Donna Clayton
Donna Clayton is an accomplished romance novelist who transitioned from being a dedicated housewife and mother to a successful author after her husband encouraged her to write. Her journey into writing began when her youngest son started school, prompting her to explore a new career. Within eighteen months, she completed her debut manuscript, *Mountain Laurel*, which became a finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest and was subsequently published by Silhouette in May 1990. Clayton's writing is celebrated for its engaging storytelling and romantic chemistry, earning her two Holt Medallions throughout her career: one in 1995 for *Wife for a While* and another in 1999 for *Who's the Father of Jenny's Baby?*.
Outside of her writing, Clayton enjoys various hobbies, including hiking, biking, and traveling with her husband, reflecting a vibrant life beyond her literary pursuits. She appreciates solitude as a source of inspiration, often using it to craft her characters and narratives. Her multifaceted life contributes to the depth and allure found in her novels, making her a notable figure in the romance genre.
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Donna Clayton
Writer
- Born: May 17, 1927
- Died: May 17, 1927
Biography
Donna Clayton was perfectly happy reading romance novels until her husband suggested she write one. A housewife and mother, Clayton worked full-time at what she calls “one of life’s most important occupations”: raising children. When her youngest son started school, she was set on getting a job when her husband suggested that she try writing a book. Eighteen months later, she completed her first manuscript, Mountain Laurel, and it was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest. The publishing company Silhouette bought the book and published it in May, 1990. Her second book only took her ten weeks to complete; the author was motivated by a publishing contract and an advance check. Clayton won her first Holt Medallion in 1995 for Wife for a While, which she says was a high point in her career. However, her second Holt, which she received in 1999 for Who’s the Father of Jenny’s Baby?, was just as thrilling. Romantic Times magazine called Clayton’s writing “skillful, smooth and enticing.” Critics say the author has “sensual chemistry” and “heated passion” in her writing, which may have been due to Clayton’s full life. When not writing, the author maintained several hobbies, including walking on the beach and hiking in the mountains. She enjoyed biking, reading, and keeping in touch with friends and family. She said she loved to travel with her husband and collected cookbooks, despite the fact her time for cooking and baking took a backseat to her writing career. Still, she remained committed to her life as a writer and took some time to be by herself. As she said, “Solitude is great for coming up with strong, handsome heroes, headstrong heroines and those offbeat situations in which two clash, and ultimately keel head- over-feet in love.”