I have been working on my next novel, The Secret Life ofβ¦.. This project has been lurking on my computer and consistently calling my name for decades- no kidding. I have now vowed to address this novel before I dive deeper into another.
The Secret Life of….
The words and chapters have been ruminating inside me and I have reached the crucial point of dissection; too many words. This stage of editing can be daunting. When I need a break or diversion, I head to a place of enlightenment, a place that has changed me forever with no words, only hugs and whinnies!
THE BARN
Photo credit Susan Hale
I have found that when feeling overwhelmed or unappreciated, volunteering is simply fulfilling because of what it gives back to my heart,
especially when the staff is furry!
The incredible healing of horses!
Let me tell you about Talisman Therapeutic Equestrian Center-=q, where horses provide healing!
After even one session of working and watching these creatures transforming the lives of children, veterans, the elderly, and every human they touch, I can return to my writing desk changed and recharged to tackle the novel or other issues. There is never a moment after I volunteer that I feel unappreciated. Instead, I leave feeling blessed. They have given so much more to me than I could give them. If you search for an uplift in your life, please consider volunteering or donating. A single lesson requires multiple assistants along with the instructor. All of which is funded by donations.
Have you ever been so nervous that you feared freezing mid-sentence or blurting out the wrong word? My recent TV interview with Amy Khem was indeed a privilege but, I almost cancelled because I was overwhelmed with apprehension.
At the Good Day PA on ABC27 Studios with Host Amy Kehm!
Everyone at Good Day PA on ABC27 was professional and inviting. However, my insides were electrified with terror. I feared becoming star-struck, staring into space, consumed in a complete daze the moment the director announce,”on the air in five, four, three, two, one…” I imagined being frozen in a hypnotic trance, mumbling the words, βWhere was I going with this?β
At my age, this phenomenon of brain relapsing can happen several times a day, only this time I would be in front of thousands of viewers. Amy Kehm the host, proved to be an expert. She promised to pull me through the interview, and rescue she did!
Amy saved the moment like many others in my life; my publisher, my editor, my grammar guru, and the one beta-reader I distressed over more than any other reader. The thought of this particular reader reviewing my literary labors of love sends daggers into the pit of my stomach!
Fear coerces us to say no to new adventures. Fear makes copping out easy. Ultimately, this creates feelings of regret. So it is a blessing when there is an Amy Kehm or a beta-reader who can restore your morale to new heights. I remember, (as a teenager who worried too much about what others thought,) when another living creature rescued me from a dark abyss.
It was a beautiful day for a riding lesson on my heart horse. A thoroughbred named Joe. At the time, I did not own a horse of my own, but the instructor graciously offered Joe for me to ride or simply groom whenever I wanted. What a gift. We developed as quite a team, Joe and I, after one moment when I learned that Joe always had my back.
It was the final show of the year. The worse kind. A jump off with other students at the farm. Students my age that I wanted to impress with my style. Instead of the typical riding jodhpurs, I foolishly attired myself in my favorite over-worn bell bottom jeans, which were getting weak at the seams. What was I thinking? Who worried about red-carpet style at the barn? I wasnβt thinking about anything but me, certainly not Joe.
I canβt really remember how many students were present. Nor the course or how many jumps. There was a small audience of parents and friends. Upon seeing the crowd and the three-foot jumps ( a first for me), my entire body stung with fear.
It was merely the first jump when the dreadful incident occurred. We were mid-air, Joe soaring over the first set of three-foot rails as I heard the horrid ripping sound. As soon as I felt the wind on my tush, I knew exactly what happened.
My bell bottom jeans split up the back seam revealing my psychedelic neon, lime bikini underwear. My mind raced with only one thought, flee! I wanted to leap off, and quit. Not Joe. He thought of us.
Joe cleared the first jump without any help from me. I wasnβt sitting in position, my heels werenβt down, and I gripped the reins too tightly, which forced the metal bit to see-saw in his mouth. How completely wrong as a rider, but I was wallowing in humiliation as my body banged my faithful steed from all angles. Joe should have been angry, but instead reached new heights in everyoneβs heart.
My honorable steed cleared each fence in perfect pattern and form, even with my sideshow underwear peeking out through my flapping jeans. Beneath the snickers, Joe impressed onlookers with his style.
Although Joe is in heaven, this is another loving creature, rescuing my Daughter!
Joe pulled me through like my most dreaded beta-reader whom I will forever miss… My Mom.
A last celebration lunch with my mom and daughter.
My mom was the essence of a rarely pleased critic; a Goldilocks in search of perfection. Perhaps it was her own dread of failure or her phobia of MY failure. But on the day she received her diagnosis of a brain tumor while we sat in the reception area of the doctor’s office, she told me she read my first book, Spurred to Justice, in two days and loved it.
