Ask the Author: Ruth Ann Nordin
Answered Questions (8)
Ruth Ann Nordin
I haven't written it yet. I ended up having to deal with other books. I'm not sure when I'll get around to it. It's still on my To Write list. I wish I could get more written. I have more ideas than I have time to write. :)
Ruth Ann Nordin
What are your goals as a writer?
There have always been a lot of people wanting to write books. Traditional publishers used to weed them out so most never saw the light of day. Self-publishing has just made it easier for them to get their books into the world. I'm curious as to why this bothers you? Do you think it'll hurt your chances of finding a publisher? From what you said about submitting your manuscripts, it sounds like you're looking for a publisher instead of wanting to self-publish. Is this right?
One thing I had to learn was that I couldn't compare myself to other writers, and that was hard because I saw how successful they were compared to me and it was frustrating. I had to learn to focus on how to work with my own strengths. One author made a blog post years ago about the importance of keeping our eyes on our own paper. We can't compare ourselves to others because our personalities are different. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. And as writers, we all write different things, and our writing process works in different ways. So really, I think the biggest thing is to focus on what you're doing. It's not easy to get your eyes off of other authors. I know it's not because I had to struggle with it. Just take things one day at a time. Make goals for yourself that are easy to obtain (like writing 500 words for the day) or doing something that inspires your creativity (like going for a walk). Figure out what your strengths are, learn to appreciate them, and use them to your advantage.
I hope something in there helps. :)
There have always been a lot of people wanting to write books. Traditional publishers used to weed them out so most never saw the light of day. Self-publishing has just made it easier for them to get their books into the world. I'm curious as to why this bothers you? Do you think it'll hurt your chances of finding a publisher? From what you said about submitting your manuscripts, it sounds like you're looking for a publisher instead of wanting to self-publish. Is this right?
One thing I had to learn was that I couldn't compare myself to other writers, and that was hard because I saw how successful they were compared to me and it was frustrating. I had to learn to focus on how to work with my own strengths. One author made a blog post years ago about the importance of keeping our eyes on our own paper. We can't compare ourselves to others because our personalities are different. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. And as writers, we all write different things, and our writing process works in different ways. So really, I think the biggest thing is to focus on what you're doing. It's not easy to get your eyes off of other authors. I know it's not because I had to struggle with it. Just take things one day at a time. Make goals for yourself that are easy to obtain (like writing 500 words for the day) or doing something that inspires your creativity (like going for a walk). Figure out what your strengths are, learn to appreciate them, and use them to your advantage.
I hope something in there helps. :)
Ruth Ann Nordin
The reason I write so many inexperienced male characters is because there are so many out there who have tons of experience already. Before I started to write romance, I was writing thrillers and fantasies. But I loved to read romance, and I got frustrated because it seemed as if all of the heroes had tons of experience. I wanted something different, so I ended up writing the books I had wanted to read that I couldn't find. :)
Ruth Ann Nordin
Hi Jude, I am so sorry I didn't answer this earlier! I remember seeing it, but then I got caught up in doing other things and forgot to come back to answer your question. I do want to write Forever Yours, but I haven't decided on a time frame for when I'll write it yet. There are two stories (Forever Yours being one of them) that I should sit down and see if I can plot through them to figure out how the stories should go.
Are you on Facebook? I spend most of my time over there, and I have a private Facebook group.
Are you on Facebook? I spend most of my time over there, and I have a private Facebook group.
Ruth Ann Nordin
You brought tears to my eyes, Dawn. Thank you so much! I'm going to print that out so I can put it on my wall. :)
Ruth Ann Nordin
I would like to do a story to explain what she did. I've been brainstorming how she might have done it over the years. I'm glad you brought this up because (ironically) as soon as I read your question, an idea came to mind. It's weird how that can happen when my mind's been blank all this time. :) Thank you!
Ruth Ann Nordin
No, they are not. I've never written a book called His By Chance. Does that book have my name on it?
Thank you, Amelie. :)
Thank you, Amelie. :)
Ruth Ann Nordin
Hi Cintia!
Are you working on one story, or are you having trouble writing several story ideas? If you have been working on only one story all this time, I suggest moving on to another story. I've had to do that on several occasions in the past. There are a couple story ideas I have that haven't been written in years because of it. So I know how frustrating it is. Sometimes a story stalls out, and nothing we try can get it going.
Are you working on one story, or are you having trouble writing several story ideas? If you have been working on only one story all this time, I suggest moving on to another story. I've had to do that on several occasions in the past. There are a couple story ideas I have that haven't been written in years because of it. So I know how frustrating it is. Sometimes a story stalls out, and nothing we try can get it going.
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