I’m not a big reader of thrillers. Never have been, but it’s not because I dislike them. I just haven’t taken the time…BUT an encounter with a super successful author is changing my mind. My dear friend, Linda K. invited me to an event last Saturday at Barrington’s White House…the same place I held my book launch last year. I had to go…if only for sentimental reasons, right? Plus, it sounded like fun!
I’ve been to my fair share of book signings and author events, and I love them but listening to Charlie Donlea talk about his writing journey was different. Even though the room was packed with fans – readers and writers alike – it felt as if he spoke to each of us as old friends. Aspirational friends connected by our love of good books and a desire to tell stories.
When an author reaches a certain level of success and acclaim, you don’t expect to hear about their pain points. More the glory stories, I’ve found, or bits of armchair witticisms. But not Donlea. He told on himself, dropping the facade as he candidly shared his dislike for reading as a kid. It wasn’t until Donlea was in college that he decided he wanted to be the next John Grisham, inspired by reading his first ever novel, “The Firm“.
The audience was stunned, so he repeated himself. Admitting he’d been the laziest of lazy readers, making it through his education without reading novels. “To Kill a Mockingbird”?” Nope. “Grapes of Wrath?”. Nope. Cliffs Notes were his friends.
Deciding he wanted to write thrillers? It was a pull and a compulsion. A bell he needed to ring. For himself. To try. And he did. But long after his first manuscript came to life, he was still in search of an agent and a publisher.
During his disarming talk, he said there was a fifteen-year expanse between writing and publishing. Fifteen years of disappointment. Denial. Rejection. Suggestions…to rewrite the rewrite. Begin again. Start another project.
What kept him going? Advice and input from a few well-chosen champions who saw his potential and urged him forward. But fifteen years, I thought, mouth agape. It sounded like an impossibly long haul…even for me…the one who tries pretty hard to keep her motivation humming and outlook positive.
I mentioned in last week’s post that my dear friend Linda K. used her few moments of chatting with Donlea to talk about her author friend – in line behind her at the book signing. Unbeknownst to said friend. Moi.
By the time I said hello and handed Donlea my copy of his book, “Twenty Years Later” to sign, Linda was already introducing me to him. Umm…it doesn’t work that way girlfriend. I’m just Vicki, silly one.
But Donlea was gracious. Oh-so gracious.
I babbled and said I was amazed by his perseverance and drive to keep writing and rewriting, asking,
“How did you keep gas in the tank to keep going?”
His reply?
“I didn’t always. It was up and down, but I knew I needed to keep at it.”
And then in a blink, he said,
“Tell me about YOUR book…is this a gift for me?” as he pointed to a magically appearing copy of “Surviving Sue”.
Dear Linda had slid a copy of my book on the table. An offering…to a spectacularly successful author. Once again, my mouth hung open. (Note to self: Next time? Turn down the volume on your face, Vicki.)
Donlea asked again, pointing to the book,
“For me? This is you – it’s yours?”
“Yes. That’s my mom on the cover. My story about her life…my resilience in the face of family adversity….”
And although I know I said more, all I can recall is a blend of Seinfeld’s yada-yada schtick and the teacher from Charlie Brown doing the wa-wah-wa-wah wah routine.
Linda saved me by turning to Donlea with her mega-watt smile saying,
“You told me just now you make time to read – even now as busy as you are.”
Donlea nods, looking at Linda and then at me,
“Yes, yes I do and I’m grateful for the gift of your book, Vicki. I will absolutely read it. Thank you.”
I’m there…but not there. Do you know what I mean? I smile and thank him. I think. I think I said, “That would be incredibly lovely” and remembered to tuck one of my contact card/business cards into the copy of “Surviving Sue“…a bookmark of sorts that I offer readers with the hope that they’ll stay in touch through email, my business site or in blogging-land.
“I would welcome any feedback…how generous of you to read. Thank you.”
There you go, girl. Speak like you’re a grown up. 😉
Now for the really exciting news! Donlea’s book, “Twenty Years Later” is being adapted for television and it’s not the only book garnering attention from producers, directors. I don’t want to repeat the names of high-profile Hollywood folks in talks to bring his words to life…but the mentions he made of those who are in the development process…working on episodes for a well-known streaming service? Wow. But wait – there’s more! Other projects are in the works as screenplays based on his novels are circulating to well-regarded film and TV people. Wow and wow.
I’m going to be thinking about Donlea’s generous advice for a long time. And I might return to this Ted Talk (see below) a time or two more for encouragement, and tough-talk for writers, Donlea-style.
Writing IS work and Donlea’s short chat is worth a view if you fall prey to procrastination every now and then. You know…the siren song to scrub a little grout, or, in Donlea’s case, organize a junk drawer. One in urgent need of his attention.
Thanks for riding along for the Part II of my story. And again, for anyone who missed Part I – the “Worthiness Reminders” post – take a gander at that and you’ll be all caught up.
Vicki 😊
Victoria Ponders 
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