A NEW STUDENT, ALL OVER AGAIN by BECKY VAN VLEET

A NEW STUDENT, ALL OVER AGAIN by BECKY VAN VLEET
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Talitha, the Traveling Skirt

AUTHOR: Becky Van Vleet

PUBLISHER: Elk Lake Publishing Inc

GENRE: Children’s Picture Book

SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand Alone

TARGET AGE: 3-8 years

IT IS A JOY TO WELCOME MY NEW FRIEND AND AUTHOR BECKY VAN VLEET TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. BECKY SHARES HOW ADVICE SHE GAVE HER STUDENTS AS AN EDUCATOR NOW SERVES HER IN HER WRITING ENDEAVORS.

BECKY IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR A COPY OF HER CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK TALITHA, THE TRAVELING SKIRT.

A NEW STUDENT, ALL OVER AGAIN

Becky Van Vleet

As a new sixty-something writer, I don’t know that I have any special tips or advice to pass along to “older” writers, or even those younger than me. But I will say that we are all lifelong learners no matter our age.

I enjoyed some freelance writing attempts for church bulletins back in the 1980s and 1990s, but other than that, I don’t have a lot of experience and practice. It was only about a year and a half ago that I started tapping at my keyboard and some new writing attempts emerged. And with a great deal of patience, hard work, encouragement and support, my first children’s picture book, Talitha, the Traveling Skirt, was published in August 2019. When I say first, naturally I’m eager to try again!

I was inspired to write this children’s book because a little skirt, hand-sewn right after WW2, has been traveling in my family from city to city, from state to state, for more than 70 years. To create a fun tale for children, I personified the little skirt and made “her” the main character.

As a retired elementary teacher and later principal, I will let you in on a writing strategy that has worked for me. Because I have little professional writing experience and even less knowledge of the publishing industry, my feeble efforts today have taken me back to my teaching/principal days. I find myself asking, how did I guide my students when I taught writing in grades six and eight? What kinds of advice did I later give my students as their principal?

Well, first, I always told my students to give their best efforts. No shortcuts. Turn your homework in on time, maybe even early, and work really hard. So, now I am applying this advice to my own writing today. If I need to do research, then I need to do it and not procrastinate. If I have a goal to finish a writing project, then I need to stick with it and not give up.

I always told my students not to stress out and to enjoy their educational experiences. I try not to stress about my writing efforts today because I want to enjoy my new writing path.

As a principal, I had many conversations with students to not succumb to peer pressure, to stay true to themselves. As I write today, I try to shoo peer pressure out the door. I read spectacular blogs and riveting books galore, but I won’t compare myself to other fabulous writers who have numerous published works. Un-huh, won’t go there!

Choosing friends wisely, staying close to them, sincerely listening to them, was advice I shared quite frequently with my students. I try to remember that guidance I offered. Today, I listen to advice from other writers and I try to stay close to them, many of whom are unmet friends. I value their input. I can learn and grow from them.

I chuckle from time to time as I think about my new-fangled writing journey and how I have become a new student all over again. Yes, I am indeed a lifelong learner!

Book Cover Blurb for Talitha, The Traveling Skirt

Meet Talitha, a little plaid skirt that likes to travel. Through the years, she visits many two-year-old girls in a special family who wear her to get their pictures taken. But Talitha encounters problems when she least expects them. Filled with colorful and detailed illustrations, young children will delight in this heartwarming story about a little skirt’s adventures.

Amazon buy link

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A COPY OF TALITHA, THE TRAVELING SKIRT bETWEEN NOW AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1^ST AT MIDNIGHT MST.

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal. She and her husband make their home in Colorado Springs, where Becky enjoys gardening and hiking and biking in the great outdoors. Becky relishes spending time with her family and especially reading books to her grandchildren. Her website is devoted to creating and preserving family memories while connecting generations.

Connect with Becky:

website

Facebook

Instagram

SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/31/2020 7:16:04 PM

Thank you, Gretchen, for stopping by Patti's blog. And yes, "older writers" can step forward with new writing paths and see what kinds of doors will open!

Gretchen Carlson From Indiana At 1/30/2020 6:13:20 PM

This looks like a delightful book! You give me hope that "older" writers can be published!

Reply by: Patti Shene

I agree with you, Gretchen. She inspires that hope in me as well. Thank you for stopping by and entering the drawing for a copy of Tailtha, the Traveling Skirt.

