| As seen on A Greater Freedom dot com. With special thanks to Sara Horn and Cheryl Wyatt. |
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February 2006
Cheryl Wyatt: I had the great honor and privilege of interviewing Inspirational Military
Novelist Donna Fleisher about her writing and her service to our country. You can buy her
works wherever books are sold, and I highly recommend them.
Donna, can you tell us a little about your books?
Donna: I most certainly can. And I appreciate the opportunity! : )
My first two books, Wounded Healer and Warrior’s Heart, begin the Homeland Heroes Series of
Christian novels published by Zondervan. Book three, Valiant Hope, releases in May. At the
moment I’m hard at work putting together book four, with books five and six to follow later this
year.
The Homeland Heroes Series is about two women, U.S. Army Specialist Chris McIntyre and U.S.
Army First Lieutenant Erin Grayson, who meet during Operation Desert Shield and work aboard a
UH-1 Huey medevac helicopter. They become good friends as Desert Shield shifts into Desert
Storm, but their friendship disintegrates and, at war’s end, they go their separate ways without even
saying good-bye. Five years later, following a tragedy in Chris’s life, they are reunited. Wounded
Healer begins with the events leading up to that tragedy and plays out the story of Chris’s eventual
acceptance of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior (with Erin’s help, of course). It really is a story of
persevering friendship, salvation, and hope, with moments of military action interspersed
throughout.
Warrior’s Heart continues Chris’s journey of faith as she moves to Portland, Oregon, where Erin
and her husband, along with friends from Desert Storm, work in an outreach-type ministry in the
inner-city. Chris is totally out of her element, but she knows she needs to stay since it’s the one
place where she’ll learn more about her new faith in Christ and be surrounded by friends who
really love her.
Valiant Hope continues Chris’s story, but this time she returns to her childhood home to seek
closure to her painful past. This story was as difficult to write as it was amazing. But, then again,
this entire process has been amazing.
I understand you have been in the military. Can you tell us a little about that?
In June 1985, I arrived with my fellow “rainbows” at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to
begin U.S. Air Force Basic Training. Six weeks later, fully fired, hotwired, and inspired, I began
my Air Force career as an official weather observer. After tech school, I arrived at Elmendorf AFB
in Anchorage, Alaska, totally jazzed at finally stepping foot in the land of my dreams. (Always
wanted to see the Greatland.) Spent four terrific years in Anchorage—three on active duty, and one
year in the Air National Guard while I attended the University of Alaska Anchorage. (Go
Seawolves!)
What led you to make the decision to join the Air Force?
At the point of my decision, my brother was stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines. I had
basically run out of desire (and money) to continue college, and my brother didn’t laugh when I told
him I was thinking about joining. My dad was (and still is) an Air Force vet too, so I guess it pretty
much ran (and still runs) in my genes. Oh, and also because the AF had the easiest basic training.
Do you think your time serving our country has benefited you?
Yes. Absolutely. Though I fussed about military life like most of us lower-enlisted personnel did, I
came away with a sweet sense of accomplishment, along with an even sweeter sense of belonging
that I still cherish. I was a part of something much bigger than myself. Politics aside, I think military
service benefits most who take part in it.
Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey from dream to publication?
In July 1996, I became available, and God said, “Let’s give her something to do.” Within six
months, I had hand-written two 100,000 word novels. And then the work began. I submitted and
submitted and collected rejection letter after rejection letter until one day in 2000, when I knew I’d
had enough, it all went away—the dream—in a cloud of smoke. (Literally! I burned or threw away
everything that had anything to do with my writing, except for one hard copy of each manuscript.)
But that dream returned three and a half years later. All in the Lord’s perfect way, in His perfect
time.
How grateful am I that it all went away? Wow. If Tender Heart of a Warrior would have been
printed “as was” in 1997, it would have been a disaster. Just this little thing about the accuracy of
my Desert Storm details. Hah! Were they accurate? Can you say, “NOT!” Ahh … but God knew.
How cool is He?
After starting my own freelance editing business in 2003, while I waited for clients to flood my
inbox, I completely rewrote Tender Heart. Just three months after the rewrite, I sat on a bench at
the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference talking to Karen Ball from Zondervan. Three
months after that I signed a three-book contract, and Tender Heart of a Warrior became Wounded
Healer.
What advice would you give to someone considering entering the world of fiction as a writer?
If you care about God being honored through this gift He has given you, and if you want Him to
work through it (and you), then put Him first in everything. I mean everything. Don’t seek a mentor
in the industry before seeking Him. Don’t turn first to a book about writing novels, turn first to Him.
Seek first His Kingdom, and all these things will be added unto you. He’ll do everything through
you. Just be available, listen, and learn from Him.
After that, know your characters. Inside, outside, upside down. Learn to step away as the author and
let your characters live out their story for the reader. Try not to intrude on that bond between them.
Resist the urge to embellish, to manipulate, and, yes, to explain. Work your characters’ story into
something irresistible.
After that, go to conferences and meet the editors who are looking for your irresistible story. You’ll
find them. Go prepared. Pray. And seek first His Kingdom. Always.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the military?
In this day and age, joining the military is a huge thing to think about. My first advice is to pray
about it. Pray with your parents, if possible. Pray with your spouse or the loved one who will be
most affected by your decision. But don’t be afraid, and don’t allow the fear your parents, spouse,
or loved one may have keep you from making the decision you know in your heart is the best thing
for you.
Joining the military is a huge step toward independence, financial security, and maturity. But join
for the right reasons. Don’t join just to earn money for college. Not in these present times. Don’t
join the Navy or the Marine Corps if you can’t swim. And don’t join with the intention of working
just hard enough to get by. The military not only demands your best, but seems to draw your best out
of you when you least expect it. Be prepared to be pushed, challenged, and stretched. Be prepared
to grow.
What are some ways people reading this could support our troops at home and abroad?
Pray. Pray specifically and immediately when news reports blare bad news about our troops.
Praise. And be thankful for every bit of good news we do hear. Our troops are doing great work all
over this globe—good news for the people who have lived under oppression, but news we never
hear about.
After praying, I think the best way we can support our troops abroad is to support their families
back here at home. This is grassroots Christianity. Care about those who are hurting. Do all you can
to ease their pain and make life easier for them until their loved ones return.
