Danielle Steel's Blog, page 39

9/21/15, Love & Marriage

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a good week. I had a birthday last month (I always dread my birthdays, but I had a great one this year!!! With my children, we spent a weekend together, and REALLY enjoyed it). The joke of the birthday was that my kids had a fantastic birthday cake made: it was a life size and life like sculpture of my two tiny Chihuahuas, Minnie and Blue, wearing tutus and tiaras. The cake showed them looking real, was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and the baker who made it was a genius. I was THRILLED with my birthday cake, and because it was so cute, I wouldn’t let the kids cut the cake——I wasn’t about to let them chop off a nose or an ear, or a paw when it looked so real and so adorable—-I spent the weekend protecting it, and made the family eat apple pie instead!!! And there were a LOT of complaints about it. I took the cake home after the weekend, untouched, like a work of art. It would be hard to top that cake!!!

I got wonderful gifts from my kids, even a pair of shoes that said “I Love U”, and lots of other gifts, shoes, sweaters, bracelets, a ring with a heart on it, all kinds of thoughtful things I loved and have been enjoying since. And I got a really sweet little tiny miniature book from a friend, with sayings about love and marriage that I found extremely touching and wise. (Including a very funny quote from Phyllis Diller that said “Don’t go to bed mad, stay up and fight”). The book is called “Words about Love” from the Orange Art Miniature Press. And I wanted to share my favorites with you here. Since you all know how much I love quotes!!!

– “Money can’t buy love, but it improves your bargaining position” – Laurence Peter

– “The great secret of successful marriage is to treat all disasters as incidents and none of the incidents as disasters” – Harold Nicholson.

– “Often the difference between a successful marriage and a mediocre one consists of leaving about 3 or 4 things a day unsaid” – Harlan Miller.

– “Be good to yourself, be excellent to others, and do everything with love” – John Wolf

– “We can do no great things, only small things with great love” – Mother Teresa

– “Love your neighbours—not the neighbours you pick out, but the ones you have” – Wendell Berry

– “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person” – Mignon Mc Laughlin

– “Love has to be put into action, and that action is service” – Mother Teresa

– “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction” – Antoine de Saint Exupery.

I thought they were wise and helpful, and some good reminders!! Have a great week!!

love, Danielle

(Footnote: After writing this blog to you a few days ago, I was shocked yesterday to learn of the passing of my friend and very talented writer Jackie Collins. She was a wonderful woman, and apparently has been battling breast cancer in secret. We spoke several times only a few weeks ago, and she didnt even hint at it. We’ve been friends for many years, I admired her talent enormously, and loved her as a person. She was an incredibly kind friend, and helped me for several years with my son Nick’s foundation, and came to San Francisco to visit me. She will be greatly missed by all her friends, for her kindness, wit, sharp mind, beauty and great sense of humor……my deepest sympathy to her family and all who knew and loved her. A truly terrific woman. Farewell, beloved friend.)

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9/14/15, Nicky

Hi Everyone,

I hope that all is well with you, and that your fall is rolling out nicely.

This is usually not an easy week for me. We all have our challenges in life, and my greatest one was losing my son Nick eighteen years ago, when he was 19. Those of you who’ve read my book about him, His Bright Light, know that he was bi-polar all his life. I suspected that something was wrong, or very different about him, when he was 18 months old, by the time he was four years old, he was fully and obviously bi-polar, although then people with bi polar disease were never diagnosed until their early 20’s. I spent years telling doctors his symptoms, always to be told that he was just very bright, or too bright, or ‘spoiled’, and not to worry. Today, children are diagnosed with bi polar disease, and treated with medication and therapy at three or four. In Nick’s case, his diagnosis was confirmed at 16, which was considered early then. The psychiatrist who diagnosed him was bi polar himself. And once medicated and treated, he had 3 great, mostly happy and VERY productive years until the end. He was hugely talented in music, as a musician and lead singer of a successful band. And despite his illness, he had a lot of fun, and gave us enormous joy. I always hasten to remind people that many, many, many people with bi-polar disease survive it, live well, manage it successfully, and have full, happy, and productive lives. Living with bi polar is challenging, like a lot of other illnesses, but can be successfully managed. Some are unlucky, like Nick, but many people survive it well.

