I have always been a movie nerd. From the time I was old enough to stay up past my bedtime to watch Nostalgia Theatre on my twelve-inch black and white TV, I harbored a deep-down desire to work in the movie business. Strangely enough, I never really pursued it, but it has definitely pursued me.
My longtime career in theatrical costuming led to a couple amazing opportunities working on some films you might have heard of: This Boy’s Life (Leonardo DiCaprio actually spoke to me—before he was the Leonardo DiCaprio) and Sleepless in Seattle (those vests on the servers in the background of the New Year’s Eve scene—I made them!).
When I started writing novels in 2007, I entertained the tiniest notion that I would one day pursue my Big Ultimate Goal. I wanted to write a movie.
But writing is hard. It took me so long to learn how to write and market books, that the idea of starting all over again in the same-but-different field of screenwriting felt overwhelming. But every time I asked God what I should do to make my writing business more successful, His answer was “Screenwriting is what I have for you.”
And every time, I argued.
“You don’t understand.” (Honestly? Did I really think that God, almighty creator of the universe, didn’t understand?) “That’s a whole different set of writing skills and business strategies. I don’t have time to learn all of that.”
I’m really good at arguing with God, but I never win until I give in.
“Giving in” came when I found myself with a nasty case of pink eye, sitting in the waiting area of my neighborhood pharmacy. A lovely senior lady struck up a conversation with me, and the next thing I knew, she was telling me about her daughter, who teaches a screenwriting course at Seattle Film Institute.
The next next thing I knew, I had signed up for this rather spendy class that I couldn’t afford, but I did it anyway because I felt the Lord nudging me to do it. That led to my turning one of my books, Home for the Holidays, into a screenplay and entering it in the Kairos Prize contest (as Hammering it Home).
It made the finals.
And yes, I do believe that God allowed me to contract that nasty case of pink eye just so I would happen to be in the right place to meet the right person at the right time. That’s just the way He works.
More “giving in” was attending the Connecting Writers With Hollywood conference in Spokane, where I met my future agents. That led to optioning Hammering it Home, which God carried every step of the way to its production (as Home Sweet Home).
The best part of that experience was hearing from several people on the production that God had led and carried them on this project in the same way that He had led and carried me. That gives me complete faith that He has plans for this movie that none of us will be fully aware of this side of Heaven.
But the fact that it was released during the pandemic, when people are not only hungry for things they can watch at home with their family, but hungry for hope in a troubled time, cannot be coincidence.
God is using this movie, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
About Home Sweet Home
Flirtatious barista Victoria (Natasha Bure) is bored with her social butterfly lifestyle and longs for real love. When handsome Jason (Ben Elliott) walks into her coffee shop, she turns on the charm. But he doesn’t respond to her flirting like men usually do. When she discovers that he runs a ministry that builds affordable housing for families in need, she decides to volunteer. So what if it’s a faith-based organization? As far as she’s concerned, pretending to be a “church person” isn’t any different than pretending to like sports or a guy’s friends if it gets her what she wants. Dove approved (all ages). Approx. 93 minutes.
About Lesley Ann McDaniel
Between working as a homeschooling mom and as a professional theatre costumer, LESLEY ANN MCDANIEL has completed several novels and screenplays. A native Montanan and Big Sky girl at heart, Lesley now resides in the Seattle area with her family, three cats, and a big loud dog. In her spare time (ha!) she chips away at her goal of reading every book ever written.
Her first movie, HOME SWEET HOME, was released in 2020.
Lesley is offering a giveaway in the USA! One winner will receive a copy of the movie (Home Sweet Home), and a second winner will receive a Kindle copy of Home for the Holidays. To enter, please comment below before September 21 and answer this question: Have you ever volunteered for a ministry charity or event? Tell us about it! Or if you haven’t, what might lure you into volunteering? Winners will be announced in the following Sunday Edition.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
What a great post!
Oh my, don’t we all argue when the direction is outside our comfort zone, or is it just you and me, lol!
I was raised volunteering so for me it is a part of life, and I do love being of service, it is so rewarding to me. Lately most of the areas for volunteering have been suspended because of covid, but I am looking forward to restarting volunteering. The last volunteering event wasn’t ministry based, it was an online event about empowering young girls and making capes for the cape project at The House That Dan Built (if you are interested check out their facebook site and you can see the capes). Thanks
I’ve seen Facebook ads for this movie and it looks so cute!!
I used to volunteer for every ministry available when in high school and college after college I was on staff with an inner-city mi sorry for 5 years. Since getting married and having kids, my volunteering is mainly at our church, but we serve other ministries through giving and prayer right now. I keep hoping the Lord will lead me back into a more in-person role in inner-city ministry, but He hasn’t yet, so I’m trusting His timing on it all.
That’s so cool how God led you into screenwriting! I have been wanting to see this movie and now that I know who wrote it :) I will definitely have to watch it. I’ve volunteered for things at our church, VBS and such, but not for a charity organization. I think what would draw me to volunteering at a charity would be if the cause was something I really loved and felt a pull to support. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
WOW I love to see how God uses us in our everyday lives. This is very cool. Thanks for sharing
It’s so great to see you here, Lesley! I really enjoyed the sweet movie. :) Keep writing.
