Online Community...
> Autographed Bookplates
> Visit Facebook Group
> Links of Interest
> What's Donna Reading?
> Contact Donna
> Reading Guides
> Q&A with Donna
> Book Club
> Reading Guides
> I'm a Donna VanLiere RAVING FAN!
Autographed Bookplate
I get requests regularly for autographed books and love to personalize a book when I have the opportunity in person. Unfortunately this gets very cumbersome to do when not in person, so our solution to this is bookplates (a sticker that you can place in the front of the book.) To recieve a book plate, simply send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Donna VanLiere
251 Second Avenue S.
Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37064.
Include whether you would like the bookplate to include a name or just my signature. Please allow 6-8 weeks.
Thank you, I appreciate all of the support.
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Visit Facebook Group
I recently joined the throngs of individuals who stay connected with friends through the giant social networking machine called Facebook. I would love to stay in touch with you and enjoy seeing messages posted on my group page. To join my group, simply click here and sign-in if you are already a "Facebooker", or registration is FREE and simple if you are a first timer. I look forward to seeing you there.
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Links of Interest
Here are a few of my favorite websites for all sorts of varying reasons! Let me know if you visit any of the sites and what you think of some of them. You can email me at friends@donnavanliere.com.
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What I'm Currently Reading
I'm currently reading Henry Nouwen, Anne Lamott and Connie May Fowler. Great stuff...
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Q&A with Donna
Here are some of the more frequent questions I recieve. Click here to submit your own question.
Q: How long does it take you to write a novel?
A: That depends. The Christmas Blessing took longer because I had to do medical research and consult with doctors so that process ended up taking longer than The Christmas Shoes. By the time it’s all said and done I’d say about eight months. If I focused on it everyday it wouldn’t take as long but I have three children who need a mother!
Q: Have you ever written a large part of a story and then discarded it because you didn’t like where it was headed?
A: Yes, quite often, actually. I’ll write pages and pages and then when I read it back days or weeks later I’ll think, “What was I thinking? This is terrible,” and delete the entire scene or chapter. For The Angels of Morgan Hill I ended up scrapping 22,000 words! It’s a frustrating process but writers know when their work isn’t making their own grade.
Q: What do you do when you’re not writing?
A: I stay busy with our three children. During the school year I volunteer in my children's classes. Right now I'm a math tutor, which my husband thinks is a joke because I barely passed math myself (it should be noted that I tutor first grade math). In the spring and summer I work in the flowerbeds and mow the lawn (my husband and I race for the riding mower because it allows for great thinking time). It seems there’s always laundry to do and something to clean and meals to cook so each day is full.
Q: I am an aspiring author. What advice can you give me?
A: Writing is like any other craft. You have to keep doing it to learn how to do it better. So keep writing and surround yourself with people who will help make your work better, not people who will tell you what you want to hear.
Q: I read once that Hemmingway and Stephen King write religiously everyday – do you do that?
A: No, it's impossible with three small children.
Q: What are your favorite topics to read about?
A: My tastes are broad. Right now I’m reading John Adams (I may be reading this for a looong time because it's a really loooong book!) I'm also reading a John Grisham novel and a book about raising unselfish children in a self-absorbed world. I usually have two or three books going at once. Sometimes that can be confusing but it just depends on the mood I’m in as to which one I pick up and read.
Q: My husband and I are thinking about adoption. What are the first steps we should take? What were the challenges you faced? Would you have done anything different?
A: Let me first say that this will be the greatest blessing in your life!! Some people have told me that they don’t think they can love a child that isn’t biological and I say, “You have no idea how MUCH you’ll love that child.” If you’re thinking about adoption, I encourage you to look into a reputable adoption agency and there are several in the country. I can personally recommend Holt International (www.holtintl.org) and Bethany Christian Services (www.bethany.org). Both of these agencies operate with integrity. A reputable adoption agency will lead you through the process, which can be laborious but it is worth it in the end. The challenges can be financial but there are resources that can help on that end (each agency should know several organizations that can help ease the financial burden - one I know of is Shoahannah's Hope - www.shaohannahshope.org.) and of course the wait time can be exhausting. Be sure you ask each agency lots of questions about wait time for each country. I would not have done anything differently for any of our adoptions.
Q: You stated in the acknowledgments of one of your books that your husband reads your work first. Does that ever cause a riff in your relationship?
A: No. If you want to be a writer you have to be prepared for negative feedback; it actually makes you a better writer. Sometimes my husband offers advice that I take and run with and adapt into the book. Other times, I won’t necessarily agree with his comments but that doesn’t mean we’re having marital trouble!! If you want to be a writer you need a spouse or a friend who is honest about your work.
> Click here to submit a question.
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In a Book Club?
Book clubs can be so much fun! Some of the friendships forged and conversations that take place can alter your life forever. If you are in a book club, please email me the name of your club and a picture. I would love to post it below! And if you happen to be reading one of my books, let me know so I can send you bookplates for everyone in your group!
Brainy Babes Bookclub from Eldersburg, MD. reading The Christmas Promise
(Thanks Linda B.)
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Mary O. in Chicago (group holding The Angels of Morgan Hill)
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Raving Fans!
I am so appreciative of the love and support that readers from literally all over the world have given me over the years. I am the most blessed of authors! If you are so inclined or moved, here are a few things you can do to help:
- Simply tell a friend! Word of mouth is the most effective way to spread the word.
- Be sure to sign-up for my FREE eNewsletter (sign up on my homepage.) This keeps you up-to-date on the latest books, movies and news.
- Send the Finding Grace e-card (coming soon!) to your email list. It will be an encouragement to someone.
- Post an online review at either www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or www.borders.com – or all three!
- Read about other people’s stories of finding grace (coming soon!) - and post your own story to encourage others (coming soon!)
- Buy a copy of a book for a friend – or maybe even a stranger – you never know when you will be used to help someone else find grace!
- Buy a set of books and donate them to the local rescue mission, women’s shelter or hospital. Think of any place there are desperate people searching for hope and who need a touch of grace!
- Use any of the books as your next book club or reading group selection. Or, send a copy of the book to a group of your friends (5-10 recommended) with an invitation to a “dinner & discussion” (or “coffee & chat”). Give your friends three to four weeks to read the book prior to the get-together and then use the reading guides available online to lead a conversation about the book.
- Are you “web savy”? Share how a book touched you in your blogs, post messages in appropriate discussion groups, search and join “Donna VanLiere Friends and Fans” group on facebook.com, link to www.donnavanliere.com from any websites or emails you are a part of. If you aren’t web savy, maybe email your favorite appropriate websites to request features or info on Donna and her books.
- Donna is a phenomenal inspirational and conference speaker. Suggest to any event organizers you may know that they book Donna for their next event or invite Donna to your next event by clicking here.
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