Nick was talented, funny, brilliant, thoughtful, kind, creative, he had a big talent as a writer and musician. He was a good friend, a very charming kid, an incredibly sweet person, and a much loved and loving brother and son. His down times proved to be too much for him, so he chose to exit this world, a tough decision for all of us who loved him, but the way he was determined to go. He attempted to commit suicide three times, before he was successful (if you can call it that) on the 4th time. Losing anyone you love is tough, even brutal, and it rocked us all. I think it brought our family closer to each other, to survive it. He left a tremendous void, and a family of aching hearts when he went. You learn hard lessons when you lose someone, which make you better and stronger as a person. And he is remembered in a million ways in our family and by his friends, as the remarkable person he was. In many ways, he never really left us, we talk about him all the time. There are a million funny stories about him and the sweet, funny, and outrageous things he did. He was a gift, and is loved and cherished still.

Losing someone you love, or a child, is a lesson none of us want to learn, and is one of the hardest experiences in life. He has gentled into a tender memory with time, most of the time when I think about him (daily) I smile at something he said or did—-and sometimes I laugh out loud. I believe he is at peace, and always feel him near. The anniversaries are hard as you remember one of the worst days of your life. But to honor those we love, we must go on, reach out to others, and hold tightly to those we hold dear. As hard as it is, his life and even his death have to be a blessing in the end, to us, and those who know us. I share that blessing with you now, he was a lovely boy. And to those who have lost loved ones, my heart goes out to you as well. Let us remember them with joy, with tenderness, with compassion for others, let us honor their lives by the love we share, which is how they live on, through what they accomplished in their time here, and the love they left us as their legacy to share with the world. I will be thinking of Nick this week, the anniversary date is Sunday, and I send you my love, and share with you the gift and blessing that he was. Have a peaceful week.

love, Danielle

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9/7/15, Two Wolves

Hi Everyone,

One of the readers who made a comment to my blog post of August 24th, shared a wonderful quote: “The legend of the two wolves, Hope vs. Despair. Which one wins? The one that you feed.” That is so true and so inspiring. Thank you!!!

I just added some new quotes to my office wall, and moved one of my favorites to where I see it more directly. “One of the deep secrets of Life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others” by Lewis Carroll.

The reader who offered the quote about the wolves referred to the men who recently stopped an armed gunman on a train between Amsterdam and Paris. A man carrying an arsenal of weapons, including a machine gun, boarded the train, and injured three people before 3 American Servicemen and a British teacher stopped him, before anyone else could get injured. Miraculously, no one was killed. And their incredibly bold act of courage saved the lives of countless people on the train. It is shocking, heartbreaking and terrifying that acts of terrorism have now become not part of daily life, but a frequent occurrence: school shootings, shootings in public places, homemade bombs, suicide bombers due to mental illness or politics. Every time we go to large public gatherings, or even just go out to buy groceries, go to school, or take a trip we are facing the very real possibility that something unexpected and dangerous could happen. We can’t worry about it constantly, or hide at home, but the possibility is very real. The Boston Marathon, the attacks in Paris, shootings at Universities and even at elementary schools. It is becoming increasingly frequent, and alarming. One of the US Servicemen from the train said not to simply stand by and watch it happen, but to do something when it does. I cannot imagine having the courage to do that, and yet people become heroes every day when they step in and step up and save others. I cannot even imagine the sheer guts it must take to do that, the bravery and selflessness. Those who acted on that train were decorated three days later as heroes to whom the French government was grateful.

We all try to perform acts of kindness every day—-but to save a life? Few of us will ever do that in our lifetimes.

There is a saying in the Talmud that I have quoted in my books: “To save one life is to save a world entire.” The brave people on the train who acted to stop the gunman saved many lives. And perhaps even more in future if by their example others will attempt to stop acts of wanton destruction of human life.

For those of us who are not as brave or heroic, to act well, to be kind, to be honest, to protect those weaker than we are, to stand up against injustice, to protect the helpless, to speak out against wrong doing or the bullying or persecution of another human being, to stand beside those who have no one to defend them——these are things we can do without facing an armed gunman, but will make this a better world. Mother Theresa said that “we cannot do big things, we can only do small things with an immense amount of love.” Perhaps we can all be heroes in some small way in our daily lives, and inspire others to do the same. If we are brave in our hearts, maybe we will become braver in our acts. Even one small act of kindness for another human being. May we feed the wolf of Hope, and not the wolf of despair which leads to crimes of inhumanity against others……..May you be safe and protected!! And remember to feed the wolf of Hope. Have a good week,

love, Danielle

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8/31/15, Undercover

Hi Everyone,

Well, it’s the last day of August, and appears to be the end of the summer. Kids are back in school, fall is officially almost here, those of us who were taking time off this summer have done it, and I was lucky to have two vacations with my kids, one for 10 days in France with my younger children, and the other for a few days in the States with everyone for my birthday, it’s a good excuse to get together. I hope you got some time off to play, relax, get some sun, and rest before launching into Fall.

