June 15, 2011

Turning the Tables on This Writer...

Since finaling in the American Christian Fiction Writers' 2011 Genesis Contest, a friendly little press release sent to my local paper turned into an article on me. Wow, right? I spend 90% of my time putting words to the page and now I'M on the page. How fun. Be sure to check out the article by local reporter Jim Hart. I had an interesting visit with Jim, getting to know another writer who pens a differnt type of art, but with a similar kind of love for words. Well done, Jim. Thanks!

Check out the story here:

Go to ACFW's Genesis page for all the semi-finalists and finalists in this year's contest for "Pre-published" authors. That's what some of us optimists prefer to be called.

By the way, the card I'm smiling at was a sweet note of congrats and encouragement sent to me by my fabulously talented critique partner Emily Hendrickson, Christian Romance author and all-around funny girl. She's the Queen of Banter. She's my Banter Muse. :-)

8 comments:

carla stewart said...

Love this, Camille! Very cute picture, and I like that Emily is your Banter Muse. Am I the Grinch Muse? No reply required, my friend.
Excited about your writing life!

Camille Eide said...

Carla Stewart is the Great and Wise Storytelling Muse. :D

Carla, a couple notes from you are tacked like targets in the center of that jumbled wall of reminders and inspiration. Right beside pics of my family who I don't see enough in real life (and yes, who live in the same house with me...)

I appreciate the honest, carefully considered feedback from trusted writers whose wisdom I respect. Sometimes I need a Grinch. Sometimes I need a Cheerleader. Sometimes I need to just buckle down and stop sounding off and spill my heart all over the wretched thing. I meant the Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, if my agent or any editors are reading this. :D

Jason and Emily said...

Awesome article! You write good and look perrty too.

@Carla - I'll trade you for a little storytelling muse any day.

Can't wait to see the awesome things that come of this, Camille! And can't wait to see you both in St. Louie.

SilverBill said...

Camille I'm so pleased that the Lord is opening doors for you. Looking forward to next week and sharing what is happening in your life.

PTL Bill

Nicole M. Miller said...

What a great article! I'm so excited for everything that is falling into place for you! I've got a good feeling...

:-)

Linda Glaz said...

How blessed were you for all this to happen? Way to go.

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Camille, I loved that story in the Afictionado! What a wonderful appointment God set up for you. I remember John VanDiest, since I am from Portland and attended Multnomah Bible College. I also worked for Unilit which was a distributor later bought by Spring Arbor and very connected with Tyndale and Multnomah. We even had Ken Taylor the author of the Living Bible come and speak to our staff. What an honor to meet these men who have done so much to spread the Gospel through Christian publishing. I can't wait to hear the rest of your story.
Blessings,
Carrie

Camille Eide said...

Carrie - thanks for stopping by! It really is a small world, isn't it? My daughter plans to attend Multnomah after this (sophmore) year at community college. It's amazing how the Lord orchestrates things. I haven't been in touch with John much since but have an idea we may meet again. We ought to try to bump into Randy Alcorn next time, since he also lives in my town. And they are of course long-time acquaintances & partners in publishing. :)

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.