Howdy Friends,
Ever since I started writing I've been struck by how many
things important in writing are also important in living with our horses. I've
written about a few of them already, today we'll think about, clarity.
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| Kessy helping me with clarity |
I remember being told when "We'll Have The Summer"
was in the editing process at the publisher they came across a scene that
failed to totally embrace and engage the editor because it felt as if not all
the information was there. I even remember the scene today. I remember I was
horrified, it was a very important scene and the story needed the reader to be
crystal clear, completely consumed by Sam's worry, fear and reflection. What
had I missed?
I read the scene, and the pages leading up to it, over and
over and to me everything was perfect. It took me exactly where I wanted the
story, the cadence, and the tension to take the reader. So I called the editor
and insisted they must be missing something, it was very clear, to me.
The editor was an understanding woman, and with kindness in
her voice she explained. "That is often the case, as writers you can see
the scene you want to write, you have all the information in your mind working
for you. Your readers don't have those little tidbits, so the writer must be
sure convey them in their writing, so the reader has enough information to see
clearly the story you are telling. But not too much information as to make it
boring."
She then asked me one question that shined the light on my
omission, and as I recall the fix proved to be a very simple few words. Those
words I'll never forget. "But not today."
There you have it, as writers we know the story. We know all
the details, our job is to make sure we give those sparkling details to our
readers, not in a boring "information dump," but in lively, engaging words
and thoughts that sweep the reader along in the essence of the moment, the
scene. We want them to have all the information so they can travel with us.
Every bit of this thought on "clarity," is equally
important when we are working and playing with our horses. It is our responsibility
to be sure we are crystal clear in our information, desires, requests – without
giving a boring, "information dump." We need to sweep them along in
our scene. We know the complete story, our job is to convey that information in
a kind, understanding way that will embrace them and carry our horses into our
scene. Step back in our minds and ask ourselves, "How does my horse see
this scene? I'm not being boring am I? Are there enough sparkling details to
tell her the whole story?" Be sure to write the scene so your horse can
see the whole picture. For the pleasure of it.
Gitty Up, Dutch Henry