Tomorrow is an exciting day for me: my new hardcover novel will come out. “Undercover”. It’s a thriller, with surprises and twists and turns. It begins in the jungles of Colombia, with an Undercover agent placed in the drug cartels there, a different venue and subject for me, and exciting to write. It’s about two people in separate worlds, an Undercover agent in the DEA, who is then transferred back to Washington, DC, after years of living an entirely different identity. He is assigned a desk job in the Pentagon, which he hates, and then is loaned to the Secret Service on the Presidential detail. And while there, more excitement happens to him, and he eventually winds up in Paris. The other central character in the book is a young woman, daughter of an Ambassador assigned to Argentina, where she is kidnapped by revolutionaries, a life changing experience for her. She also winds up in Paris, later in the book, and finds herself in danger once again. The Undercover agent crosses paths with the Ambassador’s daughter, and they wind up on the run, escaping the dangerous men from their past. The book is exciting, covers a lot of territory, with interesting characters woven in and out, and some frightening and thrilling moments. I hope you read it and love it!!! I had a great time writing the book. And it’s especially fun to write something different, for a change of pace. I hope you enjoy it too!!

I hope your September gets off to a great start!!!

love, Danielle

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8/24/15, Whisper Thanks…

Hi Everyone,

I tackled a massive project recently: my desk. On the corner of my desk is a stacked “outbox”, where everything seems to wind up, bank information, literary contracts, birthday cards from my children, poems I’ve written, Christmas lists, and religious articles. Anything I’m not sure where to file, I put on the stack in my outbox, until it resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and if anyone moves too quickly, bumps into it, or adds a single piece of paper to it, it slides into an avalanche onto the floor. I clean it all out every few years, though I rarely go through it all. With a few hours to spare recently, I decided to attack it, put away the sentimental things, photos of friends….a photo of a man I dated a dozen years ago, birthday cards from my husband from longer ago than that. I decided to get rid of what was no longer relevant, file the business papers in my office, and get rid of the towering stack. There were things in it that went back twenty years, and I found some real treasures, some things that made me laugh, and of course a lot of junk. But some truly great stuff from my kids!!! I saved everything that was special or meant a lot to me, and put it all in a box.

And among the papers, I found some things that had inspired me and I was happy to find. And I thought I’d share two of them with you here, about love, and life.

The first one was written by Mary Baker Eddy: “I make strong demands on love, call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its results. Unless these appear, I cast aside the word as a sham and counterfeit, having no ring of the true metal. Love cannot be a mere abstraction, or goodness without activity and power”. I like that one a lot.

And the other one is anonymous but touched me too:

“If life is funny, it’s okay to laugh.

If it becomes too difficult, it’s okay to travel with a friend.

If life becomes tragic, it’s okay to cry.

If life becomes impossible, you still have to go on, you can never, ever give up.

If life becomes too lonely, look for someone to take your hand.

And if by some miracle, you find your dreams and they actually come true, remember to count your blessings and whisper thanks.”

I love that message a lot. Have a great week!!

love, Danielle

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8/24/15, “Whisper Thanks….”

Hi Everyone,

I tackled a massive project recently: my desk. On the corner of my desk is a stacked “outbox”, where everything seems to wind up, bank information, literary contracts, birthday cards from my children, poems I’ve written, Christmas lists, and religious articles. Anything I’m not sure where to file, I put on the stack in my outbox, until it resembles the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and if anyone moves too quickly, bumps into it, or adds a single piece of paper to it, it slides into an avalanche onto the floor. I clean it all out every few years, though I rarely go through it all. With a few hours to spare recently, I decided to attack it, put away the sentimental things, photos of friends….a photo of a man I dated a dozen years ago, birthday cards from my husband from longer ago than that. I decided to get rid of what was no longer relevant, file the business papers in my office, and get rid of the towering stack. There were things in it that went back twenty years, and I found some real treasures, some things that made me laugh, and of course a lot of junk. But some truly great stuff from my kids!!! I saved everything that was special or meant a lot to me, and put it all in a box.

And among the papers, I found some things that had inspired me and I was happy to find. And I thought I’d share two of them with you here, about love, and life.

