Whispers of the Muse

My books are included in a wonderful Christmas gift guide at Whispers of the Muse. Check out all of the fantastic authors and the books they've written:

http://www.whispersofthemuse.org/GiftGuide/GiftFrame.html

I am always so appreciative of authors/blog owners who are generous enough with their time and effort to host other authors on their sites.

Change Your Perspective to Improve Your Writing

I've just returned from visiting family in Arizona. My Indiana trees and grass were replaced with cactus and sand. My temperatures in the teens were upped to the forties. And my surrounding farmland morphed into small distant mountain ranges.

Sometimes if I'm stuck in a writing rut, it helps to change my perspective by changing my location for a while. Talking to different people, admiring various landscapes, and experiencing new things all force my mind to entertain new thoughts.  Thoughts that, although initially not geared toward story ideas, end up that way none the less. And I found that being away from my computer and in essence, my work in progress romance novel, has given me fresh story ideas and a renewed energy to kick myself out of my writing rut.

Guess a vacation turned out to be more than just a vacation after all.

The Season for Giving

Lately there have been several blog owners who are opening their virtual doors to other writers. They're inviting anyone interested to post a Christmas memory, book information, author information, to name a few.I want them to know how much I appreciate their generosity and thoughtfulness. I'm sure it's very time consuming for them to post everyone else's information. In the Christmas spirit, they are thinking of others and giving of their time and resources.

Thanks.

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting my contributions to these wonderful sites. It will also give you a chance to check out their blogs yourself to see how generous they are for hosting others.

Thank You, God, for Special Gifts

On this very special day to be thankful for our families, friends, online friends, country and freedom of religion and life, I'm also thankful for the gift of writing. Because that's what it is: a gift. If God didn't give me the quirky ideas, active imagination and spare time to put them down on paper (or laptop), my writing would never get farther than fleeting thoughts and wishful thinking.

What's a gift God has given you that you can be thankful for?

Linked Website - Ruthie's Rocks

When you click on the link below, you'll find my new sister website: Ruthie's Rocks. I've actually been painting longer than I've been writing, but thought it was time to add my rocks to a new site linked to this one. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

http://www.ruthiesrocks.blogspot.com/

Howie Mandel - Nice to Meet Ya

Who knew I would have so much in common with Howie Mandel? I mean, I know we've both suffered from severe OCD for years, we are germaphobes, and hate to come in contact with anything remotely resembling a germ. But now there's something else. We both have books published about our struggles with OCD. I tend to think his will get a tad bit more attention than mine. Okay a lot more. Still, it's interesting to see how much I might have in common with someone I've never met. Who knew? OCD: the great mental equalizer.

Okay Howie, I'll make you a deal. I'll read your book if you read mine. Then we can compare notes. (Literally!)  In case you haven't heard of mine, it's titled, "My Life in Mental Chains." I'm pretty sure I'll be able to locate yours without much trouble.

Who Knew A Mouse's Tail Could Do All That?

Every year about this time, I participate in the Christmas Village, an arts and handmade crafts fair. Well, this weekend was it. I sold several of my painted animal rocks. I also sold several copies of "My Life in Mental Chains." Along with this good news came a humorous surprise. I'd put my animal rocks on one side of the table and my book display on the opposite end. I had a few mouse rocks left over, so I sat them next to the sign that advertised the price of my books. These gray painted mice all have thin ribbon "tails" glued on to their hind quarters. While I watched people perusing my wares, one woman pointed to the mice and said to her friend, "Oh look, bookmarks!"

I started to correct her, but quickly closed my lips. Wait a minute. Did she say "bookmarks"? I mulled that one over a little. Why not? Who's to say they couldn't be? Who's to say those little painted mice with the gluey-butt tails couldn't do more than one job at a time? Before I could think about it further, another woman came up to check out the animals. "Look, bookmarks. You put their tails between the pages of  your book." I sat back in my chair and simply smiled. So it wasn't just one person's observation. What really got me was, why hadn't I ever thought of it before? I had randomly put them next to my books and several people noticed. If I'd left the little mice on their assigned end of the table, would anyone have thought they were more than just table decorations?

I took a ten minute break from my table and took a walk outside. I had an epiphany. When I got back inside, I placed a small note next to the mice in front of the books."Free Bookmark With Purchase of Book."
I'm now out of mice. But guess what? My new marketing strategy is born!

