ACFW 2016 Recap

What do you get when nearly 600 writers and authors gather together?

FUN!

This was my fourth year as the ACFW Conference photographer and each year gets better and better. The end tally for headshots this year was 43 sessions - WOW! I took over 1000 photos just of the conference alone. To be honest, I really enjoy attending the conference as the photographer and as a writer. It gives me a unique perspective--a lens to view things through (see what I did there?)--that is unlike anything else. Besides, it means I get to meet a lot of incredible people too!

Below you'll see some highlights in photo-form of the wonderful friends I was able to see again as well as those I was able to meet in person for the first time!

Loved seeing Carrie Fancett Pagels again, reconnecting with the ever-encouraging Deb Kastner, meeting Kara Isaac for the first time, and hanging out with my best friend Steffani Webb!

 Loved seeing Kathleen Freeman, meeting Katie Breslin in person finally, laughing it up with Jaime Jo Wright, and reconnecting with sweet Anne Love!

Listening to his inspirational speech at the gala and talking photography with Jim Rubart, laughing and being a goof with sweet Mary Weber, catching up and doing a super fun photo session with Rachel Hauck, and seeing the lovely and encouraging Cara Putman!

Laughing and doing model-like things with Nadine Brandes, wishing Ronie happy birthday, meeting Meghan Gorecki in person and taking so many photos of her lovely eyes, and meeting talented Jamie Lapeyrolerie in person!!!

 Meeting Ted Dekker - one of my all-time favorite authors, rooming with Steffani, Natalie Walters, and Kelly Bridgewater, seeing the beautiful Ronie Kendig, and smiling with Steff again ;)

Laughing it up with Katie Ganshert and Rel Mollet! These ladies - they make my heart so happy!

And Ted's incredible teaching. He has such a unique story and the way that he was able to explain how he writes and his own writing journey was fascinating. 

 

***

 

I'd like to say that I walked away with some fantastic writing gems to share with you (and I definitely did learn a lot) but for me, this conference was heavily focused on relationships. It was absolutely stunning what the Lord taught me through the many 'divine appointments' I had and how encouraged I was through it all. Yes...I even cried some. But that's for another post ;-)

For more updates about the conference, including info on how my editor appointments went, make sure you've signed up for my newsletter! It'll be going out next week! In addition to a sweet GIVEAWAY there's a rumor going around that there'll be really funny pictures of me and some other authors in there...

And a BIG thank you to all who prayed for my time at the conference. I saw God work in a mighty way!

ACFW Bound | 2016

It’s time! It’s time! Time to leave for Nashville TOMORROW! I am SO excited (if you couldn’t already tell) to be heading off to the ACFW Conference. If you don’t know what it is, check out their website for more details.

What I'm looking forward to…

Writer fellowship 
This is by far the best part of ACFW – connecting (and reconnecting) with fellow writers! Okay, and also fan-girling over my favorite authors! Nothing beats talking about plots, appointments, books, and the unique struggles and joys of being a writer with other writers. Plus my dear friend Steffani (who’s like a sister to me) is coming for the first time this year!

Encouragement
It is easy to get “down” when you find yourself writing alone. Coming together for a conference like ACFW’s is fantastic because we remember that we are not alone. I always walk away from a conference like this bursting with new ideas for books and new inspiration and excitement to meet my goals!

Learning & Refreshment
No matter if you are a seasoned writer or a newbie, a conference like ACFW is perfect for learning new things about your craft as well as coming away refreshed. There is something magical about staying up late talking about fictional people with your writing friends only to wake up the next day itching to write!

Headshot sessions
I have over 40 headshot sessions schedule for this conference and I am beyond excited! I love all aspects of the conference, but my sessions hold a special place in my heart because, for 15 minutes out of the day, I get to connect with other writers and make them smile (well, that’s the hope hehe).

Fun!
Um, ACFW is just crazy fun! ‘Nuff said.

