236 ratings | 219 reviews | avg rating:3.52

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Laura Rittenhouse

Goodreads Author

Born

Richmond, Virginia, The United States

Website

http://www.laurarittenhouse.com

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Travel

Member Since

July 2009

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I'm an Aussie now. I left the US back in 1988 for an extended visit and have based myself in Australia ever since. IT was my career and in the end I found it profitable but unrewarding. So I've switched gears and now write as a passion, hobby and "job". It is the opposite of IT, not profitable in the slightest, but VERY rewarding.

I hope some of you manage to read one of my books, STARTING OVER or LIFE'S JOURNEYS, and especially that you like reading them even one-tenth as much as I liked writing then.

If all goes well, maybe you'll get a chance to read my next 2 or 3 books in the not-too-distant future as well.

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Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Laura Rittenhouse I go for a walk. I find a 30-45 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood thinking about my characters - where they are, what they're doing, what wil…moreI go for a walk. I find a 30-45 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood thinking about my characters - where they are, what they're doing, what will happen next - clears my head and I can sit down and write almost on autopilot.(less)

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I just stumbled across your comments . I live about two hours south of Richmond.My fiancee and I are considering a move to Australia after my daughter is done with college. Is it easy to become a citizen there? How has your writing fared there? Do you miss Richmond?

Laura Rittenhouse Wendell, I assume you mean Richmond, Virginia, which was where I was born. I assume you don't me Richmond, NSW Australia (outside of Sydney) which is,…moreWendell, I assume you mean Richmond, Virginia, which was where I was born. I assume you don't me Richmond, NSW Australia (outside of Sydney) which is, coincidentally, where I now live.

Becoming a citizen of Australia is possible which makes it easier than most countries. But we have rather selfish immigration criteria so it's not especially easy. We have a point system that allows people from anywhere to apply to become permanent citizens. After you've been a permanent citizen for 2 years it's almost guaranteed you'll be able to become a citizen (assuming you've broken no laws). It's the criteria that makes things difficult for many. Points are awarded for career (some are given bonus points), age (if you're over 45 you have no chance), level of education, language and probably a few others.

If you fail on points you can come as a temporary resident if you get company sponsorship.

Failing that, you can buy your way in. I'm not sure of the level now, but if you invest a certain amount of money in the country and employ a certain number of people, you can move here.

Like I said, the immigration policies are rather selfish in that they only allow young, employable people who will contribute to the economy and put no drain on the pretty good social system.

My writing struggles here - but it would in the US as well. Getting "discovered" as a new author is tough. Finding readership without the marketing and distribution arm of a major publisher is even tougher. Luckily I love writing and don't need to earn my crust from it.

I don't miss Richmond, VA because I left there when I was 5. I grew up in Seattle which I do sometimes miss. But it's hard to want to live anywhere else because Australia is really an amazing country - I love it.

Good luck with your dreams of moving Down Under, it's worth the effort.(less)

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Laura Rittenhouse’s books

Average rating: 4.25 · 44 ratings · 16 reviews · 10 distinct works

	Starting Over 3.85 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Another Left Shoe by Betsy A. Riley (Editor), Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author), Dan Marvin 4.71 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Confessions of an Aging Adulterer 4.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Life's Journeys 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2014 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers Short Story Winners by Wendy S. Swore (Goodreads Author), Charlotte Mielziner, Ronda Payne it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2011	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers 2012 Winners Anthology by Timothy Hurley (Goodreads Author), Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Strange Circle Magazine - Issue 3 by Andrew Dowle, John Sellars (Editor), Bryony Green (Editor) 3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2011	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Aspiring Writers 2012 Winners Anthology by Betsy A. Riley, Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Best of Empirical 2012: Fiction and Poetry by Cool Waters Press, Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2012	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Laura's Shorts 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Laura Rittenhouse…

Laura is Currently Reading

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Laura's Shorts

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, anthology

read in January 2016

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Feb 09, 2017 03:23PM

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Confessions of an Aging Adulterer

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: mainstream-fiction, currently-reading

read in January 2016

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Jan 13, 2016 05:04PM

Laura Rittenhouse is currently reading

Life's Journeys

by Laura Rittenhouse (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: chick-lit, currently-reading

read in August 2014

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Laura Rittenhouse said: " This is my book so you might expect me to say I loved it - which I did. It was fun to write but also fun to read. It's light hearted because the protagonist has a way of viewing her numerous obstacles with a twinkle in her eye as she pushes through. ...more "

Feb 09, 2017 03:28PM · see review

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Don't "Genre" Me!: Starting Over	7	11	Feb 24, 2010 09:25PM
Women's Fiction a...: Starting Over	1	10	Feb 24, 2010 09:59PM
Goodreads Authors...: Short Story - Adrift	5	8	May 24, 2010 01:00PM
Starting Over	1	6	Jun 06, 2010 11:45AM
Aussie Readers: Aussie Author Challenge	504	386	Dec 31, 2011 07:48PM
The Next Best Boo...: What are you reading?	28805	27906	May 29, 2013 08:10PM
Aussie Readers: List of Aussie Authors who are members of Goodreads	4	425	Nov 12, 2013 04:56PM
Aussie Readers: * List of Aussie Authors who are members of Goodreads	5	145	Aug 27, 2019 10:09PM
Goodreads Authors...: * Welcome General Fiction Authors and Readers!	970	4182	Jan 13, 2026 02:10PM

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Laura’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-4) post a comment »

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message 4: by Jeffrey

Sep 23, 2017 09:53AM

I'm so excited because my book, Brain Bleed was just nominated for the 2017 Readers Choice Awards! Please vote for it at www.tckpublishing.com/readers-choice-.... You can find it and vote under the mystery category. Click on the right arrow above until you reach #10. I am in that category.
I would appreciate the vote and support from all my friends.

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message 3: by Laura

Jul 10, 2014 07:42PM

My second novel, Life's Journeys, was released this week. It's a good feeling to get another book out of my bottom drawer (or off my hard drive which is the 21st Century equivalent) and out into the world. If any one out there reads it and feels like asking me a question or making a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

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message 2: by Laura

Jul 09, 2010 05:38AM

Well, I'm off on a holiday within a holiday so I'll be offline for a while. Heading to Loch Ness for 2 nights then I hop on a cruise to Iceland for 2 weeks. The cruise ship comes complete with a library so I shouldn't lack reading material, just time to read!

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message 1: by Laura

Jun 08, 2010 12:16AM

I'm not reading anything right now and I don't think I will for a while. The last couple of books I've read haven't inspired me and I think I'm in one of those reading funks (I probably was a bit unkind in my last reviews as a result). Besides, I'm too busy travelling and I'm spending my scarce free time writing.

I'm hopeful this funk will evaporate when I'm on my Icelandic cruise next month. I'll just have to make sure I take along some good books. Suggestions?

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