Meet Awesome Romance Author Ruth Kaufman
~ When Writing Comes Easy ~
Today, romance author Ruth Kaufman shares her fascinating career as an actress and singer and romance writer. Ruth writes medieval romance and light-hearted contemporaries.
Welcome Ruth…
Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?
Writing often comes somewhat easily. A scene may pop into my head, like the opening scene for my first book, a medieval, At His Command. I saw a woman slumped over a horse walking down a hill. Who might see her, and what would they do? What if someone was after her…who might that be, and why? What iffing helps me continue after the initial idea.
I’m a pantser, not a plotter. I tried worksheets, writing the synopsis first, etc., but no words came out. When I tried seeing scenes through each point of view character’s eyes, I was able to make my daily word count much more often. The harder part for me is revising, including refining dialogue and heightening conflict.
I’m also what I call a puzzler, and don’t necessarily write in order. I may get an idea for a scene that comes later in the book, then find a way to connect to that scene from what I already have. Yes, sometimes this requires going back to weave in foreshadowing, but I like to let the story develop as organically as possible rather than the majority being author intrusion.
What do you do when you are not writing?
My “day job” is acting, from on-camera roles in films, web series and commercials to a lot of voice-over work, from commercials to hundreds of elearning courses to phone messaging. A recent feature film, in which I play the main character’s literary agent (ha) was Heavens to Betsy 2, starring Jim O’Heir. I also do a bit of improv and the occasional print job.
I spend quite a bit of time auditioning via talent agents and self-submissions, whether from home for voice overs, at a casting agency for TV shows, commercials or industrials (corporate projects) or with a friend who helps self-tape auditions for films and some TV shows. My demos and reels are at www.ruthtalks.com.
Do you have an unusual hobby?
I’ve loved singing since I got into my first chorus in 5th grade after singing My Country ‘Tis of Thee (for which I was paid $10/month, my first paying job) and still use the sight reading and tonal memory skills required to get into my high school’s choir. My favorite composition was Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, also known as the Symphony of a Thousand because hundreds of musicians and singers are required to perform it. My singing highlight was performing “A Weekend in the Country” in a group of twenty-four for Stephen Sondheim (my favorite musical composer) himself. I have pictures of him clapping for us.
Now I sing in a symphony chorus. We just did Rossini’s Stabat Mater. The last movement, a fugue, is the hardest thing I’ve ever sung. Usually I’m able to memorize most of each piece during rehearsals. This was the first time I had to use Cyberbass.com to figure out my part…and was still a bit lost. Next year, we’ll be singing in Chicago’s Symphony Center for the third time.
How much research do you do for each book you write?
It depends on the book. For my medievals, I did tons of research at first…collecting more than 200 books on fifteenth century England and also spending time at Chicago’s fabulous Newberry Library to look at rolls of Parliament and books with maps of the actual battles. For my second book, about a stained glass painter, I tracked down a book offering details of daily life in medieval glass painting studios at The Art Institute of Chicago’s library, and was able to get a day pass. After I knew the period better, I could write a scene leaving blanks for what they were wearing or eating, for example, and fill those details in later.
I also visited the castle the heroine of my first book lives in, Castle Rising. Being in the actual space, though hundreds of years separated us, was amazing.
In fact, when I first started writing, I thought time spent researching counted toward productivity. It wasn’t until I heard Catherine Coulter at a Romance Writers of America conference say that only new pages counted that I started setting weekly page goals. Product, aka new books, is what you need to sell.
My contemporaries are set in Chicago, where I live, so research mostly meant double checking some facts about various settings.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
My Life as a Star incorporates some aspects of my experiences auditioning for and getting speaking roles, but a lot is pure fiction because I haven’t experienced fame or dated any famous directors.
My Life as an Extra, the standalone prequel to this book, is based on my experiences working as an extra on more than 80 movies and TV shows and changing my career mid-life. That’s right, more than 80. Some is true, some stems from truth and some is pure fiction.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I don’t think writing great books is enough anymore…getting readers to discover them is equally important. And for the vast majority, one book isn’t enough, so think ahead to your next book. Not only that, consider the pace of new releases: how fast you can write and sell or self-publish. Many authors now release more than one book a year. If you can’t do a full-length, can you do a novella or other content?
The market changes so fast, so staying on top of trends in promotion and marketing is key. Decide how much promo and marketing you can afford and are willing to do. Also, research distribution options and pricing, and carefully decide what will work for your book(s). There are so many free and discounted books that for many of us selling at full price is another challenge.
My Life as a Star by Ruth Kaufman
After summoning the courage to quit her well-paying day job, Marla Goldberg is determined to achieve her dream 
of being a full-time working actress in Chicago. Her biggest gig so far is a national TV commercial directed by hot, famous Scott Sampson. But portraying a tap-dancing zucchini isn’t acting or success to her disapproving family. Will they be impressed if she gets her first role in a major film, also directed by Scott? How does she stop caring what they, and others, think?
Scott, aka Great Scott, finds himself falling for quirky, smart Marla despite his vow to never date another actress. The pressures of their profession and the glaring, ever-present public eye threaten to tear them apart as she learns be careful what you wish for when her career and feelings for him suddenly skyrocket.
Buy Link
Learn More about Ruth Kaufman
Email ruthkaufmanbooks@yahoo.com
Website http://ruthkaufman.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ruthtalks or Ruth Kaufman Author & Actor
Twitter @RuthKaufman https://twitter.com/RuthKaufman
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/ruth_kaufman
Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Kaufman/e/B00JH7Z40S
Instagram @ruth.kaufman
Thank you, Cat!
How very interesting your life is, Ruth! Thanks for sharing. My Life as a Star sounds intriguing. Best of luck with it!
Cat
Thank you, Barbara, for the kind words! (waves to fellow medievalist)
What a fascinating interview! Ruth, your life sounds as exciting as your books. As a medieval writer, I had to nod at the research exploits you described. Best of luck with your book–wishing you many happy sales 🙂