How you can pray…

Traveling
I leave tomorrow to drive to Nashville from Dayton so prayers for safety would be great!

Pitches & Nerves
I’ll be meeting with editors to pitch a book series and I am just a tad bit okay a lot nervous! Prayers for peace at the time of the appointment as well as clarity of thought so I can actually explain what my series is about would be great :D

Genuine connections
I see the ACFW Conference not only as a “means to an end” (like a book contract) but as a means to establishing genuine relationships with fellow writers. It’s easy to get caught up in the business side of things sometimes but, to me, ACFW is more about building true friendships than anything else. I’d love prayer for “Divine Appointments” from the Lord and the courage to step up and be outgoing when needed.

Follow my adventures: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emiliehendryx/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createexploreread
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eacreativephoto
Newsletter: Sign up HERE to receive my follow up conference newsletter and a chance to win a $10 Amazon giftcard ;-)

If you’re attending the conference what are some things you’re looking forward to? If you are a reader, what author would you “dream” of meeting?

ACFW Genesis Contest Semi-Finalist

I am in SHOCK! Well, excited shock that is :D

I am a Semi-Finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest!!!

The Genesis Contest is an awesome, national contest hosted by the American Christian Fiction Writers association I've been a part of for almost 2 years now. The contest is for unpublished authors to enter and involves sending in a synopsis and the first 15 pages of your manuscript.

It's funny to me because I almost didn't enter this year due to the craziness of my life right now (read: moving to DC, freelance writing, photography....etc.). But, the day before the deadline--isn't that always how it goes?--I sent in my revised first 15 pages. Then waited.

And waited...

I actually have the honor of coordinating the Mystery/Thriller/Suspense category and have loved seeing the contest from the "inside". So, yesterday came (me knowing the other coordinators were going to be making the calls) and I waited some more--anxiously and daring to hope I'd get a call.

RING!

A phone number I didn't recognize! I stepped away from conversation to answer the phone and, low and behold, I found out I was a Semi-Finalist! Lots of internal cheering and a healthy dose of unbelief followed, but more than anything else I've been beaming since this morning!

No matter what happens next, I am just excited to have made it this far and am definitely inspired to finish revising the book to resubmit it!

Jeannie Campbell {Writer Wednesday}

Happy Wednesday to you all! I wanted to start off this post with something a little different before we dive into meeting the wonderful Jeannie Campbell.

As many of you know, I run a small photography business in addition to my writing and my work at the church. Well, I hit a milestone last week and reached 400 likes on my photography Facebook page *grins*. As a way of saying thank you, I'm offering a giveaway on my photography blog. I know a lot of you dear readers aren't in the area, but if -by some chance- you are near by Santa Clarita or know someone who is, feel free to send them to my blog [here] to check out the giveaway!

Ok, on to meeting the lovely Jeannie for our {Writer Wednesday} post!

A little bit about Jeannie...

Jeannie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC # 45366) in California. She currently serve as Head of Clinical Services for a large non-profit, and she’s worked with families, teens, parents, and kids for over 10 years.

You name it, she’s worked there: a crisis pregnancy center, psychiatric hospital, drug rehabilitation, elementary and high schools, college campuses, multiple non-profits and homeless shelters, a foster family agency, and in private practice. But in June 2011, Jeannie added one more location: the internet. She loves her day job so much, she crossed over to diagnosing make-believe people. (Just don’t tell her clients, or they might question their decision to get help from her!)

In addition to being a therapist, Jeannie is also a freelance writer, author, editor, and book reviewer. She writes a quarterly column for the ACFW Journal, monthly columns for Christian Fiction Online Magazine and Choose Now Ministries, and have been featured in several other e-zines, newspapers, and blogs. Two of her manuscripts have been finalists in the Genesis contest for unpublished writers, sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), of which she is a proud member.

