The Danielle Steel Method: How Working on Multiple Projects Sparks Joy and Creativity
Dear friends,
Hasn’t it been a beastly time? All this bad news, with fighting and hatred toward people and worrying about war, can drive us insane. I can relate to Danielle Steel, who says she escapes into love stories and works on many projects at the same time to stay happy.
You can read one of many articles where she shares how she manages to be so prolific, “Danielle Steel On Raising 9 Kids, Writing 174 Books, “Authoritarian” Ex-Husbands, here>>.
“I write a lot of books.”I especially loved her comments, “I write a lot of books. Sometimes I have an interview and it’s about a book I wrote ten months ago and I think, ‘Oh my god! What’s the story?’”
She is so prolific she is always jumping into the next book even while finishing her previous book. But she does confess being prolific does bring with it the extra work—and the need to sacrifice sleep. But writing and uplifting others via her stories makes her happy.
“It’s a vicious cycle. On the one hand, I work too much now. By the end of the day, I’m always writing. I stay up very late at night. Until three, sometimes four. I sleep about four hours a night, on average. But if I don’t work, then I’m sad. So I work more. I don’t have anything else in my life. It keeps me happy and busy. I’m not bored. I’m not depressed. It’s not such a great thing to work all the time. It’s profitable, but still. The one thing I don’t do well is sitting around relaxing.”
“The one thing I don’t do well is sitting around relaxing.”So rather than lose heart about all my loose threads my focus is on completing shorter books and staying busy. I don’t do sitting around and relaxing well either. And sometimes, because I have so many books on the go I wake in the night to write some more. Unlike Danielle, I do have a partner, and I love to spend time with him. So joining my nocturnal friends, the flightless Kiwis, I often wake up around 3am and spend an hour or two writing. I love the sacred silence.
Currently, in between writing this blog, I’m editing Awakened by The Sheikh. I love taking a break and then coming back to the story. I know if I smile and feel happy as I reread the story that you will love it too. I’m excited about this book and can’t wait to share it with you.
Bonus sneak peek! Awakened by the Sheikh
If you’re curious about what inspired Awakened by the Sheikh (the prequel in a brand-new sheikh romance series), don’t miss the official book trailer:
Watch it here
You may enjoy Bought By The Sheikh, another of my Sheikh’s untamed brides, and one of my favorites
Get your hands on this sensual and feel-good love story today! Amazon; Kobo: iBooks; Barnes and Noble
I’m also painting and learning guitar!FUN, SHORT, SMALL-TOWN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Do you love a quick read? One of my many shorter books is my novella “Love Me As I Am“.
This story was sparked by a true event—the tragic murder of a mother and one of her daughters in a small town near where I live. I wondered how would her death affect the children she left behind. How would it affect their lives? What if something good could come from this tragedy?
So I began to write a love story. For love is the only antidote to hate. Forgiveness, the only path to healing. And purpose the gift that can come from tragedy.
As with all of my books, some of the characters and events in the story were also inspired by true events in my own life. Including, when my paternal grandmother was channelled by a psychic. She asked my disbelieving and sceptical self, “Your grandmother says you don’t believe she is here. But she is holding out a flower, and she wants to know, she is present. She is asking, “Do you remember the jasmine flowers growing over the house?”
I didn’t.
But when I drove home I called into Araby Lodge, where my grandmother used to live and where until her death, she bred and trained her beloved horses. At the time my father lived in her house. I asked him, “What is that vine growing over the house?”
I didn’t want to tell him anything about what the psychic had said because I was still skeptical and I didn’t want to influence the answer. My father said, “Oh, that old jasmine vine? That’s been there forever.”
My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. It was at that point that I began to believe in spiritual and psychic phenomena, and in time, many years later, to awaken my own gifts.