The first one was written by Mary Baker Eddy: “I make strong demands on love, call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its results. Unless these appear, I cast aside the word as a sham and counterfeit, having no ring of the true metal. Love cannot be a mere abstraction, or goodness without activity and power”. I like that one a lot.

And the other one is anonymous but touched me too:

“If life is funny, it’s okay to laugh.

If it becomes too difficult, it’s okay to travel with a friend.

If life becomes tragic, it’s okay to cry.

If life becomes impossible, you still have to go on, you can never, ever give up.

If life becomes too lonely, look for someone to take your hand.

And if by some miracle, you find your dreams and they actually come true, remember to count your blessings and whisper thanks.”

I love that message a lot. Have a great week!!

love, Danielle

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8/17/15, Breakfast of Champions

Hi Everyone,

Here we are in the middle of August, the summer is almost over, and thoughts are turning to Fall and making plans. September always seems exciting to me, maybe left over from my school days, but life begins anew in the Fall, new season, fall clothes, clean slate, and a burst of energy after the summer, to do new things. When the real new year starts in January, the weather is usually so dreary and depressing (unless you live in Hawaii or the Caribbean!!), but in September, everything starts over again, the cooler weather is invigorating, and the pace steps up as we get busier again after the summer. I actually have a new book coming out on September 1st: “Undercover”, about an undercover agent, fighting the Colombian drug cartels, lots of excitement and suspense!!! I hope you like it!!

So back to breakfast. My real breakfast is not too exciting. I eat the same thing every day: 1 piece of toast, and an iced decaf coffee, which seems to hit the spot as I start the day. I’m not much of an eater, and I share my single piece of toast with my 2 Chihuahuas, Minnie and Blue, who get very excited about it!!! So that’s the fuel I use to start my day, nothing too exotic, to say the least.

But I also try to feed my soul in the morning. Some days are better than others, and I try to keep a positive attitude, no matter what is going on—sometimes more successfully than others. Sometimes I think of the things that are worrying me as I wake up, not a great way to start the day. So I need a little boost to brush away the cobwebs. The first thing I do when I get up, even before my breakfast, is check my emails, to see if I have emails from my kids, my agent, editor, or publisher, or anything urgent. With half my life in Europe, it’s already the end of the afternoon there when I wake up early if I’m in the States, as emails come in from abroad while I’m sleeping. So I read through them first thing. What that means is that my first stop of the day is at the little table my youngest son made for me when he was about 10, in Woodshop, (it was for my birthday, I think, he made it and painted it) and I use it as my computer desk, with a little child’s antique chair. It’s a cozy set up in a corner of my office, since I only use my computer for emails, and not for writing my books. I’m always in my office by 8 am, no matter how late I go to bed (usually around 3 am, sometimes a little earlier or later if I’m writing). And first thing in my morning, I sit down at the little computer desk. So I put things on and around that desk to inspire me and start my day off right, and make me happy.

Right now there are 4 signs/sayings on and next to my computer desk, to start my day off right.

A sign I bought recently: “Wake up every morning as if something wonderful is about to happen”. I like that, it’s a great way to start the day. And a great reminder!!!

To the left of my computer screen, right next to it, is a smaller sign my youngest daughter gave me for mother’s day, “I love you a bushel and a peck”. I smile every time I see it, and it makes me think of her. (She has shocking pink hair—-now THAT’S happy!!!)

Right above my laptop, where I see it every day, a framed saying I have loved for years: “Miracles DO happen”. You can’t beat that for a reminder of great things. And I believe it.

And my new favorite that a friend sent me this summer and I had framed. It’s a drawing of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet walking along next to each other, leaving footsteps in either sand or snow. And I LOVE their exchange: “What day is it?”asked Pooh. “It’s today” squeaked Piglet. “My Favorite Day,” said Pooh. I just love that. I love the reminder of Today being a favorite day, not tomorrow or yesterday, or your Birthday or Christmas morning. Today. For now, those four sayings start my day off just right. I see them, and smile, read my emails, answer anything urgent, and then move on to my desk (where my typewriter is, and I work day and night), and I have my toast and iced Decaf. And I really love those signs I start the day off with….Today….my favorite day!!! I hope it’s a wonderful one for you. Whatever your morning routine, I hope your day starts off just right!!!

love, Danielle

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8/10/15, Night of Hope

Hi Everyone,

I hope that all is well with you. I have had an amazing week, and had to share it with you. A dream come true. An idol met. An incredible experience. Unforgettable moments.

