It was a good life—a time free from the complexities of modern day life with its many encumbrances that dampen our inspiration and rob us of time needed to develop our God-given talents and creative abilities.

I have always loved to write, to make up stories, to escape to that secret place, the window of the imagination that allows a writer (and a reader) to enter another world, be another person, or live in another time.

After high school and college, I married my best friend and we have journeyed through life with all its joys and sorrows together. Many of those years were devoted to raising our family as we ministered in various parts of the US and foreign lands. My husband presently pastors a congregation in Florida, our adopted state. I support all his endeavors for the Lord and he supports mine. We are a team.

To my readers I would say, I don't believe I am a great writer when it comes to the details of literary excellence, but I know I can tell a story. I would say I am a storyteller. I find the "rules and regs” of writing too restricting at times, and when I am involved in story, rules just might fly out the window. My edits come back inundated with red marks. I misplace modifiers, dangle participles, overuse ellipses but—I can make my readers laugh and cry and see inside themselves.

I employ the entire spectrum of human emotions when I write. The stories I tell are real to me and I am right there with my characters. I write from life experiences, from my own heart. I want my readers to believe that hope springs eternal and inspiration comes from the Almighty. I want my pen to point the way to the cross and for my readers to know they are in safe hands when trusting in a providential God.

Although I have written on a serious level for years, my Wildrose Series has been the secret joy of my writing ambition, perhaps because the first novel in this series was based on my paternal grandmother’s life story. Researching the details of Elizabeth’s story and my Scottish roots, in addition to the history of Fairfield County, has led me from the hills and valleys of Ohio to my ancestral home in Scotland.

There have been many challenges throughout my writing journey. A rare eye disease called, Stargardts, has been a lifelong challenge but I have found one thing to be true—He who has chosen my path goes before me, and leads me in the way I should go. He has been my guide in the darkest night, my Friend and Comfort though all my trials. If I can touch some heart through my writing, I am happy and feel very blessed. I praise God for His wonderful love to me.

Ruth lives in Florida, with her husband, Wright, a Pastor. They have four grown children. You can write Ruth at writer@ruthellinger.com