A born and bred Texan, Donna Lee Schillinger has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master’s in cultural anthropology. She served in the Peace Corps in Quito, Ecuador, and continued to work in social services for 10 years, serving several years as executive director of a homeless shelter for single, young mothers.
In 2000, Donna “retired” from social work to take care of her elderly grandparents and homeschool her daughter. She soon began The Quilldriver, a custom publisher for nonprofit organizations and traditional publisher of inspirational nonfiction books.
Award-winning editor and publisher, Donna makes her writing debut with On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debtfree and Regretfree. She launched a nonprofit organization of the same name, with the mission to provide encouragement for young adults to maintain their Christian faith when they get out on their own. Visit her Web site at www.OnMyOwnNow. com. Donna lives in rural Arkansas with her husband John and children.
About On My Own Now:
“Freedom! Finally, life on my own!”
Excited about making your mark on the world, living life on your own terms and eating ice cream for dinner if you want? Being on your own is so great, but when the decisions get a little more difficult than “Do I wash a black-and-white striped shirt with whites or colors?”, this little book will be invaluable. On My Own Now shows you how to apply biblical wisdom of the ages to choosing everything from friends to underwear; exercising and exorcising (ooh, creepy); juggling commitments and balancing bills; taking mom and dad for all they’re worth (er, uh, we mean like taking their advice and stuff); and waiting, dating and maybe someday mating.
On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. Donna Lee Schillinger draws on her eclectic past as a rebellious youth, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, single mother, court mediator and executive director of a home for single young mothers. She uses gender-reversed Proverbs with real-life applications to wave the red flag of caution for young women, warning against the pitfalls of a post-modern, sexually casual, consumer-is-king society that is indelibly scarring youth with cynicism, sexually transmitted diseases and bad credit.
This compact collection of quirky vignettes is great for daily devotions, affirmations, confessions, benedictions and many other religious “tions,” all with the goal of keeping you on the yellow brick road. After all, you’re not in Kansas anymore – you’re on your own now (unless you live in Kansas, then you would still be in Kansas…).
Donna will be stopping by today to answer any questions you have for her. However, the contest will run all weekend. So on Sunday April 26 around 5 pm PST, a random commenter will be chosen to receive a copy of On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debtfree and Regretfree.
Whe will your book becopme available?
Hi Ron,
My book is available now at www.OnMyOwnNow.com, link to Buy the Book. There has been some technical difficulty with Amazon, but we're hoping that by next week that will be resolved and it can be ordered through them as well. It's also available now through Barnes and Noble.
Thanks for your interest!
Donna, thanks for being our guest today. I'm curious as to how the book and non-profit came about.
Jen
admin.bookblog@gmail.com
This is an excellent book. I reviewed it at my blog, The Book Connection. It would make an excellent gift for graduating young women.
Cheryl
Sounds like you've dedicated your life to helping others. What influences did you have growing up to lead you down this path?
Donna, your book sounds awesome. Best wishes and God bless. I am seriously considering trying to write an inspirational Western romance next time.
Going to answer all the posts in this one - assuming Blogger doesn't cut me off...
Jen: It started out as a project from mother to daughter. I so wanted my daughter to do things differently than I have done that I thought, maybe she’ll listen to me if I make a nice little book for her. I started to pick out some verses for her and illustrate them with some stories from my life. As I wrote on a daily basis, the Holy Spirit started to challenge me with the idea of sharing these lessons with a larger audience. Then the Web site, which was originally to promote the book, ended up growing exponentially in scope as well. Honestly, I don't usually make such a big deal out of things, but these two small ideas became much larger in life.
Cheryl: Thanks for chiming in on this and other blogs!
LuAnn: I might disagree with your statement about me. For the first 30 years it was all about me! But I'm doing double time to make up for all that egoism. I come from a long line of do-gooders. Pastor grandparents on both sides. My Grandmother (on Dad's side) is probably the one I look to most as a mentor. She has advanced Alzhiemer's now, so I miss her influence, but it was strong enough that I think it will last a lifetime for me. In brief, she had a childlike faith.
Tanya: I think that's a great idea. All the women in my family love Louis Lamour (sp?). Wouldn't it be great to combine that lure to the old West with an inspirational story!
Sorry this is a little late. I went out of town and only recently got back home and back online. :)
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to support Donna. I've put names in a bowl and picked our winner.
LuAnn, congrats. Please email me at admin.bookblog@gmail.com with your mailing address. I need to hear from you by next Sunday, May 3 or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks for picking my name. I'm excited to get the chance to read this book! I've sent you my address via e-mail.