Introducing Elizabeth Van Liere

I am honored to have Elizabeth Van Liere as my guest today. We met each other, through our emails, as fellow authors with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Betty's writings reflect her wisdom and her wit, a winning combination. I am looking forward to reading her newest book, Dare to Laugh. 
I know you will enjoy learning more about this delightful lady and her writings. 


In Betty's own words:

On my last birthday I realized I was 91 and I decided I should start acting like it. But, Dare to Laugh, was in the process of being born, so I knew I had to stick it out a while longer. God has given me these many years and as long as I’m around I want to do all I can for His glory.

How and when did I begin to write? I remember writing a story in about the 4th grade. I had learned about slavery and so I told about a young girl in Africa. She was my age and was captured by slave traders. I traced her journey on a map in the back of my dictionary. What happened to her? I don’t remember. But I think she is the one who started me on my journey of writing.

How did I first become a published writer? In my early thirties my father-in-law underwent cataract surgery. He had to lie perfectly still, his head held by sand bags. His family drew for times to be with him to make sure he obeyed. I happened to draw 4 am to 8 am. About 6 am I began to feel drowsy. Roosters began to crow and my first children’s story woke me up. I sent off “Why the Rooster Lost His Voice” to Child Life magazine. No margins. Single spaced. Probably no paragraphs. What happened would not happen today. They bought it and my pen never left my hand from then on. Until the computer, that is.

A description: Dare to Laugh is not a joke book. The devotions show how it is possible to laugh after the death of a loved one, pain from betrayal of a friend, sorrow because a child has lost their way and for all the sadness life can bring. Yes, tears fall, but we can find laughter again when we know God is there beside us through it all.     

Why did I write it? It happened because God has given me the gift of laughter and I don’t want to lose it by letting sorrow take it away. He is with us in our sorrow as well as in our joy and He understands when we hurt. Because of that I know all that happens to us can become a blessing to share with others.

I have an article due in “The Lookout” on Mother’s Day. I am writing and will lead a women’s Bible study for the next seven weeks. The title: “Dare to Die.” (Easier than doing another “Dare” book)  My main object at the moment is to promote Dare to Laugh with the hope it becomes a blessing to others.

To all writers and would-be writers, “Don’t give up. God will surprise you.”

Join critic groups. Attend conferences. Dare to try.

You can connect with Betty through the following:  


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betty.vanliere

blog: https//viewfromthehilltop.wordpress.com.