About Ande Waggener 

Ande Waggener, aka The Misery Slayer , holds a B.A. in Psychology from The College of William and Mary in Virginia.  And a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at The College of William and Mary.  Ande is the author of both fiction and nonfiction.  Her books (written under the name Andrea Rains Waggener) include Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise-52 Life-changing Lessons for the Twenty-first Century (Hazelden 2005), a self help book that teaches people how to develop inner qualities that pave the way for a quality life; Alternate Beauty (Bantam 2005), a novel about an obese women who wakes up in a universe where fat is considered beautiful; and Dog Parenting-How to Have an Outrageously Happy, Well-adjusted Canine (Adams Media Corp. 2006), a lighthearted look at how to give a dog great dog care.

A former attorney and legal writing professor, now author, coach, misery slaying advisor, and motivational speaker, Ande has created massive results in her life (both good and bad).  Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and told she would end up hospitalized if she went off medication and left psychiatric care, Ande learned how to not only manage her illness without drugs or hospitalization.  Eventually, she discovered how to remove the misery of severe depression and anxiety from her life completely.

Ande went from being practically unable to care for herself and being on the verge of suicide to creating a vibrant, successful life she loves.  She has overcome poor self esteem, an extreme lack of confidence, debilitating anxiety, suicidal depression, and has learned to manage stress in a productive way.  Born in 1960 and raised by parents who, though they love her, instilled in her the idea that “no matter what you do, it’s not good enough,” Ande spent her teens and twenties loathing herself.  Finally, she faced her negative beliefs and transformed them.

Ande left behind a career that she hated and created a fulfilling writing career.  She became a successful columnist and went on to publish books.  In spite of doubting her abilities and talent, Ande persisted in learning the writing craft, and along the way, she discovered how to create self confidence and self esteem. 

Not a fan of the city, Ande was able to manifest a joy-filled haven in the forest just a mile from the Pacific Ocean.  She now lives in a small ocean-side town that has no stop signs.  She’s lulled to sleep each night by the sound of the ocean, and she and her dog, Muggins, get to walk on peaceful beaches every morning before she goes to her home office to do work she loves.

When thirteen years of marriage disintegrated and Ande’s first husband decided that he wanted a wife who didn’t have the problems of depression, anxiety, and low self esteem, Ande rebuilt her life and discovered the pleasure of her own company.  She faced her inner demons and learned to love herself, warts and all.  She went on to find and marry her soul mate, Tim, who now works with her in their fun, cozy home office. 

Ande’s real joy in life came after she hit 40.  She was in her forties when she finally achieved success in her writing and found her husband.

Ande has been a guest on numerous radio programs that have aired throughout the country.  Her books have been featured in newspapers such as the Seattle Post Intelligencer and in national magazines like Shape Magazine.  She’s been a guest on FOX News Network’s, Fox and Friends, as well as on the Pacific Northwest, ABC TV’s Northwest Afternoon.