With every new book release, Danielle Steel admits she is “terrified” of losing her touch

Even as the best-selling author of more than 200 novels that have sold one billion copies worldwide, Danielle Steel still gets anxious before a new book is released.
The author, who was promoting her most recent book, “Only the Brave,”

 

acknowledged that she still has some reservations about her writing in an interview that was published online on April 23.

She said she never takes her life’s work for granted and feels lucky to have done what she loves. “Every time I send a book to my publisher or editor, I’m afraid they won’t like it. I feel like I’ve lost my touch and don’t know what I’m doing,” she said. When people adore it, I’m in awe. I’m very appreciative.”

She said that sometimes the anxiety over a book’s reception serves as a catalyst for her further efforts.

Fear, according to Danielle Steel, drives her to always aim higher and put in more effort. She acknowledged, nevertheless, that she had never been totally certain of her skills, adding, “I don’t have total confidence that, ‘Oh, I can do this!'” It’s almost like a gift, yet I have no idea where it came from.It maintains my humility.”

According to her website, Danielle Steel has written approximately 210 books throughout her career, including 182 novels, 4 nonfiction works, and 18 children’s books. Her publication schedule is strict; she releases many novels year. Her joyful and productive writing approach, she quips, is “probably due to insanity.”

“I just can’t get away from it,” she said. I always have a book in the works.”
Her most recent book, “Only the Brave,” will be published by Delacorte Press on April 30. It narrates the tale of Sophia Alexander, a nurse who tries to rescue Jewish children while living in Germany during World War II.

Danielle Steel offered her thoughts on the book, pointing out that the issues and character interactions appeal to her. “I find the interactions between the individuals to be incredibly moving. The incorporation of nuns is one of the story’s components that really appeals to me. Writing about World War II is always enjoyable for me—it truly spoke to me,” the author said.

Steel discussed the principles that, while important to her personally, she hopes others would learn from the book. She clarified that the book’s topics are ideas that came to her on the spur of the moment and represent what she wants to get across via writing. The three main lessons are self-belief, bravery, and perseverance—universal lessons that everyone needs to hear.