For our troops abroad, I’d recommend checking out the bazillion websites offering a bazillion
different opportunities to help. Care packages; book, food, and toy donations; e-mails and other
correspondence; calling card donations; video and Web-cam opportunities; travel cost donations;
specific prayer lists provided by service members; yellow ribbon campaigns; etc., etc., etc. Many
are Christian based. I’d recommend starting with Department of Defense or USO sanctioned sites.
If Oprah featured your book on her book club . . . what would you want her to say to the
world about it?
“IT IS FICTION.” (That’s a joke, after all the James Frey hullabub.)
No, really, since a friend of mine actually sent a book to Oprah, I may need to consider this. Hmm
… What would she say …
“If you can get past the fact that this new author still has much to learn about writing novels, you
may just like the story she has to tell. And the cover sure is pretty, isn’t it?”
: )
Explain to potential readers how you execute the bloody side of war in your novels, meaning
balancing the true life gore that goes hand in hand with battle scenes for example?
Wow. Good question. And I think the answer lies in your question. The word balance. Especially
in my stuff, and especially since it’s Christian fiction, I really want to only show just enough of the
horrors of war and no more. Nothing gratuitous. In Wounded Healer, when bullets flew in the war
scenes, I tried to stay completely in my character (either Chris or Erin), to write only what she saw
and heard and felt as it was happening around her. Fortunately, since the story dealt with a very
quick and “not-so-bloody” war, it wasn’t too much of a challenge to stay balanced. For the most
part, Chris and Erin’s Gulf War experience could be summed up in one word: boring.
How do you provide realism without branding the reader's mind with haunting images that
could potentially repel them? What is your take on this? How much do you shield the reader
from this type of thing, or do you?
I do, very much so, because I don’t want my own mind to be branded. I am very visual when I write
or read. It’s in the details that my mind becomes invaded. As I read, if I’m left alone to create the
scene in my mind, I’ll create one much less “haunting.” But if every little detail is spelled out,
forcing the scene to develop in my mind without limit, I feel almost violated. The scene stays with
me far too long. I struggle with that. Which is why I don’t watch many movies or read general
market novels (except for Nevada Barr’s stuff). My being craves action and adventure, and my
sinful nature craves blood and gore. It’s ingrained in us. My new nature—the nature of Jesus in
me—wars against these cravings. It’s a battle. We’re told to keep our minds pure.
In my writing, if something should be left unsaid, I try to leave it unsaid. When action elevates, it’s
actually better not to give every little detail anyway. So, when the action elevates, I adjust my
writing accordingly, trying to capture more of the words spoken, the actions of my characters, and
the scene’s outcome, than the gritty details of the horrendous moment they are living through.
I’ve had to deal with this very thing in Valiant Hope, more than any book I’ve written so far. I
needed my editor’s help to keep things from getting out of hand. Visually, I saw Chris’s dream as
she dreamed it. Terrified by it, I wrote what I saw. But the images were too visual and needed to be
left “more to the reader’s imagination.” I don’t think Chris minds the changes, though. She hates to
relive it too. It’s an image we’d both rather forget.
Describe your target audience?
Are there women out there like me? : ) I hope my stuff appeals to women (and even men!) who
crave a bit of action (military and otherwise), a bit of suspense, intense dialogue between two
characters they have grown to love, real emotions played out in real ways, all entwined in the bond
of friendship and fueled by the need to know our God better and better.
I noticed on your website you ask for readers to contact you if they've served in certain
historical situations. Do you find this type of research helpful to your writing?
Well, to be honest, I just want to talk to people about their experiences. My military adventures
were … to say the least … a bit boring. I played more war games in the guard than I did on active
duty. To talk to someone who actually flew a Huey medevac during Vietnam or Desert Storm …
wow. In a way, I guess it is a little bit about collecting research. But mainly it’s just to know what
it was really like for the people who lived it. I’ve only imagined it. And, also, I love talking to
veterans who are total heroes and heroines, because they pooh-pooh that notion quickly and talk
about their heroism as if it was just another day at the job. Which, for them, it was. This is why I
love Band of Brothers. I cry like a baby when I hear what that generation went through. That
generation … and now our own. It takes a special breed of person to take on the job of Warrior.
How do you so masterfully balance a work of fiction with true historical events?
Research! : ) Oh, yeah. Lots of Internet time. And buying obscure books on half.com. One book
turned out to be a gold mine for me: Certain Victory: The Complete Operations of the 101st
Airborne During Operations Desert Shield and Storm. (Well, it was something like that.) I’m
pretty fairly confident my military details are about 98% correct. Maybe.
One thing I did not want to deal with in Wounded Healer was flashbacks within scenes. So I made
all the flashbacks actual “go-backs.” I took the whole scene and everything back to that day. I think
this worked best for this particular story. In the editing process we went a step further and added
the scene headers to define exactly the “when-and-wheres” of “that day.”
Do you feel you've already written what some writers call "The book of your heart"? What is
yours, if you don't mind sharing?
Nope, I don’t mind sharing. And yep, I am in the process of writing the story of my heart. I think of
the entire series as one story. And I’m sooooo jazzed to have that story extend to six books. But just
last fall, Zondervan wasn’t so sure they wanted more than four books in this story. They said they’d
give me four, then they wanted two more in a totally different series with totally different
characters. I froze up like spit in an Alaskan winter wind.
For three months I waited to hear just an inkling of a new series. Just a hint of an inkling.
Remember when I said I’m very visual? Chris and Erin’s story plays out in my mind like a movie. I
can hardly type fast enough to get it down. Last fall I waited and waited for even a hint of the next
story God wanted me to tell. The next series Zondervan wanted me to sign a contract for. And
nothing came. Not even a movie preview. Not even a quickie trailer. Not even a glimpse of the
movie’s poster. Not a hint of nutin’.
But God is soooo good. And Zondervan is totally cool. I think they realized, along with me, that this
is the story I’ve been given to tell. Once I finish book six, we’ll see what happens next.
What is your take on being called to write by God? Do you feel writing is a calling in your
case?
I blogged about this very thing not long ago. About the word “call.” About how I think we tend to
use it a bit too aggressively to defend what we want to do for God. That sounds harsh, I know. I
don’t want to offend. It’s just that I don’t believe I’ve been called by God to write novels. I believe
I’ve been called by God to know Him with every fiber of my being, to seek first His Kingdom, and
to follow His Son. As I stay focused on this call, in the meantime, He gave me a task to do. This
task can only be done if I am truly His, thus the task is His task, done through me. It’s not something
I do of my own ability for Him. I don’t want to do something and then say, “Lord, bless this work of
my hands.” I can’t do it in my own ability. And even as He gives the ability, I don’t do it for Him;
He does it through me for His glory and to further His Kingdom even as He works in me to
transform me into the likeness of His Son.
