Friday, April 29, 2016

Finding the Margins in Life by Guest Carrie Fancett Pagels #Giveaway

I have been blessed by an abundance of book releases in the past two years. During this same time, however, I’ve also gone through foot surgery and two outpatient foot procedures and a major surgery (with a long scar to prove it!) Not only that but my daughter had emergency surgery, my son struggled through health problems, and my father-in- law had triple bypass surgery. Not to mention the multiple deaths in the family and the ongoing struggle with Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease. Whew! But God is good! I couldn’t have written the books without God’s help. No way!

At Christmastime this year, I got convicted that I had to find some margins or space in my life. My husband and son were up in Chicago visiting my inlaws while I was supposed to be working on a contracted novella. I ended up writing only one day and spent the rest of the time in a flare up. I’d had another foot procedure that left me limited in walking. I was struggling with my attitude but praying that this PRP would work (it took several months but finally did.)

Over a period of two years I had written a long novella, two short novels, a standard novella, another two longish novellas, and edited/rewrote a long novel and wrote numerous proposals and blog posts. But recently, I had that nagging to make more room in my life or expand my margins. Writing a book is only part of the job, marketing also takes up a chunk of time and I’d run out of time to do much of that. And when life feels like it is crowding in, that’s the time to turn to God and ask what to do with that time He’s given us. The answer I got was – make more margins in your life.

So I’m on Phase 2, with some margins. I recently was awarded a contract for a full length novel, praise God, but it’s already been written and needs to have content cut. I’m also under contract for another novella and am expecting edits back on a third with Barbour, already submitted. I have a handful of proposals out. But, when given an opportunity to submit to another, I prayed about it and didn’t go forward. I needed margins. Then we had a family member unexpectedly pass away right after we’d had a family out of state trip to visit another family member in the hospital. And then upon return we had family in town for two and a half weeks. Had there not been some space, some margins in my life, I’d have panicked.

While God has called me to write, He’s also given me a wonderful husband, a teenage son, and an adult daughter and many friends. Those relationships require nurturing. When I start feeling overwhelmed, that’s when God whispers to my heart, “Did I call you to that?” He gives us rest if we ask Him. When we obey, He blesses us.

Click to Buy THE STEEPLECHASE Now!

Have you painted yourself into a corner with too many obligations and deadlines? Have you ever deliberately added more time into your calendar so that you could do what God called you to do in relationships?


Giveaway: A copy of Carrie’s latest release, The Steeplechase, in Kindle or paperback will go to one of this post's commenters. The winner will be announced in Monday's Weekly Wind-up post so be sure to check back to see if you won.

Carrie Fancett Pagels is a multi-published award-winning author of Christian historical romance. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!
Visit her at her website: www.CarrieFancettPagels.com or 
Amazon Author page 

18 comments:

  1. Well spoken, Carrie, and a reminder to remember my priorities. Thanks for your transparency. We all struggle with something and you're right, if we ask, God is there to help us!

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    1. Thanks, Deb! I really need to take care of some things God has planned for me and when I make my margins too tiny, it makes it harder to hear what He plans to go there! Blessings!

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  2. I have seen Steeplechase mentioned before and I hope to read it soon!
    Thanks for this giveaway!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Connie! Thanks! If you love Colonial Williamsburg and historical romance I think you'd enjoy this story! Blessings!

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  3. It's a good place to be when you learn to say No. It's quite freeing, actually. We all need margins in order to not burn out.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of The Steeplechase. I have a friend whom I would gift it to, if I win.

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    1. Hey Anne! I'm very grateful God helped me with all those projects He had for me, but I'm also grateful He warned me to make room for some other things coming my way. Blessings!

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  4. So true that family needs to come first! Your books look interesting :)

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    1. Thanks, Celesta! My margins sure needed expanding for my family's needs! And mine! Thanks for coming by! If you come back, can you please leave your email address in case you win?

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  5. yes I have painted myself into a corner with deadlines and then freak out with it. Shelia Hall sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. So Shelia, have you found some ways to keep that from happening? Do you deliberately try to keep some extra "margin" time?

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  6. Thank you for this post Carrie! It's so true.There should always be a balance to your life's schedule so that along with work we leave room for family and most importantly God. Including God in the planning is always a good way to do this. (already have Steeplechase,just wanted to thank you for this post. :) )

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  7. Hey Lynne! Thanks so much! When those margins get too narrow we don't have enough space to hear from God and to take care of things he wants us to do. Blessings!

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  8. Oh goodness, I'm visiting Colonial Williamsburg this year! Your post is very inspiring. Reminds me of "Lessons From A Sheep Dog" by Phillip Keller who touched on pacing ourselves with God or wearing ourselves out...Both of you have a powerful message! I would love to win your novel. I wish you the very best. I've shared you on my FB (Sue Kinney) and G+ etc. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hey Susan, Thanks! If you come back, please be sure to leave your email address in case you win! Blessings! Thanks for sharing, too!!!

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  9. Oh goodness! Here is my email! susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com Thank you for chasing me down! :) Blessings and His abundance to you!

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  10. Hello/ Oh carrie, i really don't see how you do so much with your writing and all of your troubles too. Do hope you manage to slow down for some ME time tho. Congrats on your new contracts. I would love to win this book. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Hey Maxie!!! I always love seeing you. Thanks for your kind words! Hugs!!!

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    2. This is so true! A great reminder to set priorities in our lives, to remember what matters the most. Congratulations on the new contracts, and I hope that everything will be well healthwise in the future. I'll say a prayer for you.

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