| From my blog (that has since gone the way of the dinosaur). A post dated October 26th, 2007. |
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| Today. A Good Day. Transferred from my blog, a post dated October 26th, 2007. © 2007 Donna A. Fleisher |
Today. A Good Day
Mr. Dean Koontz himself was interviewed over at Novel Journey today. Catch it, if you haven't
yet, here. It's a great interview, giving good insights into how he works and writes. His idea
about letting the characters come alive on their own is refreshing. It's not like he needs my
approval, but I approve. ; )
These words, particularly, resonate with me. "The longer I work at this, the more certain I
become that talent is a grace and each new story a gift, and that it isn't the writer that matters but
the story that was given to him."
I guess if Mr. Dean Koontz says it, it's true.
Truth is, I've said this too, about my own writing. Since day one. And today it's more true than
ever.
Today, the story that was given to me is complete. With the release of Standing Strong, my
series (and my stint as a writer) has ended. I'm overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to
share this story with readers. I'm also relieved that it's all coming to an end.
Today, from my agent, I received the official notification from Zondervan that our current
contract has been cancelled (as per my request) and that I am to return the money advanced to me
for the two books I am not going to write. This amount will set me back a wee bit, but it's right
to return it. All of this feels right. In a way, I wonder what that means. I'm trying not to over-
analyze myself in all this, but sometimes I wonder what makes me tick. The rest of the time I
think it's not all that necessary to know.
I'll keep trucking along, and I'll try to mind my own business. I'll enjoy this season of reviews,
interviews, and other book release festivities. I'll continue to give away a ton of books cuz I
love that, and I would love to put my first book (Wounded Healer) into the hands of a reader
who may enjoy it, especially if that reader is a military servicemember or a veteran. And
maybe, someday, I'll write another story. Something brand new. Until then, I ain't gonna worry
about it.
Sign on the dotted line (in triplicate), sign the check, and send it all back to Zondervan. Breathe.
Live. And let the rest go.
It was fun while it lasted. It's still fun. And I still would not trade one minute of it for anything.
Everything the Lord wanted to do with this story He is in the process of doing. Nothing will go
undone. How in the world can I argue with that?
And with that, for now, I'll say so long. As always, my friends, thanks for stopping by my wee
blog. And, as always, vaya con Dios!
And don't forget—I can't send you a free book (Wounded Healer) if you don't tell me you want
one. Do you want one? Just say the word. Don't be shy. I love you guys!! I'll gladly send it out
to you pronto. While supplies last, all ya gotta do is ask. Once they're gone . . . like everything
else . . . they're gone.
Later, gators,
donna
October 26, 2007
Comments
Donna, your blog today has TRULY blessed me. Both as a new fan of yours and your books and
also as someone who has dreams of writing one day … though God has yet to give me my story.
I sense such honesty, and wiseness and I for one will be waiting and watching for your next
story. In the meantime, have a ball, and march on ahead! HUGSSSS and God Bless!!!!!
LYSIC
Alexis
Posted by: Alexis
Donna,
Like Alexis I love your blog and i to have been blessed.
I am 100 pages into your 3rd book and didn't want to put it down last night (but at 1am and losing
an hour to daylight savings starting I had to). I can honestly say your books have blessed me and I
have learnt alot from them and new insight. Thanks for writing these books and all the best for
your future ventures.
Your pal
Jenny
Posted by: Ausjenny
Hey! I copied that same quote from the interview. LOL. Either we think a lot alike, or that was
just an awesome quote. Or both.
Hope you're having an awesome weekend. Looking forward to our mini interview. :-)
Posted by: jenness
Donna,
Your commitment to just follow God wherever He leads inspires me. As someone who thought
they knew what they wanted to write and had God change courses on them, I can totally relate.
God is good! I pray that He will bless you, in whatever He leads you to do. Meanwhile, I will
remember that you are content to just *be* with Jesus, and I'll do the same. :-)
Blessings,
Lynetta
Posted by: Lynetta
I ditto Lynetta's comment and want to add that I admire your courage. You may say you are
simply obeying God's lead, but that takes guts girl! And our good God will bless you for it. No
need to worry about where he'll take you next, just enjoy the ride.
Posted by: Tammy Bowers
Ahh … enjoying the ride. : )
Thanks, y'all!! I love you!!!
