Love a Good Mystery? Me too!!

Life's a Mystery...

At least, my life has been for the last year and a half. I've just written THE END to my fourth mystery! I love writing romance, and never thought I'd write mysteries, but after my first one, I was hooked! Just now, I emailed the latest to my agent, Cyle Young. Stay tuned for upcoming news of what happens next!

Writing like crazy!

I know I haven't posted for a while, but it's for a great reason!

I've been busy writing new cozy mysteries. Two are completely done and I'm working on their sequels right now. In keeping with my contemporary romances and historicals, they're quirky and funny.


See? a great reason :)


Below is a picture of one of my editors, hard at work while she supervises my writing. Believe me, my three furry editors are tough!!

My Writing Process Blog Tour

I've been asked to participate in a "My Writing Process" blog tour. The talented Kay Springsteen, best-selling author, asked me to join in.

http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com

Here are the questions that authors on the tour have been asked:

1) What am I working on?

Right now, I actually have two works-in-progress. The first is a short Regency about a poor woman who takes care of cats no one wants and ends up meeting a handsome rich man whose aunt needs a new cat for company for her older one. I'm also starting on book three of a series that began with "Love Birds of Regent's Park", continues with "The Unwanted Earl" (in the editing process), and continues with book three (yet untitled).

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Since I have a goofy sense of humor, most of my novels do, too. I've had readers tell me that my books give them a small, enjoyable vacation from the everyday troubles where they can laugh at the antics of my characters and nod their heads because they could see the situation happening, possibly even to them.

3) Why do I write what I do?

I started out writing contemporary romance, but was asked by a friend to give Regency Romance a try. I wasn't sure I could do it, but ended up loving it. I now have several Regency Romances published and more in the works!

4) How does your writing process work?

I start with a simple idea for the book. Sometimes I have a title right away but others may not have a title until I'm nearly finished writing. I do a simple outline, but don't go into detail until I actually sit down to write. Many times, the characters head in the direction they want the story to go and I just type the words. It's so much more fun that way :)

The next author in line is the wonderfully talented Mysti Parker. :)

Please check out Mysti Parker's page on 01/13/14 for her answers to the writing questions. http://mystiparker.blogspot.com

Check out my interview with Fiona Mcvie!

http://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/my-interview-with-ruth-j-hartman/

Tasty Summer Reads Blog Hop

This fun Blog Hop works like this:

Everyone on the hop invites other authors to join in. Each author answers the questions listed below, shares a summer recipe, and gives an update on a current WIP on a book they've written recently. Check out my answers!

The book I just completed and submitted to a publisher yesterday is "Romancing the Dustman's Daughter" A Regency era dustman finds something incriminating in someone's fireplace ash and uses it to blackmail them into finding a rich husband for his daughter.

1)When writing are you a snacker? If so, sweet or salty?
Sweet - mainly chocolate :)

2) Are you an outliner or someone who flies by the seat of their pants? Are they real pants or jammies?
Definitely by the seat of my jammies. And usually with a cat on my lap!

3)When cooking or baking, do you follow the recipe exactly or wing it?
I've been known to not look at the recipe and be sorry later...

4) What is next for you after this book?
Another Regency Romance. With lots of cats in it!!

5) Last Question...on a level of one being slightly naughty to ten being whoo whoo steamy, where does your book land?
Only slightly naughty.
 
Here's my recipe:

Easy Ranch Dip

I pint Cottage Cheese
8 oz Miracle Whip
1 packet dry Ranch Salad Dressing

Goes great with crackers or veggies :)


And here's Vivian Roycrofts's blog
http://taketwoonromance.weebly.com/2/post/2013/07/tasty-summer-reads-blog-hop.html

 

 

And Sue Barr's blog

http://susanlbarr.blogspot.com/2013/07/tastysummerreadsbloghop.html

 

Check out Jennifer Anderson on 7/25 at http://www.musingsfromthepeanutgallery.blogspot.com


Here's the link for the main site of the Hop: http://www.avonromance.com/post/tasty-summer-reads-blog-hop_1373316679

Cat Books!

 

Don't you just love books?

And cats?

And books about cats?

I do!!

All of my books have a least one cat in them. Some of them have more :)

Sometimes, Editors Wear Fur Coats :)

Time to Write

Yes, it's true. I haven't posted here for a while. Wanna know where I've been hiding? In my writing cave! Until 3 weeks ago, I went through some health complications that knocked me flat. I felt so awful that I didn't really care about much. Including writing.

