Ask the Author: Sydney Tooman Betts
Answered Questions (13)
Sydney Tooman Betts
I wish I could, Rachel. My church played a documentary of their experience, which impressed me deeply. I watched it in 1996 or 97, so it was prior to that time. They were a retired couple who worked with The Jacob Project or something like that. I have since tried to look the info up by that name, but another group uses that name, so either their are two orgs or my memory is faulty. Their method was to translate the Bible, teaching it along the way from Genesis to the gospels so the tribe received God's entire scope and plan--much like what is laid out by Sally Lloyd-Jones in The Jesus Storybook Bible. The response was simply amazing. I did my best to convey exactly what I saw in the film, but I doubt I captured it as well via words. I will never forget it.
Sydney Tooman Betts
Laura, I am so sorry it's taken this long for me to answer. I did not notice your question. Preying Eagle and the horse he was riding (the dapple gray) were simply new to each other. He never intended to leave her, The horse, known to be temperamental, just took off with the others until he asserted his control and they circled back. I am so very happy you enjoyed it enough to re-read it right away!
Sydney Tooman Betts
I miss the characters I've lived with for over a decade while writing the series I just finished. I'd love to go back and see them.
Sydney Tooman Betts
Christine, do you mean Historical Romance or Native American Fiction? The first is easy. I'm a romantic at heart and the past always seems more interesting than the present. The latter would be much harder to answer briefly, but I will try.
When my daughter was in 4th grade, we read a great deal about Native Americans while home-schooling. Not only did the subject capture me imagination, but I was also struck by the lament of a Blackfoot man re: Christianity dividing his people. This stirred my heart, realizing so many efforts on the part of missionaries during the 1800's included colonization in addition to the gospel, forcing many native people to believe they had to abandon their ways of life in order to follow Jesus.
As I began contemplating what might have happened had a purer message been delivered, I remembered a film our church had shown about a couple who became missionaries in Papua New Guinea. The responses of this tribe in New Guinea were amazing, so when the Lord began nudging me to write, they became the basis for my portrayal of the Allies' responses in A River Too Deep.
Did I answer your question?
When my daughter was in 4th grade, we read a great deal about Native Americans while home-schooling. Not only did the subject capture me imagination, but I was also struck by the lament of a Blackfoot man re: Christianity dividing his people. This stirred my heart, realizing so many efforts on the part of missionaries during the 1800's included colonization in addition to the gospel, forcing many native people to believe they had to abandon their ways of life in order to follow Jesus.
As I began contemplating what might have happened had a purer message been delivered, I remembered a film our church had shown about a couple who became missionaries in Papua New Guinea. The responses of this tribe in New Guinea were amazing, so when the Lord began nudging me to write, they became the basis for my portrayal of the Allies' responses in A River Too Deep.
Did I answer your question?
Sydney Tooman Betts
I once had to escape from someone, so I used what happened as part of the first three or so chapters in A River Too Deep
Sydney Tooman Betts
Absolutely! Yesterday, I finished what should be the last galley approval. I'm waiting on the cover and a release date, which I expect will come soon. I'm sorry I can't give you a definitive one yet. Thank you for asking!
Sydney Tooman Betts
Hi! Thank you for asking. It has been pushed to January. :(
Sydney Tooman Betts
A comment made by an acquaintance inspired my most recent book.
Sydney Tooman Betts
Primarily, inspiration for my books comes through the truths the Lord is impressing on my heart.
Sydney Tooman Betts
I am currently writing the third and last book in my series, tentatively titled "Straight Flies the Arrow."
Sydney Tooman Betts
I tell aspiring writers two things: 1) read great literature and 2) purchase the book "The Curious Case of the Missing Modifier" by Bonnie Trenga. I do not know Ms. Trenga, but her little book helped me clean up my writing to make it more effective better than any English or writing course I took in college or grad. school.
Sydney Tooman Betts
My favorite things are the notes I receive from readers, especially those that express the books have in some way or another positively impacted their lives.
Sydney Tooman Betts
When I get writer's block I pray and ask a few others who care about my writing to pray for me also. Very often, once I force myself to sit down and begin, the writing starts to flow again.
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