Ruth Skrine - Author Life

Ruth Skrine, author of A Step Too Far, was published in September 2017. We felt it was time to catch up with the author and find out how life had changed for her since the release of her book.

Did you always dream of becoming an author?

No, because my spelling was always poor. My mother and sister were the writers in my family.

What was your first job?

Medical practitioner

How did you come about writing your book? Was that your intention or did you start writing for fun?

I had already edited a series of books for the medical profession and written one of my own, Blocks and Freedoms in Sexual Life. My first novel was self-published and a commercial disaster. The present book was stimulated by a holiday in Bhutan organised by the International Crane Foundation. I am concerned about the environment and cranes are a good marker for the health of wetlands. At the same time, I am fascinated by the way people relate to each other, and the influence of early life experiences on their characters. I certainly hoped that this story of a small group of people, thrown together in a distant country, would provide an enticing story that could be published.

What was your life like before you became an author?

I worked in general practice, family planning and psychosexual medicine and cared for my husband, who was a prison governor, and my daughter.

Did you face any struggles before becoming an author? If so, how did you overcome them?

I found the change from writing for the profession to writing fiction very difficult. I tended to explain too much and not leave enough room for the readers imagination. I took several courses with the Open College of the Arts and obtained an MA in creative writing from Bath Spa University.

Now that you are a published author, how has your life changed, if at all?

I have become resigned to the disappointment of previous publications that were commercial failures. However, the act of writing has transformed widowhood and retirement, giving purpose to my life and widening my interests.

Can you please describe a typical day in your life now?

I work in bed as soon as I wake, correcting the previous day’s work and writing on. Then I transfer the words to the computer and continue the story. By midday I think my writing is rather good and know it is time to stop. My critical eye tires quickly!  Next morning, I find much of what I have written is rubbish. I spend the rest of my days recharging my writing energy, filling the time with household chores, gardening and friends.

What is your most memorable moment of your life as an author?

Best moment. When my book, for doctors, Blocks and Freedoms in Sexual Life was translated into Italian.

Worst moment. When my memoir Growing into Medicine; the life and loves of a psychosexual doctor was shredded within a year of publication. The title did not make it clear that the book was a memoir so bookshops did not know where to shelve it. Perhaps they thought it was full of love affairs? Or that it was pornography? Very far from the truth as my loves are rivers, mountains and birds, my work as a doctor and my family and friends