But now that I'm feeling better, I'm back! I'd started a new Regency Romance before I became ill, and didn't get very far with it. I had the main idea and sort of a flimsy outline. And I'd written a couple of chapters. Getting back into the story a couple of weeks ago, I thought, okay, I'll ease my way back in.

Until my publisher put out a call for Summer Regencies. With a submission date that was two weeks away!

I worked really hard and typed til my fingers ached. (Thank goodness for an understanding husband, some of the, uh, housework kind of got behind). I'm pleased to say that last night I finished the story and hit SEND so it could fly through space to my publisher's computer.

Such a great feeling!

Now, of course, the housework looms. Better get to that....


Oh and by the way, I'll be at Romantic Times in Kansas City!!! So if you're attending, look me up! I'll have copies of "Rescued by a Duke" and "Better Than Catnip" :)

Ever Wonder How Writers Get Their Start?

http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/in-the-beginning-they-were-writers-ruth-hartman/#comment-2418

How Writers Spend Their Advertising Dollars

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/51-FE6-BookMarketingStrategies.html

Guest on WOW: Friday Speak Out!

http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/search/label/Ruth%20J.%20Hartman

What Does a Writer's Space Look Like?

Check out the guest post below to see what my space is like. I even dusted for the picture - woohoo! :)

http://teacherwriter.net/2012/02/07/writing-space-of-author-ruth-hartman/#comment-2461

New Year - New Possibilities

I'm not a huge believer in resolutions. At least not just for the new year. If I'm going to change something, I need to make it an ongoing, life changing goal. So, instead of resolutions, which I rarely keep, I like to think of it as new possibilities.

In 2008, I was fortunate enough to have my first book published. I wasn't sure I had another book in me after that, but was pleased to discover, I did! What followed were several sweet, funny romances. I had a ball writing those. And there's more to come. Because I enjoy writing them so much, I can't seem to stop :)

I've also had published my first children's book. Not only did I get to write the story, I illustrated it, too. Now that was fun! I always liked to color and draw as a kid. Some things never change, apparently. As I planned, sketched and used my colored pencils, my story of a kitten born without paw-pads came to life.

There's always a letdown after a book is published. It's like looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You plan. You dream. You eagerly await the day when you step on the plane that will whisk you away to your dream destination. Then, all to quickly, it's over.

That's why I feel so blessed to have more than one book in me. When one book is finished, I can move onto the next. And hopefully, will have learned enough from the experience that the following one will be better.

So this new year brings new possibilities. And new stories to tell. New illustrations to draw. New people to entertain.

I , for one, am really looking forward to that!

Have a Blessed New Year!

Be Thankful

This has been a rough couple of months for my family. Two siblings have had severe back problems, one has eye problems, and I'm recovering from a detached retina. It gets to the point where you almost don't want to answer the phone. Might be more bad news. But...even though I've been a little down the last few weeks, trying to deal with limited vision in one eye, I keep reminding myself it could always be worse.

Always.

Yes, what I'm dealing with is serious and scary, but there are so many positives. The surgeon who did my procedure is one of the best in my state. He was on the faculty at IU. This guy knows his stuff. If I have to have a problem like this, at least I'm being treated by the best. And he said the surgery went well. Thank goodness.

Yes, I'm off work from my dental hygiene job for a while. But my husband has a great job that he loves, and we're doing okay. And, once I was able to get up from lying on the couch for ten days on my right side, I've had more time for my writing. Take right now, for instance. Instead of working on one of my manuscripts, I'd be wrist deep in someone's mouth, cleaning off goo and well, more goo. So, it ain't all bad! I do miss work, and am planning on going back soon, but until then, I'm trying to use the time the best that I can. Not to mention it's absolutely gorgeous outside. If I were at work, I'd vaguely notice the sun shining outside, sigh that I wasn't out in it, and plunge right back in to someone else's mouth.

It can always be worse. Always.

Stay thankful.

My Amusing Muses

Maxwell and Roxy. Sometimes they get bored and quit giving me writing inspiration. They'll take a five hour nap when they're supposed to be working. Oh well...they're always good for a laugh :)

Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/07/friday-spotlight-ruth-j-hartman.html

Fill the Feeder

http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/07/thursday-spotlight-ruth-j-hartman.html

Let's Go Outside

http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/07/wednesday-spotlight-ruth-j-hartman.html

Doesn't Everyone Love Their Dentist?

http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/07/tuesday-spotlight-ruth-j-hartman.html

Never Stop Writing or Reading

http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/07/monday-spotlight-ruth-j-hartman.html