Writing
Hi everyone,
I get so busy sometimes, talking to you about other things, holidays, children, new dogs, relationships, travel, music, art that I rarely talk to you about writing. And in reading your comments at the end of my blogs, I see that you have a number of comments and questions that I thought I’d address here.
Most of you wrote extremely kind comments about my work, which really warm my heart. I work incredibly hard on the books, I try to make them varied and different on different subjects (you noticed!!! thank you!!!), and do very, very thorough research, whether they are historical or contemporary books. And it really means a lot to me that you notice and you care. You each have a favorite book, which are also varied and different, depending on what resonates for you, and what you’re personally going through. Many of you have offered to tell me your stories so I can turn them into a book, but I never write real people’s stories. I prefer to rely on my own imagination, although I often use things I’ve learned, the feeling of experiences I’ve had (like losing my son, or great joys), and emotions I’ve experienced, even if I use them differently than they actually happened. I am fascinated by the human condition, and human relationships of all kinds, between friends, between lovers, spouses, siblings, parent and child, even co-workers. I like what happens between people, how we impact each other, good and bad, and how we respond to the stresses in our lives, whatever they are. And those experiences are universal, we have all dealt with people we care about, or difficult families, or children, or friends, or relationships, and we’ve either been hurt or blessed or helped by those experiences. I feel strongly about what I write, which I think is why you do too. And it rings real for you, because all the emotions in it are real, and some of the experiences, so it rings real for me as I write it, and for you when you read it.
One of you asked how I can do the research, with all those kids (mine) running around. Unfortunately, they’re not running around anymore. The youngest is in college, the others are in their first jobs, and only one still lives at home. And they are running around their own lives now, I’m no longer driving carpool, or taking anyone to ballet lessons, or watching lacrosse games. I wish I were. I still spend a lot of time with them all, when they have time to see me in their busy lives, but my days are my own now. I’m not having dinner with them every night as I used to, or picking them up at school. And I miss those days. When they were little, at home and in school. I worked during their school hours, then picked them all up at school, and stayed busy with them til after dinner, and after their homework was on track and underway, and then I worked/wrote at night. I didn’t sleep a lot, and still don’t. I got used to short nights, and I still work til late at night, when it’s quiet and I have fewer distractions, and the phone doesn’t ring every five minutes. As for the actual research, which there is a lot of for every book, I have a fantastic researcher who has seen me through all 121 books, and is fabulous with both historical and contemporary research (like about locations, or an industry). She does the basic research and then passes it on to me to read, and process, and include what I need in the books. She narrows it down for me, so I can concentrate on what she gives me. I have worked with her since my first book. She is an amazing woman!!!
There is a question that none of you asked, but I’ll answer anyway. Some fans have written in the past asking who writes my books. I was stunned the first time I was asked that question. Who writes my books? Are you kidding? I do. Every word. I was shocked at the question, I even mentioned it to my agent who informed me that some very major writers actually hire writers now to write their books and the authors just give them the outlines. I can’t even imagine that, and it seems like cutting corners in a major way to me. I write every word of my books, and do all the editing and correcting. There are no gnomes or elves in my basement or attic. I do all the work myself!!!
Will I ever write a sequel? No. I’ve been asked a lot, even by my publisher. I think sequels are an invitation to disappointment. I don’t like comparisons, and would rather do something new every time. When I finish a book, that story is over for me.
One of you asked how many times my first book was turned down. It’s actually worse than that. I was turned down by my first agent, who told me to forget writing and do something else——and that agent pretended, once I got successful, that they’d never met me or told me that. But that person did, and I was heartbroken. A friend referred me to another agent, who read my book and signed me up the next day, and believed in my work. I was 19 years old then. She sold that first book very quickly, it came out in original paperback, and by the time it came out, I had already written another one. And that’s when things got tough. The next five books did not sell, ever, and never have. I still have them, and probably someone will publish them one day after I’m gone. I have moved on, and rarely look back at books, so I’ve just put those five away, for my kids to do what they want with one day. The 7th book I wrote was a novelization, that means it was actually a screenplay for a movie (that I didn’t write), and they wanted to sell a book of it when the movie came out. So I turned the screenplay into a book, and that was the book that started the ball rolling again, and I’ve been published ever since. It was a good lesson for me though, because I had 5 unpublished books, and if I had given up before the 7th one, I would never have the career I do today; it was a great lesson in persistence!!!
