About the Author

Ruth Hanna Sachs

Born November 30, 1954, Ruth Sachs is a third generation Houstonian (a rare breed). She knew the Houston that existed before urban sprawl, the Houston of first generation immigrant families and kids playing in the street.

As long as she can remember, she's been writing. "It was so exciting when my poem won first prize in a city-wide contest when I was in second grade. Something special about having something you wrote posted publicly for everybody to read."

In junior high school, Ruth wrote for her school newspaper. "The definite highlight of that experience was the interview with Chris Gilbert. He had just come off a record-setting season at the University of Texas, the first running back in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. OK, so 'girls' aren't supposed to know that kind of trivia, but his brother Brad was one of my best friends those days. How else would a seventh-grader land an interview like that?"

Ruth continued writing in college. Twice, her poetry was distinguished by awards at the annual writing convocation at TCU. She recalls those experiences as road markers that confirmed her desire to be a writer. Betsy Colquitt, then Co-Department Chairman of TCU's English Department and DESCANT editor, attracted writers of extraordinary caliber to those convocations. Ruth served strawberries to Isaac Bashevis Singer at a reception one year, and sat on Robert Penn Warren's suitcase another. She also wrote for IMAGE, a student publication, and was among the twelve poets invited for membership in "Innocents" in the inaugural year of that poetry society's existence.

Yet following a Fulbright year in Germany, Ruth wrote almost nothing for fifteen years. Were those years wasted? "I don't think so," she says. "They say every experience a writer has is Material. There's a lot of truth to that cliche. If I had become a successful writer straight out of college, I would have missed out on some incredible material. It takes living life personally, with bruises and scraped knees, to have anything useful to say."

Ruth moved to the East Coast in 1997. It was a move that suited her just fine. History breathed at Brandywine and Valley Forge. Centuries-old traditions and innovation mingled freely in Philly's Center City and on the streets of New York.

"For three years I lived in a hundred year old house," she notes. "My neighbor said it was haunted. More material!"

In December 2000, she became co-chair of the International Education Task Force of the Fulbright Association. She believes that face to face discussion is the only way to effect lasting peace in this world. Our strength comes from our diversity.

Recently Ruth and her family picked up stakes and moved clear across the country to Utah. "If you'd have told me a year ago I'd be happy out here, I wouldn't have believed you," Ruth says. "But frankly, I think Utah has to be the best-kept secret in the U.S. Gorgeous scenery, everything from Alpine slopes to crimson geological miracles. And the people!"

She adds, "In this place and at this time, I am expecting marvelous things to happen. You can't help but be optimistic..."

Click here for Ruth's C.V.

Site last updated: October 31, 2007.