Pen Pal Era and the International Youth Service

I'm revealing my generation and age in this post but both are needed to explain the topic and why it makes me feel a little nostalgic. 

It was the late 1970s.  I learned to type, not "keyboard" as my children did, in a typing class using a manual typewriter.  Eventually, I upgraded to an electric typewriter and thought it pretty advanced at the time.  There were no personal computers or cell phones, so text messaging and instant anything were things of the future.  Our world wide web was found in libraries that offered reference books and encyclopedias.  Anyone remember the Dewey Decimal System?  What about pen pals?

In 1977, my high school French teacher believed in cultural exchange through an organization called the International Youth Service (IYS).  Founded in 1952 and located in Finland, the IYS was an international penfriend organization.  For a small fee per address, the IYS matched students (between the ages of ten and twenty) around the world.  Pen pals were found based on age, country, interests and language abilities.  Of course, my French teacher suggested we request students from France, but the beauty of IYS was your name went into a "pool" of students.  This allowed the opportunity to have multiple connections from all over the world.  And I did.

I communicated with several students from Italy, Northern Ireland, England and France.  Some lasted only through a few letters.  Two of them, however, shared letters, postcards, photos, birthdays and Christmas celebrations with me from 1977 until I graduated from college.  Then, as with everyone, "life" started and we all got too busy to write letters.  Contact was lost.  Unfortunately, the pen pal generation ended, as I knew it, and IYS closed its doors in 2008, stating it couldn't compete with the Internet.

It was the Internet that actually allowed me to reconnect with one of my friends.  I received a Facebook message a few years ago from someone asking if I knew one of my former pen pals.  The message came from my friend's daughter and her mom had been looking for me.  Fortunately, my maiden name is part of my full name on Facebook.  She might not have found me otherwise.

From that point on, my friend and I have picked up where we left off, catching up and sharing our lives through emails instead of postal letters.  She still lives in Milan, Italy and is a successful businesswoman.  Luckily for me, her English is perfect.  She refuses to get a Facebook page, but her daughter and I are trying to convince her to change her mind.  Maybe she'll come around to it someday.

As for my other friend, I think I've found him via Google.  When we were young letter writers, he was training to become a chef.  He eventually left Northern Ireland to live in London, and in his letters he'd often explain the training he would go through.  I found my box of letters from that time (I still have all of them) and in one he'd described going to a Bob Dylan concert in London in 1981.  In another, he mentioned going out in London (1981) to "celebrate the wedding of Di and Charley" even though it meant nothing to him.  Recently, when I searched his name online, I found a chef with his own restaurant in Ireland, which seems to being doing well.  I'm happy for him and hope to make contact one day.

I'm surprised, but pleased, the IYS was able to stay operational as long as it did.  I'm also sorry that the younger generations can't experience connecting with people the way I did.  Yes, it's easy and immediate now but at the same time probably less personal.  In my opinion, it's the same with sending Christmas cards (a tradition we still follow).  Nowadays, people send holiday greetings via email, and that's okay.  Times change and eras merge.  Letters rarely go via the USPS, or snail mail as it's commonly referred to now (Pony Express in the old days).  Fast, high-speed, instantaneous...all adjectives to describe our lives today, and the way connections are made around the world.  Perhaps remembering how things were once done helps us appreciate the now.  It does for me...while I readily become nostalgic, too.
 

Daniel's Esperanza

I thought I'd give an update regarding the status of my latest novel, Daniel's Esperanza.  It is complete but I'm researching new publishing options, which takes time.  The manuscript is out and being reviewed by several sources and I hope to have some news soon.  However, if I do go with a new publisher, it could still take awhile before the book is published.  I'm impatient but there isn't much I can do at this point.

Since I've revealed the title in this post, I would like to say Daniel's Esperanza is written for the adult reader.  I've strayed from my previous books, which were middle grade fiction, and tried something new.  I'm very proud of the final product, which I wrote with a sequel in mind.  I'm now outlining the continuing story and can't wait to begin writing.

Being rather superstitious, I'm not comfortable revealing the plot before publication even though the copyright is secured.  I have mentioned research for the book took me to New Mexico and a wild horse sanctuary, but that's all I will divulge now.  Hopefully, waiting will make the story that much more enjoyable.

Thanks to all who take the time to read my blog posts.  It is appreciated.  I do hope publication isn't delayed too much longer.

Fountaindale Public Library Author Fair

The Fountaindale Public Library will hold its annual Author Fair on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Bolingbrook, Illinois.  I'll be attending with a host of other authors, representing many genres, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Stop by if you're in the area and say hello.  I will have copies of my books, Billy's First Dance and Funny Pages, for sale and will be happy to sign them, as well.  My latest novel has yet to be published, but I have information to share about it...it's coming soon.

The Fountaindale Public Library is located at 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL  60440.

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to meeting some new folks.  As always, it's great to support your local library.
                                 

Where the Red Fern Grows

If I could recommend one children's book that all adults should read, it would be Wilson Rawls' Where the Red Fern Grows.  Set in the Ozarks, the wonderful story was introduced to me in elementary school by a teacher, Miss Wilder (I never knew her first name), and the personalities of Old Dan and Little Ann still warm my heart.

Originally published in 1961, the tale is one of simpler times but the life lessons are relevant today.  Or they should be.   Some people could learn a great deal from the fictional character, Billy Coleman.  At age ten, Billy teaches us that working hard and saving his money for something he wants, but doesn't need, is worth the wait.  When he finally makes his big purchase, the "package" he's been working nearly two years for makes its arrival in the form of a couple of squirming Redbone Coonhound dogs.

