Andrea Rains Waggener

Biographical Info 

 

Andrea Rains Waggener is the author of three books, Healthy, Wealthy & Wise-52 Life-Changing Lessons For the Twenty-first Century, a self help book of inner qualities to develop for a quality life; Alternate Beauty, a novel about an obese woman who wakes up in a universe where fat is considered beautiful; and Dog Parenting—How to Have an Outrageously Happy, Well-adjusted Canine, a how-to book that gives dog lovers all the information they need to be the best dog parents on the block.

 

I received my B.A. in Psychology from The College of William and Mary in 1982.  I received my J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1985. 

 

For three years, I clerked for the Washington State Appellate Court.  My work on the court involved researching and writing pre-hearing memoranda and drafting judicial opinions.  After I left the court, I became a Legal Writing Professor at The University of Puget Sound School of Law.

 

I left ultimately left the legal field to purse a career as a writer.  My first published piece was a short story I sold to Teen Magazine.  I followed that short story with more short stories, which I sold to small literary magazines.  I also wrote poetry, which I also sold to small magazines. 

 

I also worked on novels and nonfiction books. 

 

My writing path was not straight or easy.  I have had half a dozen agents.  I have sold books only to have the publishing companies go out of business after the sale.  I have amassed over 2000 rejection letters. (Unfortunately, I waited a long time before I got any professional help with my writing.)

 

Along the way, I have written and sold hundreds of columns, articles, essays, and e-books.  I have taught writing in graduate school, at conferences, and online.  I have also led inspirational and motivational workshops, and much of my writing is motivational.

 

I own and write content for several websites:

 

http://www.upbeatliving.com

http://www.dogparenting.com

http://www.basicdogtrainingtips.com

http://www.puppycarehelp.com

http://www.depressionhelpishere.com

http://www.longevityfromantiaging.com

http://www.loverelationshipresources.com

http://www.startingoversupportgroup.com

http://www.bbwguidetolovemaking.com

http://www.novelwritingmadeeasy.com

http://www.howtobecomeawriterextraordinaire.com

 

I live with my husband, Tim, and my dog, Muggins, in a small town on the Washington Coast.  I love beach walking, and I love the rain, which means I’m in the right spot because we get a lot of rain!