Every author’s journey begins somewhere—even with a fourth-grade story told from a dog’s point of view! Step behind the scenes with Scrivenings Press author Betty Woods as she answers some of her readers’ most frequently asked questions. From childhood storytelling and a lifelong love of history to the faith that inspires her novels, discover how Betty turned her passion for writing into stories filled with hope, encouragement, and romance.
Living in Imaginary Worlds: Answers to the Questions You Ask Most
I’ve been asked the same questions by multiple readers since my first book released in 2022, so answering those frequently asked questions might be something other readers would like to know about those of us who live in imaginary worlds and spin tales into books.
A lot of people ask how long I’ve been writing. I’ve been a storyteller since I was a kid. I still have my first “book” I wrote in fourth grade from my dog’s point of view. I got an A. 
We did neighborhood variety shows in our garage in the summer. I wrote the skits. I wrote stories in high school. I still have those handwritten stories. Just for fun, I tried writing a full-length novel about thirty years ago based loosely on one of those high school stories. I finished it and set it aside, not sure what to do with it. In God’s own timing, I recently rewrote that horribly written novel and titled it A Troubling Pledge. It will release as book four of my Troubles of the Heart series next May. The idea for Treasure and Trouble, the first book in this series, came from that book I wrote so many years ago.
Which leads to another often-asked question—why I write. God gave me the gift of encouragement. He nudged me to use my love for telling stories to lift up people who needed built up and strength to keep on keeping on when life gets rough. A lot of my characters feel as if they’re stumbling by faith instead of walking by faith when they’re struggling to walk in God’s will. Life doesn’t just throw us curveballs at times. Some days it’s as if we’re pins in a bowling alley fighting not to get knocked down. I write for people going through times like that. God never lets go of His children, no matter how hard life gets. He’s with us no matter what. I’m an eternal optimist, so I write romance stories that always have a happy ending.
Readers also want to know how I get ideas for my books. I’ve been an incurable history buff since I was a teen. History was my favorite subject in school. Reading old diaries, newspapers, and other firsthand accounts of days gone by is my kind of fun. I can get lost in other people’s stories for hours. If a reader learns more about our past while I’m entertaining them, I’m very happy to help them.
One interesting article gave me an idea for a book. My debut novel Love’s Twisting Trail is based loosely on the true story of a woman who disguised herself as a man to go on a cattle drive. No one knew who she really was until she chose to tell the trail boss. My vivid imagination took off with this idea and turned it into a romance. Many of the incidents in the book are based on accounts from cowboys on the trail as they crossed swollen rivers and dealt with Comanches and wild animals. Sometimes a minor character in a book grips my heart so much I have to tell his or her story in the next book. Cantankerous Toby Grimes in my first novel meets his match in Redemption’s Trail, the second book in the Trails of the Heart series.
And yes, I do know what all those words mean that I use in my stories. I’ve loved words all my life. English classes were easy for me. My husband says I’m so talkative that I have to write in order to get my ten thousand words per day in. Otherwise, I’m still talking to him as he falls asleep at night. I’m happy to sit in front of my computer and talk to my imaginary friends who tell me their stories. Writing may also keep my sweet husband’s ears from getting sore from having to listen to me as much.
I’m so thankful God allows me to create stories with His guidance and inspiration that encourage others along the way. When life hands you lemons, don’t just settle for making lemonade. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8.
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Betty Woods
Release date: May 19, 2026
Other books in the Troubles of the Heart Series: Treasure and Trouble, and A Troubling Suggestion
Read the first three chapters for FREE here
After being rejected by her rogue father and betrayed by another man, Angelique DuBois does not trust any supposed gentleman. She’s happy to devote herself to caring for her older aunt and frail uncle who took her in and gave her the loving home she’s never had.
When false rumors threaten Nathanael Williams’ reputation and his family’s business, he travels to Tennessee to escape them. He’ll stay long enough for the scandal to die down. Then return to Charleston. Angelique fears her aunt and uncle are making a huge mistake taking in a man like Nathanael who reminds her of the men who hurt her and might not be as innocent as he claims.
For Nathanael, redeeming himself in the intriguing Angelique’s eyes goes from a pleasant diversion to while away his time to winning her love and returning to Charleston with her as his wife. But going with him means she has to leave her beloved Tennessee family behind. Which she’ll choose, Nathanael isn’t sure.
Betty Woods writes heartwarming romance with a Southern accent. She’s an incurable history buff who was mistaken for the tour guide at an historical site while answering her grandchildren’s questions. When not living in her make-believe nineteenth-century world, she enjoys time with her family, especially vacations with children, grandchildren, and sometimes great-grands. Going on RV trips with her husband and Chihuahua to research information for books is another one of her favorite activities.
Email:
Address: 15 Lucky Lane
Phone : 501-289-9319
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