Interview with Ruth DiDomenico

Author of Chapter 11 A Personal Bankruptcy Reorganization

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Born and raised in Dearborn Michigan, spent most years in Washington State. I have lived in Florida in The Villages since 2012.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I graduated from Dearborn High school and Eastern Michigan College with a BS Degree. After teaching high school for a year, I joined the US Army Women’s Medical specialist Corp and took, certified, and practiced as a physical therapist in Army Hospitals during the Korean War. I met my husband at the Officer’s Club, was married for 62 years and had 6 children during those years. I also had a physical therapy private practice and Rehabilitation Agency for 40 years in Washington State. We retired to The Villages in Florida in 2012. Lou died in 2017 of a massive brain hemorrhage.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

When Lou died suddenly, I was very aware of God’s unmistakable presence for 1 full week. I felt blessed and comforted beyond my expectations.
Lou had been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 4 years prior. We were successfully “handling” beyond the normal downward path. He was sleeping longer and more often, and I knew the path to be expected was not something we looked forward to.
I felt I had been called to spend my time going forward in a purpose driven life in HIS service. In one week, I became a different person doing different thing for different reasons. I felt happy for Lou that he did not have to go through the normal deteriorating life, the pain and suffering that is the usual course of this disease. I felt I needed to spend my time looking for what I could do to be used in HIS service. I was grateful that Lou did not have to suffer, that I was healthy, living in a neighborhood of supportive friend and neighbors as well as all of my children, that Lou left me with the financial resources to spend my time and energy limited only by my own vision. When I found a way to act in HIS service, and was successful, there was such a profound joy connected to it, that I could hardly wait to find another job. The book came forward from those days following his death.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Chapter 11 in a business sense is a Business bankruptcy Reorganization. In my case, Chapter 11 is a Personal Bankruptcy reorganization. The first 10 chapters are just a short background for the real message which is the focus of the book.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

The message is for those who find themselves in the middle of life changing events, and positive messages to inspire them to not only get through difficult times, but tools to actually grow, prosper, and find new meaning even beyond what you had in the past. That a purpose driven life is the answer to the question we often have asked ourselves, “Is this all there is”.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

It is easier to write a book than it is to get it published, and do not ever expect to profit from a publication.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Always look for things and events for which you can be grateful. Find the good in everything you do and all the people you meet, massage the hell out of all the good surrounding things and people, and ignore the bad. They are both there for you to entertain.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Those people who have read my book say that I have been an inspiration to them, especially those who have lost a spouse or things they have considered life supporting.
I say, if it helps people through difficult times and my book gives them steps to take to make that happen, then the more the merrier.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

The month after this book was published, I fell in a parking lot. I had a total hip replacement 10 years prior that was functioning well. The fall pushed the replacement peg leading down the femur and caused multiple splinter fractures with a
lot of collateral damage.
I am writing another book called “AFTER THE FALL”.
Chapter 1, TWO DEATH SENTENCES
Chapter 2, THE LESSONS FROM PAIN
CHAPTER 3, THE DISCIPLINE AND PATH TO HEALING

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Discipline, work ethic, excellent teachers and mentors all along this blessed lifetime. I have been blessed with exceptional health, devoid of any diseases, and at 90 years of age, currently creeping around on a walker or a cane, wake up every morning thanking God for for all that I have. When it is my time to go beyond this lifetime, I can only say, It has been a blast.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I really do not care if I make one cent on this or any other book. My fun is giving it away and hoping that it has some value to those who receive it. If this book ever made money, I would consider it as a way to funding God’s projects. I know a LOT of people in this Village who are have found that a purpose driven life is the answer to a happy one, and have many friends who could use some financial support in their voyage.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am starting Chapter 4 of AFTER THE FALL.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I used Westbow Press. They are a Christian Publisher that made the book less when they insisted that I eliminate my more colorful language.

I will send book cover in a separate e mail.