Cindy Morgan has won so many Dove Awards she's almost lost count.

Morgan recently added another one to the pile when the Gospel Music Association rewarded her co-writing effort on Rachel Lampa's contemporary Christian hit, Blessed, with the best inspirational song award at the 2001 Dove Awards in Nashville.

It's hard to believe now, but this talented singer-songwriter was so self-conscious about her weight and her looks that she didn't leave her house for a week, and didn't eat for almost the same length of time.

Her journey from a self-loathing youth to a successful Christian music artist has been a long, tough road, yet she believes it was no tougher than the problems many women face.

"I know there are a lot of people who go through a way harder time and go through things that make this look like nothing," Morgan says. "But for me, it was a very difficult time."

Last year, Morgan began sifting through her personal journals and recalling the more painful and depressing moments in her life, in order to help others out of their ruts.

Barefoot on Barbed Wire: A Journey Out of Fear Into Freedom is Morgan's story about how faith and courage helped make her a happier person.

"I wanted to write a book about something I could really talk about from a real personal experience," says Morgan.

"The book is about my struggle with fear, which I think is a very common problem with people, especially among young women.

"I think I just kind of realized that if I could write something that would help or encourage someone in a small way, that's what I would write about. "It's very simple, it's my story. It took me awhile to write because a lot of the stuff was really personal. I didn't really know how else to talk about it other than writing the truth. If I'm going to tell it, I'm going to tell it like it was."

Born and raised in Tennessee, Morgan grew up surrounded by music.

When she was 22, she was offered a recording contract, which kickstarted her singing career.

Ten years later, Morgan has released a best of compilation featuring songs from her previous seven albums and is getting ready to release her next one, entitled Elementary, on Aug. 14.

"My goal as a songwriter, singer and performer is to make a great record, write a great song and do a great show," says Morgan. "As a Christian, that's the perspective that I speak from, but not everything is about God.

"There are lots of mainstream artists who talk about their faith, whether it be Christianity, Buddhism or whatever. And I think it's important for people to have that freedom to talk about their faith, or not talk about it."

Married now for four years to Canadian author Sigmund Brouwer, Morgan splits her time between Red Deer and Nashville.

"I love Red Deer. It's absolutely beautiful here and I really do like the people."