Looking Back and Moving Forward
Welcome to 2012, everyone! I want to take this opportunity to tell you what you mean to me. 2011 was a fantastic year for me, career-wise. I’ve been writing a long, long time with the usual ups and downs that accompany most careers, but starting with Target selecting The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes as their summer bookclub pick in 2008, things have really been going my way and I owe it to you, my readers. Many of you had never read me before CeeCee and you gave my books a chance. You spread the word. Publishers in the United Kingdom and Australia also began publishing my books and my UK readers took me all the way to the #5 spot on the bestseller list this year with The Midwife’s Confession (and the #1 spot on the UK Kindle list). You’ve helped me generate new excitement for my books among various publishing houses and helped me land new contracts that will keep me writing for years to come. I am so grateful!
But there’s more to my joy than the ability to keep working. I will never take for granted being able to support myself at something I love, but you know what the big bonus has been? Getting to know so many of you, even if it’s simply through a comment on Facebook. I’m one of those “joiners”. I’ve never met a group I didn’t want to be part of. When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the mid nineties, for example, I immediately went to the fledgling Internet and found a support group to join. I found friends there. People who understood. And they are still my friends all these years later. I love being in communication with like-minded people and I’ve found so many of you through my writing. You occasionally email me with questions about my books. You talk about your own lives on my Story Weekends. You help me figure out sticky plot points on my blog. You share your favorite books with me and other readers on my Facebook Page. I learn about your lives, your kids, your recipes, the things that bring you joy and the things that bring you down. Being in touch with you takes time away from my writing, but it’s so worth it. You’re so worth it.
So thank you for sharing 2011 with me. Thank you for reading my books, for opening your hearts to the stories I’ve created, and most of all for your friendship. Have a wonderful New Year!
Happy New Year! I have to tell you a quick story. Yesterday my daughter
and I were rearranging my room and removing one of the bookshelves to make
more room. I had to run out to the store and my daughter was unloading the
bookshelf and she asked which authors not to pull. I said “Diane
Chamberlain” and she said “I know Mom, I know she is your favorite
author!”
I just thought you might get a chuckle out of that!
Diane. I think we all owe you a deep debt of gratitude for the time you afford all of us and the venue you provide for us to unload the suitcases of our lives and share the lives of others. You have my total repect for your personal honesty and sincere interest in all that we have to say as we do you. It’s a strange friendship that we all have here never having met in person but yet, feeling like we know each other and are friends. I am most grateful for your presence in my life and hope the new year brings you only happiness and success beyond measure. You are a truly gifted person in so many ways.
Diane,
What a lovely letter! Thanks so much for posting! I treasure our friendship and love you much!
Diane, I wish you a joyful 2012. I am so glad I found you through your friend Emilie Richards. I tell everyone about your books and how your stories just seem to pull you right there, I feel if I close my eyes I could see these people and be part of their lives. It is hard to share the bad things that happen to us, and you have done that so well. I love that you share the funny moments as well (Roomba) Thank you for your wonderful stories and God bless you and John this year in a mighty way. I know he has me just from knowing you. Love you and keep us inspired.
Diane,
I share your love of Topsail Island having visited every year since I was 12 years old, yikes thats 48 years ago! It’s also the best place to read your latest novel each summer when we visit there,
Topsail and Diane Chamberlain go hand in hand in my book. Many thanks for all the hours of entertainment you provide to all your fans every year, we love you and your books !
Sincerely,
Debbee
Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know what we mean to you. Thank you for being my friend as well as my favorite author. Thank you for being YOU!
Love,
Debbie Hearne
Diane, I was not even finished with the first book when I was already buying every book of yours . With each book I was so thrilled and excited to read the next. Thank you for feeling my life with such treasures. Happy 2012 with blessing to you and your family and fans.
Diane, I hope all your good fortune continues through 2012 and beyond!
There are so many wonderful people in the writing community — and none better than you. I hope 2012 is your best year yet!