How to connect with Jeannie...
Website: http://charactertherapist.com
Blog: http://charactertherapist.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanniemoodcampbell
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeanniecampbell
Jeannie's writer’s guides available for sale in her Therapy Store:
     Writer’s Guide to Personality Disorders
     Writer’s Guide to Personality Types
     Writer’s Guide to Breaking Stereotypes
     Writer’s Guide to Creating Rich Back Stories
     Writer’s Guide to Grief
Preferred purchase link to your book: http://charactertherapist.com/store/

 
Author Interview | Jeannie Campbell

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I started writing as a little girl when I got my first journal at age 6. I moved on to angst-driven middle grade and then young adult, following my own developmental progress. Writing is breathing to me. If I don’t, I’d scream…or seriously need therapy.

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...I’m writing a new adult trilogy currently. It’s a result of my having stumbled upon an incredible psychological theory about love that really resonated with me. The theory is triangular, stating that love has three sides: commitment, passion, and intimacy. I got the idea to have a heroine who experiences each side of the triangle with a different guy, one for each book. It’s more of a coming of age-type novel, one that I am writing mainly to engage that huge population of readers on Amazon who would rather read the NY Times and USA Today best sellers for teens, which are basically erotica for teenagers. I’m writing this series from a biblical worldview, but I think the book will appeal to these readers, and perhaps show them a different way.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I hope that young girls, at that impressionable age of 16-22 or so, will realize that their worth is not defined by whether they are with a guy or not. I certainly want them to know that they don’t need to go into relationships hoping to “save” the bad guy, which is presented in so many novels geared toward this age group.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Definitely based on real life. As a therapist, I see a broad array of humanity every day that walk into my office. I never base any character on any one person or client, but make them montages of the people I’ve worked with or have somehow been associated with. I honestly don’t believe there is a better occupation by day to get fodder for bring a writer by night.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Not to give up. Even if people don’t get it, don’t get you, don’t understand the draw…you keep writing.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat?
...I’ve been seriously scarfing down Oreos with the Candy Corn filling. Oh. My. Gosh. Have you tried these? Amazing. It’s like candy and a cookie at the same time.

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be?
...I thought I’d be a vet through middle school…and then a journalist in high school. I did major in journalism, but double majored in psychology as well.

___________________________

Thank you so much Jeannie - what a fantastic interview! The series you are currently working on sounds like a fantastic idea. We are definitely in need of books with a biblical world view that isn't afraid to tackle real-world problems. I can't wait for them to come out. And no - I have not tried the Oreos with Candy Corn filling...I'm afraid to buy a carton of those or else...well...they'll be gone much too quickly ;) Maybe I'll bring them to an event and snatch one hehe!

Thanks again Jeannie! And I know I've benefited from your articles for ACFW - keep up the great work! And readers, make sure you check out her Therapy Store!

Gail Pallotta {Writer Wednesday}

Hello and happy Wednesday! It's been a full few weeks for me but I'm happy to announce that I've finished all photos from the ACFW Conference! This means I may actually get some time to write here or there ;) But, for today, I'm excited to introduce you to author Gail Pallotta. Give her a big welcome!!

She has also offered to do an ebook GIVEAWAY of her novel Stopped Cold. Make sure you comment below (by 9pm Monday the 14th) to enter for a chance to win this novel! I'll announce the winner next Tuesday, October 15!

A little bit about Gail...

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s been a Sunday school teacher, a swim-team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her new teen book, Stopped Cold, is a best-seller on All Romance eBooks. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

How to connect with Gail...

Website: http://www.gailpallotta.com 
Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
On staff at: http://www.clashofthetitles.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17879103-stopped-cold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMorehttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore
Twitter: @Hopefulwords
Purchase her book: on Amazon

Author Interview | Gail Pallotta


You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing?
...I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. The first published work was in a grammar school newspaper a friend and I put out. 

What has kept you writing? 
...It’s a part of me, what I do. My husband probably has the best explanation. He says I have pretend people running around my head, and I have to let them out. LOL.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
...They’re all special in their own way.