Whew. I know I’m sounding pretty super-spiritual here, but I don’t want to sound that way because
I’m certainly not super-spiritual. I’ve got so much more to learn about Him and to give up to Him.
This is just how it is with me. My take on the word “call” as it applies to my own life.
What was the hardest part of being in the military?
Without a doubt, the rotating shifts. For two years I worked two day shifts, two swing shifts, and
two mid shifts, then had two days off. If you do the math, it’s mind boggling. When I was released
from active duty, they asked me if I had any disability I wanted to declare caused by my military
service. I said no. But I should have said yes. I think the rotating shifts damaged my ability to stay
focused on things, to concentrate on … I’m sorry, what was the question?
The easiest?
My job. I loved being a weather observer. If the sky was clear and the winds calm, I only had to put
out one hourly observation. That took about five minutes. The rest of the hour was mine to burn.
Yes, I worked alone in a tiny weather tower above a hanger full of F-15s, but there was plenty to
enjoy in the scenery around Elmendorf and the bustle within it. If I brought along enough food and
things to do, it never got boring.
But, then again, I didn’t always work in the tower. On the days when I worked downstairs in the
weather station, things usually got quite hectic. As crazy as the tower shifts were pleasant.
But, then again, when the fog moved in and out and the snow showers did their thing, the tower
shifts could get insanely hectic.
Hmm. Next question?
The funniest?
Hah! Military logic. Hope that’s improved since I served.
Once, when Mount Augustine burped and spewed an ash cloud toward the base, our station chief
debated for an hour about how we should report it. Finally, he told us to write on our observations:
“Pyroclastic Material In Area.” Go figure.
Your fondest memory?
Other than the time I cracked up our lieutenant by showing up for a mobility recall with my m-bag
filled with toilet paper, my teddy bear, my basketball, and my dirty laundry (I knew we wouldn’t be
deployed, we never were), I’d have to say my fondest memory is simply the time I spent in Alaska.
What a cool place. Literally and figuratively, I guess. : ) It was like I was a part of something
bigger than me in a place that was bigger than life. Alaska has its own call, and not many people
hear it. But once they do … look out.
Most unpleasant?
After eating all the great dining hall food, I sort of lost my “youthful figure.” But I still thought I
could play softball like I used to. Hah. My most unpleasant memory of my military days is when I
played softball for the Alaskan Air Command at the Air Force tournament in Charleston, South
Carolina. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
Most bizarre?
It wasn’t every day that a B-52 bomber made its way into our airspace. And on this day, when one
did, it didn’t exactly navigate our airspace efficiently. It came at our north-south runway from the
south way too hot, and decided too late to circle around and make its approach from the north. The
circle wasn’t quite big enough, and when it finally made the complete turn, it found itself aimed
directly at the tiny weather tower on top of the F-15 hanger. I know my eyes about bugged outta my
head when it came directly for me and shot directly over the top of me, not more than a hundred feet
above me, rattling the windows in the tower and just about giving me heart failure. Shaking, I called
the control tower which was right next to me and said, “Just what was that?”
“Pilot miscalc,” they said. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Well, yeah. Not anymore.” I didn’t actually say that, but I wanted to.
What's your favorite MRE?
Turkey with gravy. Dehydrated peaches. Crackers with peanut butter and strawberry jelly. Supply
pack with napkin, spork, teabag (I don’t do coffee), sugar, salt and pepper, matches, and Chic-Lits.
Always the Chic-Lits.
Your least favorite?
Never met an MRE I didn’t like. Always an adventure. Oh, but the orange nut cake thingies always
made me gag. And I tried not to eat anything looking or smelling like dog food granola.
Do you miss the military?
Yeah. Especially since I’m dragging out the last bit of my experience to put into my stories.
Sometimes I wish I could have been where Chris and Erin were, manning the aid station or flying
medevac missions. But then I realize (rather quickly) that I probably wouldn’t have lasted a minute
under the conditions they faced. And I most certainly would not last a second under the conditions
our service men and women are facing now. It’s incredible how they do it.
Was your faith or relationship with God affected by your service?
My faith was definitely strengthened. Being a weather observer in the Anchorage bowl, surrounded
by the Chugach Mountains, watching the Northern Lights on freezing cold clear nights, seeing the
sun rise and spraying orange over the mountains, or the sun set and spraying pink over those same
mountains, staring in disbelief as the sky seemed to sparkle in an ice fog, or seeing ice crystals fall
out of a clear blue sky … plus having so much time alone to think and pray and read. I like being
alone (can you tell I’m hopelessly single?), so my job suited me just fine. And I did pray. A lot. I
was still in that “figuring out who I am” stage. Plus, two of the guys from weather maintenance
were great Christian brothers. I ended up going to their church.
What inspired you to write?
Since I do very little writing apart from my blog and novels, I’ll narrow this question down a bit
and talk about what inspired me to write Tender Heart of a Warrior back in 1997. It was a picture.
A newspaper picture accompanying an article about Desert Storm doctors and nurses caring for
Iraqi prisoners of war. I never kept the article, just the picture.
There’s a lady in that picture checking the blood pressure of an Iraqi POW. She absolutely captured
me. I saved that picture, not really knowing why. Seven years later I pulled it out and began telling
that lady’s story. Her name became Erin Grayson.
By the way, the picture is on my blog if you’re interested in seeing it. I’m hoping someone will see
it and say, “I know who that lady is. Wanna meet her?”
Do you have a mentor? How important do you feel mentorship is in this industry?
I don’t even have a critique group. Or a critique partner. After writing Valiant Hope, it was read by
my content editor and acquiring editor, edited once by me, line-edited once by my content editor,
and that was it. It went to proof and then to print. Lickety split.
Now, yes, I know that’s not always a good thing. I would actually love to have a mentor. But with
the whole time issue involved in writing for deadline, it’s hard to hook up with someone and get
our schedules to jive. So I’m depending on the Master Storyteller to be my fiction-writing mentor. I
try to read the how-to books and I go to all the conferences I can. But what comes out of my head
and gets typed into the processor is pretty much how it ends up on the printed page. It’s all part of
the task, the gift—a gift I believe is all-inclusive for me in how to write these stories. It all comes
from Him, and is His to do through me.