One funny topic that came up in emails from you was sex. Years ago, I got a letter from an 11 year old reader who complained that there wasn’t enough sex in my books!!! Wow. No one has complained since, but certainly sex isn’t the main focus of my books. With only a couple of exceptions, there are always some sex scenes in my books, although I hope they are tastefully handled, and they have to make sense with the characters and the story. But I write about real things that happen, unfortunately people do cheat on each other, or take advantage of others. There is a rape scene in “A Good Woman”, and those things happen too. My main characters tend to be decent people (except when they are intentionally male or female villains), who do their best in life, like the rest of us. And when I write about ‘bad’ people, it’s clear that that’s what they are. But in the recent comments to the blogs, one woman complained that I write about immoral events and people, that I shouldn’t be writing about cheating, or other immoral acts, and that all the sex should be between married people. Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s not part of real life today, and as a writer I chronicle the kind of real life experiences many of us have, or that exist in the real world. So I write about a broader spectrum, and I take a stand for integrity on all subjects. And I can’t satisfy every reader, and purify a world that isn’t pure in the real world. But that one reader considered me highly immoral!!! I’m sorry about that, but the books are more meaningful if they report accurately on what happens in the world today. We may not like what some people do, but they do it nonetheless. As I said, integrity is important to me, and being tasteful. I try not to offend anyone with what I write, and it always has to make sense in the story.
Another reader who answered the blogs complained that my stories aren’t more religious. I’m actually a religious person, personally, but I don’t feel right imposing it on anyone else. That’s a very, very personal thing, and once again, my stories would be much too limited if they only centered around a religious theme. Again, it’s about integrity and values, but I don’t think it would be fair to my non-religious readers to focus on only religious themes. I try to stay away from religion and politics as a good rule of thumb, although once in a while religion may become part of the story, if I write about nuns. But I try to keep things varied and not offend anyone.
I hope that answers some of your questions, and as you read this, I’ll be starting a new book!!! Thank you for reading them, and for all your wonderful comments!!!
Love, Danielle
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
HELLO…ME AGAIN…OH NO…I AM READING ..A GOOD WOMAN…ANNABELLE IS IN MED. SCHOOL…I HOPE THAT IT IS NOT SHE THAT IS RAPED…
THANK YOU FOR THIS ARTICLE….IT EXPLAINS A LOT…ALTHOUGH I KNEW THAT YOU DID YOUR OWN WRITING…WHO WOULD THINK SUCH A THING….LOVE HEARING FROM YOU DANIELLE…THE ONLY BOOKS I NEED FOR MY WHOLE COLLECTION IS…1.TOXIC BACHELORS. 2.SECOND CHANCE. 3.GOING HOME. 4.ACCIDENT. 5.FULL CIRCLE. 6.PALOMINO. 7.ONCE IN A LIFETIME. 8.THE LOVE..POEMS..AND THATS IT…AND CANNOT SEEM TO FIND ANY OF THEM….EVEN WHEN I GO THRU ANTIQUE STORES WHICH IS WHERE I HAVE FOUND MANY….I HAVE ALL THE REST AND AM READING THEM ONE BY ONE…
TAKE CARE DANIELLE….
CAROL O. IN SO. CALIF.
Hello from Germany,
this is a wonderful post, it has never ever occurred to me to think that you would not write your own books. Your personal mark is in each one of them, I can tell only by reading the first lines that you have written them. I’ve been a fan since I was 12, and that’s also when I started writing myself.
