Meet Heather Wood

by | Sep 10, 2024 | Author Interviews | 0 comments

Meet Heather Wood

One of the many blessings of the writing community is I get to meet new authors. I’ve yet to meet Heather in person, but it’s a blessing to have her on my blog today. (Also, Heather is generously giving away a print copy of her book, Weaving Roots, to one U.S. Residents. Details at the end.)

Heather Wood grew up in the Chicago suburbs, loving history, classic literature, writing stories, and Civil War reenacting. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Bible/Theology from Appalachian Bible College, she settled in Virginia with her husband David. Her early passions fuel her writing today, although she spends most of her days now working to infuse her love for God and good literature into the hearts of her four children.

You can connect with her through:  Website  |  Newsletter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  

Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit Heather with rapid-fire.

 

CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?

HW: Pineapple pizza

CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?

HW: Test the waters

CC: Guacamole or salsa?

HW: Guacamole 

CC: Silly hats or silly socks?

HW: Silly socks

CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?

HW: passwords, the more clever the better

I love clever passwords, but the trick is remembering them. LOL! Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of this interview.

What fiction book has most impacted you?

HW: Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

CC: I’ve heard good things about that one.

What is one book you think everyone should read, aside from the Bible?

HW: God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew

CC: I’ve not heard of that one. I’ll have to check it out.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer.

HW: After I finished my first book in my thirties.

CC: The thrill of finishing a project is really something, isn’t it?

What has been the biggest challenge for you on your writing journey? 

HW: Weaving together the “magic” of my creative side with knowledge of the writing craft.

CC: That is definitely a challenge!

How have you seen God work through your writing journey?

HW: Absolutely! He regularly provides inspiration in my books that I know didn’t come from me.

CC: I love watching him work.

Do you have any advice for those who want to write their own stories?

HW: Read, read, read! By being a voracious reader, you start to see what you like in story, how plots are formed, the amount of details included you like, and so on.

Now I’m excited to talk about Weaving Roots.

Baltimore, 1828
Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?
Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs.
Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger? Weaving linen is her family’s legacy. Weaving roots of truth and grace is her calling.

Purchase your copy at  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble

CC: Where did you get the idea for the story?

HW: It started with the little lines I put into my first book about my characters’ parents that I was forced to work with in order to write their story. As I began to develop the parents’ character arcs and journey, it took me back to their childhood. The plot came from the real history of the Oliver Hibernian Free school in Baltimore.
CC: I love the connection to the Oliver Hibernian Free School.
What about this story drew you to it? 

HW: How relatable it is. I’m always struck by how our generation’s problems aren’t new and people have feared and struggled with the same things through much of history.

 

CC: As they say, there is nothing new under the sun.
Which readers will be the ones who most love this book?
HW: Readers of character-driven stories with dynamic characters, strong faith that isn’t preachy, and a side of romance.
CC: All great elements in a book.
What was some of your favorite research you discovered while preparing for this story?
HW: I loved going to Baltimore and seeing the real locations and touching the real documents from the Hibernian Society minutes in the research library there.
CC: Oh, travel research is the best!
How did this story affect you as you wrote it? Did God teach you anything?
HW: I wrestled through the question of what is our responsibility and what is God’s responsibility in raising children. When do we fight for them and when do we let go and leave them with God? Can we do both at the same time? As a mom, it’s an important lesson to learn and I appreciated the scriptures this question took me to.
CC: Those are some tough questions to wrestle through.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

HW: That life wasn’t easier in “the good old days” and the same God who was trustworthy and carried his people through difficult circumstances back then is the same God we can turn to today.

CC: Amen.

I always like to end with a fun question so . . . 

You find a genie in a lamp. What three wishes would you make?
HW: 1) to see my loved ones follow God,  2) to have a reputation of integrity and truth, and 3) to have a summer camp with my Christian Mommy Writers friends and their families so our kids can play together every year.
CC: Those are wise choices, and that last one is especially fun. 
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Weaving Roots and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.  

Giveaway

Heather is giving away a print copy of Weaving Roots to one continental U.S. resident. Contest runs from now until 9/17 at 11:59 pm EST.

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Reader, how has God used fiction to impact YOUR life?

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  1. In Which I’m Hit with a Rapid Fire Round! – Heather Wood, Author - […] honored to be a guest on Crystal Caudill’s blog this week! Check out the post, because it includes a…

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