From Blogger to, um, Author?

 It seems crazy but I've been blogging for 9 years! I started this blog as a sort-of diary to capture the training of my yearling. It then became a place to write some funny and not-so-funny stories about life on a small farm. 

Over the years I have learned to really enjoy the process of sitting down and putting my thoughts in order. It's felt like a place that I need to be true and honest, not present a curated version of my perfect life with horses. 

Writing this blog led to a gig writing for a local horse magazine and, more recently, a couple article for Horse Annual (at least I think so, I haven't actually seen it).  

A few months ago I saw a post by Nikki Porter (she's one of the trainers who does the trail clinics I love so much) on Instagram asking for interest in doing a collaborative book project. I was intrigued and asked for more information. I then filled out an expression of interest along with a writing sample.  I was surprised and also sorry to get a message that I was in if I wanted to be. 

Sorry,  because that meant that I needed to write what I promised and that, my friends, is a scary prospect. I spoke about it with Ed and a close friend who encouraged me to take a leap.   I took a breath and dove in. 

Participating in this process has enriched me more than I thought. Much like horses enrich our lives far beyond what we expect.  I met sixteen other women who all had a story to tell. I believe that we all cried at one point or another during our zoom meetings. Each one of us made ourselves vulnerable in this process.  I know you are all familiar with my story but these others ones are incredible and definitely worth reading. 

Steele- who started it all

I am pretty proud of this book- it is open and raw and honest. Every single woman is sharing a piece of her soul in sharing her story. 

My story will not surprise you- it's about my life with horses and how first Steele and then Carmen led me to find peace with myself and joy in the pain of loss. Writing it was cathartic and helped me to see beyond the tragedy to how I am stronger and a better horsewoman (and human) than before. 

It is a self-published book and you will be able to find it here: Nikki Porter Coaching and on Amazon (soon). 

Right now it's available to Pre-order (limited copies).  Just send me an email or message me via FB/IG and I will put on you the list. The special pre-order price is $18 + $6 shipping (I'll deliver local books). 

Because writing this blog and taking the leap to write a piece of book would not be possible without you guys , I am also going to do a giveaway of one free copy of the book. 

Here's how you can win: 

1. share the link to the book on your social media (blog, IG, FB, etc) and insert the link in the comments

2. share with me how horses have helped you. If you don't have horses in your life than feel free to share a life lesson you've learned from an animal (human animals count). 

I'll do a random draw on November 28th. 

Here we go!

Carmen: who wouldn't want to read about me?