This post from today helps me a lot at the moment, since I am still an unpublished author. My first two manuscripts got rejected a lot, I’m working on my third, and I also have to learn to be persistent and don’t get discouraged. I think I can’t give up even if I wanted to. No matter how disappointed I am when I get rejected, there are still so many stories in me which get me seated at my desk.
I wish you a wonderful year, you’re not only one of my favourite writers, but also a very big inspiration in my life!
Anna-Maria Nagy from Germany
Hello,
I agree with Anna-Maria. It also never occured to me that someone else could write your books. How ridiculous!
I am a fan since years (my neighbor gave me one of your books once and I am hooked ever since). Your books helped me through some rough times in the past and I hope that you keep on writing for many many years.
Julia from Germany
[…] right way to Find Your Being unfaithful Wife or husband Via Online reverse cell phone researchWriting : daniellesteel.netThe Wigan v Sunderland ‘Who are YouGarden Gnomes History /**/ // // #wpstats { display: […]
Hello Ms. Steele,
What a breath of fresh air you are!
I am religious and I found myself praying a lot this holiday season. Among a myriad of far more important things to be concerned about, I found myself feeling lost and uncertain about who I was at this point and time in my life.
I’m an African American woman “of a certain age” and I was starting to feel unjustly defined by my age – like I could no longer be quirky, truly fashionable, free spirited – like I had finally reached the age of expected conformity.
Now I know people, of course, who run full steam against rules like these but always at some cost. Too high a cost for me. I work in an academic setting and even though I live in the California, Bay Area, which is supposedly liberated and free, social pressures abound.
After a period of prayer this holiday season, I thought to myself that I ought to write a book giving women permission to define their own lives regardless of age and your name popped into my mind. I thought it odd. I’ve only read one of your books – I liked it. However,I really wasn’t familiar with you -and why on earth was I thinking about you?
Today I stumbled upon your website – and you are truly free. You have a career and raised a family. You’ve been passionately in love with and married two men. You have pets, kids, art,fashion, design, travel and long hair over the age of 35. And you still seem so curiously enamored with life and living and color and men and exercising personal freedom. You have defined your own life.
When I read on your website that you were religious it brought tears to my eyes. All I could think was -God sends messages and gives encouragement and hope in the most mysterious ways.
You’re an inspiration. Even if I don’t write the book, I will fight to define myself and my life as I see fit and not as society dictates for a woman of my age.
Thank you!!!
Hi Danielle,
Happy New Year! I would like to express my sincere thanks to you, you are my inspiration on becoming a writer. I started reading your books from 1974 – I was age 12 and read every single one since. I also loved reading Sydney Sheldon books. You’re books took me away from the hard reality of my childhood and adult years. They inspired me to write poems, attend several writing classes at College and attend writing workshops- all because of you, thank you. I raised 3 daughters with my husband of 28 years and now I am writing my first book and I am very excited about it and I feel very ready for the success of it. I feel as though I know you personally even though I have never met you in person. I am overwhelmed at times at the thought of how to go about getting the book published – this is a step of guidance I need and would love it and be grateful if it were from you. Thank you again for traveling through time with me through your writing and being my inspiration.
Best Regards,
Deborah
I love your books, all of them. I hope you never change the way you write. I generally watch for the release date of your books so that I can purchase it even if I have not finished the book I am reading. I just finished Happy Birthday and will start on Hotel Vendome soon. Keep it up, they are great stories!!
First to say, your books are totally awesome and beautifully written. I can honestly say I’ve read every book you wrote and I love them all. I haven’t read the poem one yet. But I prefer reading stories a bit better than poems. But I’m sure they are beautifully written poems. When I’m done with one book I can hardly wait for another one to come out.
I look forward to reading Hotel Vendome. I even do a little research of my own about the locations and venues in your stories, such as the Hotel Vendome. Of course I dont know anything about this hotel because I’ve never been to Europe. The locations/venues in your books give me a great imagination on what they really look like. I can even feel the vibes at times of certain locations and the ppl that frequent them.