Trust me, my mom wasnβt afraid to burden me with an honest review. After her acknowledgment, we sat before her scheduled appointment, editing the first chapter, unsuspecting the outcome of her brain scan. This moment I will hold ever so close in my heart.Thank you to all the Moms, Amysβ, and Joesβ in our lives. The rescuers. There would be no sanity to life without them. Who rescued you? The concept of others ( including furry friends supporting your back,) is the theme of The Silver Cowgirls series. I felt the story in my heart. I hope you do too.
If you read last monthβs blog, can guess which one is me in the picture above? This was one of the treasures I have discovered in my recent winter purge. I am smashed in the middle with my flirty bangs. But why my dismal expression?
As I am purging, I am filling together pieces of my life. I think I know why I was miserable in this photo with my sister and my father styling his infamous crew cut.
But back to that later.
The wonderful attribute about hoarders is they keep every note, every snip of artwork and every family photo from the past. Such a collection was one of the family treasures my parents left my sisters and I to organize and share. A daunting task. But every ounce they saved was a golden gift. (Well, most of it.)
Even though it is the month of Cupidβs kisses, February can be dismal; a hallway that is sometimes dark and cold connecting January to Spring. Perhaps a reason why we should focus on hearts and the magic of love. One like my parents.
Their love stretched a lifetime most of which I was a part of. However, before my siblings and I were even a thought in their hearts, they were simply Joan & Joe. They dated twenty-four months until my father was sent across the globe on a ship. The Korean War. A dark part of their story. The hallway between dating and forever. But in that aching time, my parents managed to leave us a treasure that told the story of their deep love.
Love letters were saved in stacks and in shoeboxes tied with ribbons. The precious articles that now fit in one half of the old refrigerator where I store my journals and important memories. These pictures and letters are my future project. I have unearthed my parentβs love story. My father, (obviously the romantic of the two) the artist, the dreamer, and the writer.
I remember my father would occasionally slip one of the letters in a fresh envelope and address it to my mother. Then he would ask me to take it to the mailbox for Valentine’s Day. He was an old romantic. Although, my mother would say, βOh, Joe you are ridiculous saving this stuff,β she was the one who retained the stacks of letters. (Look for this non-fiction book in the future.)
Then there are the relics; the VoiceβOβGraph.
I never knew such an age-old technology existed. Today when we can instantly share our images on Facetime and Zoom, a foggy voice spinning around on a 45 player seems archaic. The voice-o-graph was called the ideal greeting card. I am so excited to embark on their love letters. A part of their lives when I was not even a thought in their journey together.
These letter and records give me chills! The realization of their love, which stretched across the world, was tested by distance and war. Decades later, I was truly smashed in the middle. Their legacy was raising three sisters: the love child, the princess, and me-the middle. Of course, I was the cream of the Oreo cookie.
So back to my first picture above. My distressed expression. I am sure that was the day I was informed my dream of a pony would be placed on hold.
My parents announced I was receiving an even better present. A baby sister or brother. (No telling at that time.) Little did I know, she was indeed a precious gift; my baby sister and one of my best friends. (As they both are.)
P.S. I did get my pony in due time. Never too late!
So back to that hairdressing novel with butterflies, beauticians and of course an enduring LOVE! Join me on a renewed writing journey and enjoy my latest series. Happy February and remember I will be signing at the Horse Expo in Harrisburg. Drop by and say HI!
The first time for anything is usually both a rush of anxiety and exhilaration. This past month I was blessed with many first adventures!
First, I had the privilege to meet and study under Hank Phillippi Ryan, A USA Today best-selling author, multiple Emmy winner, and most recently author of πΆππ πΎππππ πΎπππ – if you enjoy a heart-pounding thriller this book should be your next escape!
Also, this past June, I had the opportunity to debut in two publications. First, as a guest blogger with The Plaid Horse, a premier North American equestrian magazine both in print and on-line. The article called, Just say, Yes!Click to Read, is a story with a message to inspire others; take a chance at any age!
My article,The Nightmare Beach Ride, appeared in On the Bit magazine, The article is a true story about an overzealous equestrian (me) on a dream-beach-vacation ride turned almost disaster. Although humorous, the underlying message is to educate those seeking an adventuresome horsey-vacation.
To add to the excitement, Misty Adamson, editor and innovator ofOn the Bit, published an extensive bio/review on my novel Spurred to Justice, followed with a YouTubediscussion. We would love readers to follow the link and join in! Thank you, Adamson Equestrian. Click on any underlined item to Link!
And if you love horses or need a gift for an equine lover consider a subscription to either of these publications.
On a personal note, June was fulfilled with a surprise visit from my daughter at the bay! And Scarlett, her four legged pal was in heaven. With my daughter’s coaching – Scarlett SWIMS for the very first-time! I am ready for a revolutionary July! Wishing you a month filled with family, fun and some adventures of your own!
Try something for the first time: a new haircut at Rubee Z Salon, a new hobby or anything you have dreamed of but been afraid to try!
Alicia
If you haven’t read one of my books or articles dive in for the FIRST TIME and write a review! I would love to hear from you. aliciastephensmartin.com
An adventure of four women who reunite in friendship through their love of horses. Look for the coming sequel soon!