I do think mentorship is very important in this industry, but I would really recommend new
novelists to whole-heartedly seek the Lord for their writing needs before seeking another novelist
to help them. He’s so ready to mentor! : ) And, this will also help keep a new novelist’s unique
voice strong as they write.
Do you want to be a mentor? Will you take me? LOL! So seriously, I understand you have an
editing service on your website. Can you tell us a little about that?
I’d love to be a mentor! And sure! I’ll take you! : ) But here’s the funny thing: I’ve only been at
this for a little while, and I still have soooooo much to learn. But yes, I do have my own freelance
editing service for Christian novelists. I charge a simple flat fee of $300 to read the entire
manuscript, then offer my critique and feedback on cassette tape. I also write comments on the
manuscript during the line edit. I enjoy working with novelists just starting out, and incorporating
bits of fiction-writing basics into my critiques. It does no good to point out to someone, “You’re
telling here. Try to show more,” when they have no real understanding of the show-vs-tell concept.
It’s a fun job, that’s for sure.
How do you come up with ideas? Are any of them sparked by memories of when you were in
the military?
The idea for Erin Grayson being a U.S. Army trauma nurse came from the picture I saw in the
newspaper during Desert Storm. Chris McIntyre simply showed up on my doorstep one day and
said, “Sit down and get busy, girl. Have I got a story for you.” In Chris’s mind, at first, her story
was more about Erin’s persevering friendship. But I knew better, and now, especially with Valiant
Hope, I think Chris is finally ready to admit the Homeland Heroes Series really is about her.
Most of my military memories pale tremendously in light of Chris and Erin’s memories, but the one
thing I wanted to work into my writing was the feeling of belonging I felt, and still feel to a certain
extent. I’m proud to be a veteran, even though my attitude during my active duty days wasn’t the
best. (Once I joined, it didn’t take me long to figure out I wanted to do something else.) But I’ll
never regret the time I served, and I can only hope I did some good during that time.
What can we look forward to from you in the future as far as writing?
Books four, five, and six in Homeland Heroes will be along eventually. With the break between
contracts, release of book four won’t be until April 2007, Lord willing. I’m 3000 words into it, and
so far I’m amazed at the amount of muck-and-mayhem that always seems to find Chris McIntyre!
She wants to live a long, boring life, but simply … can’t. : ) That’s what I love about her!
What message do you have for fellow veterans who may be reading?
THANK YOU. Yeah, I know you just did your job, but you did it to the absolute best of your
ability, and our country is so much stronger today for your time, effort, sacrifice, and service. Thank
you again and again.
Please know that God’s love is for you. When you joined the service, for whatever reason, you laid
down your own self-interests for the greater good of the whole. This self-sacrificing, servant-
natured heart is just what God is looking for.
What about those serving now?
THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart and then some. Every day, with every heartbeat and
breath, you stand in the gap between war and peace. Because of you, we here at home sleep in
safety. Because of you, we live in a country that remains free.
I’d love to hear from you about your service. I’d love to hear your response to the question, “What
is your least favorite MRE?” I’d love you to know that God’s love is for you. You have that
selfless, warrior’s heart God is looking for.
I’d also like to say thanks to the Coast Guard, who diligently patrol my front yard and keep the
beach and ocean safe for us. You all do some amazing work. When I hear your bright orange helo
fly over around 11:30 every morning, then fly over again around noon, I know our stretch of the
Oregon shore is safe for another day.
How important do you feel faith is for family members of deployed soldiers? For the soldiers
themselves?
Very. I’m not sure how anyone lives happy lives in situations they cannot control without trusting
the One who is in control. Without being able to sincerely pray and trust God for the well-being of
a loved one in harm’s way would be scary. I think the reality of our present day has caused many to
refine their faith down to what really matters. Faith is not about going to church. It’s about believing
in and trusting a loving, caring God, and giving our lives to Him.
This applies to our soldiers as well. With all they face on any given day, I pray they’d be able to
sincerely look to heaven and trust the God who loves them to take care of them and their families.
And then, when He does see them safely through, I pray they would continue on in His love. Even if
the situation seems as if He didn’t see them safely through, I pray they would still trust and remain
in His love. His love heals us. And even if we don’t see Him, He’s with us, working things out for
our good.
How can churches and communities make that time of separation easier on mothers and
children?
We need to do all we can to support, love, and care for those in our military who remain home
while a loved one is deployed abroad. Taking the time to care is the first step. Caring enough to
actually do something is the next. Don’t just ask a military wife how you can help, put yourself in
her position and do what you know she needs to have done. Leave the political debate to others.
Look closely to see our service men and women and their families as our fellow Americans, our
brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Take just a few minutes to fully comprehend the level of
sacrifice these people are making. Sure, it’s their job, and they chose the lifestyle. But they’re not
quitters, and they’re proud of their decision to serve. Sometimes they’re too proud to ask for help.
This is where we must be able to see their need without them having to tell us.
How hard is it to be a Christian in the military in your experience?
I believe there will always be prayer in schools as long as there are tests. I also believe a lot of
soldiers develop a certain level of “foxhole faith” during their military careers. When thrown face
to face with the realities of death, violence, and war, one cannot come away untouched by the
experience. Seeing life’s bigger pictures tends to have a sobering effect. Realizing a God of love
controls every one of life’s big pictures brings peace. And hope. It’s an amazing place to find
oneself, an incredible realization to discover. When that happens, I’m so grateful the military is
prepared to meet that need by providing a more-than-capable chaplain corps. God is very much at
work in our military across the board. One quick perusal through the book A Greater Freedom will
make that very clear.
Is there anything you hope your writing accomplishes besides providing escape and
entertainment for readers?
Ahh … I hope they finish each book basking in the wonder of God. He is so amazing, how He
changes our despair into peace and hope. He is so good at how He cares for us, His children.
Through Chris’s faith journey, I hope readers savor their own journey. And for those who maybe
don’t know what the love of God is all about, I hope once they step a bit into ChrisMcIntyre’s
world, they will.
Thank you for your time, Donna.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! This has been way too much fun. Thanks for the great work you and Sara
and all the others do at A Greater Freedom. It’s an awesome site. And an equally awesome book.
