For those who missed part 1 of our Chat with Ruth, makes sure that you take time to read it!! For those ready for their next dose of information, here you go!
MTAR: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Ruth: I love Debbie Macomber. It always impressed me that she could write romances without them being erotic. The feelings of the characters come across just as strong without all the graphic detail.
MTAR: What books/authors have influenced your writing?
Ruth: Debbie Macomber for romance, and Mary Higgins Clark for great mysteries.
MTAR: What book are you reading now?
Ruth: I just finished “Kincaid’s Hope” by Grace Greene. Very good!!
MTAR: Do you see writing as a career?
Ruth: Yes, although right now, I still practice dental hygiene, too.
MTAR: Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Ruth: The publisher who accepted my memoir was located in England. They were non-profit, so it was all bare-bones. No extras. When it came time for my galleys, they were mailed to me instead of email. Email is so much easier and faster! And after I sent back corrections I wanted, they were never changed. So the first version of my memoir has many mistakes, which I hate.
MTAR: Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
Ruth: Not so far, thankfully, but some of them have been tough to find publishers for.
MTAR: What has been the best compliment?
Ruth: A woman in the hospital for a very serious health problem told me she read my books as a vacation from her pain. That to me was a high compliment.
MTAR: Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Ruth: Don’t give up!!! There’s more than one path to publication, so find the one that works best for you.
MTAR: What are your current projects?
Ruth: My Regency romance and my second children’s book.
MTAR: Which book do you recommend for a reader that is new to your writing?
Ruth: I’d say “Better Than Catnip” It’s my most recent one, and also the most fun, I think. There’re a lot of funny scenes in there.
MTAR: How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
Ruth: I use Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads. Also, I’ve done some local book signings. I’m not sure which works best, probably a combination.
Ruth is currently working on her first Regency romance. The plot will twist and turn its way through the adventures of a young woman who tours an English estate in 2012, and after being locked in a closet inside one of the houses, opens the door to discover she is now in the year 1812.
Ruth is greatly appreciative of the readers who choose her book and then let her know via email or review how much they enjoyed the book. She agrees that most authors crave the feedback from their readers!
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our interview with Ruth. As always, check out MTAR’s book and author reviews at www.morethanareview.com. For anyone who would like to learn more about OCD, please check out the International OCD Foundation for more information.
For those who wish to reach out to Ruth with questions and reviews of her work, you can contact her via email or her blog.