Q & A with Ruth Tenzer Feldman
Read more about Scriva Ruth, and her love of both history and writing, as she is interviewed by writer and educator Sandra Bornstein. Today, I welcome Ruth Tenzer Feldman. She is the author of numerous non-fiction and fiction children’s books. In the last couple of years, she published the award-winning novel, Blue Thread and its companion The Ninth Day. Both books were written for a young adult audience, but adults can enjoy these historical fiction books as well.
In exchange for an honest review, I received a complimentary copy of The Ninth Day. I had previously purchased Blue Thread.
Welcome Ruth.
Your website mentions that you had a successful career as a legislative attorney. Why did you decide to shift gears to become a young adult book author?
Writing has been my first love since elementary school, when I did a report on eye care from the point of view of the eye. My work as an attorney was satisfying, challenging, productive…but still basically a job. Somewhere in mid-life, my first love won out.
You started your children’s book writing career by authoring numerous books that are part of various non-fiction book series. What drew you to these historically based projects?
When I was an international relations major in college I began to realize that what we are (as individuals, families, nations) depends so much on what we were—or what we think we were. There’s so much story in history.
Blue Thread and The Ninth Day catapulted you into the realm of fiction. What prompted you to take this leap?
Well, to put it baldly, I had an urge to lie. I was writing the bio of U.S. president Calvin Coolidge, and I wondered what it would be like for the secret service guys who had to deal with Cal’s pranks. He was a practical joker, even in the White House). Did they ever play a trick on the president? That’s when I knew it was time to write fiction.
