So tickled to have award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti with us this week! She’s a fellow Wisconsinite to boot! Here’s a little about her latest release, Song of Silence.
Charlie and Lucy Tuttle are committed to each other for life, but that life isn’t turning out quite like they expected. Charlie retired early, but Lucy planned to continue in her position as a music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school indefinitely. And then the day came when she was forced to retire. Lucy was devoted to the program her father started years ago and now she can only watch as it disintegrates before her eyes. The longer she is separated from the passion of her heart, the more the music fades from her life and she wonders if her faith’s song is fading too. When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.
- Lucy experiences a major upheaval in her life. What upheavals have you experienced?
Average upheavals. I wonder whose life has been a smooth upward trend with no dips and curves, no plunges into the depths followed by glimpses of wonderful. Some upheavals have been challenging, but in a good way. Finding out we weren’t going to have two children but three, nine years after our second child was born. Discovering that—wonder of wonders—I’d been elected president of American Christian Fiction Writers. I moved from Topic of the Week coordinator and volunteer choir director for the conference to president of the corporation. Smooth, huh? When my husband fell from his hunting stand and broke his back and his femur—an hour after I accidentally set the kitchen on fire—with full-time caregiving for my husband complicated by my own major surgery weeks later. Upheaval. (The full story takes 3 hours to tell.)
- Lucy loses a passion. What does that do to a person?
I don’t believe Lucy is alone in her slow descent into depression after her life’s work and driving passion are ripped away. She was disoriented, confused, disappointed, heartbroken. Her life-plan dissolved in an instant. It took her too long to figure out that it was okay to not only admit how she felt, but to seek help. She tried to put up a strong front with the very people who would have been the first to hold her and cry with her. That created unnatural distance in her family relationships for a time. I think Lucy’s story parallels a story many of us can relate to.
- There is a deaf character in the story. How did you go about researching deafness and the deaf community?
In my immediate circle of family and friends, I am not blessed with connections with the deaf community. But I have a dear friend who is well versed in that world, having both parents and parents-in-law who are deaf. In addition to research through books, online videos and articles, and tidbits I’d picked up along the way, my friend and I conversed at length about the intricacies that don’t always make it into print. Relationship challenges and joys. The “loudness” or emphasis of what deaf people are saying with their hands and body language. The lip-reading versus signing debate, which I hadn’t realized was a debate. The music in communicating without sound. Her personal and life-long experience within the deaf community was invaluable help in writing Song of Silence.
- What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
My overarching desire is for the reader to leave the reading experience saying, “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in hope.” Through Song of Silence, my hope is that readers will also walk away realizing that the pauses, silences, and “rests” in our lives can be the most meaningful if they’re “played” with the kind of intensity with which we play life’s notes on the page.
- What do you like to do in your free time, when you aren’t writing?
I don’t claim to be a photographer, but I do enjoy capturing artistic moments and scenes. And—it may come as no surprise—I enjoy listening to and creating music. I serve on our church’s worship team and sometimes serve as the worship leader for writers’ conferences. That too added some of the emotional texture in Song of Silence.
Thank you so much for allowing me time to chat with you and your readers!
To keep up with Cynthia Ruchti, visit www.cynthiaruchti.com. You can also follow her on Facebook (Cynthia Ruchti), Twitter (@cynthiaruchti), and Pinterest (cynthiaruchti).
Thanks so much for visiting with us, Cynthia!
Ten years ago, my husband told me he wanted a divorce. That was a major upheaval. We were in Germany at the time (he was in the army), so my kids and I returned to the US to be near my family. It was a rough, rough time for all of us. With God’s help, we’ve healed.
Pam, I can’t imagine how rough that was. And no doubt still is, at times. Upheaval seems too tame a word. Grateful for the gift of healing for your family.
My mother past away at the age of 43, my sister was 42 when she died. One brother past away on his 21st birthday. One other brother died a year later in his early 20’s. Last year we were told that my dad had anywhere from 2 days to 2 months to live. He is still alive and living at home obviously doing a lot better. About the time that my dad started doing better my husband got sick. He was hospitalized for the first time in 20 years. The last time was when they removed his larynx due to throat cancer. He now has COPD and due to the meds he developed very fast growing cataracts. He finally had cataract surgery last month. Due to the stress of his illness I wound up in the hospital myself. Thank God we are both doing better right now.
A heartbreaking string of events for your family, Jan! Praying these next days, weeks, months, years will be filled with mercy for you and yours.
My husband becoming mentally ill and ending up in a nursing home until his death. But God was always there!
Another heavy-hearted story. You could probably tell a multitude of small and large ways that God showed you He was there at your side, Joan.
I love and adore Cynthia!!
And as “the dear friend” , I must say she did an incredible job bringing deaf culture alive in the story. Very very very well done!
Also, I may know something about Lucy’s little injury.
I truly loved how Cynthia portrayed a loving, long-married couple and all their idiosyncrasies. And how Lucy wore herself out trying to keep up, when all she had to do was slow down and listen to the rests.
Fabulous book by an amazing friend. I’m honoured to be a tiny part of it.
Jennifer, you, your life experiences, your ability to be “in tune” with the heartneeds of those around you helped bring Lucy’s song back. Thank you for the millionth time for your kindness and generosity.
So far, this is one of my favorite books this year. And I have loved Ruchti’s other books, too. Just love it when I find talented authors like the two of you who are from Wisconsin. Being a retired teacher (by choice, not forced), I totally connected with Lucy, her marriage, and the changes in her life.
Thanks for your comment, Sue. So glad you connected and that the story resonated with you!
One of the biggest upheavals in my life was when my mother died. I was a teen, and it has been difficult not having her to turn to with life’s highs and lows.
I would count that as one of mine, too. My father died suddenly at 64. My mother’s death was a very long, slow process that drained everything from her by inches. She died two months before my first book appeared on the market, a book she had long prayed for.
I think the death of my parents, sister and grandma were major life upheavals for me. When my mom died we brought my 90 year old grandma to live with our family. Taking care of her and a 4,6 and 8 year old was challenging.
My cancer journey was another big challenge I faced and still deal with lots of testing and side effects.
Merry, I can’t imagine that kind of fragmented caregiving, and then to face cancer and its devastating effects. Please know I’m praying for you and these other reader needs.
Cynthia:
I love how your stories are always “hemmed in hope.” You inspire me.
My stories…and me. 🙂
In the course of 4 months, I had total hip replacement and became the primary caregiver of my only grandchild, who was 14 months old at the time. God blessed me with a great recovery from my surgery and my now 27 month old granddaughter has brought many joys to my life but my life has certainly changed!
What a great subject for a whole book–caregiving when you’re needy yourself. And finding joy despite the changes. Thanks, Connnie.
Cynthia, I thought I knew you, but obviously I’d just scratched the surface (so to speak). Thanks for sharing with us. And Liz, thanks for having her here.
Always more to the story, Richard. 🙂
Our family just went through a rough time. One of my sister’s passed only 3 weeks after finding out she had cancer. Thanks for the giveaway!
Praying that all your memories of her will be sweet and comforting.
Hello Cynthia, It’s wonderful seeing you here!
Four years ago in January my Daddy went home to be with the Lord. I miss him every day. I wish I had a recording of his voice….
Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂
You just reminded me, Caryl, of the blessing I have in the recording of my father’s last band concert before he died. Thank you for that memory.