Words of Inspiration

Words of Inspiration and Imagination

Local award-winning writer and editor, Alisa Hope Wagner, opens up on writing, faith and family. BY: JACQUELINE GONZALEZ

Alisa Hope Wagner believes in the following mantra: Seek God daily. Although life is not without its complications and constant change, Wagner is a firm believer that if you seek God every day, He will balance out your schedule.

Living by this mantra has allowed Wagner to plan the course of her future. Originally, she sought out a career in fitness and kinesiology, but she heard God’s voice steer her into projecting her faith through a career in writing. Although she was torn between following her love of fitness and kinesiology and listening to God’s call, Wagner chose the latter and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, followed by her master’s degree in applied English linguistics from the University of Houston.

Wagner spent every day reading, writing and researching. In 2005, she wrote her very first novel and continued to write for eight years before finally publishing her work in 2013. This moment opened the doors to the beginning of her successful career as Corpus Christi’s internationally award-winning author, editor and publisher of more than 20 books and counting.

Her first novel marked the inception of a popular dystopian series called “The Onoma Series.” Onoma is Greek for “name,” and each book in the series has the name of the major character, along with their mission. When she discusses the ideas behind each novel, Wagner mentions that the series predicted four major changes in western society that would make her dystopian world a reality today.

In addition to this dystopian series, she also has the “Violet Moon Series,” which is a hybrid between young adult fiction and a graphic novel.

Although she didn’t get to fulfill a career in kinesiology, Wagner believes that God used her faithfulness in writing to incorporate her passion for healthy living into her writing career. She competed in two bodybuilding competitions and became certified in fitness nutrition, as well as personal training. Although she doesn’t do either for a living, these certifications gave her the proper research to publish two successful fitness books.

dren’s bedtime. Wagner feels there is a war on people’s health, and as long as you’re struggling with living a healthy lifestyle, it’s difficult to fulfill the destiny God has for you. Her two fitness books, “Fearlessly Fit” and “Fearlessly Fit at Home: Your Personal Guide to Getting Fit,” give readers tips on how to make daily modifications to their daily lifestyle to make better fitness and

COVID-19. As the wife of a local ER docKeep an eye out for her latest work, nutrition choices.

As a mother and former teacher, she also uses her writing career to ensure that no child is left behind through her inspirational messages. Her children’s book series, “Butterfly Princess,” is a body image parable to serve as an inspirational guide for children with body differences.

ALISA HAS ALSO BEEN ON TWO REALITY TV SHOWS WITH HER IDENTICAL TWIN (“CMT MADE” AND “E! NEWS BOTCHED”), FOUGHT AND WON AN MMA CAGE

go to different missions around the world. The proceeds from the first two devo

FIGHT AND WON FIRST PLACE IN BODYBUILDING – PHYSIQUE DIVISION.

A butterfly with a birthmark, a bee with a blunt stinger, a grasshopper with no pegs and a ladybug with no spots are just a few examples of God’s creatures having unique designs that show children with body differences that they are beautiful

Family is also very important to Wagner. With three small children and her husband working two jobs at the time, she knew she had to make some adjustments to her daily schedule, which gave her little room to focus on her writing. When her children were smaller, she juggled homeschooling and writing, which gave her less time for the latter. However, she used her time wisely and snuck in writing time during morning naps and the chil

Over the years, as her children grew, their schedules and needs changed, so she had to manage her schedule differently. She explains, “You have to be really flexible and sensitive to what is needed for that day and what God wants you to do.”

Her faith has also helped her get through tor, she knew it was only a matter of time before their family became ill, but her faith and strength in following God’s will allowed her to focus on the importance of healing and returning to her daily lifestyle. She has learned not to let fear steal the joy and blessing of each day.

“Pandemic Devotionals.” This collection features people’s inspirational stories during this uncertain and trying time our world is in currently. This devotional will be the third in her award-winning anthology, the “Enliven Devotional Series.”

What makes this devotional series so special is the philanthropic focus behind it. All the proceeds from these devotionals just the way they are.

tionals, “Granola Bar Devotionals” and “Get to the Margins,” went to African missions, and those from the upcoming “Pandemic Devotionals” will go to the Salvation Army in support of the homeless and poor in the United States.

Wagner created this anthology series because, although not everyone is called to be missionaries, they can donate their words to help a cause that not only inspires readers, but also supports missionary work worldwide.