Interview: Ruth J Hartman

Today I have Ruth J. Hartman, author of Flossophy of Grace, visiting The Life and Lies! Here's a little bit about her book:

What happens when a dental hygienist falls in love with her patient? That's what Grace Hart discovers when she meets Bruce Gardener. The problem? Grace's boss has a strict policy against relationships with patients. Can Grace and Bruce find a way to be together without her employer finding out?

1) Why and when did you begin writing?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but didn’t get serious about writing for publication until 2008. I’d taken a course on writing for teenagers years before, but didn’t do much with submitting to publishers until then. But instead of children’s books I mainly write sweet romances.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

I’m a dental hygienist. One day I was cleaning a patient’s teeth and just wondered: what would happen if a hygienist fell in love with her patient?

3) How did you come up with the title?

The floss in Flossophy comes from the dental theme. Just a silly play on words.

4) What books or people influenced your writing? Was it positive influence, or negative?

I’ve gotten positive influence from Debbie Macomber for always having a happy ending, and from Janet Evanovich for her humor.

5) How do you go about researching for your books?

I guess my research for my dental-related romances just comes from the job I have. Stuff that I deal with on a daily basis.

6) Did you base any of your characters on real people?

Most of the time, the heroines in my books are at least somewhat based on me. And often, the hero resembles my husband. Some of the secondary characters are based on conglomerations of patients I’ve had. I never use real names, of course :)

7) What’s the most exciting part about being a published author? What is the hardest part?

The most exciting part is having someone tell me that they enjoyed my book. It made them laugh, or escape from their daily problems for a while. The hardest part is when someone downplays what an author goes through to write a book and have it published.

8) Do you have any other books planned in the future?

I’m working on another dental themed one right now. It will be released this July from Turquoise Morning Press, titled “Grin and Barrett” [Haley: I love it!]

9) Which of your characters is your favorite? Do you dislike any of them?

I don’t think I have a favorite. In “Flossophy of Grace” her boss, Dr. Beeth, is extremely easy to dislike.

10) What advice can you give to young writers who want to publish their books?

Check out small, independent publishers. They have more time to devote to authors than a large house, plus, you may have a better chance of getting published with them. And always check out their individual submission guidelines. They’re all different.

Just for fun:

1) What are your ten most favorite things?

God, My husband, my cats, my family, our home, 80’s rock music, chocolate, laugher, romance books, chick flick movies

2) What do you do when you’re not writing?

Listen to music with my husband. Play with our cats. Read. Paint or draw.

3) Do you have any pets?

Our two cats. Maxwell and Roxy. They’re my furry children.

4) What are your favorite (and least favorite) foods?

Favorite: pizza, pasta, pancakes. Least favorite: lima beans, liver and onions (ick!)

5) Is there a specific place in the house (or out of the house) that you like to write?

I always write in our workroom. We do everything in there. Read, watch movies, listen to music.

6) Do you have a specific snack that you have with you when you write?

Caffeine-free Diet Mountain Dew.

7) If you could go anywhere in the whole world, either for a vacation or to live there, where would you go?

I’d love to visit Scotland and Ireland. Some of my family roots are there.

8) What was your favorite and least favorite subject in school?

Favorite: English/Literature. Least favorite: math!!!

9) What book are you reading right now?

A mystery by Iris Johansen.

10) Tell us a random fact about you that we never would have guessed.

I’m left-handed, but do dental hygiene with my right.

 

Thanks for stopping by Ruth! Click here to learn more about Flossophy of Grace, read an excerpt, and purchase the e-book.