Thank you for such an enormous generous and beautiful imagination. Without your books I dont think I would have become an avid novel reader as I am today. I have been reading your books since the early 80s and continue to do so.
With this said, I will let you go now so that you can spend better use of your time on your next book.
Thanks again and sent with love of your books,
Robin 😉
Hello from Iowa, USA
First of all, I’d like to wish you a very happy and healthy new year and to thank you once again for all your wonderful books which give us so much joy in reading! What an amazingly talented and classy woman you are! Obviously you have trillions of pleased readers like myself and I’m astounded by any who are critical of your writings. Your fast and continuing success is evident by being a top novelist. I’m sorry you had to address doubt by some readers of your writing abilities, novel sexual content, religious theme, etc. We all have different tastes, so if they aren’t enamored by your novels, they should move along instead of criticizing something of which they know nothing about or aren’t interested in. Your satisfied readers all thank you for enriching our lives with your stories. They enlighten and transport us to a world other than our own with your creative writings. Best wishes always to you and your family for good memories and the making of new ones! Take good care of yourself and remember to relax and enjoy life’s offerings.
As usual I read every book which appears in our Israeli library. They may be written even more than a decade ago, but whenever written they always give me a good time. Now reading your blog I understand how much thought and love is put in every book and I understand how important reasearch is for you but also for us -your readers. I wish you in the new year -2012- still having the strength and vitality to continue writing as you do. You should know that every english speaking person in our “assisted dwelling community reads your books!!
In friendship, your, Ada Bondy
i watch my mom read your books and really enjoy them that it has helped me enjoy reading to where it is one of my favorite times is when we set down and read together at night but i want to get her your new books but i cant afford them on my allowance can you tell me where i can get her them at a cheaper amount she gets excited when a new one comes out. and if you can could you send her a autograph picture i would really like it. thank you my address is 5716 arkansas trail, granbury, tx. 76048
I can’t wait for another book. I have an idea for a book about the guards kids whom lived on alcatraz,Would love to talk with you about it.
Sincerely Deborah Miller
503 665-7475 or my cell 971-222-9867
Ps I am aDental Assistant
I always believed in you that you are the real writer from the first day I started reading your books. Many thanks are to my niece who lived in Zimbabwe. Its five years from now when I had an international telephone conversation with her and we talked about books and in the middle of the conservation she mentioned that her favourite author was Danielle Steel. She asked me to buy Danielle Steel books and send for her to Zimbabwe. That is the time when I came to know you. I went in every shop here in England that sells books. Once I tested the style of your writing, I never looked back, In fact I became addicted to your books/writing. My book shelf is filled with all your books. I have got a book mark entitled: I love Danielle Steel with pictures of some of your books. If there is a book of yours I have missed might be one or two. Some of them I go over them again, reading and reading.Kind of possessed. You are a Prolific Writer and you have inspired so many souls including mine. My wish is to see you and touch you physically.
Loneliness is not for you Danielle. You deserve better. Hope God will surprise you with a beautiful husband.In my church we say 2012 is a year of Supernatural Acceleration.
Dear Danielle, Thank you very much for your time to answer all the questions about your wirting. It’s a pleasure to read you, a masterclass from a great writer. Love from Chile.
