Fellow writer, Andrea Murray, is spotlighting me today on her website. Thank you, Andrea, for letting me share a little about my life as a writer, as well as news about my three books: Through the Tunnel of Love, A Mother's and Daughter's Journey with Anorexia, novel, Between Heartbeats, and its soon-to-be-released sequel, Heartbeat Interrupted. Click on the Author Spotlight link below.

Author Spotlight

Debut of Donelle Knudsen's novel, Between Heartbeats

For the latest on my newly released novel, "Between Heartbeats" and memoir, "Through the Tunnel of Love..." view my Amazon Author page.



http://www.amazon.com/Donelle-Knudsen/e/B004X31KDQ
Amazon Author Central - Donelle Knudsen

Labor Day, Back to School, New Beginnings

My favorite time of year is here. Even though Labor Day isn't the first day of fall, it feels like it to me. The nighttime temp got down to 45 degrees and the daytime temps will be in the low eighties. For our area, that's just about perfect.

It's time to plant winter pansies, green and burgundy colored kale, yellow mums, and to trim the dried rose blooms off; they are just about done for the year.

It's been a hectic summer here at home and my writers' critique group took a hiatus; thus, my writing projects suffered. Although I did enter four literary contests this season. Results of three are to come in October. When I write to specifications and deadlines, I turn out my best work.

I have had my new computer only two days and already I am at it more, updating my blogs, checking in on others', and I've even cleaned out my office. Fall does that to me. It reminds me of the "Back to School" feeling when I was a youngster: new clothes, new books, new teachers, and the promise of an exciting year.

Happy Labor Day, one and all. Check in on my blogs. I promise to update them more often. To read about my memoir, Through the Tunnel of Love, A Mother's and Daughter's Journey With Anorexia, as well as some of my short stories, poems, and essays go to:  www.authorsden.com/donelleknudsen

Memoir: "Tunnel of Love" Touches Readers

My memoir, Through the Tunnel of Love - A Mother's and Daughter's Journey With Anorexia, was published last April. Since that time I have received positive feedback from a variety of readers. I would like to share the most recent comment: "Dear Donelle, I just finished your book and loved every chapter. It really hit home because we are going through a similar experience with our 38 year old son. He has always had some minor problems like mild OCD and lately has a few delusions. I'm hoping we just need to change his meds. So we are in the middle of the tunnel and of course he is in denial... And like you I know that constant love and support is so very important. I hope and pray that 2012 brings a turn around."

This feedback means so much to me not only as a writer, but as the mother of a recovered anorectic. Even with love, medical intervention, family support and faith, we still faced dark times in our tunnel when our daughter was so ill. If you have a family member or know of a friend who may be suffering from an eating disorder, OCD, or similar mental/emotional issues, consider my book. It is available on Amazon.com or you can contact me on my blog.

All the best to you in 2012.

Tracks in unmarked sand: our journey to a new beginning.

It was the spring of 1997 when we discovered the stranglehold that an eating disorder had around our fifteen year old daughter. This summer marks the fourteenth anniversary from the beginning of our family’s race: a marathon we embarked on; a race against not only time, but against the forces that threatened to take our child’s life.

Consumed with our daughter's struggle with anorexia nervosa, it wasn't until 2003 that I completed my journals, which evolved into a series of short stories, and finally in 2010, a complete memoir.

As I chronicled our experiences, I retraced hundreds of steps taken during our journey through the dark tunnel: a tunnel that threatened permanent darkness over light and hope. For four years we waged an intense war against a terrible disease that nearly took our daughter's life and in so doing our lives were changed forever. But when our nemesis threatened to return in 2005 and take over our daughter again, we feared all would be lost.

My memoir, Through the Tunnel of Love, A Mother's and Daughter's Journey with Anorexia covers possible causes of anorexia, family intervention, teamwork, personal struggles, setbacks, and the power of unconditional love and second chances.

Tunnel of Love will be published in the spring of 2011; please watch for updates of availability, book signings and other news.