At the September meeting of Writers Unite Drayton, Ruth Smith Meyer, inspirational writer and speaker, shared her experiences on becoming a writer.
Raised in an old order Mennonite church, Smith Meyer was encouraged by her father to read. Books became an integral part of her life and at a young age she developed a passion for writing. Blessed with an awareness of how the spoken word affected her, she became a dispenser of kind and encouraging words to others.
As a teen, she had 33 pen pals, with whom she corresponded on a monthly basis.
Smith Meyer married Norman Smith and raised their family in Ailsa Craig. After 39 years of marriage, Norman died of colon cancer.
After his passing Smith Meyers established Craigwiel Garden Adult Day Centre and focused her energies on recording the stories seniors shared with her. The seniors responded to these stories by saying, “You made my life sound like it was worthwhile.”
Six years after Norman’s death, Smith Meyer met Paul Meyer of Listowel. The two proved that love could bloom again.
Smith Meyers’ writing accomplishments include a column for seniors published in four Newspapers in the Ailsa Craig area entitled, Keenagers Corner. She also has stories published in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, Grandmother’s Necklace (Steven Lewis Foundation) and 50 Shades of Grace.
Not Easily Broken, a novel published in 2007 by Smith Meyers, was a learning experience about the publishing world. After attaining no success with a publishing company, she decided to self-publish. Smith Meyers shared the valuable lessons she learned during the publication of the book. In 2008, she self-published the sequel, Not Far From The Tree. Both books are based on a true story that was shared by a senior in Ailsa Craig.
“I received positive feedback about the books. Widows and widowers appreciated my honesty in writing about grief. I legitimized grief and drew a lot from my own experiences,” Smith Meyer said.
Finding a need for a children’s book that dealt with the topic of grief, Smith Meyers wrote and illustrated her latest book titled, Tyson’s Sad Bad Day in 2009.
An African proverb, “When a person dies, a whole library dies with them,” is a quote Smith Meyers holds close to her heart and is her encouragement to keep recording personal stories of seniors.
“I wish I had started writing earlier. What I have learned about the publishing world, I enjoy sharing with other writers,” she said.
Smith Meyers is available for speaking engagements and her books can be purchased at Wallenstein General Store, Christian book stores, online at Amazon or by contacting Smith Meyers at www.ruthsmithmeyer.com or smithmeyerbooks@gmail.com.