Hello Danielle;
I would like to say I’m a huge fan of you work, I love the movie adaptions of some of your books. Why I’m writing to you is this, I want to write a romance novel for my Fiance’, as a gift of my love. Our relationship has been quite an amazing courtship. I think it is one that would make a good book. first, 6 years ago I suffered a near deadly stroke, brain anueryzm, and 6 years ago my Fiance’ found out her husband of over 20 years had been cheating on her and for years. After many attempts to fix her problem, she finally through him out and started a divorce, he became very abusive and stoked her. It was very dangerous for, but thanks to her 3 son’s who protected her from him, she finally got her divorce, only because she just him everything he wanted with little child support. This amazing woman went it alone and has become a very strong will independent woman. For me after I got out of the hospital my ex-wife became very abusive and within a month, she told me to leave, being very depressed and traumitised I eventually left. anyway to make a long story short and into an email. I moved out and worked amazingly hard to recover most of my abilities, I am still visually disabled but have most of my cognitive abilities back, it was my love for my 2 daughters that kept me going,and I had to spend most of my retirement money just to get access to my daughters because my ex refused visitation. So both our children basicly sfed us. While 1 year ago we met on mar 2011 on a christain dating website, and she sent me a smile and as they say the rest is history, in October I proposed to her in a mountain town of Canmore alberta, Canada. It was so romantic. I designed a ring and had it custom made for her. I also wrote her a proposal poem. on the eveening of Oct 1. I let her to the balcony, that had amazing scenery of the mountains, had slow romantic music on. I got down on one knee and started to read the poem. part way through she started to cry, saying “oh my god you’re proposing oh my god yes she just kept repeaTING that, then I lost it started crying an bearly finished the poem, but after the poem i gave her the ring. She said with a resounding YES. then we drank wine danced on the balcony, and made love into the early morning hours. The finally justice we got, over and about our great love was that, the day I proposed would have been her 30 anniversary of her first marriage, I wasn’t aware of that, but what Irony, we bother yelled out when she told me was “up yours Lenord” her ex. I am taking some writing clases and would like to write our romance story, for a gift for her, but it might take years and years for me to get good enough, do you do ghost writing. I have written her a short story about our first date and how I think we felt during it, and she just loved it.
Thanks
Fred Stenhouse
the happiest man on the planet!
She is the woman of my dreams.
and God gave her to me and I to her
we both think that.
That was an interesting article, Danielle. I was really surprised to learn that you have 5, in a row, unpublished books!! Thanks for sharing that!
Hello from India.
I’m a great fan of you since several years, and read many of your books, and each one of them I enjoyed reading. I really liked your style of writing which makes the reader to read till the end. You have a fantastic gift of writing which captures the reader’s mind. Reading them influenced me to start writing novels, and I got my first novel published, and now I’m in the process of writing my second novel.
Thanks and Regards,
Lakshmi
Hi mother
tell me what should I do to keep on with my writings]
January 23, 2012
Dear Danielle,
First, I would like to offer my sincerest condolences, on the loss of your son, Nick. He was so fortunate to have you in his life; so blessed to have a mother who really believed in him, as you did. I do applaud your patience, as well as your persistence and unwavering strength. I know it had to be rough on everyone. I am reading his story now, and while it is difficult to put down, it is equally hard to read.
My heart aches for him. He was a very special young man. I find myself wanting to say “boy”, because of the innocence he possessed, shown so clearly in your book. I do hope you will forgive me. Once I saw his picture, I remembered him from his band, and had heard his music. While it wasn’t my style, one couldn’t ignore the talent. He was brilliant! Maybe his passion did that for him, but he was good at it.
Before I forget to tell you, you have been an inspiration to my writing, and my sanity! You were the first author I began reading, and are my favorite to date. The first book I picked up when I began reading again was “Fine Things”, and although I never finished it, due to life, if I were to pick it up today, could find the exact spot I was in then, and have never forgotten any of it! You are an amazing writer, that’s the truth! Thank you for that.
I, too, lost my daughter. When she was 24, in 1995 she was killed in a car accident. Her brain stem was severed, and left her “Brain Dead”. So, in trying to heal, I began to put my feelings down on paper, at my husband’s suggestion; he knew I wrote. That was back in 1995, I am almost finished. Your book about Nick was something I had to read before finishing mine. I generally do not read other writings, when I am amid writing myself, so there will not be an inadvertent overlap of ideas or themes. I had no idea he was your son, until purchasing a NOOK in November, where it was noted as one of your books. It is so hard for a mother to read. I so understand your frustration and angst. While my daughter was in the comma during our “72 hr.” wait, we imagined all we would be challenged with, if she survived. Ultimately, we were left with no choice, as her brain never showed any activity.
