About Shoalhaven House

~Services~

Writing Coaching
One-on-one Sessions, Workshops, and Healing Through Words, Homeschool Writing Workshops
In-Person or Online Available

~Focus~

Moving you from brainstorming to a manuscript
Personalized coaching to write your story or find healing through written word
Workshops for all ages and stages of writers

~About Ruth~

Ruth A. Deaton is the author of several books for young readers and women.

After working with fantastic coaches, editors, and proofreaders, Ruth understands how important it is for a writer to have a supportive team.

Ruth has joined with several of her favorite writerly types to create a one-stop place for your writing and editing needs.

She's dedicated to finding the right fit for your writing goals, as she meets every writer they are in the process and coaches them to a completed story.

Ruth loves to hike, ski, travel with her family, and play fetch with her dogs. When she's not reading and writing, you can find Ruth outdoors dreaming of ways to encourage others.

What’s In a Name?

Shoalhaven House [shohl-hey(vuhn)+hous]

What does "Shoalhaven" mean?

Ruth lived in the Shoalhaven region of the South Coast in New South Wales, Australia from 2016-2020. There she pursued her lifelong dream of writing and published her first book for young adults.

In the Shoalhaven, Ruth experienced the challenges of moving to a town overseas where she knew not a soul. Feeling like a 'fish out of water,' she strived to make friendships and build connections during those years. Ruth attributes her most remarkable season of spiritual and personal growth to several women who came alongside her, offering company and a safe space to share her story.

As a writer who delights in words and their meanings, Ruth realized that "Shoalhaven" did not have a clear definition... until broken down. The term "shoal" ~ means a group of fish traveling together, and "haven" ~ is a place of refuge or shelter. Aboriginals also refer to the Shoalhaven region as a "safe harbor."

As that region served as a place for Ruth to gather in friendship, she found a sanctuary when she felt most alone. Those ladies were her school of fish; that beautiful land on the coast became her refuge.

In 2020, Ruth moved back to the States, settling in Bend, Oregon, and starting over again in a new town where she knew no one. Ruth soon realized the need for a safe space for ladies to gather, particularly those new to town and looking for connection. She believes we are all imperfect souls, doing our best each day, deserving to be heard and valued.

We should never have to walk our life path alone.

We hope you'll join us for our next event~ we look forward to hearing your story.