It all began in a hotel room half a dozen years ago. In New York, while visiting my children, late at night looking for something to watch on TV, I happened across a preacher speaking on television, and watched for a few minutes to listen to his message. He was young, attractive, sounded intelligent, and I was impressed by how simple and clear his message was. It was a huge dose of hope, mixed in with common sense, and made faith palatable to people of almost any religion, or even none at all. I was enormously impressed, watched the whole show, and liked it enormously. The preacher was someone I’d never heard of (then), Joel Osteen. The message stayed with me for several days, I mentioned him to one of my daughters, who said she had read something about him in the New York Times. I left New York 2 days later, and was walking toward the gate at the airport, past the book store, when I saw his book on the bestseller shelves, and quickly bought one before my flight. I loved the book, and once again his strong clear message of hope, and how to lead a better life. EVERYTHING he said appealed to me and made sense. I soaked up the book’s message like a sponge. I can’t remember what was happening in my life at the time, but undoubtedly the usual challenges of being the single parent to many children, a major career with the pressure and challenges that entails, a recent embezzlement at the time, and the usual problems we all face every day, which can range from discouragement to occasional despair. I found the book, and Joel Osteen’s message helpful in a down to earth, warm, practical way, and it stayed with me. I applied the principles in the book to my life, and found that they had a strong positive effect. I’m a religious person so was open to it, but even someone not of a religious bent, or of any faith, would have found it appealing. Who doesn’t need a positive attitude about their life? My admiration for Joel Osteen began then.

When I got home, I looked up his other books on the Internet and ordered them all, and read them avidly, and loved each one. I read his new books as they came out and was never disappointed. I told people about them, and gave them to friends. If anyone was struggling with problems, and everyday life, I sent them one of Joel’s books. I read those I had for a second and third time. His stock in trade was hope, practical advice, and his positive attitude was contagious. If I was having a tough time with anything, kids, work, life, I grabbed one of his books and read it again, and my life seemed to improve immeasurably whenever I did. He had a smooth writing style, his sincerity flew off the page, and the books were not only helpful, but fun to read. And I was intrigued by his mentions of his family, all of whom were in some way engaged in their family ministry. He had inherited it from his father, his siblings and in laws work with him, his wife, and children, and his mother. And from a small church, he managed to acquire one of the largest buildings in Houston, where his ministry is based, and they moved to the Compaq Center in Houston, where his church, following and ministry grew exponentially. By then, he was far from unknown, and his books hit the bestseller lists every time. My only knowledge of him was through his books, occasional interviews, and his televised sermons when I saw them.

Fast forward the film to a few weeks ago when I learned that he was going to be addressing his fans and followers at AT&T Park, the baseball stadium in San Francisco, when I was planning to be in town. I bought two tickets immediately, and mentioned it to a friend who by some miracle knew his literary agent for his books, and then by another miracle, the wheels of destiny were set in motion. I mentioned in passing that I would love to meet him one day—-it was a dream, a wish, not an expectation, or even a wish I expected to be fulfilled. And within days I had a contact number for a member of his family who works for him. I called, with little hope that Joel Osteen would have either the interest or the time to see me during his trip to San Francisco. He was going to be addressing more than 40,000 people at the ballpark, and undoubtedly would have no time. I didn’t expect to meet him, only to see him from my seats in the ballpark. And then magic happened…..a call….telling me he would like to meet me too, and a meeting was arranged at my home, and it would be brief, because he had so much to do in his ministry (meeting other pastors and visiting the homeless) during his brief trip, and he also had to prepare for his show, which left no spare time for social pursuits. But he had actually agreed to come to my home for half an hour with his wife and brother in law. Amazing!!! I was in a total flap over it. If you had arranged for a flock of movie stars to come to my home, or a modern day saint, I wouldn’t have been as excited as meeting this man whose books I had devoured for nearly a decade, and who had kept me going and improved my life when nothing else could. (My favorite books of his were “It’s Your Time”, “Become a Better You”, “Every Day a Friday”, and one that I read every day, with daily brief entries called “I declare” that has become my spiritual food daily. All his books were dog eared by then from reading them so often, and even my dog had gnawed on several of them while I read them.