When she passed away, my ex husband and his wife took charge, as they both lived in Conn., and Colleen had lived with them for her teenage years. Although she now had her own place, she continued to live in Connecticut, which was where she worked. It was ugly, to say the least. Not to bring religion into this, I will just say, I limited my tears in their presence, and had many an angel to help! You know, you are kind of numb anyway, but with all that had taken place, over the last years, it made it tougher, than need be. My husband and I did what we had to do to get through this most difficult time, and showing them weakness was not on the agenda. Anyway, I never felt I really let it out. My husband’s mother suggested I read your book “Accident”, and actually, I was beside myself at her suggestion. I asked my husband, “Why would she suggest this book, knowing what happened to Colleen?” He didn’t know either, but she seemed so insistent, and I trusted her immensely. So, I read it, and lo & behold, the tears flowed! I couldn’t put it down; every break at work, every night, every morning with coffee, until it was finished. We had just gone through so much of the very same thing. I thanked my Mother-in-Law over and over again for that. It ended up that while talking to her during the whole ordeal, I had said I felt guilty that I never really cried, the way I thought a mother should, after losing their child. She thought it would be a good outlet! Talk about blessings…
I saw that over and over in your book, too. You were so blessed to have some of the most caring individuals around, during your trials with Nick; especially Julie. While no one could love him like you did, they loved him the best they could…and he felt it. Like I said before, it isn’t an easy read, coming from a mother’s stand point. Even his journals showed his intelligence, his insight to himself. Actually, they are quite poetic; sad, but poetic. There is a certain beauty to them. You can feel the pain and fear, the conflict and confusion, and the love and trust and as well. You brought a feeling of having met him, for me, when you added his writings. It was a compelling read.
You spoke of letting your children mourn in their own way, and I kind of had to smile. We were going through our 2nd childhood when Colleen was taken from us. We had been engrossed in Video games. I spent the next 10 months doing just that. No cleaning, no laundry, just game. One day in February of 1996, it occurred to me that I was intending to “Reset”, and go back to the way it was. That is when I came out of it. I haven’t played any Video games since that day. The game got packed up and put away. My husband had been so patient, doing almost everything in the house, since we both had full time jobs, yet he never said a word to me. So, you see, we do go through stages of healing, each in our own way. You have found comfort in setting up drives and benefits, and I am sure, one day, you will find it easier to cope with the loss. What Nick contributed to our lives in music and poem, will keep his memory alive, too. You have gone beyond that with parties to remember him, benefits, and memorials. What the medical teams learned on his behalf, will help thousands with their battle. You have plenty to be proud of; and wonderful (while painful) memories.
Five years almost to the day, one of my co-workers lost his 6 week old daughter to Crib Death. At the viewing, my supervisor, Alyse and I had different ideas on which was harder to handle. Maybe she was attempting to be kind to me, but she voiced the opinion that what I had gone through was more difficult than their situation. She was also the mother of 2 teenage girls, but I gently, yet totally disagreed, believing that, at least, I had seen my daughter’s accomplishments. She had grown up to be a beautiful young lady, with a pure heart, etc. I knew her likes & dislikes, her joys and yes her sorrows. She too, was a driven soul, determined to do things with her life. Like Nick, she loved her family and valued everyone in her life. I believe with all my heart, that is a plus. They are positives, that you and I can fall back on, whether it is through memories, or just the fact that we were blessed enough to see that they learned, from what we tried to teach them. Maybe it is somewhat self-serving, but we taught them things to carry them through life; things that helped them to be strong, independent and proud. Both you and I accomplished that mission, and I believe helped make their lives richer for it. I can say with much certainty, it made us proud of them!