Cheryl Wyatt: I had the great honor and privilege of interviewing Inspirational Military
Novelist Donna Fleisher about her writing and her service to our country. You can buy her
works wherever books are sold, and I highly recommend them.
Donna, can you tell us a little about your books?
Donna: I most certainly can. And I appreciate the opportunity! : )
My first two books, Wounded Healer and Warrior’s Heart, begin the Homeland Heroes Series of
Christian novels published by Zondervan. Book three, Valiant Hope, releases in May. At the
moment I’m hard at work putting together book four, with books five and six to follow later this
year.
The Homeland Heroes Series is about two women, U.S. Army Specialist Chris McIntyre and U.S.
Army First Lieutenant Erin Grayson, who meet during Operation Desert Shield and work aboard a
UH-1 Huey medevac helicopter. They become good friends as Desert Shield shifts into Desert
Storm, but their friendship disintegrates and, at war’s end, they go their separate ways without even
saying good-bye. Five years later, following a tragedy in Chris’s life, they are reunited. Wounded
Healer begins with the events leading up to that tragedy and plays out the story of Chris’s eventual
acceptance of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior (with Erin’s help, of course). It really is a story of
persevering friendship, salvation, and hope, with moments of military action interspersed
throughout.
Warrior’s Heart continues Chris’s journey of faith as she moves to Portland, Oregon, where Erin
and her husband, along with friends from Desert Storm, work in an outreach-type ministry in the
inner-city. Chris is totally out of her element, but she knows she needs to stay since it’s the one
place where she’ll learn more about her new faith in Christ and be surrounded by friends who
really love her.
Valiant Hope continues Chris’s story, but this time she returns to her childhood home to seek
closure to her painful past. This story was as difficult to write as it was amazing. But, then again,
this entire process has been amazing.
I understand you have been in the military. Can you tell us a little about that?
In June 1985, I arrived with my fellow “rainbows” at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to
begin U.S. Air Force Basic Training. Six weeks later, fully fired, hotwired, and inspired, I began
my Air Force career as an official weather observer. After tech school, I arrived at Elmendorf AFB
in Anchorage, Alaska, totally jazzed at finally stepping foot in the land of my dreams. (Always
wanted to see the Greatland.) Spent four terrific years in Anchorage—three on active duty, and one
year in the Air National Guard while I attended the University of Alaska Anchorage. (Go
Seawolves!)
What led you to make the decision to join the Air Force?
At the point of my decision, my brother was stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines. I had
basically run out of desire (and money) to continue college, and my brother didn’t laugh when I told
him I was thinking about joining. My dad was (and still is) an Air Force vet too, so I guess it pretty
much ran (and still runs) in my genes. Oh, and also because the AF had the easiest basic training.
Do you think your time serving our country has benefited you?
Yes. Absolutely. Though I fussed about military life like most of us lower-enlisted personnel did, I
came away with a sweet sense of accomplishment, along with an even sweeter sense of belonging
that I still cherish. I was a part of something much bigger than myself. Politics aside, I think military
service benefits most who take part in it.
Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey from dream to publication?
In July 1996, I became available, and God said, “Let’s give her something to do.” Within six
months, I had hand-written two 100,000 word novels. And then the work began. I submitted and
submitted and collected rejection letter after rejection letter until one day in 2000, when I knew I’d
had enough, it all went away—the dream—in a cloud of smoke. (Literally! I burned or threw away
everything that had anything to do with my writing, except for one hard copy of each manuscript.)
But that dream returned three and a half years later. All in the Lord’s perfect way, in His perfect
time.
How grateful am I that it all went away? Wow. If Tender Heart of a Warrior would have been
printed “as was” in 1997, it would have been a disaster. Just this little thing about the accuracy of
my Desert Storm details. Hah! Were they accurate? Can you say, “NOT!” Ahh … but God knew.
How cool is He?
After starting my own freelance editing business in 2003, while I waited for clients to flood my
inbox, I completely rewrote Tender Heart. Just three months after the rewrite, I sat on a bench at
the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference talking to Karen Ball from Zondervan. Three
months after that I signed a three-book contract, and Tender Heart of a Warrior became Wounded
Healer.
What advice would you give to someone considering entering the world of fiction as a writer?
If you care about God being honored through this gift He has given you, and if you want Him to
work through it (and you), then put Him first in everything. I mean everything. Don’t seek a mentor
in the industry before seeking Him. Don’t turn first to a book about writing novels, turn first to Him.
Seek first His Kingdom, and all these things will be added unto you. He’ll do everything through
you. Just be available, listen, and learn from Him.
After that, know your characters. Inside, outside, upside down. Learn to step away as the author and
let your characters live out their story for the reader. Try not to intrude on that bond between them.
Resist the urge to embellish, to manipulate, and, yes, to explain. Work your characters’ story into
something irresistible.
After that, go to conferences and meet the editors who are looking for your irresistible story. You’ll
find them. Go prepared. Pray. And seek first His Kingdom. Always.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the military?
In this day and age, joining the military is a huge thing to think about. My first advice is to pray
about it. Pray with your parents, if possible. Pray with your spouse or the loved one who will be
most affected by your decision. But don’t be afraid, and don’t allow the fear your parents, spouse,
or loved one may have keep you from making the decision you know in your heart is the best thing
for you.
Joining the military is a huge step toward independence, financial security, and maturity. But join
for the right reasons. Don’t join just to earn money for college. Not in these present times. Don’t
join the Navy or the Marine Corps if you can’t swim. And don’t join with the intention of working
just hard enough to get by. The military not only demands your best, but seems to draw your best out
of you when you least expect it. Be prepared to be pushed, challenged, and stretched. Be prepared
to grow.
What are some ways people reading this could support our troops at home and abroad?
Pray. Pray specifically and immediately when news reports blare bad news about our troops.
Praise. And be thankful for every bit of good news we do hear. Our troops are doing great work all
over this globe—good news for the people who have lived under oppression, but news we never
hear about.
After praying, I think the best way we can support our troops abroad is to support their families
back here at home. This is grassroots Christianity. Care about those who are hurting. Do all you can
to ease their pain and make life easier for them until their loved ones return.
