We recently had the chance to connect with Donna Steele and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donna, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Wow, great set of questions— For me now, I’m up and dressed and ready to go by 7 a.m. In this beautiful weather (before the heat and rain) I head out to the new sunroom at my condo, settle in my swivel recliner and write until around noon. My watch reminds me to get up at 50 minutes after the hour, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to move at all. It’s the best time of the day for me – creative mornings. In the afternoons I do what little housekeeping I’m forced to do, read and relax, then head out to the gym for water Zumba or a workout with my trainer. The perfect “retirement”.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Donna Steele and a retired secretary (think Della Street) and I loved it, especially my last job and boss when I was confident enough to handle his and my job and old enough to not care what others thought. Since then, I’ve gone to writing full time. I’ve always written. In fact I found a manuscript written when I was seven when we moved to the condo, so it wasn’t my imagination.
I’ve always been drawn to the paranormal and science fiction – Saturday afternoons with monster movies. I still remember my horror when they turned Batman into high camp on TV. Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and of course X-Files were my go-to shows and that’s what I write for the most part. I love that little twist that makes it slightly eerie, not horror, I don’t write that, but I love to add that something. I’m nearly finished on a new series, Reclusive, and the first book will come out in September.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Have to say it’s my husband – he saw a powerful, strong woman where I saw a fraud. I could project strength but I thought it was only a facade, or a coping mechanism. With him at my back I learned he was right or at least I faked it until I made it. I wouldn’t be who I am now without him.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Maybe not completely healed but at a large family gathering I was feeling good about myself, my grades were excellent and I had gotten comfortable away at school. A female relative looked around the room and said quite loudly – goodness even Donna looks good today.
A knife wouldn’t have been as sharp.
After that I dressed for myself, held my head up, and at least got started on not caring what others thought. Took a damn long time.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
That beings were seeded through the universe. That there are untold numbers of civilizations and that a Star Trek like existence will someday be possible
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I’m now doing what I was born to do, though I have for some time, just in secret for most of my life. For the public I did as told to a large degree, but the real me was always there and with my husband’s help and support it grew.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.steelestories.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnah1013/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-steele-honeycutt-ab7a1b32
- Twitter: https://bsky.app/profile/steelestories.bsky.social
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelestories
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POJ4ejbNY4w
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