I will thank you again, and say good-bye. If you would like to write back, I would very much like that, but I know your time is precious, and will understand if you do not. In the meantime, take care of yourself and keep thinking peaceful thoughts. May you remember the good over the bad and the happy over the sad.
With great Respect & Sincerity,
Jackie Walas
Ms. Steel,
Many years ago, I read and enjoyed just about everything you wrote. But eventually, the stories became repetetive and boring, so I moved on.
After about 15 years, I thought I’d give you another try, so I read Southern Lights. To might great disappointment, I found it quite tedious and predictable. Not a bit of drama.
I realize you have a fan base of millions, and I’m certainly in the minority on this blog. But you need a fresh approach — at least where your fiction writing is concerned.
Janis
Danielle,
I loved “A Good Woman”!
Like you, I am a religious person but I don’t push my beliefs on other people. I love to write, but my biggest problem is writing love scenes in my stories. I’m working on one story about a young woman who grew up with an abusive father and ends up in an unhealthy relationship. Like you, I prefer to work with my own ideas because this is how we writers tap into our creative power. I sometimes find inspiration through personal experience, music, and other things.
Your blog was well said. I want to add, I never thought for a minute that you didn’t write your own books. You are a remarkable person. keep writing we all love your books. Judy.
I want to write as well, my problem is that I need to do a short course in writing frist. Please advise which is the best correspondence institution to do it with.
I have always been your fan since I was 11 years old! I even joined a book club just so that I could get your latest book on time. It would be a dream if you would menteor me with my writing:-) yeah fat chance of that, I keep dreaming on.
Thanks.
Regards
Mavis
I just finished reading Betrayal, other than Daddy it was one of my favorites. I have never written to an author before but I am 71 not a child and have a question. I know you never read your own mauil but hope this gets to you. You have a G-d given gift and I so enjoy all your books. My greatest pleasure would be to have anyone of your books autographed for my collection. Any information on how this could be done would be so appreciated. Keep writing
so I can keep reading. If you can help me please be so kind as to let me know, many thanks
Roberta Goldstein
I love your books,especially A Good Woman! I actually chose to do a project on you for school. I really need to know what your writing process is…if you have one. Thanks!
have you ever written a time travel book? not with another writer but on your own>
I really like how significantly depth you set directly into each and every single phase. Continue the truly wonderful perform.
This is the proper blog for anybody who needs to find out about this topic. You notice a lot its virtually hard to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply great!
I love reading especially your books,I admire you a lot and I would follow your footsteps someday.Thank you for persisting in those times you wanted to give up,you have given reasons to persist in achieving my own dreams.
these days at this time i read a number of excellent posts right right here.
First I am an avid fan. I just finished reading Seasons of Passion which I loved!
However it ended too soon, please please write a sequel. Did Tom die, did they get married what was the sex of the child, was tygue accepting of the new baby and anything in between, did her dads new wife try to match things up since she realize the list she must ave felt.
Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog discusses a
lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from
each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
Danielle, I have read ALL your books through the years and just finished The Apartment. You NEVER disappoint. I am a voracious reader and have approx. 15 favorite authors I follow regularly. You are in the top 5 along with Catherine Coulter, Stuart Woods, Susan Mallery and Diana Palmer. I may be incorrect but I believe you write in the 3rd person. I like being on the outside looking in. My thanks for the pleasure your words have brought me. Lynn Hutton Glen Allen, VA.
I remember when you wrote short stories and poems for magazines. I enjoyed reading the many articles before you sent them in. I felt like I was one of your first proof readers, sitting in that motel, for our next day visits. What a life time ago so many bridges we have crossed since then, have always wanted to contact you in some way, but felt that your life was well beyond mine. Have kept up with your writing and some of your life that you have let the public in on, especially when I was stationed in Cuba. At 67, I am back in college again to finish a degree that was started in my mid twenties, left to go in the military for the money to continue, but did not look back stayed and retired. If there is a chance that you can or would say hello please do. Think of you often, you made those trying times bearable.