The Day came, and Joel Osteen arrived at my home for the promised visit with his wife Victoria, and brother in law, and it was one of those rare encounters when everything clicks, you know you have met kindred spirits and you will never forget the moment. Our exchanges were on every subject, his books, his ministry, our families, the way we each write, how much his books mean to me. He was modest and direct and as wonderful and inspiring as his books, his wife Victoria was warm and equally wonderful, and the brother in law interesting and personable too. They stayed for an hour and a half, and I was flying when they left. I had met my idol, and one of the few people I truly admire unabashedly and without reservation. And Victoria was as impressive as he was. I was deeply grateful for the time they spent with me, and they insisted on placing me in a box they had at the event, instead of the tickets I had bought.

Two days later, I went to the big event at the ballpark, Night of Hope, so aptly named, and I was treated like royalty, met by their security on the street, ushered to the box, the stadium was full, and the event began at 7 pm, and was opened by their children and a number of other singers and musicians, singing music they had composed. The Osteen children were as talented and impressive as their parents, though only16 and 20. The young people involved were terrific, talent abounded. Victoria did some speaking and ministry throughout the evening, with Joel accompanying her at times, (they make a dazzling and endearing couple), and his mother Dodie spoke about her recovery from terminal cancer 30 years before, and was a lively energetic intelligent woman of 81. Every member of the family was impressive. And the meat of the evening was Joel himself, with his message of hope, and assurance that with faith and the right attitude, one could overcome just about any obstacle. He convinced us all that no matter what our age or circumstances, there were still plenty of good times ahead, anything is possible, and hope is the key to a turnaround in our lives if we just hang on. Forty thousand people soaked up his message of love and hope like a sponge. Everything he says resonates and makes sense. I was as bowled over by the evening as I had been by meeting him, and reading his books before that.

The evening was everything I had hoped for and much more. I went with a friend, and we sat riveted in our seats for 3 hours without moving, or leaving for an instant, and the program unfolded smoothly. And I don’t think anyone was left where they’d been when they walked in. He exudes faith, hope, love, and the certainty of better times ahead, and assured us of our ability to handle whatever obstacles life puts in our path. And at the end of the evening, an immeasurable gift: I got to go backstage and meet Joel’s mother and sister, his children and a niece, I was warmly greeted and embraced by all, got to talk to Victoria again, and to Joel. I can’t begin to tell you what it meant to me, how wonderful it was, how kind they all were, how welcoming, how everything they are and believe in embraces you from the moment you meet them. Joel’s mother has written a book too, and Victoria, and they gave them to me. I spent an hour with them all, and hated to leave. And before I left, Joel had gone to shake hands with an endless line of his followers, who had been given the opportunity during the evening to contribute to an organization that supports children in dire need in Africa, and for those who signed up to help them, Joel took the time to thank them personally: He was planning to thank 5,000 people when I left and I’m sure he did. I have met many important and famous people in my life, but meeting Joel Osteen meant the most to me, I was deeply impressed and profoundly touched. He is life changing, in the best sense of the word, through his books, his preaching, and his ministry. I will remember the night, and meeting him and his family forever. They are all truly remarkable people, giving themselves to the church and ministry they serve. It was an honor to meet them, and Joel, and a remarkable gift. I was a fan before The Night of Hope, and am more so now. And I hope to go to Houston to see him and his family again, and see him preach at his home base, Lakewood Church. His doctor brother is part of the team as well, when he’s not in Africa, carrying out his own ministry. And two of his sisters have ministries as well. There is no limit to some people’s goodness and their talents, and dedication to serving others whole heartedly. Joel Osteen is one of those people, I felt blessed to meet him, to see him speak in person, and to be there at all.

I am infinitely grateful for this remarkable night, and for the blessing of meeting Joel and all of the Osteens I met. It’s impressive too that the entire family is deeply engaged in their ministry. And hopefully, I will go to Houston and see them again…..and in the meantime, I am grateful and in awe of having met him. It is rare that our heroes measure up to our hopes when we meet them. Joel Osteen was everything I believed him to be and more……what an incredible Night. Truly a Night of Hope, and I move forward now, with new energy, renewed faith, and a sense of joy over what a gift it all was. It was one of the best nights of my life, love, Danielle

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8/3/15, “So you’re a writer?”

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a good week, and that August is off to a good start. I’m hoping it will be peaceful. We’ve had something of a turbulent summer, which you know, if you read my blog about Sam Ewing 2 weeks ago, “Fallen Hero”. But we’ve had some really good family time together, which is the best antidote to the pains of ‘real life’. And I had a wonderful 10 day vacation with my 5 youngest children. I am always grateful for time with my kids, when they can spare the time from their jobs and busy lives. And in a few weeks, I’m hoping to spend some time with all my kids. So….onward….