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/29/2020 1:18:39 PM

Thank you, Tiana! Yes, becoming a student all over again has been fun as well as a new opportunity for growth. Thank you for stopping by Patti's blog!

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/29/2020 1:17:31 PM

Hi Jincy! Oh, your kind words give me such joy. Writing this book, preserving a piece of some very special family history, has blessed me beyond measure. And hopefully this book has blessed others as well, especially within our family. Love you to the moon and back!

Tiana W. From Greensboro NC At 1/28/2020 10:20:22 AM

I love the advice! It seems like you are enjoying the journey and learning along the way! Pursuing your passion is an inspiration!!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Tiana. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment for Becky.

Jincy Troyan Snell?? From Texas At 1/27/2020 8:38:54 PM

So proud of you and your beautiful writing skills as you tell our family’s heartfelt story. You have shared our family heritage with deep love. You’re living proof that you are never too old to set another goal... or to dream a new dream. Love you and your amazingness??

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Jincy. So glad you stopped by! I love hearing the story Becky has told about the little skirt. I am blessed to have made her acquaintance.

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/25/2020 6:23:31 PM

Jane, it sound like you have a great tradition in your family as well. I love it! And I do hope you enjoy your writing conference. Have fun!

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/25/2020 6:20:08 PM

Gail, thank you for your ideas. I'll definitely keep your blog in mind and a FB connection as well. Yes, this new writing path sometimes seems like a 2nd or 3rd or 4th...career!

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/25/2020 6:18:07 PM

Jerolyn, thank you for stopping by Patti's blog. I appreciate your compliments! Yes, it was very meaningful to write a children's book inspired by my own family's journey.

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/25/2020 6:15:58 PM

Hi Vivian--thanks for stopping by Patti's blog. Yes, I think your young nieces would enjoy this book. From feedback I'm hearing, young children not only enjoy reading about Talitha, but they like the dog, Tippy, who travels along too! (And Tippy was a real dog in my family.)

Becky Van Vleet From CO At 1/25/2020 6:13:29 PM

Thank you, Cleo, for the compliment. I'm glad your granddaughters like the book. Stay tuned for my "boy" book coming out in August!

Cleo Lampos From Chicago, IL At 1/24/2020 7:28:54 PM

Such a delightful book. My grand daughters enjoyed reading it as much as I did. Classic.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Cleo. Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us!

Vivian Furbay From Colorado Springs, C At 1/24/2020 6:35:29 AM

This sounds like a cute story my nieces would like. They are ages 4, 5, and 6.

Reply by: Patti Shene

I'm sure they would enjoy it, Vivian. Thank you for stopping by.

Jerolyn From Southeast Colorado At 1/23/2020 1:31:21 PM

Hi, Becky. Thank you for sharing your "lessons" with us. Great reminders for all of us! The book sounds fun, and I love the fact that you patterned it after a special piece of your family's journey. God bless you!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Jerolyn! Always glad to see you stop by. Thank you for leaving a comment for Becky.

Gail Kittleson From Iowa At 1/23/2020 11:55:30 AM

Hi Becky, Your book sounds like fun - glad you're enjoying a second (or third) career. If you ever would like to promote on another blog, mine is always available...www.gailkittleson.com You can FB me --always welcome author friends!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Gail. So good to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by and letting us know you were here. It's fun for me to see friends of mine connect!

Becky M Van Vleet From Colorado At 1/23/2020 11:34:32 AM

Dave, yes, I think it's a fun book, if I may say so myself!! Although it's probably geared more for little girls, I've received feedback that little guys like it too. Stay tuned, I have another "traveling" book coming out in August which will be geared more toward little guys!

Jane C Baker From CA At 1/23/2020 11:20:27 AM

I'm a retired teacher, too. Your blog touched my heart. Thanks. I'm headed for Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference in April, and I'll keep your advice in mind. My family has passed down puxtures embellyshed with beads and glitter etc. made by my husband's Great Grandmother Preston.

Reply by: Patti Shene

HI Jane. Wow, what a neat family tradition! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. May God bless you at Mt. Hermon!

Dave From www.elijahblog.com At 1/23/2020 10:54:25 AM

A book about a skirt? How crazy! How fun!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Dave, I’ve often thought this book would be fun for your grand children. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Becky M Van Vleet From Colorado At 1/22/2020 11:44:07 AM

Thank you, Patti, for featuring me in your blog post today. It's been a fun new path to start writing "later in life"! Here is a question for your readers: Do any of you have any special garments or items that have been traveling around in your family through the generations?