I named the story, Love Me As I Am, for isn’t that the deepest love of all. To love and be loved unconditionally—weirdness, flaws, fears, insecurities, our beautiful uniqueness…and so much more. These introductory novellas are currently published under the series: PASSION DOWN UNDER SASSY SHORT STORIES:
Book One: TWIST OF FATE
viewBook.at/TwistofFate
Book Two: LOVE ME FOREVER
viewBook.at/LoveMeForever
Book Three: FOREVER AND ALWAYS
Book 5: The Lightkeeper’s Lover
Book 6: Finding A Husband
To enjoy your copy from Amazon, click here>>mybook.to/FindingAHusband
Full Length contemporary romance series booksAnd of course, there are my standalone full length love stories, like my award-winning romance, Love in Venice from the True Love Series and Claimed By the Shiekh, book one in Sheikhs Untamed Bride’s series To enjoy your copy from Amazon: getbook.at/ClaimedByTheSheikh
Stolen by The Sheikh 
In life and love, it’s never too late
for a second chance. . .
This is not one of those times.
Fiercely independent contemporary artist Lucy Ford was absolutely content with her life—until the day Anwar na Hassir strolled into her gallery and back into her life.
She had dreamed of being a mother and would soon have a son. Being a single mum wasn’t the happy ending she had visualised, but at least she had someone to love. Someone of her own. Someone she could keep forever.
As long as the child’s father never found out. Anwar could not, would not, must not ever know the truth. Not if she was to keep her child.
Anwar was as formidable as Lucy was freewheeling. Luring Lucy to his desert Kingdom, somewhere between the magic of the desert and the stroll along the ocean, she lets him steal her heart. Only to discover love, once given, can never be returned.
A sensuous tale of modern love, career-crossed relationships, the heady magic of instant attraction, loss, and the unwavering faith that sustains them—even in the darkest hour.
If you love second chance romance set against a sensuous backdrop of the sensuous desert, art and innovative architecture, you’ll love Stolen by The Sheikh.
with all your favourite tropes, including:• Enemies to lovers
• Secret babies
• Opposites attract
• Wrong sides of the track
INCLUDES 3 BONUS CHAPTERS
Claimed By The Sheikh
To enjoy your copy from Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR8LGF73
CA:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CR8LGF73
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR8LGF73
AU:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CR8LGF73
Universal link: https://mybook.to/StolenByTheSheikh
LOVE IN MONTANAYes, I still feel more joy as I work on multiple projects. Like LOVE IN MONTANA. This is a fun story!
I adore all my stories and really want to do them justice so that you love them too.
Buy this prequel through the links below…FREE FOR KINDLE UNLIMITED READERSTo enjoy your copy from Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1JDG2PG
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D1JDG2PG
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1JDG2PG
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D1JDG2PG
Universal Link: https://mybook.to/LoveInMontanaPrequel
LOVE IN MONTANA is part of Mollie Mathews’ TRUE LOVE series starring Maverick Billionaires. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too. All of Mollie’s series are linked. If you find a character you love, they could be in another novel.
TO ENJOY OTHER BOOKS IN THE TRUE LOVE SERIESLove In Venice (Mauro and Maggie) (3rd prize, Koru Excellence in Romance Award)
Love In Mexico (Ruby and Oliver)
Love In Sicily (Gianni and Kate)
Love In Montana (Lizzie and Jack)
Love in Tuscany (Lorenzo and Sophia)
Love In Greece ( (Sophia and Aris)
Love in Santorini (Helena And Damon)
ENJOY!
P.S. Would you enjoy a fun and frisky 30 minute read? Download TWIST OF FATE for free here—https://dl.bookfunnel.com/k12p1ul2rn. It’s a short story set in my former hometown, Wellington. New Zealand. 5-star reviews!
If you love it, or any of my stories, would you consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads?
Thank you!
SHORT SWEET SHEIKH LOVE STORIES EXCERPT DESTINY: INSPIRED BY SHEIKHS AND DANIELLE STEEL
Destiny (Omar and Danielle)
“Work! Work! Work! That’s all you ever do. All work and no play makes Danielle a boring wife.”
