Abby Boldt Messner

Abby Boldt Messner is an author, wife, mother, and lover of all things creative. Ten Big Words is her first published book, and she plans to release three other titles in 2015 in the juvenile/young adult non-fiction genre: The Spring and Fall of the Hollow Bunny Brigade, and two books in The Something Big Series, books she co-writes with author Kristin Crowley.

Abby conceived the idea for Ten Big Words after seeing the intimidation on the faces of Sunday school students who were asked to memorize Bible verses. “I always had difficulty with memorization assignments in school myself,” she said. “When I heard Lysa Terkeurst in a radio interview describe how she’d taught her daughter a ten-word Bible verse to remember in stressful situations, I began compiling such verses, particularly those that teens would relate to best.”

Her advice to aspiring writers or anyone feeling stuck: Go find some inspiration. Take a walk and let yourself really see things. Read a book that makes you laugh AND makes you cry. 'Carry On Warrior' by Glennon Melton did just that for me, it renewed my spirit and was healing in ways I never expected. Go on a mission trip. In the words of Beth Guckenberger, founder of Back2Back ministries, "Find out what breaks your heart, and go do something about it." Get online and read inspirational quotes on Pinterest, watch moving video clips on Upworthy or just find something on YouTube that makes you laugh.

When not writing or driving carpool for her daughters, Abby can be found on the tennis courts, getting creative in her kitchen or looking for the silver linings in life.