No, not doctor vets, but veterans. It's been a very interesting weekend. Rather than write a tome, I'll say that I met three veterans this weekend and all were moved by the premise of Bull Rider - a kid coping with his brother's serious war injury sustained in Iraq and the way that effects the whole family. I think vets will make an audience for my book. I would be honored if they'd share it with their younger family members. I also watched a lot of horse girls, young and old, interact with Terri Farley about her Phantom Stalliion series. Has she got some FANS. People long to connect - whether with their own stories or with their dreams. On either level, they are thrilled when someone out there "gets it" and writes a book that touches them. Then they want to know that person.
It occurred to me that my favorite books when I was between nine and twelve were horse books. I read many by Margarite Henry, Mary O'Hara, Black Beauty, etc. I think we need a list of horse books we've loved - old and new. This one will be long. Waiting to see Vaquerogirl and Terri F.'s list. Let's try to include some contemporary ones too. More later about this weekend.
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5 comments:
Suzy,
I can't think of a horse book right now, but I was thinking about the people who were touched by your and Teri's books. You are so right about them being excited that someone "gets" it. I have been reading Kris Radish books this summer and for the first time, emailed an author (an adult author that I don't know that is. :-)) and when she responded I felt like a movie star was emailing me. I was genuinely touched, inspired and entertained by her books this summer. It's so great that you are talking with your readers and connecting with them. I'm sure they felt the same way I did.... you're a star!
You're my hero@
HI Suzy,
I know BULL RIDER will be an amazing success. You can't go wrong with Western grit + heart.
Favorite horse books...first in line has to be BLACK BEAUTY. It's as true today as if was a century ago and the truly sad part is that each time Beauty changed owners, his life changed for the worse.
I loved MY FRIEND FLICKA and when I reread it recently I learned there was lots about parent-child relationships that I missed a couple decades ago! I loved Steinbeck's RED PONY and it was the first piece of literature I ever taught. MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE OF COURSE, but KING OF THE WIND was so amazing I'm pretty sure I can still see every wonderful painting. For now, I'll select it as my favorite!
Thanks for the fun drive to Shingletown and hey, HI Troy!!!
Aloha,
terri
Terri I'm adding your books to the list. Hope we hear from some others. I was surprised that when I thought of the horse books I loved they were all by Margarite Henry and Mary O'Hara and, of course Anna Sewell's Black Beauty. Troy - hi and thanks. I don't know about hero, but hard working author does apply.
OH MY! The list is so long!! I read every single horse book when I was a kid. From TAFFY to THE RED PONY. Here are a few of my favorites ( in no particular order)
SEABISCUT,LITTLE VIC,THUNDERHEAD,THE BLACK STALLION AND SATAN,BLACK GOLD,KING OF THE WIND,BORN TO TROT,PAL,SYLVESTER,Any thing written by Patsey Gray. (BTW her BAREFOOT A THOUSAND MILES is a must read for dog lovers)
I just read NATIONAL VELVET and found it very intersting.
FROG- THE HORSE THAT KNEW NO MASTER, THE MOUNTAIN PONY AND THE PINTO COLT. SMOKEY,THE STORY OF A COWHORSE. More recently- THE WORK OF WOLVES,and SOME HORSES.
Horse books are very difficult for me to read- they have to really know what they are talking about ( of course when I was ten it didn't matter so much) and I find that writing one that rings true is a challenge. There is a base of knowledge that you have to keep in mind, and I don't know when I tell too much about the horses or sometimes I don't tell enough.
Bull rider sure gets it right though about the Rodeo stuff! Excellent work!
Barbara
BTW- did you notice I left off"The Horse Whisperer"? ERK! Drivel!
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