant way of grace

Bestselling author and radio host Andrew Farley’s no-nonsense straight talk will awaken you to a revolutionary perspective every healthy Christian should have.

Life is too short to miss out on God’s best—and what you don’t know can hinder you from experiencing Jesus in every area of your life. So if you’ve been weighed down by ruthless religion, or you’ve been searching for that high-octane version of the Gospel that you know must be out there somewhere, here it is. This thought-provoking book will challenge you to dismiss the lies you’ve believed and to make up your own mind about how big God’s grace really is.

“Andrew Farley shows why the good news is actually great news. This extraordinary, battle-tested message of hope and freedom has a proven track record of transforming lives. The Grace Message is bursting with truth. The love of God practically drips from its pages. Read it and see for yourself!” —Bart Millard, singer/songwriter for MercyMe

Purchase a copy of The Grace Message: Amazon | BookShop.org

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