Wendy Melrose’s journey from selling insurance to inspiring authors

Wendy Melrose was born and raised in the St. Louis area, with only a brief stint away in upstate New York after college. Despite being deeply rooted in her hometown, her life has been anything but static. 

Today, Wendy’s days are filled with creativity, mentorship and a strong faith she uses to help aspiring authors bring their own stories to life.

It wasn’t always that way. Wendy’s professional journey took a significant detour before she found her true calling. After four years of running a Farmers Insurance agency, the high-stress environment left her depleted. 

“It’s almost like I hit a wall,” Wendy recalled. “I went from having a clear purpose to staring at a big, scary ‘now what?’ situation.”

A gift restored

Wendy’s love for writing began early in life. As a teenager, she poured herself into poetry and creative stories. But one critical comment from a boyfriend in college changed everything. Feeling defeated, she threw her entire collection of writings into a dumpster.

“I didn’t write like that again for years,” she admitted.

In January 2023, Wendy attended a revival service where a minister’s profound statement reignited her passion. 

“The pastor pointed her finger at me and said, ‘Never throw away a gift God gave you.’ I took those words to heart,” Wendy explained. “Days later, a poem came to my mind effortlessly. I thought, ‘My gift is back.’”

Her first children’s book, “Ben’s Great Escape,” was inspired by a mischievous Andean bear at the St. Louis Zoo who kept escaping his enclosure. Though the zoo ultimately declined to carry the book, citing concerns about reminding visitors of the bear’s escapes, Wendy’s creativity was unleashed.

“I wrote and illustrated that book in a single day,” she recalled. 

That burst of inspiration led to more creations, including “Ben’s Big Move” and other whimsical stories.

Confronting the “demon of doubt”

Wendy’s faith has always been a guiding force in her life, but doubt still crept in during moments of transition. 

“The demon of doubt hits hardest when you’re right where God wants you to be,” she noted. 

After selling her insurance business in 2023, Wendy felt disoriented. Though she knew she was called to pursue writing, the path forward felt unclear.

“You go from walking confidently to a toddler’s wobble, stumbling through this new purpose,” Wendy explained.

She describes those months after the sale as a season of soul-searching, marked by moments of both divine clarity and unsettling fear.

Helping others cross the finish line

By early 2024, Wendy realized her mission wasn’t just to write, it was to help others do the same. Having learned the intricacies of self-publishing, she began coaching others who dreamed of seeing their names on book covers. 

“It’s not as hard as people think,” Wendy said. “Most people believe writing a book takes years. It doesn’t have to take that long.”

Her clients include a range of aspiring authors, from children’s book creators to paraplegic storytellers. Wendy’s faith-driven approach resonates with many of them. 

“I love working with Christ-followers because we can pray together and align our work with God’s will,” she shared.

One memorable client, a man in his 50s, had struggled with the fear of being “an unfinisher.” Wendy encouraged him to see the process through, telling him, “Let’s make your birthday the day the world knows you as an author.” Her belief in his potential brought him to tears.

Trusting the process

While Wendy found joy in her new vocation, challenges remained. After selling her agency, inflation and unexpected expenses drained her savings faster than anticipated. She took on temporary jobs, including a brief stint at a restaurant that didn’t last long. 

“I realized I’m too old to be on my feet all day,” she joked.

In September 2023, Wendy felt a divine nudge to quit her final side job. 

“I’ve never been a ‘quit that day’ person,” she said. “But God was clear: I am your source.” 

Since then, Wendy has relied solely on her writing business, trusting that opportunities will come. God was faithful in opening doors and introducing her to people needing help.

A heart for stories and healing

One of Wendy’s recent collaborations is with Annemarie Deutschman, the author of “Rosie Remembers,” a children’s book about memory loss. Wendy helped shape the book’s layout and added a resource section for families navigating dementia. 

“It’s a heartwarming story for all ages,” Wendy said. “Books like this help create meaningful moments with loved ones.”

Wendy also works with clients who are overcoming trauma. 

“When someone hands you their story, it’s often scary for them, and a sacred opportunity for me,” she explained. “My role is to help them finish what they started.”

No regrets, only lessons

Wendy has no regrets about not pursuing writing earlier. But, she is disappointed in her reaction to what happened when she valued someone else’s option over what God revealed to her about her natural skill.

“I’m not mad at the boyfriend who criticized my work,” she said. “I made the choice to throw it away. But God’s timing is perfect.”

If anything, she’s learned to embrace her past as preparation for her present. 

“God uses every layer of our lives,” Wendy said. “Nothing is wasted.”

Encouraging others to finish well

Wendy believes it’s never too late to pursue your passion. 

“Whether you’re 50, 60 or 84, you can still write your story,” she said. 

One of her clients, an 84-year-old woman, was overwhelmed by her disorganized notes. Wendy showed her how to use voice-to-text technology to dictate her stories, and then use artificial intelligence to help organize her notes into an outline. 

“We have such amazing tools now. There’s no excuse not to try,” she stressed. Wendy holds out hope to people feeling hesitant. 

“Share your goals out loud with people you trust. When you keep them secret, it’s easy to let them slip away,” she explained. “But, when you tell someone, you invite accountability and support.”

For Wendy, finishing well isn’t just about completing goals and projects. It’s also about making peace with the journey. 

“Life isn’t about avoiding challenges,” she said. “It’s about trusting that you’re never too old, too late or too lost to be exactly where you’re supposed to be at that moment. We can all be finishers, regardless of how old we are.”

For more information

People can connect with Wendy through a variety of platforms, such as:

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