Hi Lesley! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with our readers at Inspy Romance! And mega-congrats on the movie :)
Most of my ministry volunteering has been at the local church level. Years of teaching Sunday school and kids’ clubs! And, more recently, facilitating Alpha online last spring.
I’ve done lots of volunteering over the years. Last Thanksgiving, my husband, aunt, and I volunteered with Operation Turkey. We were in a school dining area, preparing meals for shut ins and homeless to have a yummy meal on Thanksgiving Day!
Here I am, mild-manneredly (is that a word?) scrolling through emails and I see the editor of my last book! This is so exciting! I will definitely be on the lookout for this – sounds like my kind of book AND movie! As for volunteering, I’m a church musician – so I’ve been volunteering since I was about 16! LOL! Playing for services, singing in the choir, musician in praise band, children’s choir director, etc. And then there are the kid’s missions groups. Outside of church, I am an officer of the Friends of the Library where I used to be the director. I can’t wait to hear that more of your books will be movies!
Wow, what a beautiful true story you have shared with us. <3 God is Good and He works in mysterious ways! I am so happy for you. :) Congratulations! Your books and your movies sound Awesome. I volunteered as a Catechist for over 25 years, and I still am a home Catechist for our 2 grandchildren that live here in our same town as my husband and I live. In the summers we also have a VBS and our grandson that lives 6 hours away is usually here when we do that , except for this year, but Godwilling next year. Being a Catechist is very rewarding, I love it. (I am not entering for the ebook, but Thank you, I don't read ebooks at all) Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe. God bless you and your family.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who argues with God before giving in. He always knows what’s best for us.
I looked at the capes. What an interesting project!
Always trust God’s timing to be perfect. It’s harder to branch out when you have a family, isn’t it?
I hope you enjoy the movie!
Honestly, most of my volunteering has been at our church as well. There are so many great causes to get involved with.
It’s fun to feel “used”when it’s by God!
Hi Kimberly! Good to see you here too.
Valerie, I don’t know how you have time for everything you do. You inspire me!
I’ve done a couple of Thanksgiving volunteer gigs. It’s so rewarding, isn’t it?
Hi, Regina. Good to see you!
I love that you’re a musician. The book I’m just finishing features a worship leader as the hero. It’s a bit of a stretch for me, since I’m not a musician myself. But I’ve been in choir and done costumes for the kids’ musicals. It’s so rewarding, and I love being around people with serious musical talent.
Hi, Alicia. I just learned a new word (Catechist), so thank you.
The Lord does indeed work in mysterious, and fascinating ways. May God bless you as well.
I’ve seen the moving being offered on Amazon Prime. How cool to know the story behind it! Congratulations and high fives! From my experience as both an actor and an author, I can appreciate what a large jump you have made. Best wishes for you future projects. Are you planning to convert other of your novels or write directly for screen?
Congratulations! I have volunteered with some charities, some through work and some through church. I’ll have to tell my friends about the movie! I don’t have any way to watch movies at home, as I’m one of the few, rare individuals who still hasn’t bought a DVD player.
Hi Trudy. My mom doesn’t own a DVD player either, so you’re not alone. You could also watch it on Amazon Prime, if you were so inclined.
Hi, Lincoln. What kind of acting do you do…stage or screen?
I’m working on both adapting more books and writing original screenplays.
Hi Lesley, Wow, Congratulations on your movie! It’s great to hear about your journey into screenwriting, and I’m looking forward to watching your movie. Thanks for visiting with us. 😊
Thanks, Narelle!
It has been awhile but most of it was on stage. I did a little bit of video and some voice-over work as well.
Script writing is so different in that it leaves most, if not all, of the description out. I’ve never studied script writing, but I imagine that, once the mindset shift is made, you can run like the wind.
Once again, congratulations!
What a great journey, can be a movie ;)
I volunteer at church – children ministry. We organize conferences and retreats for sunday school teachers.
Our church has a mission called The Giving Boxes. We collect food to fill 1100 large boxes over the course of a year. A week before Thanksgiving, we create an assembly line, fill the boxes, later a turkey is added. The food will create several meals and will feed 10k+ individuals. I’ve been a part of it since its inception.
I’m not sure, either. I always feel like I’m juggling 40 things and all of sudden I’m going to miss a catch, and they’ll all come crashing down… :P
That’s such an important ministry, Natalya. God bless your work.
What a wonderful ministry!
Congratulations! My church had our children’s ministry do a shoe box drive and I participated in that when I was younger. It was always so fun to fill up our shoe box
I’m excited to see your movie is on Amazon Prime! I’m experiencing my first ever home alone overnight since my daughter was born three years ago, so am thankful for something to look forward to!
That is fun. It’s fun to think about the excitement of the recipients.
Wonderful. Enjoy!
Wow! You have a cool story to share! I have done lots of volunteering. My husband and I moved to PA to volunteer for three years and then 10 years later, returned to volunteer for another three years, this time with our three young children. Over the years we’ve also volunteered at Youth For Christ – at their food booth at the fair and also cleaning the dance studio where one of our daughter’s took lessons.
Both I and my husband volunteeredat youth camp several years ago. He helped as handyman kitchen help and I was the camp nurse. We had a great time and got to witness and Minister to several of the teens there.
Youth camp is such a great ministry. My daughters attended for years, and also volunteered. Bless you for doing that!
It’s so much fun to hear the unique ways that people find to serve. Cleaning a dance studio? I never would have thought of that.