Welcome, Becky! I’m excited to have you visit…maybe this will get me back into blogging more regularly. Thanks for taking the time for an interview during the launch of your new romance novel, WAVES OF FAITH!
1) What motivates you most as a writer?
That’s a great question–especially for someone who never liked writing! Seriously, I never did. Not in high school, not in college. I even dreaded helping my children with their writing assignments. I taught sixth grade writing—and that was a stretch for me. Yet when I retired, I unexpectedly began a writing journey with a children’s picture book. That first book opened doors for me I never imagined, far beyond my wildest dreams.
Seven years later, I’m honored to have nine books to my credit. Today, what motivates me most is continuing to grow in the craft of writing. I read every day and study the styles and techniques of other authors, always striving to improve. My greatest hope is that when readers discover my books, they will find stories that meet—and perhaps exceed—their expectations.
2) I recall your wonderful children’s books—sent one to our grandson in Argentina! Could you please describe your switch from children’s to the romance genre?
Oh, yes, Gail—now that you mention it, I remember that my book traveled all the way to Argentina!
My transition from children’s books to adult fiction wasn’t exactly planned. It began when I decided to write Unintended Hero, a World War II historical novel inspired by my father’s story. I’ve always felt passionate about preserving family stories, and I knew I needed to honor his sacrifices during the war.
I took a deep breath, prayed, and began writing my first adult novel. At first, it was baby steps. But I did the hard work, and it finally came together. I enjoyed the process so much that I knew adult novels was where I wanted to focus my writing.
That doesn’t mean I no longer enjoy writing children’s books—I love creating them, too. But after my final book in my children’s “traveling” series was published, I decided to devote myself to adult fiction. I’ve especially enjoyed exploring historical romance, and I think I’ve landed!
3) Changing careers seems a big part of your personal history, Becky. Please tell us more about that, and how it all fits in with you having become an author.
For many years, I worked in education—first as a teacher and later as a principal. I was passionate about inspiring my students and nurturing their love of learning.
When I retired, I had personal goals and aspirations, but becoming an author was not one of them! As I mentioned earlier, I never liked writing. But God had a different plan for my retirement years and began opening doors when I least expected it.
My first published children’s book began more or less as an experiment. But once it was published, I caught what I like to call the “writing fever.” I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and eagerly absorbed everything I could learn from the new online author friends God brought into my life. In fact, one of my first new online author friends was you, Gail!
Before long, writing became an unexpected but deeply rewarding new chapter in my life. And now I can say—the rest is history!
In addition to writing children’s books and novels, I also enjoy writing devotionals. Many have been published in Guideposts and “Christians Devotions Ministries.” I’d love for you to check out my own devotional book, What’s in Your Purse?https://amzn.to/482awNV. I’m offering a free copy to one of Gail’s readers.
Becky Van Vleet
Award Winning Multi-genre Author
Becky’s Standalone Books
Unintended Hero
Her Strength Within
What’s In Your Purse?
WWII “Hearts of Mare Island” Series
Waves of Faith
Waves of Peace (coming soon)
Waves of Hope (coming soon)
The Traveling Series Children’s Picture Books
“Stories Rooted in History and Heart”
KATHERINA VON BORA’S LIFE was one of hard work and solid virtue. When she was a young girl, her father placed her in a German convent following his remarriage. She heard Luther’s teachings in her early twenties and accepted his doctrine of justification by faith alone. With some other nuns she contacted the reformer, requesting help to escape the convent. Luther arranged for a delivery-man to smuggle the women out in empty fish barrels. Luther asked the families of the young women to take them back. When they proved unwilling, he found husbands for all of them. However, he was not able to find a place for Katie. Eventually he proposed to her and married her the same day. They seem to have been a happy couple. Her hard work and practical domestic skills (budgeting, raising livestock, and brewing beer) fed and clothed them, their children, several orphans, and the many students who boarded with them. After Luther’s death, Katie reared their younger children alone for six years. Elector John Frederick, the ruler of Saxony, set up a small trust fund and helped her purchase a farm near Wittenberg. However, her land was taxed unmercifully by contending armies during the Schmalkaldic War, leaving her in crushing poverty. As a result, she had to flee. Her animals were confiscated and her house burned to the ground. After peace was restored, Katie borrowed a thousand gulden to rebuild. To repay her loan, she took student boarders. When plague broke out in Wittenberg in 1552, the university staff and students moved to Torgau, a place less affected by the disease. With her boarders gone, Katherina was again in dire financial straits. She decided to follow the university, but her decision proved catastrophic. At the end of the sixty mile trip, not far from the gate of Torgau, her horses bolted and she had to leap from the wagon into a lake. She was lifted from the water severely bruised. Friends carried her into the city. Although she fought for life for three months, the pain and hardships of her latter years sealed her inevitable end. Her last recorded words were, “I will cling to my Lord Christ as a burr on a coat.” On this day, 20 December 1552 she died. Next day, the entire university turned out for her funeral.—Dan Graves