Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Richards.
Beth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Beth Richards—a Texas native, writer, wife, and mom of two. I draw inspiration from every corner of life: the great outdoors, the richness of history, the ever-changing pulse of politics, the wonder of science, and the kind of romance that lingers long after the last page. Creativity has always been part of who I am—whether I’m writing, singing, painting, gardening, or chasing a dream world in my sleep.
My path to becoming an author didn’t come from a quiet season of reflection—it came in the middle of the loudest, messiest, most beautiful season of my life. I’m a full-time mom to two amazing kids. My son has cerebral palsy, is legally blind, and lives with a severe form of epilepsy. He has taught me more about strength and advocacy than I ever imagined. My daughter is a firecracker—outgoing, passionate, and deeply involved in church and dance. Her energy is contagious, and her calendar rivals mine.
Between specialist appointments, school drop-offs, church events, and recitals, I was constantly juggling motherhood, advocacy, and the lingering feeling that I needed something creative just for me. Before I fully leaned into storytelling, I worked in commercial real estate with Boxer Property, leasing properties throughout Houston, including Post Oak, Southwest Houston, and Clear Lake off NASA Parkway. Later, I transitioned into special education at New Caney ISD, where I worked with students who reminded me so much of my own child—brilliant, resilient, and often fighting for a system that doesn’t always know how to support them.
That experience sparked something deeper. I’ve since become an active advocate for disability rights and inclusive healthcare. I’m currently working with Senator Creighton’s office to fight for legislative change in how Texas handles healthcare access for medically complex children. Right now, our kids are stuck in a gap—private insurance doesn’t provide what they need, and government assistance often doesn’t kick in until 18. These are real families, real lives, waiting for care. I’ve even started a Change.org petition to keep pushing the message forward.
Through all of this, I’ve been blessed with the most supportive and hardworking husband. He’s my partner in everything. And when I do get a minute to breathe, you’ll likely find me outside—I’ll take any chance I can to go fishing, hunting, or curling up with a good book.
The story that kicked off this whole writing journey came from one of my vivid, lucid dreams. I’ve had them since childhood—dreams where I’m aware I’m dreaming or even watching myself sleep (I know, weird). One night, I dreamed the entire first five chapters of what would become A Waltz Through Time. I met Atlas. I felt the world. I was Maggie. And then—bam—I woke up. Right after meeting Atlas! I was so frustrated, I needed to know what happened next.
My husband (who’s very used to hearing about my dream characters) said, “Nope. Not this time. I don’t want to hear about your book boyfriends—especially not dream boyfriends!” He is so funny! So, instead, I wrote it all down. At first, it was just a dream journal entry. But once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. That spark turned into an outline, characters, twists, and eventually, a novel.
A Waltz Through Time may have been born in a dream, but I brought it to life in the in-between moments—late nights, early mornings, stolen weekends between dance recitals and therapy sessions. Writing became my space. A place to blend all the things I care about—faith, family, love, justice, and a little magic.
If someone picks up one of my books and finds escape, comfort, inspiration, or even just a reason to stay up a little too late turning pages, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Definitely not—but I don’t think the roads worth traveling ever are.
There have been many seasons of struggle—some loud, some quiet. Raising a child with significant medical needs means the unexpected is part of our daily rhythm. We’ve had hospital stays, emergency seizures, long waits for specialists, and exhausting battles with insurance providers who don’t see the full picture of what these kids go through. Even the most basic things—like dental care or mobility equipment—can turn into uphill fights.
At the same time, I’ve had to learn how to advocate fiercely while still showing up emotionally for my daughter, who deserves just as much of me. She’s vibrant, full of life, and growing into herself in ways I love watching—but it’s hard, trying to be everything to everyone. There are times I’ve felt pulled in every direction—mom, wife, advocate, employee, creative—and wondered where I fit in.
Professionally, I’ve faced the challenges of changing careers, transitioning from the corporate world of real estate into education and then into full-time caregiving while writing in the margins of life. Every shift came with identity changes, learning curves, and sacrifices. I’ve wrestled with guilt for wanting something that was just mine—writing—when so much of my energy already goes to caring for others.
And when I finally poured that creative energy into a book, I had no idea how much it actually took to get a novel out there. You think writing it is the hard part—turns out, that’s the fun part! Once you dive into editing, formatting, dealing with margins this and margins that, invisible characters that refuse to delete, floating images that won’t stay put—my gosh, I think my hair actually fell out.
Doing all of this on a budget while juggling real-life responsibilities and serious medical expenses in today’s economy meant I had to become a fast learner. And let me tell you—YouTube has been my best friend. There are so many generous authors in that space answering the exact questions I was too afraid to ask out loud.