For our troops abroad, I’d recommend checking out the bazillion websites offering a bazillion
different opportunities to help. Care packages; book, food, and toy donations; e-mails and other
correspondence; calling card donations; video and Web-cam opportunities; travel cost donations;
specific prayer lists provided by service members; yellow ribbon campaigns; etc., etc., etc. Many
are Christian based. I’d recommend starting with Department of Defense or USO sanctioned sites.
If Oprah featured your book on her book club . . . what would you want her to say to the
world about it?
“IT IS FICTION.” (That’s a joke, after all the James Frey hullabub.)
No, really, since a friend of mine actually sent a book to Oprah, I may need to consider this. Hmm
… What would she say …
“If you can get past the fact that this new author still has much to learn about writing novels, you
may just like the story she has to tell. And the cover sure is pretty, isn’t it?”
: )
Explain to potential readers how you execute the bloody side of war in your novels, meaning
balancing the true life gore that goes hand in hand with battle scenes for example?
Wow. Good question. And I think the answer lies in your question. The word balance. Especially
in my stuff, and especially since it’s Christian fiction, I really want to only show just enough of the
horrors of war and no more. Nothing gratuitous. In Wounded Healer, when bullets flew in the war
scenes, I tried to stay completely in my character (either Chris or Erin), to write only what she saw
and heard and felt as it was happening around her. Fortunately, since the story dealt with a very
quick and “not-so-bloody” war, it wasn’t too much of a challenge to stay balanced. For the most
part, Chris and Erin’s Gulf War experience could be summed up in one word: boring.
How do you provide realism without branding the reader's mind with haunting images that
could potentially repel them? What is your take on this? How much do you shield the reader
from this type of thing, or do you?
I do, very much so, because I don’t want my own mind to be branded. I am very visual when I write
or read. It’s in the details that my mind becomes invaded. As I read, if I’m left alone to create the
scene in my mind, I’ll create one much less “haunting.” But if every little detail is spelled out,
forcing the scene to develop in my mind without limit, I feel almost violated. The scene stays with
me far too long. I struggle with that. Which is why I don’t watch many movies or read general
market novels (except for Nevada Barr’s stuff). My being craves action and adventure, and my
sinful nature craves blood and gore. It’s ingrained in us. My new nature—the nature of Jesus in
me—wars against these cravings. It’s a battle. We’re told to keep our minds pure.
In my writing, if something should be left unsaid, I try to leave it unsaid. When action elevates, it’s
actually better not to give every little detail anyway. So, when the action elevates, I adjust my
writing accordingly, trying to capture more of the words spoken, the actions of my characters, and
the scene’s outcome, than the gritty details of the horrendous moment they are living through.
I’ve had to deal with this very thing in Valiant Hope, more than any book I’ve written so far. I
needed my editor’s help to keep things from getting out of hand. Visually, I saw Chris’s dream as
she dreamed it. Terrified by it, I wrote what I saw. But the images were too visual and needed to be
left “more to the reader’s imagination.” I don’t think Chris minds the changes, though. She hates to
relive it too. It’s an image we’d both rather forget.
Describe your target audience?
Are there women out there like me? : ) I hope my stuff appeals to women (and even men!) who
crave a bit of action (military and otherwise), a bit of suspense, intense dialogue between two
characters they have grown to love, real emotions played out in real ways, all entwined in the bond
of friendship and fueled by the need to know our God better and better.
I noticed on your website you ask for readers to contact you if they've served in certain
historical situations. Do you find this type of research helpful to your writing?
Well, to be honest, I just want to talk to people about their experiences. My military adventures
were … to say the least … a bit boring. I played more war games in the guard than I did on active
duty. To talk to someone who actually flew a Huey medevac during Vietnam or Desert Storm …
wow. In a way, I guess it is a little bit about collecting research. But mainly it’s just to know what
it was really like for the people who lived it. I’ve only imagined it. And, also, I love talking to
veterans who are total heroes and heroines, because they pooh-pooh that notion quickly and talk
about their heroism as if it was just another day at the job. Which, for them, it was. This is why I
love Band of Brothers. I cry like a baby when I hear what that generation went through. That
generation … and now our own. It takes a special breed of person to take on the job of Warrior.
How do you so masterfully balance a work of fiction with true historical events?
Research! : ) Oh, yeah. Lots of Internet time. And buying obscure books on half.com. One book
turned out to be a gold mine for me: Certain Victory: The Complete Operations of the 101st
Airborne During Operations Desert Shield and Storm. (Well, it was something like that.) I’m
pretty fairly confident my military details are about 98% correct. Maybe.
One thing I did not want to deal with in Wounded Healer was flashbacks within scenes. So I made
all the flashbacks actual “go-backs.” I took the whole scene and everything back to that day. I think
this worked best for this particular story. In the editing process we went a step further and added
the scene headers to define exactly the “when-and-wheres” of “that day.”
Do you feel you've already written what some writers call "The book of your heart"? What is
yours, if you don't mind sharing?
Nope, I don’t mind sharing. And yep, I am in the process of writing the story of my heart. I think of
the entire series as one story. And I’m sooooo jazzed to have that story extend to six books. But just
last fall, Zondervan wasn’t so sure they wanted more than four books in this story. They said they’d
give me four, then they wanted two more in a totally different series with totally different
characters. I froze up like spit in an Alaskan winter wind.
For three months I waited to hear just an inkling of a new series. Just a hint of an inkling.
Remember when I said I’m very visual? Chris and Erin’s story plays out in my mind like a movie. I
can hardly type fast enough to get it down. Last fall I waited and waited for even a hint of the next
story God wanted me to tell. The next series Zondervan wanted me to sign a contract for. And
nothing came. Not even a movie preview. Not even a quickie trailer. Not even a glimpse of the
movie’s poster. Not a hint of nutin’.
But God is soooo good. And Zondervan is totally cool. I think they realized, along with me, that this
is the story I’ve been given to tell. Once I finish book six, we’ll see what happens next.
What is your take on being called to write by God? Do you feel writing is a calling in your
case?
I blogged about this very thing not long ago. About the word “call.” About how I think we tend to
use it a bit too aggressively to defend what we want to do for God. That sounds harsh, I know. I
don’t want to offend. It’s just that I don’t believe I’ve been called by God to write novels. I believe
I’ve been called by God to know Him with every fiber of my being, to seek first His Kingdom, and
to follow His Son. As I stay focused on this call, in the meantime, He gave me a task to do. This
task can only be done if I am truly His, thus the task is His task, done through me. It’s not something
I do of my own ability for Him. I don’t want to do something and then say, “Lord, bless this work of
my hands.” I can’t do it in my own ability. And even as He gives the ability, I don’t do it for Him;
He does it through me for His glory and to further His Kingdom even as He works in me to
transform me into the likeness of His Son.
