I'm an amateur expert at many things, I guess you could say.

 

I've always dabbled in nature and wildlife photography, write just about anything that can be written and don't think I could stop if I tried, edit grammar without meaning to in everyday life, and organize like the world will end if my closet isn't seperated by category, my can labels aren't straight, and my hardcover books aren't seperated by correct author. I'm also more than a little familiar with the world of being a full time nanny and working for people who want me to drive their Lexus to the country club every day, or with people who think I am below them as the "hired help", the nanny. 

 

I started writing when I was in third grade. It was in my Tweety Bird diary and my first attempt (look under media gallery) at poetry. Later, when I was eleven, I wrote a poem that appeared in Teen Beat Magazine (my favorite back then). I've written more things than anyone would ever care to read, but have been blessed that some of my work did make it into the publishing world. I've written Reflections and The Locket, both available here on Amazon. My poem I wrote for my dad shortly after he died, He Was My Daddy, appeared in both The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) and The Rutherford Reader (Murfreesboro, TN) newspapers. During high school and college, I was published in several anthologies and won a poetry contest among 3,000+ students. I also received several Editor's Choice Awards for poetry and the "perfect" score of six on my writing assesment, the only one in my school. On the ACT, I got a 25 overall (blah math and science), but scored a 34 on the English portion, missing two questions of the entire section. I've also edited two books that went on to be professionally published and sold. Editing is tough, tough work and I enjoy writing much more. Still, I don't write (or edit) for the "acclaim" (let's be real, who besides me would know any of this?).....

 

I write because I love it.

I need it like most people need air.

It's a part of me.

I'm not "me" without a pen in my hand. 

 

All the other things mentioned I have even less experience in than writing, but enough that most would consider me an amateur expert. I can organize anything. I mean ANYTHING...plus I enjoy it more than should be allowed. I'm a clean freak/slightly OCD and love everything in its place. Clean surfaces make me happy :) I love photography and capturing a moment that will never exist again exactly the way it did in that split second of beauty. God makes the view and I simply capture it to hold onto before it passes and is gone forever. Sunsets, beaches, mountains, lakes, snow, children, weddings...I've done a little bit of it all and love it. My camera isn't super fancy and I don't know all the tricks and lingo, but I try my best to make a lovely photo. :) Being a nanny basically fell into my lap as a preteen and somehow turned into a full time career. For the most part, I enjoy it and can make good money from it, and feel fulfilled...but I'd certainly rather be writing. :) I've been a full time nanny for over ten years now, and can soothe a baby in about two seconds flat. It's fun when the parents ask, "HOW do you get them to do that?" My answer? Lots of practice and amateur expertise. 

 

I guess most of these things are really hobbies more than anything. I would LOVE to make writing a full time career one day, Lord willing. In the meantime, I'm doing nanny work and starting a part time professional organizational business (Blissfully Organized) and writing a nonfiction book, Blissfully Organized: From Hot Mess To House Guest. My goal is to be a certified professional organizer by 2020 (I have to log at least 1,500 paid hours before I can take the test to be certified!) I'm also continuing writing (it's doubtful I will ever stop!) and am currently finishing up my first devotional book, When The Church Forgets To Blush, am about halfway through my second devotional book, Lists To Live By: A 365 Day Journey Through The Bible. I've just barely started writing my next fiction book (about the Holocaust), When The Leaves Begin To Change, and still have several more ideas for later, such as a book on marriage (One Flesh Love), another Christian book (Always Be Ready: A Pocket Sized Guide To Bible Answers), a nonfiction book on nannying (The Ideal Nanny: How To Be One, How To Find One, & How To Keep One) and I'm even considering writing a suspense book (The Lilac Killer). Too many ideas and not enough time! :) Those are just off the top of my head so I probably am forgetting some, too. 

 

That about sums up my "amateur expertise"....except being a crime scene investigator and forensic scientist. I'm pretty sure I am qualified for that now after all my seasons of Forensic Files and Cold Case. :)

 

 

All glory goes to God.

 

 

 All I have is from Him, 

 

 

and I am just a steward of it for now. 

 

If you are ever interested in talking to me about a writing/editing/photography/organizational/nanny/personal assitant/etc position, please contact me via email using the form found on the "contact" page under the "Simply Emily" heading.