Today on the blog we have author Ruthie Henrick here for an interview. Ruthie is the author of Twice in a Lifetime, one of today’s book blasts. We would like to thank Ruthie for stopping by and sharing with us.
About Ruthie -
Hi there! I'm Ruthie Henrick, and I’m an Arizona girl. I write romantic women’s fiction and contemporary romance.
I’ve always been an avid reader, even as a child. I’ll read just about anything, but I love anything with romance in it. I am a romance junkie.
I first started writing a couple of years ago. I’ve never been that person who dreamed about being an author or loved telling stories. I used to try making up bedtime stories when my kids were little and I’d draw a blank every time. But an idea had been running through my mind for a while so I decided to start typing and see where it led. Three months later I had a really good first draft. Let me tell you, nobody was more surprised than me!
I love music, especially country music, and that’s generally the soundtrack to whatever I have going on. At work, doing housework, in the car—the music is always on. Except when I write—that I have to do in silence.
We have three sons and they’re all grown and scattered around the country, but the Big Kahuna and I are still ruled by a fifteen-year-old deaf Pekinese with OCD. Life is interesting!
I’m not much of a TV watcher, except for shows like The Voice and American Idol. Gives me lots of time to write, and read. Like many of you, I have a one-click compulsion. The number of unread books on my Kindle is really embarrassing.
I love chatting with other readers, sharing my favorite books and authors, and discovering those new to me. Come by and hang out with me on any of my social media.
Media Links-
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I never aspired to write. I’ve always been an office manager and a bookkeeper. I generally enjoyed the offices I worked in and am good at what I do, but my poor husband has had to listen to me complain (yes, we should probably call it whine) forever that I felt there was something else I should be doing. Something creative that would satisfy my soul. Well, as I was writing my novel and loving every minute of it, I realized…THIS WAS IT!
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I probably didn’t consider myself a writer until after I’d completed the manuscript for Twice in a Lifetime. It was the first novel I’ve attempted—the process of writing was still very new and surprising to me. And honestly, I felt that wherever this story was coming from, it could just disappear and go back there without warning.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
It took me about fourteen months from the time I finished my first draft until I hit publish.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Twice in a Lifetime. Is it possible to find your one true love…twice?
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
I am self-published
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
Right now I’m working on several different projects, but I love writing contemporary romance. The book I hope to release next is a small town contemporary romance that’s full of quirky characters and witty dialogue. I also have another contemporary romance about a couple struggling to get the spark back in their marriage and basic outlines for three more books in the Love Found series. I need to become a faster writer!
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I guess I write what I like to read!
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
I love all the characters in Twice in a Lifetime, even the self-absorbed bitch, but I have a soft spot for Jake. He’s such a guy’s guy, yet he knows how to make a woman feel special.
Who or what inspired you to write?
I honestly don’t know what inspired me to write Twice in a Lifetime. Actually, I call it the book I wrote on accident. I’ve never been that person who dreamed about being an author or loved telling stories. I used to try making up bedtime stories when my kids were little and I’d draw a blank every time. So when these characters came to me with their story and then started waking me up in the middle of the night with their chattering mostly I just wanted them to go away, haha! I decided maybe if I started writing down their story they’d be happy and leave me alone. Let me tell you, nobody was more surprised than me when they didn’t shut up for two whole months and I ended up with an entire novel!
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
There’s a lot of controversy about whether an author should read her reviews or not, but I do read them all. I appreciate the time readers take to let me know what she did or didn’t like about my book.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
::Chuckles:: I think this book had three previous titles before I finally came up with Twice in a Lifetime. But once that title popped into my head I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before because it’s perfect.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
It’s funny, but my characters all seem to come to me fully formed with names, faces and voices. Places not so much. Generally I just try to come up with something that fits the situation, then Google it to make sure it doesn’t already exist. Sparky’s (the pub where the blind date occurs in Twice in a Lifetime) was fairly easy because that’s the mascot’s name for the local university. In the small town contemporary I’m working on right now I needed a name for the town. The setting is in Tennessee—I went through about thirty possible names and was nearly ready to move my fictional town to Georgia when I finally came up with something I liked that wasn’t already the name of a real town.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation?
Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them? Either way. Sometimes I know I need a certain character or place and then decide on the details. Sometimes they just invite themselves into the book and then I need to decide what to do with them.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I’m a true pantser once I start writing. All the details are decided on the fly.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
I love them all! eBooks are easy because I can take them anywhere in my phone. I still prefer paperbacks to read outside, and I have certain authors that I only buy in hardback—true keepers.
Your favorite singer/group is?
I am a huge country music fan, and Chris Young is my music boyfriend!
Your favorite color is?
Blue
Your favorite Author is?
My favorite author of all time is LaVeryle Spencer. I started reading her contemporary and historical romances years ago and love her characters and story lines.
Remember to check out the book blast below to find out more about this amazing author and her book, and don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter.
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