Whew. I know I’m sounding pretty super-spiritual here, but I don’t want to sound that way because
I’m certainly not super-spiritual. I’ve got so much more to learn about Him and to give up to Him.
This is just how it is with me. My take on the word “call” as it applies to my own life.
What was the hardest part of being in the military?
Without a doubt, the rotating shifts. For two years I worked two day shifts, two swing shifts, and
two mid shifts, then had two days off. If you do the math, it’s mind boggling. When I was released
from active duty, they asked me if I had any disability I wanted to declare caused by my military
service. I said no. But I should have said yes. I think the rotating shifts damaged my ability to stay
focused on things, to concentrate on … I’m sorry, what was the question?
The easiest?
My job. I loved being a weather observer. If the sky was clear and the winds calm, I only had to put
out one hourly observation. That took about five minutes. The rest of the hour was mine to burn.
Yes, I worked alone in a tiny weather tower above a hanger full of F-15s, but there was plenty to
enjoy in the scenery around Elmendorf and the bustle within it. If I brought along enough food and
things to do, it never got boring.
But, then again, I didn’t always work in the tower. On the days when I worked downstairs in the
weather station, things usually got quite hectic. As crazy as the tower shifts were pleasant.
But, then again, when the fog moved in and out and the snow showers did their thing, the tower
shifts could get insanely hectic.
Hmm. Next question?
The funniest?
Hah! Military logic. Hope that’s improved since I served.
Once, when Mount Augustine burped and spewed an ash cloud toward the base, our station chief
debated for an hour about how we should report it. Finally, he told us to write on our observations:
“Pyroclastic Material In Area.” Go figure.
Your fondest memory?
Other than the time I cracked up our lieutenant by showing up for a mobility recall with my m-bag
filled with toilet paper, my teddy bear, my basketball, and my dirty laundry (I knew we wouldn’t be
deployed, we never were), I’d have to say my fondest memory is simply the time I spent in Alaska.
What a cool place. Literally and figuratively, I guess. : ) It was like I was a part of something
bigger than me in a place that was bigger than life. Alaska has its own call, and not many people
hear it. But once they do … look out.
Most unpleasant?
After eating all the great dining hall food, I sort of lost my “youthful figure.” But I still thought I
could play softball like I used to. Hah. My most unpleasant memory of my military days is when I
played softball for the Alaskan Air Command at the Air Force tournament in Charleston, South
Carolina. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
Most bizarre?
It wasn’t every day that a B-52 bomber made its way into our airspace. And on this day, when one
did, it didn’t exactly navigate our airspace efficiently. It came at our north-south runway from the
south way too hot, and decided too late to circle around and make its approach from the north. The
circle wasn’t quite big enough, and when it finally made the complete turn, it found itself aimed
directly at the tiny weather tower on top of the F-15 hanger. I know my eyes about bugged outta my
head when it came directly for me and shot directly over the top of me, not more than a hundred feet
above me, rattling the windows in the tower and just about giving me heart failure. Shaking, I called
the control tower which was right next to me and said, “Just what was that?”
“Pilot miscalc,” they said. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Well, yeah. Not anymore.” I didn’t actually say that, but I wanted to.
What's your favorite MRE?
Turkey with gravy. Dehydrated peaches. Crackers with peanut butter and strawberry jelly. Supply
pack with napkin, spork, teabag (I don’t do coffee), sugar, salt and pepper, matches, and Chic-Lits.
Always the Chic-Lits.
Your least favorite?
Never met an MRE I didn’t like. Always an adventure. Oh, but the orange nut cake thingies always
made me gag. And I tried not to eat anything looking or smelling like dog food granola.
Do you miss the military?
Yeah. Especially since I’m dragging out the last bit of my experience to put into my stories.
Sometimes I wish I could have been where Chris and Erin were, manning the aid station or flying
medevac missions. But then I realize (rather quickly) that I probably wouldn’t have lasted a minute
under the conditions they faced. And I most certainly would not last a second under the conditions
our service men and women are facing now. It’s incredible how they do it.
Was your faith or relationship with God affected by your service?
My faith was definitely strengthened. Being a weather observer in the Anchorage bowl, surrounded
by the Chugach Mountains, watching the Northern Lights on freezing cold clear nights, seeing the
sun rise and spraying orange over the mountains, or the sun set and spraying pink over those same
mountains, staring in disbelief as the sky seemed to sparkle in an ice fog, or seeing ice crystals fall
out of a clear blue sky … plus having so much time alone to think and pray and read. I like being
alone (can you tell I’m hopelessly single?), so my job suited me just fine. And I did pray. A lot. I
was still in that “figuring out who I am” stage. Plus, two of the guys from weather maintenance
were great Christian brothers. I ended up going to their church.
What inspired you to write?
Since I do very little writing apart from my blog and novels, I’ll narrow this question down a bit
and talk about what inspired me to write Tender Heart of a Warrior back in 1997. It was a picture.
A newspaper picture accompanying an article about Desert Storm doctors and nurses caring for
Iraqi prisoners of war. I never kept the article, just the picture.
There’s a lady in that picture checking the blood pressure of an Iraqi POW. She absolutely captured
me. I saved that picture, not really knowing why. Seven years later I pulled it out and began telling
that lady’s story. Her name became Erin Grayson.
By the way, the picture is on my blog if you’re interested in seeing it. I’m hoping someone will see
it and say, “I know who that lady is. Wanna meet her?”
Do you have a mentor? How important do you feel mentorship is in this industry?
I don’t even have a critique group. Or a critique partner. After writing Valiant Hope, it was read by
my content editor and acquiring editor, edited once by me, line-edited once by my content editor,
and that was it. It went to proof and then to print. Lickety split.
Now, yes, I know that’s not always a good thing. I would actually love to have a mentor. But with
the whole time issue involved in writing for deadline, it’s hard to hook up with someone and get
our schedules to jive. So I’m depending on the Master Storyteller to be my fiction-writing mentor. I
try to read the how-to books and I go to all the conferences I can. But what comes out of my head
and gets typed into the processor is pretty much how it ends up on the printed page. It’s all part of
the task, the gift—a gift I believe is all-inclusive for me in how to write these stories. It all comes
from Him, and is His to do through me.