In the comments to last week’s blog, someone mentioned that she was writing her first novel, and said that people were really giving her a hard time about it. And oh do I know that one. Somebody told me years ago that there are two jobs everyone thinks they can do, if they just had the time and wanted to: writing and photography. We all know we can’t be brain surgeons, or lawyers or nuclear physicists unless we study for it for a lot of years. But lots of people think they can write, and everyone takes pictures, so they figure they can do it, if they want to bother. And lots of people are talented writers and photographers, but it’s not quite as easy as some people think, and they might be surprised if they try it!!! (My father was a talented amateur photographer, who sold some of his photographs in later years, and let me tell you, that talent is not hereditary—–I can’t take a photo without cutting everyone’s head off, or get it in focus. Although one of my daughters is a terrific photographer. But I’m never going to win any prizes or set the world on fire with my pictures!!)

And one thing REALLY irritates me, a comment people always make to writers who are starting out. First, they ask you what you do. Then you answer, naively, “I’m a writer”. And the next question is: “Have you been published?” Wait! STOP!!! That is entirely beside the point. If you are trying to write a novel, or short stories, essays, poetry, a children’s story, or anything except a post card to your Mom from summer camp—-you ARE a writer. You are a writer BEFORE you publish, and you don’t have to prove you’re a writer by being published. That’s a snotty question. And I got that question all the time. I started writing when I was very young, I wrote poetry in my teens, and sold it to magazines when I was about 18. I wrote my first novel at 19, and by sheer good luck, I was published very quickly. But THEN, after my first book, I wrote 5 books that were never published. With my 7th book, my writing career slowwwwwllly lumbered to its feet and began to take off (at a snail’s pace). All my books were published after that, but it was many years before I became well known and successful, or even made decent money at it. My ‘credentials’ as a writer were somewhat established because my first book was published. But I was just as much a writer while writing the five books that never saw the light of day. While I was writing my first book, I read an article about a woman who had just published her first book at 92. My heart sank when I read it, and I thought, oh no….that’s going to be me!! But that woman who was finally published at 92 didn’t become a writer the day she was published, she was a writer for allllllll those years that she was writing, and hadn’t been published yet. Asking if you’ve been published is kind of a put down, designed to put you in your place. But rest assured, if you are writing and trying to write something you want to get published, you are already a writer!!! Don’t let anyone put you down and make you squirm or feel unsure of yourself, asking if you’ve been published, if you’re trying to write!!!

A lot of people have read my books or heard of me at this point, but sometimes I come across someone who doesn’t know my work. I’ve gone to two dinner parties in the last few years and found myself sitting next to someone who didn’t know who I was, and had no idea what I do. So I got the standard question eventually of “What do you do?” (I’m always tempted to say something outrageous like lion tamer, or mountain climber, or I train hamsters for the circus). But I was polite and said vaguely “writer”. And guess what, I got the standard question “Have you published” (I always chuckle a little at that….yes, I’ve published). I just said yes, I have. Then in both cases, they asked what I write, and I said I write novels. I didn’t offer any details, I didn’t want to be pushy about it, so I just let it go at that, but I was kind of amused that they had no idea what I do, or how much I’ve done it. And of course after the meal, someone told them, and they came over to me again, very embarrassed that they didn’t know. I always kind of like it when people don’t know who I am, that way they have no preconceived notions about me. But once again I was struck by that snotty question “Have you published?” Why? If I haven’t, does that mean I’m not a writer yet?? You bet I am, published or not!!

So for those of you who are struggling writers out there, trying to write your first novel, or an essay, or a poem, or whatever form of writing excites you—-if you’re writing, YOU ARE A WRITER, and don’t let anyone tell you, or imply, otherwise. You are a writer long, long, long before you get published!! So keep at it—–and if they ask you THE question about whether or not you’ve been published, be creative and wow them, tell them you just signed a 15 book contract. That should shut them up in a hurry!!! But above all, KNOW that you’re a writer!!!! Even BEFORE you get published. Have faith, and if you’re writing, I’m sure it won’t take you till you’re 92 years old to get published!!! To all you writers and non-writers, have a great week!! love, Danielle

The post 8/3/15, “So you’re a writer?” appeared first on daniellesteel.net.

8/3/15 “So you’re a writer?”