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...It’s hard to say which is more difficult, finding a publisher or promoting the book. The easiest? I’m not sure anything about it is easy, but the most fun part is getting the story down on paper.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently?
...Stopped Cold is a Christian teen sports mystery set in a small town in the North Carolina mountains, but things aren’t what they seem in Mistville. Margaret McWhorter enjoys flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean in sports, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

Why are you/did you write it?
...First of all, I wanted to write a fun book. As a youngster I loved mysteries, especially when the kids, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, solved the case. My book’s reminiscent of those amateur sleuths.

...The message rattled around in my head for a long time. Over the years I’ve seen instances when not being number one created great pain for a child or young adult. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to be “better than everyone else” rather than “the best one could be” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. We don’t have to be number one for God to love us. He’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Do you have a favorite character in this work?
...I like them all, but if I had to choose, I’d pick Margaret. 

If so, why? 
...She’s someone I can relate to, sympathize with and definitely root for her. I want her to succeed in finding the drug dealers who hurt her brother and to find peace through her faith.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...God’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?
...Life. Sometimes I experience something. Sometimes I observe something. Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both? Both.
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories? 
...To write something people will enjoy reading that adds meaning to their lives.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Keep writing, learning about writing and don’t give up.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat?
...Chocolate. Hmm. Did I say chocolate?

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be? 
...I’ve always loved to write, but at one time I remember wanting to be a detective.

Will you participate in National Novel Writing Month? If so, what’s your plan to keep your writing on track? 
...No. I’m working on several projects that are keeping me busy.

___________________________

 
Thank you so much for this wonderful interview Gail! I love your husbands explanation of why you keep writing! I too experience those "imaginary people" :) I really connected with what you said about being the best or being first. I see it often in the teens that I work with through my church - there is so much pressure on them to be the best in sports or school or music etc. and that transfers over into how they view God loving them. Almost like they have to be good enough for Him to love them. It's such a dangerous lie to believe.

Thanks again for sharing with us and for offering the GIVEAWAY! Don't forget, Readers, leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win Stopped Cold!

Mary Annslee Urban {Writer Wednesday}

I had the distinct blessing of being the event photographer for the SCV Pregnancy Center (our local pregnancy center) fundraising banquet last night!  It was so wonderful to hear the keynote speaker Melissa Ohden and to be moved, encouraged, and inspired by her story.  Talk about amazing!  Check out a brief post I did on my photography blog [here] and be on the look out for more photos from the event soon! 

I'm also so excited to be back in the swing of things for {Writer Wednesday}! We have a wonderful interview with Mary Annslee Urban today and I can't wait for you to get to know her better :)

Here's a little bit about Mary ...

Tapestry of Trust

Mary Annslee Urban is an author of Inspirational Romance. Her goal is to write stories that stir the heart about love, honor and God's grace! Her debut book, Tapestry of Trust, White Rose Publishing, was released June 2012. Her second book with White Rose Publishing, She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance, will be released Fall of 2012.

A registered nurse by profession, Mary works part-time in the behavioral health field. She also has been a freelance writer for newspapers in her area and has had articles published in magazines as well as online publications. She has served as co-president of Carolina's Christian Writers and is a member of ACFW. A North Carolina resident, Mary and her husband have five children and 3 grandchildren. When she isn't writing, she enjoys Bible Studies, cooking, traveling, long walks and anything chocolate!

How to connect with Mary...
Blog: maryurban.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mary.a.urban.9

Amazon: Author Page

Google+: https://plus.google.com/112306007651825730409/posts

Author Interview | Mary Annslee Urban

You & Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? 
...I grew up watching old-time romance movies, which I believe started my passion for sweet romance, true love and happy endings. A daydreamer at heart, I began my writing journey when the youngest of my five children started school. For several years I worked as a freelance writer for local newspapers and contributed articles to magazines and online publications.
...Raised in the foothills of Arizona, I survived temperature shock when I moved to Western Pennsylvania, before setting in North Carolina with my husband and children. Aside from writing, I work part-time as a Registered Nurse in the Behavioral Health field. I’m a member of ACFW, and currently serve as vice-president of Carolina Christian Writers. I have three published novels.  They are Tapestry of Trust, released June 2012, and She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance, November 2012 and In Love’s Defense, due out this September 2013.
…When I’m not writing, I enjoy cooking, traveling to faraway places, playing with grandbabies and eating all things chocolate.