Dear Danielle, A while ago, I sent you an article about my beloved bird Roger who passed on July 28,,did you ever receive it? I have felt such a strong emotional bond with you and cried when I read your introduction to Past Perfect,,as I am very passionate about connecting with the other side. I so hope you read this article. I also once sent you films and photos of some of my other birds. Not sure if you got that either? You did reply once to me and I hope I did not offend you! I would so love to hear from you and plan on moving to SF when I can afford it,,lunch would be so great! I so enjoy all of your books, but Pegasus touched my heart very deeply,also The Cottage,,I so hope I hear from you,,Roger was one of the great loves of my life and I don’t think I will ever get over him,,he is a cockatiel,,with much love,,Susan Lobel
Something has changed in your novels over the last few years. It seems as if someone else is writing on your behalf. The style is very different from yours. The last two books I’ve tried to read, (“Until the End of Time” and one whose name I don’t even recall), have been horribly written with disjointed sentences. Almost every other sentence begins with the word, “and.” It’s almost as if you have an apprentice writing in your stead. I used to love your books, but now, it’s a chore to get through them…and lately I don’t. What happened???
I have read all of your books. I am a voracious reader. I do not have writing talent. Your last four or so books have as usual very interesting stories. But it seems to me that the writing style is somewhat different than your previous books. I prefer the new style. It seems more literary in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure than your previous books. I notice that in these newer books, there is less repetition in regard to explaining something about a character or about his/her behaviour. Also, there is a great deal less of your writing the phase “and he knew it” and “she knew it”, which I found repetitive to distraction.
I am a fan and can’t get over how prolific you are.
Hi, I have just finished reading “Matters of the Heart” and I loved it so much I read in in just 2 days! I feel that it is one of your strongest novels, and I really loved Hope’s journey of healing and breaking free from Finn. Such a wonderful book! Thanks Danielle. Keep the books coming and your loyal readers will keep on appreciating them each and every time! Tish xxx
Love your cds ! My friend introduced yours to me and I told her I don’t listen to yours, but now you are the only one I want to listen to! Thank you for writing!
Hello Ms. Steel,
It was I who had asked you if you actually did your own writing and at the time I thought it was a fair question. Looking back now – I think it was actually rude of me to do so. I should have done my homework before believing a rumor that I read online. Please accept my apology and sincere thanks for sharing your talents. I have been a huge fan since I read Wanderlust. Your books are a wonderful tribute to life, relationships and the amazing love between people who are brought together by circumstances. Again, thank you and God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for sharing Danielle. I love your stories and so do both my elderly parents.
May I ask how you can find a good editor and agent? What are the qualifications and qualities I should look for and how can I trust them?
I’m new to writing and don’t know where’s to start?
Kind regards,
Amanda Carey
Hello what is the best address to write to Danielle Steel? she replied to my email. and she told me i can write her a letter and she will send me one back. I would like this for my big 60 birthday in oct
thank you
dana
I know you’re an excellent writer, and I fell in love with many of your earlier books. However, as an English professor, I find your frequent incorrect use of commas unsettling for an author of your caliber.
I am reading “The Mistress”. Picked it up at local library for free in discontinued books section. I read before sleep, books help me fall asleep. Danielle’s books are very good for that, they are so repetitive and boring. Written with no skill. I just finished reading a section where Natasha was shopping for clothes, and high fashion shows in Paris. 2 pages of nonsense. I never leave a book unread. So with this one I am skipping pages at a time because of redundant descriptions of Tasha’s naked beauty and innocence. Or how much Tasha loves respects and is grateful to Vladimir. Same thing over and over. 3/4 into a book we know this! So when I finish this one, it is going straight into the recycle pile. It will take a while because I can read only 2-3 pages before falling asleep. So it does serve a purpose. It is amazing how such talentless writing can net someone millions in income. I am commenting but not complaining. After all, no one is making me read these childish novels.