Posted by: donna
I'm sad!!! Couldn't you keep posting here just for fun? :)
Posted by: C.J. Darlington
Thanks so much for the books! I feel like we really are friends, even though we've never met.
Aren't you gonna keep posting on your blog??? Pleeeeeeease?? It would just all be way too sad
if you didn't!
Posted by: Karla
Hey, Donna.
I'm soo sad and at the same time thrilled for you because you've found peace in God's leading.
That's not always an easy thing to do.
Throughout the years, you've been a good friend and I pray the Lord will bless you beyond your
expectations. I know He's happy with you cause you're resting in Him. That's what He wants.
You're an inspiration, gal.
Love you,
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie Leon
Ya know? I don't think I could give up this wee blog. I would miss y'all waaaay too much. : )
Bonnie, your words made me teary-eyed. I love you too, lady.
Posted by: donna
Hey, friend,
I'm so happy for you finding such a sense of peace in all the decisions you've had to make. You
are such an example to me. You've obeyed and surrendered, not holding tight to being a writer,
but to the Lord. Your heart is in the right place, beating with His. I loved your words of wisdom
when you responded on the ACFW loop this week on the topic about writing on your knees. May
God continue to bless you. And you know, you can always bring your editing jobs over here to
work on when you want a change of pace!
Love, Sherrie
Posted by: Sherrie Ashcraft
Well, knock me silly and call me late for dinner, but I'm praying God lays another storyline on
your heart. This series is so rich in His redemption and His love, the faithfulness of a genuine
friend, and how even the broken areas of our lives can be used for His good if we just surrender
them to Him.
I want more...so I'm warning ya, I'm praying!!
Posted by: Deena
I'm looking forward to reading your newest book! I have enjoyed your other three books! I
should get Standing Strong on friday!
:-) Rebecca
Posted by: Becca
Hi Donna,
I just came over after blogging about winning your set of books and searching to see if you had a
site. I was surprised and saddened to hear that you apparently are going to stop writing, if I am
reading this correctly. Certainly you must do as you feel the Lord is leading, but can you point me
to a post where you wrote about that decision? If there is a post? I imagine it might be in a series
of posts. :) I'd just be interested to know how and why you came to that point if you have shared
it.
Thanks again for the set of books! I am looking forward to deliving into them.
Posted by: Barbara H.
Mr. Dean Koontz himself was interviewed over at Novel Journey today. Catch it, if you haven't
yet, here. It's a great interview, giving good insights into how he works and writes. His idea
about letting the characters come alive on their own is refreshing. It's not like he needs my
approval, but I approve. ; )
These words, particularly, resonate with me. "The longer I work at this, the more certain I
become that talent is a grace and each new story a gift, and that it isn't the writer that matters but
the story that was given to him."
I guess if Mr. Dean Koontz says it, it's true.
Truth is, I've said this too, about my own writing. Since day one. And today it's more true than
ever.
Today, the story that was given to me is complete. With the release of Standing Strong, my
series (and my stint as a writer) has ended. I'm overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to
share this story with readers. I'm also relieved that it's all coming to an end.
Today, from my agent, I received the official notification from Zondervan that our current
contract has been cancelled (as per my request) and that I am to return the money advanced to me
for the two books I am not going to write. This amount will set me back a wee bit, but it's right
to return it. All of this feels right. In a way, I wonder what that means. I'm trying not to over-
analyze myself in all this, but sometimes I wonder what makes me tick. The rest of the time I
think it's not all that necessary to know.
I'll keep trucking along, and I'll try to mind my own business. I'll enjoy this season of reviews,
interviews, and other book release festivities. I'll continue to give away a ton of books cuz I
love that, and I would love to put my first book (Wounded Healer) into the hands of a reader
who may enjoy it, especially if that reader is a military servicemember or a veteran. And
maybe, someday, I'll write another story. Something brand new. Until then, I ain't gonna worry
about it.
Sign on the dotted line (in triplicate), sign the check, and send it all back to Zondervan. Breathe.
Live. And let the rest go.
It was fun while it lasted. It's still fun. And I still would not trade one minute of it for anything.
Everything the Lord wanted to do with this story He is in the process of doing. Nothing will go
undone. How in the world can I argue with that?
And with that, for now, I'll say so long. As always, my friends, thanks for stopping by my wee
blog. And, as always, vaya con Dios!
