Hold on to your cowboy hats. I have a love hate relationship with two thing in my life: Horseback riding and writing.  I can’t seem to live without them, but I don’t do either as competently as I would like.  Maybe that’s okay because both have taught me so many important lessons throughout the years.

The first time on a horse is daunting.   There is so much to remember.  You can’t learn it in a day.  When on a horse, correct commands are critical. The rider must hold the reigns a certain way and position his or her feet down in the stirrups.  Those are only two of two hundred things to be accomplished.  Who can even comprehend what the correct diagonal and lead are?  Writing is very similar.  All the components must fit together for the story to work, including well developed characters, pacing, and plot.  These are only a few of the necessary elements. If a rider forgets to do something with a horse, it is likely her face hits the dirt.  This leaves nasty bruises and scabs by the way. With writing, when an author’s story falls flat, the audience moves to other authors.  While internal, the scars feel about the same as a face plant in the dirt.  Yet, even when your story is awful or your body and ego are bruised from a bad ride, you can’t quit.  There is something, whether a live animal or a developing character, waiting for you.  Both need, no demand, your attention.

Riding a horse and writing a book are as much art as science.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.  There is something magical between the horse and the rider and between the writer and the developing book that makes it all worthwhile.  Ask any rider and they would sell their car (possibly more) for extra hours of riding.  When a rider jumps 3’6” for the first time, there is an incredible feeling of accomplishment.  Every moment to that point was worth it to be able to accomplish something so amazing with another living creature as a partner.  Writers are the same.  The characters come alive, the world spins as strongly as any in orbit, and sharing it with an audience is about the most amazing thing ever.