“I love my work, Simon. Work is my leisure. Work is play, and you know why? Danielle Bowden threw at her husband. “Because I made it that way. What was that famous saying? When you do what you love?” She ran her long, manicured nails through the rivulets of strawberry blonde hair that touched her waist. Oh, yes, she remembered, “When you do what you love, you never work again.”
“But that’s all you ever do! Night and day, you’re always at your computer, writing those bloody romances.”
“Those bloody romances pay our bills. Besides, if I don’t work, I feel sad. So I work more. Writing makes me happy. Why do you have to resent that? When I’m busy, I’m not bored. I’m not depressed. I know it’s not such a great thing to work all the time. But it’s profitable and it’s good for me.”
“It’s not good for our marriage. You shouldn’t be up late every night working. You should be in bed with me. Working until three or four in the morning. It’s crazy!”
“I told you when we met, Simon, the one thing I don’t do well is sitting around relaxing. It makes me so angry when people judge me and tell me, ‘Don’t work so much. Don’t stay up all night working 22-hour days.'”
“It’s insane! Why can’t you love leisure?”
“Well, if I’m insane, what does that make all those people resting so much they’re dying of boredom? What does that makes all those people with their work-life balance so perfect they’re sleeping their way through their most productive and joyful years? If I’m insane, they’re just plain crazy. Work is my joy. It’s play. Every day I get to play make-believe. I love it.”
“And me?”
“What about you?”
“Do you love me?”
“Are you asking, demanding, ordering that I stop playing?”
“’Just work less. Pay more attention to me. If you worked less, you could… “
“Could what?”
“I don’t know. Watch TV.”
“TV!” she said incredulously. ”But I love to read. I love to write.”
“And I love to watch TV.”
“So you’ll only be happy when I do what you love?”
“You’re twisting my words.”
“God! You sound like my husbands. Yes, you heard that right. Husbands. Plural. I’ve had five. All of them resented my work. All of them said they’d love me more if I became someone I’m not.”
“You should have been a lawyer,” Simon said.
“God, how many times have I heard that?”
“You’re not a very good wife.”
“Not that again.”
The first time Danielle was told that was the role she should aspire to, she reflected, was by a misguided vocational counselor. Danielle had just turned 16 and was finally about to be released from the Convent school her father had banished her to 10 years earlier following her mother’s death. ‘The best (read-only) role a young girl should aspire to,’ the guidance counselor had advised, ‘is to become a dutiful wife.’
She had been set up for failure, Danielle thought, thrusting her shoulders back as she rose to leave the man she had spent the last two years trying to please.
“I will not be that woman,” she said coolly, thrusting her expertly manicured toes, painted a calm shade of turquoise blue, into her flaming red shoes.
She was mad. Mad and sad.
Why am I never enough?
“Leisure makes people lazy,“ she tossed over her shoulder as she strode to the door of her Parisian apartment. Convent school had instilled a strong work ethic at least. But she hadn’t bought into the fear that idleness was the devil’s work. Now, she wasn’t so sure. For years, Simon had fed off her royalties while he sat around tinkering with inventions that went nowhere, watching reality TV for inspiration. And now he had the gall to blame her for their failed marriage.
She paused, summoning her strength, as she turned and took a long, lingering glance at the man she knew was destined to be husband number six.
“I was a writer when you met me. I was a writer when you married me,” she paused and sucked in a strong, sturdy breath. “I am a writer.I will always be a writer. What I will not be is the woman you want me to be. The leisure-rich woman swanning around, devoid of inner peace, garroted by constraint as you yank my chains, overloaded with cares about your needs and wants, worrying if I will ever be good enough to satisfy your demands.“
He can have the apartment, she cursed as she slammed the door. She didn’t want the memories of heartbreak. And she didn’t want to tell him the truth. The moment they married, Simon changed. He no longer fawned over her accomplished writing career, no longer told her how much he admired her creative output, and no longer told her he felt so lucky to have married one of the world’s most beloved writers. He no longer told her he loved her for her. Perhaps he never had. Wasn’t that why she escaped into her books, penning love stories of true love and happily ever afters?