And don't forget—I can't send you a free book (Wounded Healer) if you don't tell me you want
one. Do you want one? Just say the word. Don't be shy. I love you guys!! I'll gladly send it out
to you pronto. While supplies last, all ya gotta do is ask. Once they're gone . . . like everything
else . . . they're gone.
Later, gators,
donna
October 26, 2007
Comments
Donna, your blog today has TRULY blessed me. Both as a new fan of yours and your books and
also as someone who has dreams of writing one day … though God has yet to give me my story.
I sense such honesty, and wiseness and I for one will be waiting and watching for your next
story. In the meantime, have a ball, and march on ahead! HUGSSSS and God Bless!!!!!
LYSIC
Alexis
Posted by: Alexis
Donna,
Like Alexis I love your blog and i to have been blessed.
I am 100 pages into your 3rd book and didn't want to put it down last night (but at 1am and losing
an hour to daylight savings starting I had to). I can honestly say your books have blessed me and I
have learnt alot from them and new insight. Thanks for writing these books and all the best for
your future ventures.
Your pal
Jenny
Posted by: Ausjenny
Hey! I copied that same quote from the interview. LOL. Either we think a lot alike, or that was
just an awesome quote. Or both.
Hope you're having an awesome weekend. Looking forward to our mini interview. :-)
Posted by: jenness
Donna,
Your commitment to just follow God wherever He leads inspires me. As someone who thought
they knew what they wanted to write and had God change courses on them, I can totally relate.
God is good! I pray that He will bless you, in whatever He leads you to do. Meanwhile, I will
remember that you are content to just *be* with Jesus, and I'll do the same. :-)
Blessings,
Lynetta
Posted by: Lynetta
I ditto Lynetta's comment and want to add that I admire your courage. You may say you are
simply obeying God's lead, but that takes guts girl! And our good God will bless you for it. No
need to worry about where he'll take you next, just enjoy the ride.
Posted by: Tammy Bowers
Ahh … enjoying the ride. : )
Thanks, y'all!! I love you!!!
Posted by: donna
I'm sad!!! Couldn't you keep posting here just for fun? :)
Posted by: C.J. Darlington
Thanks so much for the books! I feel like we really are friends, even though we've never met.
Aren't you gonna keep posting on your blog??? Pleeeeeeease?? It would just all be way too sad
if you didn't!
Posted by: Karla
Hey, Donna.
I'm soo sad and at the same time thrilled for you because you've found peace in God's leading.
That's not always an easy thing to do.
Throughout the years, you've been a good friend and I pray the Lord will bless you beyond your
expectations. I know He's happy with you cause you're resting in Him. That's what He wants.
You're an inspiration, gal.
Love you,
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie Leon
Ya know? I don't think I could give up this wee blog. I would miss y'all waaaay too much. : )
Bonnie, your words made me teary-eyed. I love you too, lady.
Posted by: donna
Hey, friend,
I'm so happy for you finding such a sense of peace in all the decisions you've had to make. You
are such an example to me. You've obeyed and surrendered, not holding tight to being a writer,
but to the Lord. Your heart is in the right place, beating with His. I loved your words of wisdom
when you responded on the ACFW loop this week on the topic about writing on your knees. May
God continue to bless you. And you know, you can always bring your editing jobs over here to
work on when you want a change of pace!
Love, Sherrie
Posted by: Sherrie Ashcraft
Well, knock me silly and call me late for dinner, but I'm praying God lays another storyline on
your heart. This series is so rich in His redemption and His love, the faithfulness of a genuine
friend, and how even the broken areas of our lives can be used for His good if we just surrender
them to Him.
I want more...so I'm warning ya, I'm praying!!
Posted by: Deena
I'm looking forward to reading your newest book! I have enjoyed your other three books! I
should get Standing Strong on friday!
:-) Rebecca
Posted by: Becca
Hi Donna,
I just came over after blogging about winning your set of books and searching to see if you had a
site. I was surprised and saddened to hear that you apparently are going to stop writing, if I am
reading this correctly. Certainly you must do as you feel the Lord is leading, but can you point me
to a post where you wrote about that decision? If there is a post? I imagine it might be in a series
of posts. :) I'd just be interested to know how and why you came to that point if you have shared
it.
Thanks again for the set of books! I am looking forward to deliving into them.
Posted by: Barbara H.