March 4, 2009

I Love It When A God Plan Comes Together. . .

I'm so thrilled - my writing buddy CARLA STEWART (and her agent) signed a two book deal this week, her first publishing contract. Carla is a phenomenal writer! (I know, I'm the writer this blog is supposed to be about, but I just can't help myself)

I can't wait to get my hands on A Dandelion Day coming out in 2010, and the second (yet untitiled) after that.

One of the things I admire about Carla is her love for the Lord, and her humility. Okay, that's two things. But it's a lovely combo, don't you think? I love it when the Lord gently reminds us that we are in His hands, and that all things work together for the good for those who love Him, whose heart's desire is to follow Him. Carla mentioned on her blog that her apprehensions about the future were stilled by remembering that it was God who brought her this far. I love that, as I need to remind myself this same thing regularly. Her comment reminded me of the story of Peter when Jesus called him out of the boat. Peter lost sight of Who had called him and enabled him to walk on water, and he started to sink. I pray my friend will keep her eyes on Jesus, and I know she will.

And when I mentioned the Peter getting out of the boat thing, Carla told me she had been praying in that exact way---that the Lord would let her step out on the water and keep her eyes on Him. What an amazing God we serve! I love the truths in His word that comfort, guide, and correct us. I love it when He confirms our prayers like this, reminding us that He is listening and is intent on helping us as we step out into the unknown, venture into uncharted waters. I believe that when we aim to use our abilities to glorify God, he will move mountains and quell raging seas to help us succeed. How can you not love that!

That's all, I just wanted to rave a little. :-)

12 comments:

carla stewart said...

Camille, you gave me a shock when I opened your blog and saw my face! Thank you for the plug.
It's one of God's mysteries how he brings people together, and I'm so glad he orchestrated our friendship. You're the best!
Praying, too, for April to hurry and get here so we find out what happens at MH.

Janet said...

Thanks for this. The reminder is timely. :o) (I'm querying now.)

Camille Eide said...

Carla - I hope the shock wasn't too much. I guess I should have warned you. :-D

Janet, I'm glad. I think the story works both ways: We'd best not let contracts OR rejections tell us who we are. Whether I'm sinking or floating, I want to keep my focus on the Lord. What are you querying? Best wishes to you on that! -c

Janet said...

I'm querying a Christian fantasy: a wizard who suffers a crisis of faith. (You should know it's always dangerous to ask a writer to talk about her book, but I'll stop now. LOL)

Jessica Nelson said...

Congrats to Carla! What a wonderful story. :-)
And maybe you'll be next.... :-)

Erica Vetsch said...

What a lovely post.

Camille Eide said...

Thank you, Erica. Hey, I peeked at your bio and found we have 3 things in common: bookkeeping (wheee!), Pirates of the Caribbean and Third Day. I don't know what that means. But unfortunately, I haven't heard of a single one of your fav authors. (!!) But checking out new (to me) authors is what feeds my TBR list. It grows faster than I can read. :-D

Anonymous said...

Nice! Congrats. Thanks for sharing this.

God's timing. God's plan.

Have a great day.

Myra Johnson said...

A touching tribute to a wonderful lady! Little did I know when I first met Carla almost three years ago that we were destined to become "traveling buddies" on this wild road to publication. God really does have a wonderful way of orchestrating our lives in harmonies we could never imagine!

Camille Eide said...

Myra - God is the Master Composer & Musician, isn't He?

Jessica - I sure hope so, whether it's Zondervan or someone else. Did you enter Genesis?

Jessica Nelson said...

No, I'm still thinking about entering, I just don't know which manuscript to submit.

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for Carla!!! I can't wait to watch the rest of her journey. :-)

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. . . .

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

I've published five novels and 2 novellas (more about those on my website.) I've been writing all my life, but decided in 2007 to get serious about being published.

I love action movies and Jane Austen. (she’s dead, I know. I found that out when I tried to get her to endorse my novel)

They let me play Bass guitar and sing in a worship band.

I can produce 4 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls in a flash for a crowd of drooling young adults. Or publishing house editors.

I used to have a Harley. Now we have seven grandkiddos. Decent trade, really.

I am a proud Grammy. Don't even think about taking candy from my babies.

I hate shopping (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a girl)

MY ROOTS:
I've lived in Oregon all my life, spent time in Eugene (Go DUCKS!), Springfield, Reedsport, and Smith River. Which is not really a town, but a river, about 70 miles long, a tributary of the Umpqua River in southwest Oregon.

Although it's not a town, it is a community with a strong sense of pioneer history. It's cool to say you've lived there, especially if you lived there during the days when you had to take a boat to school. No joke! The old farmhouse my grandfather and my mother grew up in still stands, nestled into a narrow, pasture carpeted valley, complete with a swimmin' hole and its own 'crick'. It may turn up in one of my novels.

There's a rumor that my ancestors had a connection with the Mafia back in Sicily. I used to fantasize as a kid about a big black limo with tinted windows pulling up and whisking me away from school. Ahhh. So THAT'S why I'm having so much trouble conjugating my dangling participles now.

NOT RANDOM: I am challenged by the truth and amazed by the grace of God. And it's either in spite of or because of that grace that I hold a PhD in Learning Stuff the Hard Way.