Finding Hope, Faith and Real Love Through the Seasons
Best-selling author Donna VanLiere discusses the inspiration behind her beloved books, the impact of her storytelling, and what readers can expect from her upcoming inspirational releases.
Donna VanLiere brings a rare blend of warmth, wisdom, and storytelling grace to every page she writes. A New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, her deeply human characters and emotionally resonant themes have captivated millions across the globe. With 21 published books—six of which have been adapted into beloved films—Donna’s stories often centre on the redemptive power of hope, faith, and love. In this heartfelt conversation with Reader’s House Magazine, she reflects on the unexpected beginnings of The Christmas Shoes, the profound impact of her stories, and the spiritual threads that run through her upcoming works, Looking for Christmas and Looking for God.
Donna VanLiere’s stories shine with compassion, authenticity and grace, offering readers a heartfelt reminder of the beauty found in ordinary lives.
What inspired you to write The Christmas Shoes, and did you anticipate its impact on readers and viewers?
Over 20 years ago, we traveled to Knoxville TN to see our friends NewSong in concert. We had traveled 4 hours to see them, and I remember that it was a very hot day in July. Out of the blue, Eddie Carswell, who is one of the founders of NewSong said that he was thinking about writing a Christmas song and simply gave me a two-sentence premise. He asked me if I thought that would make a good Christmas song and I said, “Actually, I think that would make a great book!” As we drove home on that hot, humid evening, I started to formulate the plot and the characters in my mind for a Christmas book. I think I started writing it the next day! In the meantime, Eddie was writing the song, but I did not hear it until it was finished. At that time, I was well into the book, which I am grateful for because I didn’t want the song to interfere with my own ideas for the plot and characters. I had no idea the impact that the song, book and movie would have on people. I still hear from people today who lost a loved one and have been touched by the book. One woman wrote me and said that her husband actually grew closer to God as a result of reading the book. As authors, we have no idea how a book will impact a reader.
How do your personal experiences, particularly as a mother, influence the themes and characters in your books?
I always want to portray characters who are relatable and who come across as real and not as caricatures to the reader. I can think back to memories of growing up and pull characteristics from people in the past to create a character. I’m a good listener so I listen for stories and characters. It was always the desire of mine and my husband to raise children who would be salt and light in this world, and good, productive members of society. I will often write about situations or characters who reflect what is wrong in society, but about the beauty of those who step in to correct it.
Your novels often explore themes of hope, faith, and resilience—how do you approach weaving these elements into your storytelling?
Deep down, we’re all looking for something that’s real. Something that lasts. God says in His word that He has put eternity in our hearts, so we are ultimately looking for God. In a world that often feels hopeless, we want to know that hope is real and hope is alive. When our faith feels threadbare, we want to know that there are others who will come alongside us and help pull us back up. Again, I want every situation and character to be relatable and real. I want the reader to be able to put herself right into the story as if she is the one reaching out for hope and strength from those around her or she’s the one infusing faith and hope into a dark situation.
What was it like seeing your books adapted into films, and how involved were you in the adaptation process?
The first time that producers sent a script to me I asked my husband, “I wonder if they actually read the book?” When books are adapted into movies there are always significant changes. If each movie maintained the theme and character of the book, I knew that I would be pleased. Every author knows that sometimes this bar is missed entirely. I was not involved in the adaptation process, but I was able to speak into a couple of writing issues that were miles apart from the novel. Sometimes producers and writers will listen and sometimes they won’t. When your work is up for adaptation, you must be willing to step aside.
Looking for Christmas and Looking for God are set to release soon—can you give us a glimpse into what readers can expect from these upcoming books?
These books are not novels. In Looking for Christmas: A Search for the Joy and Hope of the Nativity, I delve into the people and places of the Nativity story. I bring people like Zechariah and Elizabeth, the shepherds, the Magi, Mary, Joseph, and even King Herod to life. I look deeper into Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the star and relate all of it to us today. These were normal, everyday people in normal places but they were used in remarkable ways. God still uses the ordinary to do extraordinary things. Throughout this work, I intersperse scenes from The Christmas Journey that I wrote several years ago regarding Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. Looking for Christmas is set to release in September and a few months later, Looking for God: A Search for Real Love in An Unreal World will release. Ultimately, this is what we all want: real love in an unreal world.
