“New Friend – True Friend” is a poem originally written over 30 years ago and was originally titled “Dragon Tales.” I began thinking about my own children who were all nearly grown at that time and about the things they liked and problems they had. My oldest son loved dinosaurs and dragons and instilled in me the same love by introducing me to “Dinotopia” by James Gurney as well as Anne McCaffrey’s dragon rider books. That’s how a dragon became a part of the poem.

Since we were an Air Force family, moving from one base to another became a way of life and often a problem for the children when they had to leave old friends behind and try to make new ones in their new hometown. Thus, developing a new friendship became a part of the poem.

Feeling betrayed can also be a part of a new friendship before we truly get to know someone. But that feeling can be turned around when our new friend keeps their promises and a spirit of kindness and understanding grows between them. Dominic Dragon keeps his promise to Jason and does it right away turning Jason’s frown into an uplifting smile.

I am a poet and poetry is difficult to sell. Self-publishing was a way of seeing my work in print quickly, making it available to family and friends, with the possibility of further sales occurring. I have written eleven books of poetry, trying to publish a new one each year. Now I have added "New Friend True Friend", a children's picture book for ages 3-8.

My greatest joy in writing is being able to express, for others to see, my Christian faith, family values and a little humor to bring a smile to someone's face now and then.

I've made many new fans through my Facebook author page and I appreciate each and every one of them. I hope to make more fans and friends as time goes on. Without their comments and support, where would we authors be?

I continue to write a poem now and then for this year's book. But, now that I've ventured into children's books, I have a couple of other stories written long ago that I may consider publishing if I can save enough money to pay the illustrator. "Bears in the Woods" would be my next choice, a story about one little bear who keeps hearing that he's "not the handsomest bear in the woods" and then learns that just may be a compliment and not an insult.

My favorite authors... well, #1 would have to be Richard Paul Evans at the moment and #2 would be from years ago when my son introduced me to Anne McCaffrey and her dragon rider books. He first gave the book about a dragon named Ruth (because that's my name) and I was hooked after that. I think I've read them all!

Oh, that's an easy one! Quilting! I am an avid quilter and always have something in the works, either planning my next quilt, putting my current one together, or hand quilting the last one. I also make quilted purses and tote bags which I sell once in a while at local craft shows.

I may not remember the first story I ever wrote, but I remember the first poem of note. It was an assignment in the 5th grade to write an Easter poem. That was back in the days when we learned Bible verses in school and could freely talk about God and faith in school. That poem was put to music by my teacher and sun at our Easter program at school that year.

I'm not a "driven" writer who can't seem to put down her pen or step away from her keyboard. What I do seem to be is a driven quilter who occasionally finds inspiration for poetry while sitting quietly working on a quilt in my lap, or while sitting in church during Sunday service. It's those quiet time inspirations or the turn of a phrase from the pulpit which eventually become my next poem. I've written many a poem on the back of a church bulletin while listening to the sermon. Once an idea starts flitting around in my head, I have to sit down and write and it usually just flows rather quickly.

I've used stock covers when publishing through CreateSpace and added my own photos to their covers. My new children's picture book "New Friend True Friend" was fully illustrated by Debbie Hefke and Kira Ribordy and I relied on their creativity to bring the characters to life.

When I read for pleasure I love to read what some people might call "fluff" literature, i.e., light hearted, easy reading, often romantic, Christian, and animal stories. I do the same with movies and I enjoy animation, animal stories, and chick flicks.

At the present time I only have a Kindle.

Oh, you don't want to go there! I have a tiny room for both my quilting on one side of the room and my computer on the other. Family portraits on the wall, reference books to my right, keyboard and monitor in front of me, printer to my left, sewing machine and all its associated clutter behind me. My husband thinks it's a disaster area (but you should see his shop!).

I've been writing since that first 5th grade poem I mentioned earlier, but never saved any of it until the 70's when personal problems and tragedies brought on depression and withdrawal. It was easier to write my thoughts and feelings in poems than to discuss them with others. It was a way to bring me back and get me functioning again.

I don't feel like I've found success yet, except among my friends and family and this is my first venture with Smashwords which I'm hoping will get my children's book available to more readers.