What has kept you writing?
…I had such a passion to write I couldn’t stop myself. I just loved learning and improving the craft.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
…Whichever book I’m working on is my favorite at the time. I get so involved in watching the characters come to life and can’t wait to see how the story evolves.

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...Waiting! For replies from agents, publishers, editors. The easiest? Getting the call or email that the book has sold!

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...I write Inspirational Romance. Right now I am working on an historical and just finished a romantic suspense.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...The struggles my characters over come to get to the romance. With Christ at the helm.

Writing
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?  Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both? 
…My stories are from my imagination, although threads of my life experiences are tangled within the characters and story.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
…Definitely to encourage people and hopefully bring them closer to God.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Don’t give up. Follow your passion and the path the Lord has set before you.

You
Have you ever attended a writer’s conference? If so, which one(s) and what were most helpful about it?
…I recently attended the ACFW conference in Dallas. I gleaned so much from the various workshops. There’s always so much to learn.

What’s your favorite green food?  (In honor of St. Patrick’s Day of course!)
…Spinach. Fresh, or cooked. I love it!

If you could travel to any location and stay there for one month (probably spending most of the time writing) where would you go?
...Northern Italy. We were there once, in the mountains around Verona. It was so beautiful and serene. And my grandfather’s family was from that area, which made it even more special.

____________________________________

Thank you for that wonderful interview Mary!  I would have to agree with your choice for a month-long getaway to Italy.  I've been there once for a week and cannot wait until I get the chance to go back! I also loved how you said the hardest thing about publishing was the waiting.  I think that goes for most good things in life - eh?  Well, I really appreciate you sharing with us!

By far my favorite question for this month is the last one regarding traveling.  You'll have the chance to hear three more authors thoughts on this, but until the next {Writer Wednesday} what is your answer to that question? I'd love to hear your answers below!

If you could travel to any location and stay there for one month where would you go? 

Day 16 | You're not ready for this

Hello my dear thinking thoughts... readers!  I have some exciting news, an update on the NaNo novel, and an encouraging story to share with you today.

I'll start with the exciting news :)

As I've been thinking through my writing and have recently joined American Christian Fiction Writers (check out the post HERE) I really have felt the Lord leading me toward more writing-related endeavors.  It's such an exciting and inspirational thing to have friends who encourage me in this and to be introduced into a community like ACFW.  The loope emails we all receive are so great and have stoked my writing embers into a blaze.

The result of all this are a few new things coming to blog.  Starting next week I will be introducing {Writer Wednesday}!  These posts will be on Wednesday (crazy, right?) and will be a compilation of a few things.  First, they will feature a different author (published & un-published alike**) each week.  I have come up with a pretty inclusive set of questions for an 'interview style' type of post.  With these questions I have tried to tap into the authors writing process, their motivations for writing, and some fun questions about the person behind the book!  In addition to this, I want these posts to be helpful places for writing tips from the authors themselves.  I think {Writer Wesdnesday} will be fun for everyone - writer or not - and a great way to discover new books or pick up a new writing/publishing tip!

I'll be starting off the very first {Writer Wednesday} next week with my own personal story ;)  I'm excited to already have a great lineup for December including a book giveaway by the talented Emily Ann Benedict.  You will want to make sure and "join" this site (use the lovely little blue box to the left that says "Join this site") so that you will be updated on new posts and more potential giveaways and contests! I'm also on Networked Blogs if you want to follow me that way too.