What now, she wondered? I failed at marriage again. Or marriage failed me. Whoever is to blame, it’s a mistake I’ll never repeat.
That leaves what? she wondered. A fresh start in a new city?
As she walked through the Parisian streets, a mix of emotions swirled within her. The decision to leave her husband and her life in Paris was not an easy one, but she knew it was necessary for her own happiness and growth. With each step, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of freedom, liberation, and excitement for what lay ahead.
At that moment, she reflected on her namesake, Danielle Steel. Her incredible journey of reinvention, including failed marriage after failed marriage, inspired her heart. She thought about how Steel had transformed her life time after time, overcoming obstacles and finding success in unexpected ways. The thought of creating a new chapter in her life ignited a fire within her.
With determination and a newfound sense of purpose, she vowed to follow in Danielle Steel’s footsteps. She would reinvent herself, explore new passions, and chase her dreams fearlessly. The world would become her playground, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities waiting to be discovered.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but smile. The world was a blank page, and she was ready to write a new life story. With each step, she left behind the old and embraced the new, knowing that her decision to leave was the first step toward a brighter future. The city of love had witnessed her transformation, and she was ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, just like Danielle Steel had done time and time again.
And so, with a heart full of hope and determination, she continued walking through the Parisian streets, her gaze fixed on the horizon, ready to embrace the unknown and create a life that was truly her own.
Where to begin, she wondered as she entered the grand lobby of the Ritz, her heart pounding with excitement and uncertainty. Give me a sign, she tempted the fates.
The grandeur of the hotel momentarily overwhelmed her. Then inspiration struck. She couldn’t help but imagine the stories that unfolded within its walls. This was the same hotel where Princess Diana had spent her last days, adding a layer of mystique to the atmosphere.
As Danielle looked around, taking in the opulent surroundings, her mind wandered to her own life. She was embarking on a major transformation, leaving behind a comfortable yet unfulfilling existence. Now, she stood at the precipice of a new chapter, unsure of what lay ahead.
Lost in her thoughts, Danielle didn’t notice the tall, dark figure striding across her path until it was too late. The impact of their collision sent her stumbling backward, but strong arms caught her just in time.
“I’m sorry,” she said shakily as she glanced up at the man whose path she’d crossed. Magnetic green eyes met hers, igniting a blaze of heat within her belly.
“No, it was my fault. I apologize for the collision,” the man said in a deep, alluring voice. His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, instantly captivating Danielle’s attention. She couldn’t help but notice the air of mystery that surrounded him. Who was he? What brought him to this hotel?
As if reading her thoughts, the man offered a charming smile. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sheikh Omar Al-Fayed. And you, my dear, seem to be in need of a new adventure.”
Danielle’s curiosity peaked. The sheikh’s words hinted at a deeper understanding of her current state of mind. She looked into his eyes, trying to decipher the secrets they held.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The sheikh’s smile widened, revealing a glimpse of his enigmatic nature. “Do you believe in fate?”
“Destiny,” she whispered dangerously. “I believe in destiny.”
“Then the stars are aligned,” he said enigmatically. “I have a proposition for you. An opportunity to embark on a journey that will change your life forever. Are you ready to take that leap of faith?”
Danielle’s heart raced with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. Something about the sheikh’s presence ignited a sense of adventure within her—the same sense of adventure she injected into her romance novels. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage.
“Yes,” she said, her voice steady. “I’m ready to start a new story.”
And with those words, Danielle stepped further into the unknown, ready to embrace the mystery and intrigue that lay ahead with the rich and handsome sheikh by her side. Little did she know that this encounter would be the beginning of a thrilling and life-altering chapter in her life.
OUT NOW!
Enjoy this book through the links below…
To enjoy your copy from Amazon:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDJ2FKP3
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DDJ2FKP3
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DDJ2FKP3
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DDJ2FKP3
IBOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE, KOBO and other great bookstores:
https://books2read.com/u/bz9qoZ
Check out the following written and narrated by me.I love reading and narrating my own stories. I hope my New Zealand accent is understandable!
