Meet and Greet Monday: Carla Stewart

A two-time ACFW Genesis winner, Carla Stewart is a Guideposts Writers Workshop alumna and has been published in Guideposts, Angels on Earth, and several regional magazines and anthologies. Her debut novel, Chasing Lilacs, releases in June 2010 with FaithWords. Carla enjoys a good cup of coffee, weekend getaways with her husband, and the antics of their six grandchildren.
Dear Reader

Hi there. My name is Carla Stewart and I’m so happy to be here today to share a little about my writing journey and to introduce you to my first book, Chasing Lilacs.

I’m a wife, mom to four boys, and Mimi to six terrific grandkids (only one girl in the bunch). I believe in Jesus, the power of the written word, and a good cup of coffee. Nine years ago, I hung up my nurse’s cap and strapped myself to a chair in front of the computer, eager to pursue my lifelong dream of writing a novel. It’s been a circuitous journey with a lot of bumps along the way, but I’m very excited that finally, my debut novel, Chasing Lilacs, is about to become a reality. June 17 to be exact.

The idea for the story sprang from childhood curiosity—the occasional whisper about someone who’d had a nervous breakdown or shock treatments. The term “nerve problems” frequently cropped up with no explanation of what that meant. Not only were these taboo topics for conversation in the 1950s, I later learned that the ailments themselves were often misunderstood and not always treated properly. As a writer, I wanted to explore what it might have been like for an adolescent girl from that era to have a mother with these problems.

The setting is similar to the one where I grew up in the Texas Panhandle: a close-knit petroleum camp where neighbors helped one another and kept an eye on everyone’s kids. The theme of community was a natural outcropping of that. It was a more carefree time, almost magical, and I hope I’ve portrayed some of that feeling—Elvis on the radio, poodle hair cuts, endless hot summers, Grapette in a bottle.

Even in the best of times, though, tragedy can strike and faith can be tested. As my young protagonist, Sammie, struggles with her own identity and her mom’s “nerve” problems, she has to decide who to trust to help her through the storm. When grief comes, she learns that God’s healing often comes through the embrace a loving community.

One final thing that I hope all of my readers find in Chasing Lilacs is that small part of themselves that longs for childhood, for simpler times. A final sigh that, as the book ends on a positive note, you’ll be glad you’ve taken a step back into another era.

I’ve just turned in a second novel to my publisher, FaithWords. It, too, has a nostalgic thread and showcases the power of friendship—this time between two women, an aging jazz singer and a young paralegal who is in an abusive relationship. I’m in the process of researching a third novel, but it’s too early to share about it since I’ve not discovered the heart of the story myself.

My heart’s desire is to write the kind of novels I love to read. Some of my recent favorites are The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and anything by Lisa Samson. Two all time favorites are The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

I’ve enjoyed being here and am always excited when I can connect with other book lovers. You can find me here:

http://www.carlastewat.com/
Carla’s Writing Café (Blog) 
Facebook
Twitter

Chasing Lilacs is available for pre-order now at:
Amazon
CBD

CHASING LILACS (FaithWords, June, 2010)

It’s the summer of 1958, and life in the small Texas community of Graham Camp should be simple and carefree. But not for Sammie Tucker. Sammie has plenty of questions about her mother’s “nerve” problems. About shock treatments. About whether her mother loves her.

As her life careens out of control, Sammie has to choose who to trust with her deepest fears: Her best friend who has an opinion about everything, the mysterious boy from California whose own troubles plague him, or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on. Then there’s the elderly widower who seems nice but has his own dark past.

Trusting is one thing, but accepting the truth may be the hardest thing Sammie has ever done.

“A remarkable debut novel. Carla Stewart cleverly captures the stark simplicity of a young girl’s voice with all the masterful qualities of powerful prose. Unforgettable.”
—Susan Meissner, author of The Shape of Mercy

“Chasing Lilacs is the kind of coming of age story that sticks to you beyond the last page. Unforgettable characters, surprising plot twists, and a setting so southern you’ll fall in love with Texas. Carla Stewart is a new talent to watch!”
—Mary E. DeMuth, author of Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn