Renowned author Danielle Steel, celebrated for her extraordinary literary journey that spans over 200 books and boasts an impressive international record of 1 billion copies sold, recently opened up about her persistent pre-publishing jitters.
During an interview on April 23, Steel candidly shared her ongoing apprehensions about her craft, even as she promotes her latest masterpiece, "Only the Brave." Despite her remarkable success, Steel revealed that she feels terrified whenever a book is sent to either her editor or her publisher, fearing they will hate it and she has lost her touch. She expressed amazement when her work was loved and conveyed deep gratitude for it.
Recognizing the impact of fear on her creative journey, she described how it pushes her to put in more effort, constantly aiming for enhancement. Even though she has achieved success, she never feels assured, seeing fear as a factor that keeps her humble and propels her toward constant improvement.
Despite her reservations, Steel remains one of the most prolific authors of our time, with an impressive repertoire that includes 182 novels, four nonfiction works, and 18 children's books. She attributed her relentless writing rhythm to insanity, humorously remarking, "I just can't get away from it. I've always got a book cooking somewhere."
Speaking to Harvard Business Review, Steel shared that her creative process begins with ideas that often come to her unexpectedly, sparked by stories in the news or anecdotes she hears. She elaborates on these ideas, making notes and refining them until they feel right. Once she has a solid concept, she handwrites an outline for about six months, during which she delves into the characters and plot. This outline is then typed up and sent to her editor for feedback.
After incorporating any necessary changes, Steel writes the first draft from start to finish, ensuring consistency and avoiding confusion between different projects. She emphasized the importance of completing a full draft before moving on to revisions, during which she finetunes the story through multiple drafts, allowing it to 'marinate and season' over time.
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"Only the Brave," set for release on April 30 by Delacorte Press, delves into the riveting narrative of Sophia Alexander, a courageous nurse navigating the tumultuous landscape of World War II Germany while striving to safeguard Jewish children.
In this new book, Steel portrays Sophia Alexander's remarkable journey from a young woman burdened with familial responsibilities in Berlin to a courageous member of the resistance against Hitler's regime. Despite facing personal hardships and increasing peril, Sophia unwaveringly upholds her dedication to assisting others, endangering herself to support Jewish children and those targeted by the oppressive government. Through Sophia's narrative, Steel skillfully portrays the strength and courage of individuals amid the devastation of war, emphasizing instances of empathy amid the chaos.
When discussing her recent project, Steel conveyed that the characters and their interactions held a special significance for her. She found the themes explored in the narrative particularly engaging, especially the portrayal of nuns. Additionally, Steel expressed her enduring fascination with WWII, stating that it has always inspired her writing.
Additionally, Steel underscored the enduring messages woven into her storytelling, which strike a chord with readers globally. She summarized these themes as resilience, courage, and self-belief, emphasizing their universal relevance.
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