Q) When did you start writing?
What keeps you going?
A) I started writing at the age of 12. As a babysitter, often the late nights in
those days left me with little to do. One can only watch the “yule log” for so
long! I read the mother’s books that were all the rage back then, The Thorn
Birds and Roots, when not writing in my journal. Definitely, the feedback to
my books keeps me going. I’m so pleased that my stories have been enjoyed by so
many.
Q) What was your most encouraging moment as an author?
A) When I
received my first five star review for FLIGHT OF LITTLE DOVE. This novel took me ten years to write and get published so
I was thrilled to receive wonderful reviews. Also, when THE VILLA DOG was chosen as a Third Grade book club
read at an area elementary school. I loved when the kids’ faces lit up during
our discussion.
Q) What was your most discouraging moment as an author?
A) When a
publisher rejected my manuscript because “There is a plethora of dog books out
there.” Certainly, the truth behind that remark is that THEY SELL! People
really like the idea that my children’s books are told through the dog’s point
of view.
Q) What’s your antidote to writer’s block?
A) Taking my canine
kids for a walk or a good soak in my Hot Tub to get my creative juices flowing.
Q) Describe the typical writing day.
A) I bring my cup of coffee
into my office and first read my emails and facebook activity. Then, after I
handle any business calls and replies to social/work media, I begin writing.
I’ll take a break several hours into writing by stretching or walking. When I
return I write for another hour or two more. I spend my afternoon doing things
that must be done i.e. laundry, paying bills, etc. but my characters are always
by my side.
Q) From where do you draw your inspiration?
A) So much inspires me
that it’s hard to actually pinpoint any one thing, although travel has always
been my best source of gathering story ideas, along with people watching.
Q) Tell us about your latest book.
A) The sequel to FLIGHT OF LITTLE DOVE is coming out in October. The SISTERS INN is set outside of Denver in 1873 where
two women (sisters through marriage of their siblings) run an inn. Abby and
Eliza are strong, independent, brave women who are committed to making the inn
a successful endeavor. Of course, they do experience hardship, setbacks and
anguish along the way. Both characters grow and in the end find their true
happiness.
As for my WIP, it’s a story that takes place both in present
day and the late 1970s that revolves around the aspects of reincarnation.
Q) What author have you been most influenced by?
A) Another difficult question because I read across
the genres and there are so many new authors coming out. I think anyone who can
hold my interest with a good story that does not have a predictable but rather
a satisfying ending, is an author I most admire.
Thanks
for visiting. Please enjoy and comment.
BOOK LINKS
Author Bio: AUTHOR BIO for RUTH G.
ZAVITSANOS
Ruth G.
Zavitsanos began writing at the age of 12. Growing up outside of New York City,
she attended many Broadway plays and musicals that served to stimulate her
imagination. While attaining her Journalism degree at Marshall University she
received numerous writing awards. She has been published in Writer’s Digest magazine and had an
in-depth article in a Delaware Beach Life
magazine. Ruth is a member of PennWriters, Society of Children’s Book Writers
and Illustrators, Valley Forge Romance
Writers Group and Romance Writers of America. Her first novel, Flight of Little Dove, a historical
romance, has been receiving five star reviews and is a book club selection for
several independent bookstores. The sequel, Sisters
Inn, will be released in October. Ruth’s children’s books, The Villa Dog (an Epic Award and a Main Line
Today staff pick) , The Old Fortress
Dog and The Kona Dog (all third
grade book club reads), have been embraced by children, parents and the
educational community.
Ruth
enjoys Pilates, zumba, cooking, reading, music, photography, snorkeling,
bicycle riding, walks with her canine kids, and travel. Sharing her joy of
writing with young students and encouraging them to put their imaginative
stories on paper gives Ruth great satisfaction. She and her family reside
outside of Philadelphia, PA in Chester County.
Thanks for an amazing interview, Ruth! Congrats on your success...
ReplyDeletegreat article Ruth...love your book covers--especially the Sisters Inn one.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to learn a little about the person behind the books! Enjoyed your interview.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Ruth. I love the book covers.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your interview Ruth! Travel inspires my mother and I too. Great to see your hard work come to fruition. My first book only took me 5 years to write, but I thought about 8 years before that. Congrats on your upcoming release and all of your success!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the read, Ruth. How wrong that publisher was about dog books and their fans.
ReplyDelete