Get to know Ruthie…

Ruthie resides in Edmond, OK and is the mother of two amazing grown sons, and a daughter who was a life-long dancer and brought light into the lives of everyone who knew her, and now dances with Jesus.

Think avalanche! — Unstoppable devastation; loss; reshaping of the entire landscape – a GPS repositioning. That’s what happened to Ruthie’s “perfect” life. Just when life was getting good, devastation and tragedy quaked, burying her.

Only a mother’s love encapsulated her with the strength to dig out, gasp for breath, and seek the fire to comfort and warm.

Peace and abundance was the fruit that bloomed, as she never took her eyes off the sometimes, tiniest spark of light, enabling her to take the next breath. Would she, or even could she follow that spark – or lay down and die?

Choices — there’s always a choice. Now, that spark of inner light is a flame, brighter than any firefly’s glow, emanating through Ruthie’s writing, speaking and Life Coaching, empowering others to connect with their inner light, with a message so powerful it will make your toes tingle, knowing how to live “the good life” (Eph. 2:10 amp.) and survive an avalanche.

You see, though the landscape is drastically altered, the majestic mountain stands.

Just like the firefly – LET YOUR GLOW SHOW!!!

For more info, please visit her website and Facebook.

Let the conversation begin!

Can you tell us about the book you’re working on? Is it coming easily or have you run into road blocks?

My new novel, “Fireflies”, is now available, but no, it didn’t come easily.  It was many years in the making.  For me, writing is the easy part.  It’s the experiences that produce the writing and the huge amount of editing that actually takes longer than writing the book, and also the hard work and technicalities that go with launching and promoting a book.  It is a grueling process of metamorphosis that happens to finally see the existence of it all in book form.

As for what I’m working on, I have a sequel to Fireflies in the works, but also a non-fiction book, neither of which are coming easily.  No obstacles necessarily, it ends up being a time challenge.

How did you celebrate your first book being published?

When I finally got the final product in hand, I took my mother to dinner to a lakeside restaurant.  I wanted her to be the first one to have a copy.  There will be signings and launch parties, but that was the real celebration. 

How many words have you written in one writing session?

By session, I assume you mean no interruptions besides food and potty breaks. There were a limited number of times I was fortunate enough to have nothing to do or think about except writing, and on a couple of those occasions, I approached 3,000 words.  Then there’s those when 100 words was the max. 

What was the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

I don’t know that there was any one thing, but anything that suggested a formula to success was the most worthless.  Writing is a call, and if that’s true, it is a unique fit and will play out differently than with anyone else.  While experience can offer priceless wisdom, in the end, you have to follow your inner light. 

Best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Write.  That’s it. If you’re a writer, write. It’s easy to say I want to write a book.  Most who have said that, have never written a page.  Learn all you can about writing and your one-of-a kind style – and write. 

Are there certain characters you would like to return to?

I believe Tammy and Charla will sear a brand in the minds of many and it’s hard to imagine never writing about them again. There is a sequel, but for it to stop there is hard to imagine. 

What has been the toughest blow to your professional career?

Well, a year ago, I would have said it was blows I dealt to myself by my own, self inflicted limitations, but just as I was nearing the end of the editing process of  “Fireflies”, I lost my daughter in a car accident, ten days before her 21^st birthday.

So close, yet so far. I didn’t care at that point about anything. A complete GPS repositioning made me realize nothing matters. I’d faced my worst nightmare. I either chose to curl up in my bed till I died, or chose to spend whatever days I had left fulfilling my purpose. So I opened the document, put my fingers to the keyboard, and knew as long as I was breathing, “Fireflies” and my message was my purpose. 

Of all your books, what was your favorite chapter to write?

That’s hard because I have several scenes close to my heart, but I would say the last chapter is my favorite because it is so unique and so powerful.  It was actually a complete surprise because it was not the planned ending. 

Do you collect anything?

You mean other than books?

Do you come up with your book titles?

Yes, the title is the power behind a book.  It’s hard for someone to see into the purpose behind your story.

What is the easiest part of the writing process? Hardest?

Writing is the easiest.  Everything else is the hard part.

If today was your last day to live, what would you do? What would you say?

I would write letters to everyone special to me.  I would have a massage, and a glass of wine on the beach. 

Any advice to share with aspiring writers?

Learn everything you can, and write.  Understand that it is hard work and your passion will be tested.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Rejection is a given.  The challenge for me comes in not being given any reason for the rejection.  If you’re a serious writer, you only want to know how you can improve, and the smallest tidbit could help but it so rarely happens that way. 

What is your very favorite part of the day?

Without hesitation, the early morning.  There’s things about every part of the day that I like, but the quiet of the early morning singing a new beginning is bliss.  I wouldn’t call myself a “morning person” necessarily, but there’s no question I function better, as a person and as a writer, early in the morning.  My mind is clearer and there’s that feeling of having the whole day ahead of you.  I’m definitely not a night person; my brain simply doesn’t write well late at night.  Okay, I turn into a pumpkin at 10:00.

Would you rather plan a party or attend one? Why?

Hmmm, that’s a great question. I love parties. I love to plan parties. However, I would have to say I would choose to plan one because to attend a party, you don’t know what you’re getting.