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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
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Come back soon to see my new website design! I can’t wait to share it with you.
I’m excited to be working with a great design team. In the next weeks this site will get a complete overhaul. Check back soon.
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Adventures of the One-handed Writer
“I have to write.”
I hear this from writers over and over again. I’ll be honest, I didn’t believe it. I mean, I love to write, but come on, I could stand a vacation. Then came the car accident.
A couple weeks ago I was driving my cute little Honda Civic down the road when another driver pulled out in front of me and we had one of those slow motion, crunching kind of collision. To the witnesses on the side of the road, I don’t think there was anything slow-motion about it. But you know how the brain works, the scariest moments, even if only a fraction of a second, seem to go on for the longest time.
What a blessing to find out that my girls and my other passenger were fine. And for the most part, I thought I was too. Except there was this ache in my pinky. And as the adrenaline began to wear off, the pain spread across my hand.
Two days later, I found myself sporting a bright pink cast to protect my broken wrist and sprained fingers. The worst part is not being able type.
You may be wondering how I’m writing this blog post. Am I really typing it out one letter at a time? Am I torturing one of my children by making them take my dictation?
Nope.
Today’s rambling comes to you through Dragon Naturally Speaking. The program and I haven’t become fast friends as of yet, but we’re communicating better than we were a week ago. Maybe by the time I actually get my hand back, the Dragon and I will no longer wants to part ways. But I don’t really think that will be the case.
So far our biggest argument is about how the Dragon insists upon typing out every word I scream at him when we argue.
Back to my original point. I was wrong. I have to write! Even if it means talking to myself in my empty living room, and hoping some software understands what I’m trying to say. And even if it means pecking out one letter at a time. Somehow, writing has become part of my identity.
And maybe there’s something else to learn. I will not be finishing the edits on my manuscript by the end of November, as I’d planned. The biography I’m working on for an exceptional woman, will not be printed this month. My floor will not be swept. Dishes will remain in the sink. And my bed, I think my bed may be lumpy through the whole process.
As annoying as this may be, I can’t help but think of how much worse it could have been. My girls and my other passenger came out of the accident with only seatbelt bruises. Thank God for seatbelts and well-made cars.
Two weeks later, I have a new car. It’s not cute and zippy, like the one that got munched, but it starts every time I turn the key. The other driver’s insurance is covering all our medical expenses. And casts come bright pink. The weather in Oregon has been unusually sunny this October, and I have time to walk in it. Last night I even managed to play pinochle.
Thanks for listening to me ramble on. A hope your day is blessed.
Christina
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2012 ~ My Review
I love New Years Eve. It’s a day to really reflect on the good, bad and the ugly of the past year and dream about the year to come. No matter the trials, I always come to this day knowing I’ve learned something new and grown closer to being the person I’d like to become. I may need to live to 100 before I get there, but progress is progress!
I leave 2012 with a mixture of emotions. This is the year I’d most like to put behind me, but it’s also the year I never want to forget. In 2012 relationships with friends and family were strengthened. I saw people who I love take great steps of faith and bravery. I watched in awe as God’s love shone from people who love Him. And I was changed by experiences, humbled and broken and blessed.
There were also places in 2012 were we had to dust off our sandals and move on, leaving behind relationships that were only harmful. People are not disposable, but there are circumstances when the best move is to move on. This is done with forgiveness in process and only good wishes for everyone’s future.
So, beyond the big lessons of 2012 we have the moments. All those segments in time that give us memories and stories we will share for the rest of our lives. Here’s a few:
Aleasha had her twelfth birthday.
Joshua stepped out and tried two new sports during his freshman year of high school. He wrestled in the winter and threw javelin in the spring. Each week he threw that javelin farther, impressing his coach and his parents.
Ryan stepped out and tried tennis. He and his doubles partner, Trevor, had a lot of fun regardless of the rain. And there was much rain!
Emma turned eleven.
We welcomed a new nephew to the family!
Jason got a year older and I stayed the same age.
Joshua discovered that he loves welding and wants to do something with this in his future.
The kids showed sheep, pigs and steers in the county fair.
Ryan started his senior year, turned eighteen and voted in his first election.
Aleasha and Emma started taking a few classes at the middle school. They’ve made new friends and excelled academically.
Aleasha played a LOT of volleyball!
Bella didn’t have any major accidents.
I signed with Karen Ball of the Steve Laube Agency. What an honor!
Ryan put many hours into a barn he was building for his senior project. We had a major wind storm and down came the barn!
Jason was Ryan’s helper on the barn project. He earned the title of “Chuck Monkey” for his mad bit changing skills.
Joshua decided to give football another try, and he did great! He played hard for the JV team and was able to play enough varsity to earn his first letter.
Ryan’s soccer team, short on players but long on dedication, took their season all the way to the state championship. And they WON! An awesome punctuation for his senior year.
Kit Kat passed away with the honor of being the oldest cat ever. We’re not sure how old she was, but seriously, that was an OLD cat.
Joshua turned sixteen!
Ryan and Jason took off the night of Christmas and traveled with the basketball team to Alaska for a tournament. They are on the way home as I type this.
I know I’m forgetting so many things! As usual, our year was full. Thank you to each of you who were a part of our lives this last year. May 2013 be a year of blessings, friendship and love!
Christina
