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Elizabeth Van Tassel

From Diamonds to Wildfires,
Stories and Life Lessons from the Ashes

Elizabeth Van Tassel

Middle Grade Fantasy Author, Public Speaker

I write Middle Grade Fantasy. You might uncover a gem or two. You’ll definitely find legend and adventure.

Elizabeth Van Tassel writes compelling middle-grade fantasy. She brings her knowledge and expertise in gemology to the page and infuses her love of folklore into modern adventures filled with mystery.

A wildfire survivor, Elizabeth also understands both the power of loss and the power of hope. She shares her story of resilience and creative flair at public speaking events and in her writing for magazines and blogs. Elizabeth lives in the Northwest with her two sons and husband of more than twenty years. She loves wandering through gardens, exploring lakes, dabbling in painting, savoring her favorite coffee, and dreaming up stories with other writers.

About ElizabethWriting Wildfire Story
Elizabeth Van Tassel
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Recent Thorn & Vine Posts

Author Elizabeth Van Tassel holding Warriors Against The Storm Anthology

Warriors Against The Storm Anthology

October 9, 2020

I wanted to share some good news and thank you all for your prayers and support the last several months especially! As some of you know, I’ve been working on fundraisers for a dear author friend who lost her home and wellness to mold poisoning. As a wildfire survivor who’s had to rebuild her own life, I couldn’t just sit by and watch as Mary Weber and her family dealt with so much (more background HERE). So, I reached out to friends and over time we built a big team—and the team has just done something AMAZING. It has been… 

Read More

Dust Blog Tour Stop #12 and Interview

June 11, 2020

Hey Lost Boys and Girls welcome to the Dust Blog Tour which features my friend author Kara Swanson with her amazing Peter Pan retelling called Dust. It will debut on July 21, 2020 and I would highly recommend a pre-order. By participating in the whole blog tour, you can read many interviews with her and also win gorgeous swag. But watch out for Captain Hook along the way! To get in the mood, I brought all my treasures together with Peter Pan and Wendy and the family – including this map and teapot and mug. And pixie dust. So, without… 

Read More
A Walk In The Gardens With An Author's Eye with author Elizabeth Van Tassel garden house and flowers in background at Filoli Gardens.

A Walk In The Garden With An Author’s Eye

May 15, 2020

A Moment of Beauty at Filoli Gardens I received the most wonderful email last week saying, with precautions in place, a local historic garden I love to visit (and want to write about some day) was opening this week. You can bet I was there the day and moment they opened with my mask (that makes me look like a gangster) and took a walk through their beautiful paths that twist around the historic home. In case you also need a moment of beauty while on lockdown or as things ease and open in your area (we are at over… 

Read More

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A wonderful landscape 🖼️ workshop with @allie A wonderful landscape 🖼️ workshop with @alliezeyerfineart set my inner artist 👩‍🎨 free this week! Here’s how to find your #artistheart again:
🚶‍♀️Go for a walk 
📷Take photos of nature
🌷🌻🌼Look for small moments of majesty 🏯🕍Or look for pretty buildings or structures 
👤Just as in life, the shadows help the light 💡 shine brighter
📓Planning helps with everything 
👩‍🎨Look for inspiration and mentors (big help: your local art shops) 
🎨🖌️Just enjoy mixing paints and colors
💕Let it get messy 
🖼️Find order and watch the joy arise

Thank you to @annesorensenart for hosting us in your lovely studio! I love #idahoartists #artlife #artcommunity 

#fineart #artreels #artreelsofinstagram #artlife #painteveryday #creativeart #kidlit #mglit #yalit #creativeminds #creativelifehappylife #creativejournaling #creativeprocess #bookish #booklover #creativepost #creativeuprising #creativewoman #creativecommunity
New adventures in art! I've been exploring paintin New adventures in art! I've been exploring painting and illustration! As a Gemologist (with degrees in color grading gems) I'm loving being back in this medium. It's been refreshing connecting with the local watercolor and painting communities which have been so welcoming. It absolutely also contributes to my creativity as a writer - and seems to free some part inside that wants to bubble to the surface after laying dormant for so long. I used to do acrylics and watercolor, and ceramics and other mediums but it's been...a long time. What did you enjoy doing that you miss? Go out today and find a way to connect with your own sense of joy and beauty, it gives fresh perspective for your work life and as a mom as well.

Today's reels also feature a wonderful landscapes workshop with @alliezeyerfineart in the wonderful studio of @annesorensenart who are both so very talented #idahoartists 

#fineart #artlife #painteveryday #creativeart #kidlit #mglit #yalit #creativeminds #creativelifehappylife #creativejournaling #creativeprocess #bookish #booklover #creativepost #creativeuprising #creativewoman #creativecommunity
Come visit the location that inspired my current # Come visit the location that inspired my current #amwriting WIP - I was swept away by Sun Valley, Idaho when John and I needed a little escape to celebrate Valentine’s Day belatedly. Walking around the village and seeing all the powdered-sugar covered mountains was just so magical. I sat down to write this week, and all I could think about was those beautiful mountains and they found their way into my current writing project - very fun. If you go to my reels, you’ll see the gondola 🚠 climb up and down the mountain, the view from the top at an amazing restaurant that captures, the ❄️ majesty - it was such a breath of fresh air and I love including real locations in my writing. Do you do that as well? Here’s hoping your words and worlds are filled with majesty and awe today. My husband and I are pictured at a historic theater that looks like an old town in Bavaria but we were able to see the new Ant 🐜 man Quantumania movie there. It also had a stage where famous artists and celebrities from the 1940s 50s and 60s used visit together so it was pretty neat. 