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a good week, and that August is off to a good start. I’m hoping it will be peaceful. We’ve had something of a turbulent summer, which you know, if you read my blog about Sam Ewing 2 weeks ago, “Fallen Hero”. But we’ve had some really good family time together, which is the best antidote to the pains of ‘real life’. And I had a wonderful 10 day vacation with my 5 youngest children. I am always grateful for time with my kids, when they can spare the time from their jobs and busy lives. And in a few weeks, I’m hoping to spend some time with all my kids. So….onward….

In the comments to last week’s blog, someone mentioned that she was writing her first novel, and said that people were really giving her a hard time about it. And oh do I know that one. Somebody told me years ago that there are two jobs everyone thinks they can do, if they just had the time and wanted to: writing and photography. We all know we can’t be brain surgeons, or lawyers or nuclear physicists unless we study for it for a lot of years. But lots of people think they can write, and everyone takes pictures, so they figure they can do it, if they want to bother. And lots of people are talented writers and photographers, but it’s not quite as easy as some people think, and they might be surprised if they try it!!! (My father was a talented amateur photographer, who sold some of his photographs in later years, and let me tell you, that talent is not hereditary—–I can’t take a photo without cutting everyone’s head off, or get it in focus. Although one of my daughters is a terrific photographer. But I’m never going to win any prizes or set the world on fire with my pictures!!)

And one thing REALLY irritates me, a comment people always make to writers who are starting out. First, they ask you what you do. Then you answer, naively, “I’m a writer”. And the next question is: “Have you been published?” Wait! STOP!!! That is entirely beside the point. If you are trying to write a novel, or short stories, essays, poetry, a children’s story, or anything except a post card to your Mom from summer camp—-you ARE a writer. You are a writer BEFORE you publish, and you don’t have to prove you’re a writer by being published. That’s a snotty question. And I got that question all the time. I started writing when I was very young, I wrote poetry in my teens, and sold it to magazines when I was about 18. I wrote my first novel at 19, and by sheer good luck, I was published very quickly. But THEN, after my first book, I wrote 5 books that were never published. With my 7th book, my writing career slowwwwwllly lumbered to its feet and began to take off (at a snail’s pace). All my books were published after that, but it was many years before I became well known and successful, or even made decent money at it. My ‘credentials’ as a writer were somewhat established because my first book was published. But I was just as much a writer while writing the five books that never saw the light of day. While I was writing my first book, I read an article about a woman who had just published her first book at 92. My heart sank when I read it, and I thought, oh no….that’s going to be me!! But that woman who was finally published at 92 didn’t become a writer the day she was published, she was a writer for allllllll those years that she was writing, and hadn’t been published yet. Asking if you’ve been published is kind of a put down, designed to put you in your place. But rest assured, if you are writing and trying to write something you want to get published, you are already a writer!!! Don’t let anyone put you down and make you squirm or feel unsure of yourself, asking if you’ve been published, if you’re trying to write!!!

A lot of people have read my books or heard of me at this point, but sometimes I come across someone who doesn’t know my work. I’ve gone to two dinner parties in the last few years and found myself sitting next to someone who didn’t know who I was, and had no idea what I do. So I got the standard question eventually of “What do you do?” (I’m always tempted to say something outrageous like lion tamer, or mountain climber, or I train hamsters for the circus). But I was polite and said vaguely “writer”. And guess what, I got the standard question “Have you published” (I always chuckle a little at that….yes, I’ve published). I just said yes, I have. Then in both cases, they asked what I write, and I said I write novels. I didn’t offer any details, I didn’t want to be pushy about it, so I just let it go at that, but I was kind of amused that they had no idea what I do, or how much I’ve done it. And of course after the meal, someone told them, and they came over to me again, very embarrassed that they didn’t know. I always kind of like it when people don’t know who I am, that way they have no preconceived notions about me. But once again I was struck by that snotty question “Have you published?” Why? If I haven’t, does that mean I’m not a writer yet?? You bet I am, published or not!!

So for those of you who are struggling writers out there, trying to write your first novel, or an essay, or a poem, or whatever form of writing excites you—-if you’re writing, YOU ARE A WRITER, and don’t let anyone tell you, or imply, otherwise. You are a writer long, long, long before you get published!! So keep at it—–and if they ask you THE question about whether or not you’ve been published, be creative and wow them, tell them you just signed a 15 book contract. That should shut them up in a hurry!!! But above all, KNOW that you’re a writer!!!! Even BEFORE you get published. Have faith, and if you’re writing, I’m sure it won’t take you till you’re 92 years old to get published!!! To all you writers and non-writers, have a great week!! love, Danielle

The post 8/3/15 “So you’re a writer?” appeared first on daniellesteel.net.