Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

What drew you to the genre you write?
Before writing cozy mysteries, I wrote a lot of contemporary romance and historical romance. But since I loved reading mysteries more than romance, it made sense to try to write one of those! I love it and can’t imagine changing back now.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
In my Mobile Cat Groomer Series, there’s an odd postman who holds onto his long ponytail when he’s upset (like a security blanket) Yep, quirky!

Tell us how you got into writing?
I’ve always loved to write. Even those term papers we used to have to do in high school. I think I was the only kid in there who felt that way. I wrote short stories as a little kid and continued as I got older. My first book was an autobiography about living with severe OCD. I thought that might be my only book, but I’m still going!

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you became a writer?
I had the usual early jobs, like babysitting and lawn mowing, then graduated to working in a nursing home the summer before college. I worked for a while as an administrative assistant for a local college, but my main job was as a dental hygienist, which I retired from eleven years ago to write full time.

How many books do you have published?
I have over 50 books that have been published, but a few are old romances and no longer in circulation. There are nine mysteries out now, with another due out around Thanksgiving.

Where do you write?
We added on an enclosed porch to the back of our house. I love it! The cats join me out there, especially when there are sunbeams coming through all the big windows.

What is your ideal time to write?
Usually, I try to sit down to write by ten a.m. and work most of the afternoon. That seems to be when I can focus on writing the best.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Chocolate!!

What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love any kind of mystery as long as it’s not gory. I also like some women’s fiction and thrillers.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
During my worst bout with OCD, it was hard for me to leave my house for four years! Thankfully, prayer and medication help 🙂

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
I like mixing Diet 7Up with a tiny bit of red wine. I make my own spritzers 🙂

Who is an author you admire?
Mary Higgins Clark. Not only was she an amazing writer with groundbreaking ideas for her books, she also encouraged family members to go on and write books as well. I’ve also read several of theirs.

Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?
If you love to write, keep writing every day! Even if it’s not very much. Don’t ever give up. And don’t worry about what other authors might accomplish or do. We all have our own writing journey.

What are you reading now?
The Last of the Moon Girls. It’s part Women’s Fiction, with a lot of family connections, but also there’s a murder she’s trying to solve.

What is next for you?
I’m finishing Book 4 in my Kitty Beret Cafe Series. Then, I’ll start on Book 3 in my Seneca James (Butterfly Farm) Series.

Where can we find you?
At my website at Ruthjhartman.com, on Bookbub, and on Facebook.

Now to have some fun . . .

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner. That’s when Garry and I sit down and watch something on TV together while we eat.

Fruits or vegetables
I love strawberries, but not so much other fruits. I wait all winter for fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.

Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor
Chocolate, all the way!

Sweet or salty snacks
I have to say both, since my two favorite snacks are chocolate and Doritos.

Ice cream or cake
That’s a tough one. I love chocolate cake, but it’s hard to beat Dairy Queen’s Reese Cup Blizzard!

Cooking or baking
Hmmmm. Since I don’t bake and Garry does most of the cooking, I’ll have to say, doing the dishes is my job.

Dining in or dining out
I like both, but usually prefer to stay at home. I’m a hermit.

City life or country living
Definitely country. We live in rural Indiana and love it. When we were first married and in college, we lived in an apartment right by the Indianapolis airport. Not fun.

Beach or mountain
Mountain. My sister lives in Wyoming so I get to be around those on vacations to see her.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Definitely fall! We took a walk today and it was gorgeous! It had cooled off and the sky had that certain deep blue that only comes in the fall.

Extrovert or introvert
I’m an introvert, and love staying home. But because of growing up as a preacher’s kid, I was always around lots of people at church. I can go up and talk to anyone for a little while if I have to. I don’t like public speaking at all, but am getting a little braver now after participating in writing conference panels. And my writer friends have been so encouraging!

Early bird or night owl
Definitely early bird. When it hits ten at night, not only are we ready for bed, the cats are staring at us to leave so they can sleep in our recliners.

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
While You Were Sleeping. I love Sandra Bullock. And she was extra quirky in that film, which always draws me in.

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Let’s see…. One – Garry. Two – our cats (combining three cats into one furry lump!) and my Bible.

My bio:
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. Her husband reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and adores her even though all her books must have at least one cat in them. Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who find trouble without even trying.

Follow updates about her mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.