writing
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The Balancing Act
Remember those memes that went around Facebook? The what I think I do, what my neighbors think I do, what I really do memes? Well, this is my blog version of what I really do.
Life as a work-from-home mom is an awkward balance that often finds me falling on my face. It’s like a set of scales, but instead of two pans to keep level, there are six. The tiniest addition to any category can send the whole contraption upside down.
I come from a line of folks who tend to have heart attacks and die at very young ages. To that end, my health is one of my priority areas. Unfortunately, for the last year and a half I’ve been plagued by injuries that have assassinated my running life. But a couple weeks ago I found a miracle in the form of a shot to the knee. CURE! Now I’m out walking the dogs each morning for a very brisk three to four miles. There goes an hour, but I’ve contributed to my health, and I listen to audiobooks while I walk, so I figure I’ve been entertained at the same time.
Last Friday, I was out in the fields, cruising my way back to my twenties (Hahaha), when my writing accountability partner called. It was a little early for our planned talk, so I hadn’t really messed up by not being home. We started our weekly tally of what we’d done and what we would commit to for the next week, when I came around a corner and saw a pony, not where she belonged. That’s how I found myself walking up my property, a pony in a headlock, while I tried to manage a discussion on the next week’s writing goals. This is a pretty good visual of how I balance the areas of my life.
I dream of a well-decorated living room, clean bathrooms, and clear kitchen counters. I live with blank walls, a paint job that’s half done, cluttered counter tops, and the consolation that at least there’s toilet paper in the bathrooms.
Each day I start with dreams of large word counts, brilliant blog posts, and a strong social media presence. Sometimes I get the word count in, but more often than not, my goals were too high for my brain to accomplish. And those brilliant blog post…haven’t happened yet. Don’t get me started on my love/hate relationship with social media.
The truth is, I can’t do it all. My family is my top priority, and that means I will drop whatever I’m doing for them. My house will never look like the pictures in magazines, and…that’s okay. There will be days when I exceed my word count goals and days when I fall horribly short. I will eat chocolate when I know I shouldn’t, and I can’t deny a growing coffee addiction. I will take time to pray when all is well, but sometimes try to fix problems on my own until I’ve made such a mess I’m forced to remember God is more capable than I am.
So, here’s to real life, and mercy, and humility, and growth. Here’s to the days that go well beyond our expectation, and those that crash and burn. And here’s to learning to live at peace with where we are, who we are, and what God can make of us.
Have a blessed day!
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Nashville 2016
Before
I just returned from Nashville, the home of the 2016 ACFW conference. As usual, the event was packed full of teaching, celebrations, and relationship building.
Most years I try to arrive the day before the conference begins. My introverted self needs some warm up time before taking my first meal with 600 other writers. This year, however, my husband and I had tickets for the Josh Groban concert, and I wasn’t going to miss that for anything. The venue was outside, the weather was perfect, and that man can really sing.
Before the concert started
The next morning my husband dropped me off at the airport, and I was on my way. Well, I was on my way after TSA checked my laptop for explosives. Apparently I was looking rather suspicious.
My cute driver
By the time I arrived at the hotel, right in downtown Nashville, most people had gone on to bed. After a day of travel, that was all I was thinking about too.
Flying into Nashville
During
The next morning I jumped right into conference mode. I connected with some authors who are also represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Agency. Their enthusiasm and kindness was very appreciated.
I took a great continuing ed class from the remarkable James L. Rubart. In the afternoon, I met with a couple editors.
Cara, Nancy, and me
On Saturday I was able to meet with one of the editors from my publisher, Kregel Publications. Dawn greeted me warmly and made me feel welcome and excited for this next year.
Saturday ended with the annual awards gala. All who attended were dressed for a fine evening. I watched as well-deserving writers were honored. The last award was given to Linda Brooks Davis. What a powerhouse of enthusiasm! I could have listened to this woman’s acceptance speech for an hour. She was wonderful.
After
I woke up the next morning and had breakfast with my friend Nancy then headed out to church. Down the road I found a Baptist church offering traditional and contemporary services at the same time. I chose contemporary. Not a surprise, but the music was phenomenal. The pastor shared about how we should serve, and I left with much to think about.
The plan I had months ago, when making my reservations, was to stay an extra day in Nashville, spending time with a friend. Unfortunately, she had to cancel. With my manuscript due to the publisher by September 1, this extra day turned out to be a blessing even without Jodie. I hunkered down in my hotel room and finished my final read-through.
By the time I was done, my eyes were strained, and my legs were aching for a walk. I took a long stroll around downtown Nashville. If you’ve never been to Nashville, you should consider planning a trip. It’s like no other place I’ve visited.
Monday morning, I took my first Uber to the airport. I tell you this because I’m sure it makes me sound modern and savvy. Haha!
My first flight was delayed, so I was moved to another airline. The first leg took me to Chicago. Wouldn’t you know it, thunder and lightning started right after we landed, and they shut down the airport. Of course my second flight was then delayed. I ended up sitting next to a with a man who had arms like the Hulk for the four and a half hours trip. But, I’m home now, and back to the keyboard.
I failed to take enough pictures, but here are a few.
This is just part of the line to get into the concert.
Ted Dekker giving the keynote
With Elizabeth Van Tassel
It’s food like this that causes me to gain a couple pounds at each conference.
With Voni Harris
Thanks to everyone who works hard to make ACFW function.
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Big News!
Time to Celebrate!
After waiting for what felt like eternity, I’m finally able to tell you the big news. I’ve signed a contract with Kregel Publications. They will be publishing my novel, The Lost.