As for my NaNo Novel, things are going well!  I'm currently at 26,744 words and am plugging away quite nicely!  Still have some work to do today on it, but I'm feeling confident (hope that doesn't come back to bite me later).

That pretty much sums up my week so far.  In addition to {Writer Wednesday} I'll also be reviewing books soon.  I need the dust from NaNoWriMo to settle before I make my way through all of them but I'm excited to have a few new books to the market to share with you all.

Lastly, I mentioned I had an encouraging story to share.  Yesterday I was part of a group from my church that partnered with a pastor from another church in our area to stock-pile their food pantry shelves for the Thanksgiving/Christmas season.

It was such a blessing to join with other members of my church (parents and children) to fill up over 10 carts of food for this small little food pantry.  Pastor George, who heads up the pantry for Church of Hope, was so grateful!  He told me afterward that the food we bought today will more than likely take them through March (which includes the other donations they will get around the holiday).  I was overwhelmed to hear him say that!  It was only a small part of my day but by far one of the best parts.

It reminded me of the sermon from this past Sunday by our Pastor Luis.  His focus was blessing and the key phrase I have taken with me this week is:  We are blessed to be a blessing.  When you put your life in that perspective everything takes on a different meaning.  It's so 'focusing' (and yes, I may have made that up) to think that every blessing we have/receive is not for us (necessarily) but for us to bless others with!

I hope this encourages you to look for ways in your life you can bless others because of the blessings you've received!  Make sure to check back in next week for the first {Writer Wednesday}.

_________

**If you're an author and would like to guest post for {Writer Wednesday} make sure and send me and email including a link to your blog and I'll be in touch. 

ACFW & Varoius Passions

Welp, I became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) tonight.  [Check out the fun badge to the left of my blog - fancy!]  I also spent an inordinate amount of time looking through the vast resources that come with this membership as well as numerous blogs and posts related to other writing pursuits, conferences, and resources.  So.  Much.  Information.

*sigh*

I think what I'm feeling is my age...the funny thing is, I'm not feeling it in the way you'd normally hear, such as "feeling your old age".  I'm feeling my young age.  

I've heard it said that you shouldn't publish a book until after the age of 40.  Now, I'm not sure they (whomever they were) meant a fiction book or a non-fiction book or just any book in general, but that really puts me at a disadvantage.  I mean, that would mean I need to wait at least 14 more years!!  Call me crazy, but I'm not that patient.  Though maybe the moral of it all is that I should be?  Not sure on that one...

The goal to publish does seem daunting.  Pair that with the other things I'm passionate about (like photography, music, ministry, my job etc.) and I have to wonder, do I peruse all of these things?  And if the answer to that is no - how do I choose what to cut? 

This isn't an entirely new thought to me.  I've always taken on more than I should.  I don't like the idea of always answering "busy" to the question, "How are you?".  Yet, I'm a natural 'go-getter' and feel almost guilty sitting around not doing anything when I could be doing something. 

Balance.

As many wise people in my life have frequently reminded me, I need to focus on having balance not only in my life but before the Lord.  What is good, better, and best?  My discipler always likes to remind me of this! :)  Not all things are bad, but you have to choose which is best - not just good.  To choose to focus on Christ first and allow those scattered pieces of my life to fall into their rightful place.  Resting in Him is something I want to do.  More than that, it's something I need to do. 

I've been challenged by the idea that our lives as Christians cannot simply exist as "our lives + Christ".  He can't just be "a part" of our lives but rather the center of our lives.  I've always thought of it like a tether ball pole and a doughnut.  We want to be the doughnut - our lives circling around some nebulous "something" while the real bulk of it is our lives.  Instead, we need to be the ball attached to the rope which is anchored to the pole.  We are rotating around the pole, not the other way around.

I may not be 40, and I may not be a perfect writer, but I do know I have passion for it.  My prayer is that I would accurately balance that passion (along with the many others) with a fire and insatiable hunger for Christ.  I pray passion for Him would out-shadow anything I want and, in turn, shape what I am doing.