Thank you Diane. I am so glad that Emilie Richards sent me your way. I love reading your books and your blog. My favorite is your Sunday Poetry. Though I do not always post a response, it gives me food for thought for my journal writing. Wishing you all the best and many blessings in 2012.
Diane, you are a blessing to so many of us. You have created joy and friendship through your books and through your website. Your 2012 letter to us is beautiful and I must remind you that you have given so much of yourself to us, your fans.
When I first discovered you about 15 years ago with KEEPER OF THE LIGHT, I never dreamed I would one day be corresponding with you. That book was the beginning of discovering you as my favorite author, and the book my favorite novel of all time. I went on to buy and read every book you wrote, prior to KEEPER and of course every year since…they are the pride and joy of my bookshelf and it is not only a pleasure, but an honor to know you.
I said this a few blogs past but will say it again…’the best part of 2012 is looking forward to the new Diane Chamberlain novel’!! (-O:
Hi Diane,
What a great letter to your fans. I’m so glad you are getting the recognition I have always felt you deserved. I don’t know of any writer I enjoy better than you. When I get one of your books I can’t wait to begin it, and I know I will need to put aside time because I won’t want to put it down ever. The only tough thing for me is when it ends. I don’t like to let those characters go after I’ve invested so many feelings in them. I hope you’ll keep them coming for years and years.
,
I’ve been addicted to you since the first book I read. I’m still missing a couple old ones but they seem to come available to me when I’m ready for the next one. I hope 2012 gets better and better for you.
You deserve it. Your books are the best. Thank you for a very warm, heartfelt letter. We love you so much.
Diane, your books have always been special to me. When I open one I know I will not want to put it down until I have finished reading it. Thank you so much.
I hope you, John and the dogs have a wonderful 2012!!
Diane, I have said this before, but I really mean it. You share your life and your writing with us. When you ask questions and advice from your fans, you let us invest ourselves in your writing. As much as we love your books, how vested are we in a story you have asked us to be a part of.
I met you in one of those support groups you were a part of. It seems that the internet has brought lives together that a time not that long ago would not have happened. I cherish the friendships we made in that support group ASA. I also have to say that I am very proud when I say…”Oh yes, My Friend Diane Chamberlain is an Author. You should read her books….Did I mention she is an Author and my Friend”…lol But it is true.
I know that your writing is work, and still you make time to chat with us on Facebook. You offer words of encouragement, you take the time to answer emails. You give us an outlet to share writing with each other and still you knock out great books. Thank you , my friend , for going out of your way to make each of us special.
This is just a short note to add because there isn’t an edit button. Speaking of you asking questions and our vesting interest, I remember the first time I was part of the question. You were writing the “Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes”. You asked a question about pregnancy in the same generation that I had babies. I believe the question had something to do with ultrasound, or epidurals…see now, my memory isn’t all that great. However, I remember there was a question.lol This in itself is amazing since I can’t remember what I did last week.
Thanks again Diane, I wish you and John a wonderful year full of blessings and love
Cindy
It’s been so nice to hear from you all. Gives me warm fuzzies! I’m back from the beach and ready to buckle down to work. We’ll have a new Story Weekend this weekend and I’ll get back to my usual 2-3 blog posts per week. Looking forward to 2012 so much!
Hi therre Diane,
I offer heartfelt congratulations on achieving yet another level of success that is so well deserved! While reading your 2012 letter to your readers I experienced great joy and reflected on how proud others in my family would also be of your accomplishments so I am expressing accolades for all of us. Take a bow!!!
Hi there Diane,
I offer heartfelt congratulations on achieving yet another level of success that is so well deserved. While reading your 2012 letter to your readers I experienced great joy and reflected on how proud others in my family would be of your accomplishments so I am expressing accolates for all of us. Take a bow!!!
Diane: The Secret Life of Cece Wilkes was the first book of yours I have ever read and I must say I instantly became a fan. I love all your books but i think that one will always be my favorite. I think I am going to start to read Summers Child next. I wish you only the best in 2012 … you deserve all the awards you get. and keep on writing those amazing stories!! PS: thanks for the e-reader book listing .. appreciate it. Happy 2012 to you and yours!!