Ruth Mitchell was born and raised in Salt Lake City. She grew up at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains writing plays for the neighborhood kids and “exploring” the woods near her home. In high school, she founded a Dead Poets’ Society, as well as successfully campaigning to make the school’s all-male service club accept female students. She met her husband, Bill, on their first day of classes at the University of Utah, where she graduated with a BA in journalism. Working for the Deseret News, she reported on wildfires, shootings and human interest stories. When her husband finished medical school, they moved with their two small daughters to Texas. In Dallas they learned to love good barbecue, bluebonnets and Texans. (Everyone should be so proud of their state!) With a little Texan in tow (a boy!) they moved to San Diego. In California, they welcomed another son and put down roots. Ruth continued her writing, joined the San Diego chapter of SCBWI and found her awesome writing group. In addition, to dreaming up new book ideas, Ruth loves long rambling conversations, baking (she makes the best pie), hiking, party-planning and running (slowly) along the coasts and canyons of Southern California.

An Interview with Ruth

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Howl’s Moving Castle (If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie you are missing out.) My castle would roam the Wasatch range and I would have a door to San Diego, Dallas, London and New York.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My children.

Who is your favorite author? Jane Austen!!!! I celebrate her birthday every year. A few other favorites are: F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Eliot and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Have you ever had a nickname? Yes, a few select individuals get to call me Ruthie. When I was little some called me Ruthannatha, and as a teenager my brothers’ friends called me Ruthless.

Are you religious? Yes, I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

What are your superpowers? Gift giving, pie baking, and throwing last-minute parties.

What talent do you wish you had? I wish I could dance without embarrassing my children.

Do you like surprises? Yes, we didn’t find out the gender of three of our kids until they were born. I highly recommend it.

If you could eat one meal the rest of your life what would it be? A good French baguette and butter.

Who is your fictional crush? Gilbert Blythe forever! But a shout out to Han Alister (Demon King), Joe Willard (Betsy & Tacy series) and Mr. Thornton (North and South).

How many shoes do you own? I’ve never counted. But a high percentage of them are red. I have a weakness for red shoes.