A Chat with Carla Stewart

One of the things I've found encouraging about reading other authors' blogs is following their journey to published author. It's been fun to hear authors like Bonnie Grove and CJ Darlington talk about the novels they're working on, to share their excitement when they get a book deal, and then to be able to read the novel when it finally hits the stores. Carla Stewart is another of my favourite bloggers who recently landed a book deal, though she's much quieter about it on her blog. So I asked Carla to drop in for a chat about writing and her new novel, Chasing Lilacs.

KBW: What was your first thought when you found out your novel had been accepted by a publisher?Carla: Shock. Relief that finally someone was interested. This was immediately followed by panic as the editor also wanted to know what else I had. My agent interpreted that as meaning they were interested in a multi-book deal. To make a long story short, the YA novel I had completed was rejected, but the question came back, “What else?” I had a germ of an idea, but had not plotted the story. My agent brainstormed it with me (Thank you, Sandra!), and in four days I wrote a synopsis and three chapters. The next week I was offered a two-book contract from FaithWords.

THEN, I allowed myself to be excited, but it still felt a little surreal, and being the worrier that I am, I held my breath until the contract came and I saw it in writing.

KBW: What do you answer when people ask you, "What do you write?"Carla: My most common answer is “Inspirational Fiction.” Then if they ask more questions, I tell them I like to explore tough subjects in novels with a nostalgic flavor.

KBW: You've mentioned you were (or are?) also a nurse. Is there a nurse in your novel or in any of your other writing?
Carla: I’ve had a couple of stories based on my experience as a nurse published in anthologies, but so far I’ve not featured a nurse in my fiction. That said, I’m comfortable dealing with medical diagnoses and hospital routines because it’s familiar territory. In Chasing Lilacs, I have a mom with poorly treated post-partum depression, a burn victim, and an elderly man who has a heart attack. My next novel also features some medical issues, and I’m toying with having a major character be a female pediatrician or med student in a future novel. Some authors have their characters dodging bullets. I just make mine suffer with physical and/or psychological ailments. :)

KBW: And of course we want a sneak peak at Chasing Lilacs. What was the little nugget of an idea that got you started writing this story?
Carla: It was actually two nuggets that merged. As a child of the 50s and 60s, I have always been curious about those forbidden subjects people whispered about but were too polite to discuss, especially “nerve” problems and shock treatments. What would it have been like if a young girl’s mom had these problems? At the same time, I always wanted to write a story set in a tight knit petroleum camp like the one where I grew up. In 2004, I took a solo venture to the camp (which is now a ghost town). A few miles away, I saw the smokestacks on the horizon. My breaths quickened. A lump appeared in my throat. As I approached and later rambled over the vacant ground where my childhood home once stood, wonderful memories washed over me. I knew I’d found not only the setting for my story, but also the theme of the book—the power of community that shapes our lives.

KBW: Anything else you'd like to add?

Carla: I am so honored to be here. I can’t wait for people to read my debut novel (just saying it still gives me a thrill). Chasing Lilacs is now available for pre-order on Amazon and at cbd.com. There’s even a Kindle version for those who like e-books. And I’d love for your readers to check out my website at or follow me on Twitter. Blessings!