I do think mentorship is very important in this industry, but I would really recommend new
novelists to whole-heartedly seek the Lord for their writing needs before seeking another novelist
to help them. He’s so ready to mentor! : ) And, this will also help keep a new novelist’s unique
voice strong as they write.
Do you want to be a mentor? Will you take me? LOL! So seriously, I understand you have an
editing service on your website. Can you tell us a little about that?
I’d love to be a mentor! And sure! I’ll take you! : ) But here’s the funny thing: I’ve only been at
this for a little while, and I still have soooooo much to learn. But yes, I do have my own freelance
editing service for Christian novelists. I charge a simple flat fee of $300 to read the entire
manuscript, then offer my critique and feedback on cassette tape. I also write comments on the
manuscript during the line edit. I enjoy working with novelists just starting out, and incorporating
bits of fiction-writing basics into my critiques. It does no good to point out to someone, “You’re
telling here. Try to show more,” when they have no real understanding of the show-vs-tell concept.
It’s a fun job, that’s for sure.
How do you come up with ideas? Are any of them sparked by memories of when you were in
the military?
The idea for Erin Grayson being a U.S. Army trauma nurse came from the picture I saw in the
newspaper during Desert Storm. Chris McIntyre simply showed up on my doorstep one day and
said, “Sit down and get busy, girl. Have I got a story for you.” In Chris’s mind, at first, her story
was more about Erin’s persevering friendship. But I knew better, and now, especially with Valiant
Hope, I think Chris is finally ready to admit the Homeland Heroes Series really is about her.
Most of my military memories pale tremendously in light of Chris and Erin’s memories, but the one
thing I wanted to work into my writing was the feeling of belonging I felt, and still feel to a certain
extent. I’m proud to be a veteran, even though my attitude during my active duty days wasn’t the
best. (Once I joined, it didn’t take me long to figure out I wanted to do something else.) But I’ll
never regret the time I served, and I can only hope I did some good during that time.
What can we look forward to from you in the future as far as writing?
Books four, five, and six in Homeland Heroes will be along eventually. With the break between
contracts, release of book four won’t be until April 2007, Lord willing. I’m 3000 words into it, and
so far I’m amazed at the amount of muck-and-mayhem that always seems to find Chris McIntyre!
She wants to live a long, boring life, but simply … can’t. : ) That’s what I love about her!
What message do you have for fellow veterans who may be reading?
THANK YOU. Yeah, I know you just did your job, but you did it to the absolute best of your
ability, and our country is so much stronger today for your time, effort, sacrifice, and service. Thank
you again and again.
Please know that God’s love is for you. When you joined the service, for whatever reason, you laid
down your own self-interests for the greater good of the whole. This self-sacrificing, servant-
natured heart is just what God is looking for.
What about those serving now?
THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart and then some. Every day, with every heartbeat and
breath, you stand in the gap between war and peace. Because of you, we here at home sleep in
safety. Because of you, we live in a country that remains free.
I’d love to hear from you about your service. I’d love to hear your response to the question, “What
is your least favorite MRE?” I’d love you to know that God’s love is for you. You have that
selfless, warrior’s heart God is looking for.
I’d also like to say thanks to the Coast Guard, who diligently patrol my front yard and keep the
beach and ocean safe for us. You all do some amazing work. When I hear your bright orange helo
fly over around 11:30 every morning, then fly over again around noon, I know our stretch of the
Oregon shore is safe for another day.
How important do you feel faith is for family members of deployed soldiers? For the soldiers
themselves?
Very. I’m not sure how anyone lives happy lives in situations they cannot control without trusting
the One who is in control. Without being able to sincerely pray and trust God for the well-being of
a loved one in harm’s way would be scary. I think the reality of our present day has caused many to
refine their faith down to what really matters. Faith is not about going to church. It’s about believing
in and trusting a loving, caring God, and giving our lives to Him.
This applies to our soldiers as well. With all they face on any given day, I pray they’d be able to
sincerely look to heaven and trust the God who loves them to take care of them and their families.
And then, when He does see them safely through, I pray they would continue on in His love. Even if
the situation seems as if He didn’t see them safely through, I pray they would still trust and remain
in His love. His love heals us. And even if we don’t see Him, He’s with us, working things out for
our good.
How can churches and communities make that time of separation easier on mothers and
children?
We need to do all we can to support, love, and care for those in our military who remain home
while a loved one is deployed abroad. Taking the time to care is the first step. Caring enough to
actually do something is the next. Don’t just ask a military wife how you can help, put yourself in
her position and do what you know she needs to have done. Leave the political debate to others.
Look closely to see our service men and women and their families as our fellow Americans, our
brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Take just a few minutes to fully comprehend the level of
sacrifice these people are making. Sure, it’s their job, and they chose the lifestyle. But they’re not
quitters, and they’re proud of their decision to serve. Sometimes they’re too proud to ask for help.
This is where we must be able to see their need without them having to tell us.
How hard is it to be a Christian in the military in your experience?
I believe there will always be prayer in schools as long as there are tests. I also believe a lot of
soldiers develop a certain level of “foxhole faith” during their military careers. When thrown face
to face with the realities of death, violence, and war, one cannot come away untouched by the
experience. Seeing life’s bigger pictures tends to have a sobering effect. Realizing a God of love
controls every one of life’s big pictures brings peace. And hope. It’s an amazing place to find
oneself, an incredible realization to discover. When that happens, I’m so grateful the military is
prepared to meet that need by providing a more-than-capable chaplain corps. God is very much at
work in our military across the board. One quick perusal through the book A Greater Freedom will
make that very clear.
Is there anything you hope your writing accomplishes besides providing escape and
entertainment for readers?
Ahh … I hope they finish each book basking in the wonder of God. He is so amazing, how He
changes our despair into peace and hope. He is so good at how He cares for us, His children.
Through Chris’s faith journey, I hope readers savor their own journey. And for those who maybe
don’t know what the love of God is all about, I hope once they step a bit into ChrisMcIntyre’s
world, they will.
Thank you for your time, Donna.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! This has been way too much fun. Thanks for the great work you and Sara
and all the others do at A Greater Freedom. It’s an awesome site. And an equally awesome book.