Who Am I?

Here are some of the questions you guys sent me. You had some good ones! Although I think my life is really an open book, I hope you learn something new about me.

How long have you been writing?

Professionally for over 20 years, but I began writing little stories long before that. I remember writing a story called “The Hunchback Bug” when I was little. I was so excited that my mom let me use her typewriter. Somehow what I had typed out came up missing. Years later, after my mom passed away and we were helping my dad clean some things out of the house, we found our baby books. Dad said we could have them. Guess what I found in mine? Yup, my story. Mom had saved and treasured it all those years ago. I think I was about 9 when I wrote it.  

Who was your greatest inspiration for writing? 

That’s easy. That was my mom. She also enjoyed writing. She belonged to a writer’s group when I was in high school. She brought me to all the meetings and did everything she could to encourage me to write. For my graduation present she bought me an electric typewriter. It was my best present ever! 

Where do you get your inspiration for writing?

From everyone who has ever been a part of my life. I’m not really that creative. I take bits and pieces of everyday life and incorporate those into my stories.  

What’s your favorite book?

I’m not sure I have an answer to that one. I read A LOT of books and my tastes change from time to time. I read a lot of fiction. I think I need that to escape the real world once in a while. I like things that make me laugh or cry. Perhaps that’s why I try to make people laugh or cry when they read my writing. 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I guess the most challenging part for me is to find time. Many times I only have small amounts of time to write. My time is broken up a lot between homeschooling, chauffeuring kids to work and activities, keeping up with things around the house, and then there is the wife thing that I feel I fail at on a daily basis. I just do what I can when I can and take advantage of the time that I do have.  

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

If you feel the urge to write, then do it. Even if you only have small bits of time you can still accomplish a lot. Make it a habit to always have a notebook and pen with you. You never know when you will have to wait and you never know when an idea will come to you that needs to be written down right away. I also host Writer’s Forums where I can help other writers. A couple forums I have done include “Getting Started Writing” and “Paragraph Method for Writing a Novel.” I love these sessions as it allows me to interact with those that might be new to writing.

 

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask, either in the comments section or through email (oneilruth@gmail.com), and I can post them later this month if space allows. By the way, you will get an entry into the contest for your questions - so ask away!