Have you been somewhere recently that is inspiring your reading or writing life? Hope you enjoy sharing ours today - back to the writing I go!

#sunvalleyidaho #sunvalley #sunvalleylodge #writinglife #writinglifestyle #authorlife #kidlit #amwritingfantasy #putalittleloveinyourheart #mountaingetaway #writinginspiration #creativelifehappylife
Escape to the mountains 🏔️ after weeks and mo Escape to the mountains 🏔️ after weeks and months of a challenging time, hubby and I enjoyed the adventure of exploring Sun ☀️ Valley for the first time. Going to the top of the mountain for lunch was glorious! I’m so inspired by the beautiful view and even if it was just for a day… very special. ❤️❄️❤️✨❤️❄️ a little adventure goes a long way. Hoping you have one this weekend too! 

#takeabreak #takeabreath #mountainhigh #sunvalleyidaho #escape #datenight #authorlife #scopefortheimagination #mountainreels #snowreels #amomentofwonder #romanticreels #idaholove
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Testimonials

Hear what others are saying about Elizabeth Van Tassel

—Pam Farrel, author of 47 books including bestselling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti

“Elizabeth’s life is a testimony and tribute to her wisely walked words of wisdom. She IS RESILIENT in every sense of the word.”

Pam Farrel, author of 47 books
including bestselling Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti

—Kathleen Freeman, Northwest Christian Writers Association Program Coordinator

“Our NCWA group had the pleasure this week of hearing Elizabeth Van Tassel speak. She was professional, fun, and a delightful speaker. In her talk, she took us through disaster, story-telling skills drawing us in, and fabulous pictures holding us. She pulled our hearts along… Read more “—Kathleen Freeman, Northwest Christian Writers Association Program Coordinator”

Kathleen Freeman,
Northwest Christian Writers Association Program Coordinator

—Soncee Partida, Director of Development, Maranatha Christian Schools

“Elizabeth exudes infectious enthusiasm! There is no smell of smoke, no after effect of ash, no char from the flames that claimed all her worldly possessions. Hers is a joy genuinely journeyed. Her remarkable story of resilience will leave you forever changed.”

Soncee Partida,
Director of Development, Maranatha Christian Schools

– Debbie Hamer, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) mentor director

“During her children’s young years, Elizabeth was a compassionate leader and sought to help other MOPS moms by sharing her stories of endurance and miracles. When she spoke to our group, her hope to rise above difficult circumstances encouraged many.”

Debbie Hamer,
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) mentor director

-Sara Ella, young adult author for Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson

“As a mom, I’m always seeking clean adventure reads for my girls. Elizabeth’s storytelling can only be described as magical. Her passion for the Word shines through her writing. Tweens (and adults) will be swept away by Elizabeth’s imaginative story-world.”

Sara Ella,
young adult author for Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson

-Sally John, novelist, Family of the Heart Series, Side Roads Series, and others

“From being my cohort in surviving a wildfire, to using her perspective of resilience to inspire others, Elizabeth’s enthusiasm helps her audience and friends find fresh hope.”

Sally John, novelist,
Family of the Heart Series, Side Roads Series, and others

– Nadine Brandes, young adult author for Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson

“Elizabeth’s passion for the life story God’s given her helps youth and parents alike to rise above the weight of this world.”

Nadine Brandes,
young adult author for Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson

– Bob Hamer, former undercover FBI agent. Author of American Heroes of the Homefront

“Elizabeth and her family have faced great challenges and refused to let their light dim. We’ve walked in their home’s ashes and witnessed their medical miracles first-hand. What Elizabeth has crafted helps others live with more resilience whatever they’ve faced and will help this generation… Read more “– Bob Hamer, former undercover FBI agent. Author of American Heroes of the Homefront“

Bob Hamer, former undercover FBI agent.
Author of American Heroes of the Homefront

– Sandra H. Esch, President, San Diego American Christian Fiction Writers, author of the Amber Leaf Trilogy

“Elizabeth has an uncanny ability to see a broader picture and the energy and generosity of heart to share it with wit and wisdom. To say she lit up our audience is an understatement.”

Sandra H. Esch, President,
San Diego American Christian Fiction Writers, author of the Amber Leaf Trilogy

– Tina Radcliffe, Harlequin Love Inspired author and Seekerville Blog

“Elizabeth is the real thing. She radiates joy inside and out. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and it’s evidenced by joy. That’s the message she lives and delivers.”

Tina Radcliffe,
Harlequin Love Inspired author and Seekerville Blog

Great Gems

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