Flight of Passion
US
https://www.audible.com/pd/Flight-of-Passion-Audiobook/B0874YCXVL
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Flight-of-Passion-Audiobook/B0874X8TGX
AU
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Flight-of-Passion-Audiobook/B0874Y3V2T
KOBO
https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/audiobook/flight-of-passion-4
Sex With Strangers
Audible
USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/Sex-with-Strangers-Audiobook/B08BTKHJ61
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sex-with-Strangers-Audiobook/B08BTSSB6L
Australia
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Sex-with-Strangers-Audiobook/B08BTKDD8R
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/sex-with-strangers-14
Love Me Forever
USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/Love-Me-Forever-Audiobook/B081QRGJV8
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Love-Me-Forever-Audiobook/B081QQVRV4
Australia
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Love-Me-Forever-Audiobook/B081QQW4N8
Twist of Fate
USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/Twist-of-Fate-Audiobook/B07YL93YYV
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Twist-of-Fate-Audiobook/B07YLBN32S
Australia
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Twist-of-Fate-Audiobook/B07YL9ZTLJ
The Lightkeepers Lover
USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lightkeepers-Lover-Audiobook/B07Z9PX3NY
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Lightkeepers-Lover-Audiobook/B07Z9Q1Q89
Australia
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/The-Lightkeepers-Lover-Audiobook/B07Z9QRWBV
Forever and Always
USA
https://www.audible.com/pd/Forever-and-Always-Audiobook/B0868GTBNC
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Forever-and-Always-Audiobook/B0868H5XKV
Australia
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Forever-and-Always-Audiobook/B0868GM443
Love Me As I Am
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/audiobook/love-me-as-i-am-5
AUDIBLE
US
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Am-Passion-Stories/dp/B08MT8JJWR
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Love-Me-as-I-Am-Audiobook/B08MTKB9VF
AU
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Love-Me-as-I-Am-Audiobook/B08MT8HL83
Finding A Husband
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/audiobook/finding-a-husband-3
AUDIBLE
US: https://www.audible.com/pd/B08H5TTP1S
UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Finding-a-Husband-Audiobook/B08H5ZPLW6
AU: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Finding-a-Husband-Audiobook/B08H5WTY6M?qid=1599866634
Claimed by the Sheikh
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/claimed-by-the-sheikh-9
AUDIOBOOK
KOBO
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/claimed-by-the-sheikh-9
AUDIBLE
US
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08ZB1KSM3
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Claimed-by-the-Sheikh-Audiobook/B08Z9L7D9G
AU
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Claimed-by-the-Sheikh-Audiobook/B08ZB8H17F
The Italian Billionaire’s Christmas Bride
AUDIOBOOK
AUDIBLE
US
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Italian-Billionaires-Christmas-Bride-Audiobook/B08QW1TWYP
UK
https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Italian-Billionaires-Christmas-Bride-Audiobook/B08QW1ZW7L
AU
https://www.audible.com.au/pd/The-Italian-Billionaires-Christmas-Bride-Audiobook/B08QW3NL2Y
KOBO
https://www.kobo.com/nz/en/audiobook/italian-billionaire-s-christmas-bride-the
In less than 15 minutes you could be listening your way to love!
Audio versions of these books and the following are also available from all online bookstores and also libraries (Audible is experiencing long delays in publishing):
DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST?You may also like:
How Trauma Can Fuel Your Life Purpose
How extraordinary love can change our lives
To enjoy more posts and books like this please follow this blog and BookBub
Here are some other ways to stay in touch:
Chat with me on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/molliemathewsnz
Be inspired on Pinterest – https://nz.pinterest.com/molliemathews and Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/molliemathewsauthor
Watch me on Youtube – MolliemathewsYouTube
The post The Danielle Steel Method: How Working on Multiple Projects Sparks Joy and Creativity appeared first on Mollie Mathews.
