Meet author Maryruth Dilling

Maryruth Dilling is a new author to me! Let’s jump right in and get to know her.

Jen – Hi Maryruth! Tell us a little about yourself.

Maryruth – I grew up in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, the oldest of three girls. Back in 2002, I decided to take off with my youngest son. I told my family I was heading to the hills of Kentucky, but a few days before we left, I did the finger thing on the map and ended up heading to Butte, Montana. We were going to Kalispell. However, by the time we reached Butte, my son was tired of being in the car. We stayed right there. We were there for three weeks before I told my family where we were.

This changed my life in ways I never imagined.

After 2 ½ years, we moved to ID. I became myself while living in the North ID; I came into my own, as many would say. I found a deeper relationship with God, I found healing, I found friendships like never before, and I discovered my calling.

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More about Maryruth

Jen – I love that you found who you are in God.

Maryruth – Yes, the event that increased my faith in God was when I was totally disabled due to Lyme disease. God blessed in amazing ways. I had to give up control of my life to Him. Over the past ten years, He has restored my health and led me to help others.

I’ve experienced miraculous happenings where God protected me when I was homeless in a tent. A major windstorm was blowing tree limbs down. But everything of mine, even to the red Solo cup on my car, was not touched. When I saw the destruction and the protection of my belongings, I cried. I knew that God was there and would never leave me.

Maryruth Dilling and writing

Jen – I love when God shows up in amazing areas – well, He always does, doesn’t He? Tell us about what you write.

Maryruth Dilling – Educational curricula, health presentations, devotionals (Rabbit Trails), children’s books (Don’t Feed the Microbes, Shaboom the Teddy Bear series), and some short ebooks on health, homeschooling, and preparedness.

(I wrote monthly for a homeschool blog for five years, and I wrote for a couple of magazines (print and online). I even wrote for a small-town newspaper back in the mid-80s.)

Family Blessing Week: https://amzn.to/49p3S84

Homeschooling Children with Challenges: https://amzn.to/3X7N9yA

Steps to Health: https://amzn.to/4oCpWjO

Are You Listening, What is Your Body Trying to Tell You? https://amzn.to/3X3TJ9q

Creating a Bug-Out Group (Intentional Communities): https://amzn.to/3JDdhyn

I have several Bible studies and devotionals, along with health information, on my Patreon Channel: https://www.patreon.com/c/countrywriter7/shop (I’m always uploading more information.)

Maryruth Dilling bio:

Maryruth Dilling is a passionate educator, author, and natural health professional dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to better health and well-being. With a deep commitment to holistic wellness, she educates, challenges, and encourages people to make meaningful lifestyle changes that enhance both their mental and physical wellness.

Through her writing, speaking engagements, and hands-on guidance, Maryruth blends research-based insights with practical, natural solutions to help individuals and families take control of their health. Her expertise spans homeschooling, preparedness, and natural health, equipping her audience with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in

Whether through her books, workshops, or personal coaching, Maryruth’s mission is to inspire from a biblical worldview intentional living, resilience, and self-sufficiency, fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Writing habits

Jen – I’m a former homeschool mom and lesson creator too! I always like to ask other writers about their writing habits. Are you a plotter or a pantser? When do you write?

Maryruth – I normally do my writing after my morning devotions. For my presentations, I may create a short outline. I will make a loose outline for my non-fiction works. For my fiction, I’m a pantser. I may jot down a few ideas, but I mainly allow the characters to carry me along.

Of course, this has led me to having to go back and totally change the story when a secondary character took over as the main character.

I’m bombarded by ideas daily. I do not have the time to flesh them all out. I will often create a short post to share on social media with the idea of later going back and creating a longer work.

Book Blurb – Watch and Pray: Preparing for Translation

In an age of deception, distraction, and spiritual crisis, God is calling His people to wake up, stand firm, and prepare for translation. Watch and Pray: Preparing for Translation is a collection of deeply grounded Bible study guides designed to strengthen faith, expose subtle end-time deceptions, and inspire a life of holiness and readiness for Christ’s return.

Each study unpacks key prophetic and practical topics — from the influence of Jesuit theology and modern compromise, to the true nature of sanctification, worship, and the latter rain experience. Written with clarity and conviction, these studies lead readers to examine their hearts, redeem the time, and anchor their lives fully in the Word of God.

This is more than a study guide — it’s a spiritual preparation manual for those who long to stand with the Lamb in the final conflict and be ready for translation when He comes.

Maryruth’s inspiration for writing

Jen – What inspired you to start writing?

Maryruth – I started dictating stories to my older cousin when I was 6. I cannot remember a time when I was not ‘writing.’ As soon as I learned how to hold a pencil, I started writing stories. They were not the best, but I was writing.

I remember when I was 6, we decided we were going to be famous authors. I would tell him the story. He would be my ‘scribe.’

My career goal at that time was to be a missionary to Africa and write children’s books. (I thought Africa was the only place missionaries went.) Although I was only six, many years later, through the power of the internet, I am a missionary to Africa. I have written children’s books.

Research & goals for Maryruth Dilling

Jen – That’s true! It’s so fun to see how God works those things out. Do you have to do research for what you write?