Guest Post - Brigit's World

Click here to read a guest post at the blog "Brigit's World." (Thanks, Brigit!)


http://brigitsworld.blogspot.com/2009/11/ruth-hartman-everyone-welcome-her.html

What Does Your Character Do While You're At Work?

It's a bad week for writing. Between having a family member in the hospital, working extra days, doing a weekend craft show, and getting ready for another relative's visit, my writing has taken a virtual back seat. My romance about the Tooth Fairy and her dentist waits patiently  for me to return. I can picture her sitting in her living room drumming her petite tooth-stealing fingers on her coffee table. And then I wonder, while I'm away dealing with the recent developments in my life, what is she doing? Surely she'd be bored simply sitting there waiting for me. Hmmm. I think I'd better get back to her story soon. Otherwise, who knows what crazy stuff she'll do without me there to write for her?

Use Your Gifts Wisely

I just finished reading a novel where the main character learns to use his God-given gift. In his case it was photography. I loved the book. It was interesting and a good read. But besides that, it got me to thinking. Am I using the gifts God has given me wisely? Or do I squander them and even take them for granted sometimes. I already know the answer to that question and I don't like it. Yes, I do take them for granted sometimes. Reading this book gave me a good swift kick right where I needed it. We are all given some kind of gift. It's unique to every person. First, you have to discover it. It's already there, at least the potential for it is inside you, waiting to emerge and blossom. Once you've identified what it is, allow it to grow. Use it for God. He'll show you exactly how to use it best and wisely.

I'm ready to use mine. Are you?

Author Interview on Whohub

You can check the author interview at the link below:


http://www.whohub.com/ruthjhartman

OCD - Move Out of the Way!

I need to write. My newest novel is calling me. Several story lines are waiting impatiently in my head for attention. But I can't focus! My OCD is getting in the way. My desk is too cluttered. I've got 73 things on my mind at once. There's laundry to do, sympathy cards to send, groceries to buy. How can I think about writing with all that clamoring for my undivided attention? The answer: I can't. But, once my to-do list is complete, I'm all over it. My novel won't know what hit it.

It's a hard lesson for me to learn. It may not be the same for everyone, especially non-OCD sufferers, but I've discovered I can't sit down to really concentrate on my novel until everything else is done. It's not how I'd like it to be. It just is. So, after the grocery, laundry, correspondence, and desk un-cluttering are complete, then, ahhhh...finally time to write!

Finding the Love Story of My Life

I've always loved to write. But when I got serious about it a year and a half ago, I had it in my mind to only write children's stories.Maybe because that's what most of my writer's training has been about. Don't get me wrong. I still write for that genre, but haven't had anything published yet. I seemed to have made a turn somewhere, though. I have been published, several times now. But the stories and articles I thought would be a stop-gap while I waited for my children's book to be published turned out instead to be something I love to write as well. I've discovered I have a voice for writing quirky heroines and heroes in sweet romance novels. I've always loved reading those types of books. I should have realized much sooner that's what I should be writing. Who knew?

Facebook Imitates Life

Just now, a friend on Facebook asked everyone several "remember when?" questions: first crush, first car, first kiss, best friends from high school. I really had to think back for some of those answers! But after I answered her questions, I realized I could use those memories and emotions for characters in my romance novel. I mean, why not? I remember how I felt during each of those big life events. I'll put those great memories to good use! Thanks, Lisa :)

Walk With Me

Are the scenes in your novel a little flat? Remember to use the five senses to make your story sound more authentic. Today I took a walk on our country road. The bright blue of the sky, the red, yellow, orange and green of the leaves all had me looking up for most of my walk. Thankfully, though I'm a klutz, I didn't run into anything. Added to the colorful scenery were the sounds of the birds. Blue Jays, Sparrows, Carolina Wrens and Yellow Finches serenaded me for the thirty minutes I walked beneath them. I felt honored.

When I left my house for my walk, my mind was not focused on writing. I needed to run to the grocery, do five loads of laundry, fix supper for me and my husband. But once I saw those colors, once my ears perked up to the chatter of the birds, I felt a calm come over me. It was as if God was telling me to slow down my thoughts. The more I walked, the more I could concentrate on what I've been writing.

The next time you need inspiration, or calm, or both, take a walk. No matter what the season, there's always something new to see and hear.