Like just about every up and down in my writing career, this didn’t happen how I’d imagined it would.
A wonderful woman who’d been my mentor for about ten years passed away in early June. After the memorial service I wandered out to the field where our horse lives. Bella is good company even on days when I am not. As I was lovin’ on the horse, pondering the events of the day, my phone rang.
And it was my agent.
I answered, but of course, the connection was horrible and we couldn’t hear each other. Ugh!
She called again. Same thing.
Finally, on the third call, we’re able to communicate. When she told me Kregel wanted to offer me a contract, I was stunned. This news really took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. What a day!
As you can see, it’s now August. Turns out there are a lot of steps between being offered a contract and completing the process. Overall, it’s not a bad way to spend a summer.
In true writer-form, I think we should toast this occasion with…Coffee!
Or at least a coffee cup.
Recently, I discovered a company with unique and quality products. Tiffany and Jacob, of Camplight Apparel, believe in a positive message and giving back to the world. With each purchase from their online store, a donation is made to aid children in need. Camplight is currently donating to Harvest107, an organization working to build rooftop gardens for orphanages in Haiti.
To celebrate the new contract, I’m giving away one of the mugs shown above. All you have to do is be a subscriber. If you’ve already subscribed, you’re already entered. Drawing will take place on September 1, 2016 at 5:00pm pst.
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Meet Camille Eide and a Book Giveaway
I’m thrilled to introduce you all to Camille Eide, a truly wonderful writer. Camille was kind enough to answer a few questions. Stick around after the interview and enter this week’s giveaway, a signed copy of Camille’s book, The Memoir of Johnny Devine. This is one of my absolute favorites from the last year.
About The Memoir of Johnny Devine:
In 1953, desperation forces war widow, Eliza Saunderson, to take a job writing the memoir of ex-Hollywood heartthrob, Johnny Devine. Rumor has it Johnny can seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he can hail a cab. But now, the notorious womanizer claims he’s born again. And so he seems to be. Eliza soon finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become, a man who shows no sign of returning her feelings. No sign, that is, until she discovers something John never meant for her to see.
When Eliza’s articles on minority oppression land her on McCarthy’s communist hit list, both John and Eliza become entangled in a HUAC investigation that threatens both John’s book and Eliza’s future. To clear her name, Eliza must solve a family mystery. She also needs to convince John that real love—not the Hollywood illusion—can cover a multitude of sins. But just when the hope of love becomes reality, a troubling discovery confirms Eliza’s worst fears. Like the happy 1950s façade America now clings to, had it all been empty lies? Is there a love she can truly believe in?
When did you know you were a writer?
Aside from writing, illustrating, and self-publishing my first book about Snoopy at age 7, I began to feel the drive to write in 8th grade. I had a great English/Lit teacher who loaned me books to read and encouraged me to enter my writing in a school collection. I’ve always liked to write, but never seriously considered writing to publish until I was in my 40s. I’m not sure I “knew” I was a writer, but I knew I had a dream to see a book published and knew I wouldn’t stop until I had realized that dream. I guess it finally occurred to me that I must be a writer when I had spent countless late nights working on a story that I soon realized needed help. I didn’t want all that time, lost sleep, and effort wasted, so I sought help learning the craft and understanding the publishing industry.
How long did you actively write before you received your first contract?
I began writing my first novel (having no clue what it took to write or publish a book) in 2007. I signed a contract for two completed novels in 2014, so 7 years of writing, studying, receiving critique, writing, submitting, writing, growing, etc. I grew much as a writer during those 7 years, including acquiring patience and persistence, the concept of the importance of reaching for excellence, and understanding that there is no “arriving” but always growing.
Where do you write?
I have a home office where I do most of my writing. It’s painted in soothing, cozy colors. I can’t write in a coffee shop – I need total quiet.
Where did you get the idea for The Memoir of Johnny Devine?
While working on a story idea that was running into a plot snag, I prayed for the Lord’s help, and soon after, I had a dream about a man with a cane watching in silence as a lovely woman walked out his door for good. In my dream, I knew that his heart was breaking but that he couldn’t stop her. I woke intrigued and immediately began fleshing out this man’s story. As the pieces of the story, backstory, and societal backdrop began to fall easily into place, I really felt my dream was inspired by the Lord and an answer to prayer. The fact that I was able to write it very quickly was also an answer to prayer and further affirmation of this story’s divine inspiration.
What kind of research did you do for The Memoir of Johnny Devine?
I checked out mountains of books (I had to take a rolling suitcase to carry them all) on the 1920-1950s in America, the film industry and the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Studio System, the Cold War era, WW1 & 2, Senator McCarthy and the HUAC hearings, and more. I Googled everything I could get my hands on, talked to my Mom who was in high school the year this story takes place, and watched a LOT of classic films (bummer, huh?)
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on being a grandma as two of my kids are having kids this year, and juggling some changes to our home and family. Meanwhile, I’m working on a couple of novel ideas and deciding which one will become my next book, and I am not at all opposed to an entirely new story idea via a dream.
Thank you, Camille!
Entering for a chance to win a signed copy of The Memoir of Johnny Devine is simple.
- Subscribe at the upper right of this page. (If you’re already a subscriber, you won’t need to do this again.)
- Comment on this blog post.
The winner will be drawn on Tuesday, July 26 at 5:00 pst.
UPDATE: The winner is Jema!
Camille Eide writes heart-tugging tales of love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, and Peanut M&Ms.
Author Website: www.camilleeide.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camille-Eide-Author/134301859999367
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CamilleEide
Email: Camille@camilleeide.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-eide-2992b2a
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5356695.Camille_Eide