Then comes marketing—and that is a whole new world. Social media is its own wild animal that you have to learn to tame. You’ve written this story you love with your whole heart, and all you want is for readers to see it and fall in love too—but getting the story in front of the right people is an uphill battle. Thankfully, the writing and bookish community on Instagram and Facebook has been so kind. I’ve met some incredibly encouraging, supportive voices—and even a few of my favorite romance authors reached out with kind words that meant the world to me. It reminded me why I started this in the first place.
So, no, it hasn’t been smooth. It’s been chaotic, humbling, overwhelming, and beautiful. But every bump in the road brought me closer to a purpose that matters. It’s taught me resilience, creativity, community, and just how much I’m capable of when I stop waiting for perfect conditions and start working with what I have.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a lot of hats—author, advocate, wife, mom, and on most days, unofficial chaos coordinator. However, at the heart of everything I do is storytelling and service.
As an author, I specialize in weaving emotionally resonant stories that blend romance, historical fiction, and time-travel elements—with a heavy dose of heart. My debut novel, A Waltz Through Time, launched the Timeless Courtship Series, which follows characters navigating fate, family secrets, and the kind of love that defies time itself. It’s romantic, a little mysterious, and deeply rooted in themes of purpose, destiny, and chosen family.
I’m known for writing stories that feel like home while still tugging at the heart. Readers have called my work “emotional, heartfelt, and surprisingly deep,” and that means everything to me. I love including themes of faith, resilience, and quiet strength in unexpected places. I also strive to represent the special needs community, either directly or symbolically, through characters who fight against societal expectations or fate itself. That’s an undercurrent in all my stories, whether readers realize it at first or not.
What sets me apart, I think, is how intertwined my real life is with my creative work. I don’t write from a place of theory—I write from experience. I’m a disability advocate not just in policy but in practice. I’m actively working with lawmakers to change the way Texas handles healthcare for medically fragile children. I’ve lived the system gaps, fought the battles, and written from hospital rooms. I know how important it is to feel seen, and I try to give that to others through my books, my social media, and my advocacy.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey is seeing how it’s impacted my children. My daughter has watched me fight, write, and create—and she’s taken it all in. She’s even become a little caregiver herself, showing kindness and empathy to classmates and to her brother. She sees my strength, and now she’s started to believe in her own. She’s watched this book come to life from the ground up—and now, whenever we go out, she digs through my purse and hands out my business cards to strangers, proudly telling them, “My mom wrote a book!” She’s my little intern, and I’m so incredibly proud of her.
And my son—he continues to inspire me daily. After watching me pour my heart into writing, he decided to pursue his own creative project. He recently won Grand Champion at the Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo’s Sunshine Day for his woodworking project: a Little Free Library. Sunshine Day is such a beautiful event where kids with special needs get to shine and showcase their talents in the exhibit portion of the rodeo. The fact that he was inspired by my story to create something that gives back to the community—it just made everything worth it.
I’m most proud of the way I’ve managed to keep going—even when life felt like it was pulling me under. Publishing a book while managing real-life chaos felt impossible at times, but I did it. I showed my daughter what it looks like to chase a dream, and I gave my son a legacy rooted in advocacy and storytelling. I created something lasting.
And to me, that’s what it’s all about—telling stories that make people feel, that offer escape, comfort, or courage… and using my voice, both on and off the page, to make the world a little more compassionate and inclusive.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy? Honestly—the little things.
A quiet morning with a coffee and my bible before the house wakes up. Watching my daughter dance her heart out or tell a stranger, “My mom wrote a book!” like it’s the greatest thing in the world. Seeing my son’s face light up when he builds something with his hands or conquers a challenge that once felt impossible.
Creating something—whether it’s a story, a garden, a painting, or even just a moment of calm in the middle of chaos—makes me happy. Writing, especially, gives me a sense of purpose. It’s where I can breathe, where I can put the pieces of my heart out into the world and hope someone else feels a little less alone because of it.
Being outdoors brings me joy too—give me a day on the water with a fishing pole or a cool morning in a deer stand, and I’m at peace. Those moments reconnect me to myself. They remind me I’m not just a caregiver, or a multitasking mom, or an advocate—I’m a person with passions and joy and stillness in my soul.
But more than anything, what makes me happiest is seeing how love shows up in unexpected ways—through my kids, through stories, through resilience. Whether it’s my daughter taking on a nurturing role with her brother or my son building a Little Free Library because he saw me creating something meaningful, I find joy in knowing that the love I pour into my life is pouring right back into them.
That’s what fills me up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bethrichardsbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethrichardsbooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19yMsUWzjK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethdrichards
- Other: https://www.change.org/ChangeforAce