Calling the hounds Old Dan and Little Ann, Billy and his dogs become inseparable.  He cares for them and trains them, watching in wonder as the dogs' instincts prove them superior in doing what they were born to do...hunt.  This causes conflict with the competition.

While the story is heartwarming, the strength of character shown by such a young boy stays with the reader.  Loyalty, compassion, responsibility and love are reflected through Billy's actions with his dogs and family.  You root for Billy and his hounds. 

While I won't give away the ending, you will need that tissue box.  However, the author softens the tragedy by introducing us to the Native American legend of the sacred red fern.  It provides acceptance, closure and allows us and Billy to move on.

Where the Red Fern Grows is over two hundred pages in paperback.  Amazon indicates the book is for ages eight and up, but I might classify it as being for middle grade kids.  If you wish your younger child to read it, I would suggest parents read the story first for content, or better yet, read the story to your children.  I shared it with my daughters when they were younger.  If you don't have children, it's still a good story.  Good children's books aren't just for children.

By the way, a movie was made from the story many years ago.  My advice?  Skip it and pick up the book instead.  You will feel and see Billy and his dogs through Wilson Rawls' words.  Those visuals and emotions are lost in the movie's translation.

Joliet Public Library's Regional Author Fair

For anyone in the area of Joliet, Illinois on Saturday, October 13, 2012, consider stopping by the Joliet Public Library's Regional Author Fair.  Held at the Black Road Branch of the library, it will run from 11 am - 3 pm and will feature a number of authors selling and signing their books.   For a list of authors and their websites, please check out the following link, sponsored by the library at Joliet Public Library Author Fair 2012.

This will be my second year to attend and I look forward to meeting everyone who stops by and says hello.  I'll have copies of my books, Billy's First Dance and Funny Pages, for sale and will be happy to sign copies.

This is a great way for the public to meet authors and learn about their work.  If you have any questions, contact the library via the above link.  To learn more about my books, check out the links I have here or visit my website at www.veronicabatterson.com.

The Power of a Review

Recently a friend of mine gave my book, Billy's First Dance, a very nice review on Amazon.  It wasn't solicited and I didn't ask him to buy or read it.  He just did.  Quite frankly, when he told me he'd ordered the book, it made me nervous.  I worried that he would think I'd made light of a serious topic.

The subject matter paralleled with my friend's life in that his late son had Spina Bifida.  Billy, one of the characters in my book, also has this congenital defect of the spine.  I created a quirky little story, incorporating a cast of characters around Billy, that portrays life with humor and sarcasm.  It touches on coming of age during a more innocent time and it's fiction.  My friend liked it.  He was also gracious and kind with his review.  I'd like to share his words with you...please read what he had to say by either going directly to Amazon and searching my name/books or by clicking here at amazon review.

I shared his thoughts on various social sites and, as a result, sales are picking up again.  It's interesting to see how words are capable of making things happen.  Many of us spend months, even years, working on and nurturing a manuscript.  We release our baby to the world and then wonder what happens to it.  We're grateful when it's read and overjoyed when someone likes it.  It's "icing on the cake" when we get a positive review.  Readers have a lot of power when giving kind feedback and authors appreciate it.

Someone asked me once if I wrote about my life or people I knew.  At this point the answer would be no.  As for topics, particularly with respect to Billy, my books aren't autobiographical in nature and they aren't biographies.  I had a cousin with Spina Bifida who lost his life at an early age.  Perhaps that gave me the idea to create such a character.  But the stories are just fiction.  I guess this made my friend's review that much more heartfelt.

My books, Billy's First Dance and Funny Pages, both for the middle grade and young adult readers, have received positive reviews on various sites such as Goodreads, Buybooksontheweb and Amazon.  I do appreciate all of them and would appreciate even more.

Right now, I'm working on a book for "grown-ups" that takes place in the American southwest.  It's an ambitious endeavor, involving a great deal of research.  When I allow this child to take flight, I want to know what kind of impact he/she is having on anyone taking a look.  Feedback and reviews are always welcome.

Public Libraries...A Nice Place to Visit Any Time of the Year

When my children were younger, summer started with a visit to our local library. Both of my daughters had their own library cards. They would each get a bag of books (there wasn't a limit as to how many books one could check out at a given time) and spend long summer days on our screened porch, escaping to far away places with their imaginations.

Library books accompanied us on vacations, to the pool, on picnics and in our backyard. Those books coexisted with swim lessons, cookouts, baseball games, fireworks and sleepovers.

Looking back, I can't imagine summer without our library. We made several visits throughout the three month break, taking advantage of what that big, old building had to offer our community. I was always surprised when I learned of someone who had never stepped inside its doors. What a loss to them.

But libraries are wonderful places to explore any time of the year. Many educational programs are offered, often after school, on weekends and evenings for children to enjoy. Some explore other cultures, while learning about history and different languages. Various classes throughout the year are provided to children, teens, adults and seniors focusing on everything from special interests, hobbies and lifestyle improvement. All can benefit from utilizing our libraries...and one can't forget the books.

Even though technology has changed the way we read books today, a visit to the library is still a treat for me and brings back warm memories of when my children were little. I remember discovering new authors' works in the library. Many became some of my favorite storytellers.

Public libraries are nice introductions to the world of books for children. They help establish a foundation in reading and can nurture a lifelong passion for books. The two books in the photograph are my published works and I'm seeing them slowly make appearances on the shelves of these public buildings. I find it an honor for them to be there. I hope many enjoy escaping with their stories on a lazy, summer day, just as my own children did several years ago.