Maryruth – I do have a fiction WIP. I’m using this as a vehicle to educate about natural healing methods. Yes, I research, but most of the research has been done over decades. The Title: Returning to the Old Paths. It’s a Christian Dystopian novel.

I do a lot of research for my various health training presentations.

Jen – What are your goals when you write?

Maryruth – Why do I write? I cannot not write. It’s hard-wired into my DNA, like teaching is.

Who do I wish to reach? I know we should have one focus group, but I write on different topics. Some topics are on education/parenting. My main focus are parents who have children with challenges.

My health writing: Women in their 40s-50s who are beginning to experience the negative results of their lifestyle choices and are willing to do whatever it takes to get better, and reclaim their health.

I share my experience with Lyme disease. This is to reach out and help those going through the same thing. To give hope.

My Rabbit Trails: My goal here is to reach believers who want to be prepared for the end times we are facing. Who wants to stand victorious when Christ returns.

My overall goal is to educate, challenge, and encourage people to make the needed lifestyle changes to improve mental and physical wellness. Time is short. To be able to withstand what is coming, we must do all we can to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God so He can finish the work in fitting us for heaven. (Rom 12:1-2)

What Maryruth reads 🔖

Jen – What do you like to read?

Maryruth – I am an information junkie. I’m working on thinning out the information I collect, but I read voraciously.

I used to read more fiction. I would read authors like Catherine Anderson and Nora Roberts, along with about a dozen others. Then I switched to Christian fiction only. I got hooked on Christian historical fiction. My favorite time period is the last half of the 1800s. Now, I’m very selective in the fiction I read. There are only half a dozen authors whose characters experience real spiritual growth. (I only read these if they are historical in timeline. I do not read contemporary authors.) I’ve also begun reading biblical fiction.

The bulk of my reading is non-fiction. I read about natural health, study herbal remedies, edible/medicinal plants. I read books about biblical topics, church outreach/ministry, and I read books about educating God’s method. Also, I read about improving my business and outreach.

For my writing, I’ve been involved with a couple of writers’ groups for many years now. I read books by Terry Whalin, Cecil Murphey, and other writers (Stephen King). I’m usually reading at least one writing technique book.

⏰ Time for fun facts!

Jen – I read all the time. There are so many good books out there! Okay, time for my favorite section: fun facts!

Maryruth –

• Coffee or tea: Herbal tea.
• Favorite season – spring.
• Favorite Bible verse – That’s hard. I have so many favorites. Isaiah 65:24, 1 John 3: 4-10
• What do you do in your free time – Free time?? LOL. Read, write. I have to say that I have very little free time.
• Dog or cat – Dog, definitely. I do love Siamese cats.
• Hobbies – I know sign language. I love to interpret songs.

Find Maryruth Dilling online

Jen – Tell us where we can find you online.

Maryruth – I’m more active on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/maryruth.dilling

I have two pages:
Kindling Dreams Academy https://www.facebook.com/KindlingDreamsAcademy/ (Anything that deals with children, education, and parenting.)

Kindling Dreams  https://www.facebook.com/kindlingdreams/ (Not very active anymore since FB removed videos. I’ve made my personal posts public 99% of the time because of the change in FB.)

I also have two groups:

Natural Mental Health: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457293621463212/ (I share all things dealing with mental wellness from a whole-body perspective.)

Using Foods to Heal: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1568824576753661/ (Again, I share things on natural remedies, alternative medicine.)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryruth-dilling/

Twitter (X): @countrywriter7

Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@countrywriter7

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithmaryruthdilling

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Countrywriter7 (My main focus at present.)

WhatsApp Group: Emergency preparedness from a biblical perspective. This is in conjunction with the free biweekly emergency preparedness class I teach on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of the month.

Website: Kindlingdreams.com

Blog: https://kindlingdreams.com/category/recovery/ (I’ve been focusing on my Patreon channel lately, so my blog hasn’t been very active.)

Newsletter: (I’m restarting my newsletter with a focus on “Weekly tips for natural living and end-time preparedness.”

**As you can see, social media keeps me very busy. LOL. It’s hard to juggle all the pieces of the puzzle.

To contact me: healing@kindlingdreams.com

Maryruth’s advice for new writers

Jen – What would you tell a new writer?

Maryruth – Write. Write something every day. Don’t worry about editing in the beginning. Just get words down on paper. It’s called ‘Butt in chair’ time. After you have something written, find a critique group. Become involved. Ask questions. Share your own thoughts with others. (Do not be selfish. Be there to help others grow, too.) Lastly, join Toastmasters.

Many years ago, my online writers’ group talked about the importance of effective speaking being linked to success. They recommended Toastmasters. I followed the advice. I’ve been a member of Toastmasters for over 15 years. I’m almost finished with my second DTM (Distinguished Toastmasters). I’m working on becoming an accredited speaker.

Thanks to Maryruth Dilling

Jen – Toastmasters is a wonderful recommendation! I’ve not thought about that before. Thank you for sharing about you, your books, and your life, Maryruth Dilling!

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Read Meet the Characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series, and then follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with news about my book and any special offers!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for over 39 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024, and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? released Feb. 25, 2025! My romantic suspense novella, SeaBreeze Obsession in Trinity Sands Beach Club, released June 17, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)