"Suddenly—Don’t Use in Writing or Horsemanship"

Howdy Folks, "Suddenly—Don’t Use in Writing or Horsemanship" ... 

I often think about, and write about, how living and working, or playing and learning with our horses, and writing have so many similarities.

The other day I was reading a writer’s blog about the overuse of the word “suddenly” in a manuscript. Every word she said was exactly correct, and I’d hoped she would say more. I’ve always found the word “suddenly” to be a speed bump in a story or novel. Instead of propelling me forward with the action as the writer intends, it stops me dead in my reading tracks. Pushes me away. In fact most “ly” words have that effect on me. If the author replaces the “ly” word with the action she’s trying to portray, we readers can be drawn in and feel the action. Instead of “hearing” about it. But “suddenly” for me is the worst of the “ly” words.

Here’s a brief example. “Suddenly she burst into tears.” Not much there, even if we knew why she had to cry. How about something like, “She needed to see him again. Where was he? Why can’t she find him? Sucking short breaths, she tried to be strong, but her burning eyes flooded, tears streamed down her face.”

I’ve always found while I’m editing, if I re-write scenes or sentences replacing “ly” words, the scene embraces me more. Adds depth, meaning and emotions. Yes it will add words, but I suggest they are words that build emotions and connection with the reader. And for writers, aren’t they the two most important things?

In our relationship with our horses, “emotions and connection” are most important as well. If we do anything “suddenly,” it’s more than a speed bump to our horse. It’s a “failure to communicate.” And as “authors” of the moment, it’s our job to “re-write the scene.”
If we replace that “ly” word, or action, with a more descriptive series of words and actions, our horse will follow us, feel the emotion, and sense the connection. And our relationship will deepen.

It makes no sense to the horse when we bark commands, jerk on the lead rope or wave our hands and arms. Sure, we get a reaction, and that’s just what it is, a reaction. It’s not a connection. It’s best, even if the horse is making a mistake, to follow through that mistake, see where it takes you, then build on it. Write the scene with easy to embrace description.
Engage your imagination, your intuitiveness, let your horse help write the scene in a way that embraces both of you. It’ll add words, but those words make all the difference.  ~ EXCERPT from "It's for the Horses: An advocate's musings about their needs, spirit, gifts and care." Find it here, www.itsforthehorses.com

Gitty Up, Dutch Henry

"Clarity – In Writing and Horses"

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.

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

"Let Your Horse Understand You"

Howdy Friends,

 

Does your horse understand you? Have you spent the time, not teaching her, or "training" her, but simply allowing her to understand you? Recently I spent the evening watching a versatility show and noticed riders operating in a different realm than their horses. I noticed too how some riders seemed to possess two different personalities. One personality outside the ring while waiting their turn, and a totally different one inside.

Kessy understands me!

We hear so much about bonding, partnering and joining up with our horses, and too often what's forgotten is simple understanding. Before you and your horse can truly bond, she needs to understand you. Sure she understands your signals, cues … and you think you understand her, but have you allowed her to understand you?

There is a huge difference between a horse cooperating with their person, and truly understanding their person. Remember, a horse is very quick to read us and understand our attitude, posture and motives, and these barriers could prohibit them from deeply understanding their person.

What do I mean by understanding us? Think about your friends and family. Do they always communicate in the same manner with you? Do you with them? … But when they do something that seems out of character you realize it's out of character and "understand" them. You understand they may be upset, anxious, even hurt or angry. You understand they are not displaying their true inner being in that moment, and you take it in stride.

Sure when you act "out of character" with your horse they will respond, obey, even cooperate, but it will also confuse them. And each time we do this, it chips away a tiny bit of their trust in us. Think about friends you might have, around whom you sometimes feel as if you must, "walk on eggshells." That is the feeling your horse will develop around you, if you haven't taken the time to allow them to truly understand you.

It's easy to help your horse truly understand you, and requires no special training, clinics or instructors. First we must truly want our horse to understand us, in our hearts, and thoughts. Second we must spend time, a good deal of it, just being with them. Not feeding, grooming, riding or training – Just being in their company ... Walk with her, sit with her and very important, talk with her. Slow down, allow her to come to you, mentally. The neat thing is, as she begins to understand you more deeply, you will her as well. That then, is a true partnership, and when folks watch you and your horse they'll see two beings so in sync they act as one. Not two beings each operating in their own realm.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"It's About Who They Are not What They Are"

Howdy Folks,

 

Writing, people and horses always seem to go together for me. One of the novels I'm working on, "Coming Home" opens with the scene of the protagonist, Billie, sitting at the end of her parents' farm lane, pausing, thinking just a moment before driving in. We visit reuniting with family, and an old friend drops by too. Midway through the first chapter, in a scene set in a diner, Billie learns there's big trouble and tension builds quickly. Now modern, conventional wisdom has it that everything prior to the diner scene should be cut, and the story should start with the "action, or tension."

 Today everyone wants to start with the "action." You even see it in the current movies and TV shows that start with explosive action, then drift into flashbacks. How many times have we seen, "Three days earlier" on the screen, or in a book? Sure the action might be gripping, but if you think about it, it's action for action's sake. It's rarely compelling, so the writer needs to "take you back," so you can get to know and feel for the characters. And truly care about them. 

I like to do things a little differently. Publishers, editors and agents tell us, "If you start your story with reflection, contemplation or a character pondering it will not be published." Or read. I took that advice when my novel "We'll Have The Summer" was published, and I will forever regret the readers never saw the opening paragraphs that were cut to "start with the action." The readers missed out on tender, precious thoughts Mary Holt had looking out the kitchen window above the sink. Oh sure, I tried to weave those emotions in later, but the reader would have known who Mary was in the first paragraph on a deeper level.

I agree a story can't start with a ton of baggage, or back story. But I also believe that the need to start with tension, action, momentum is somehow a sign of our over stimulated time. To me it feels like too often it's about the "what" not the "who." And the "who" is important.

In fact, I believe that "who" is much more important than "what." In a story, in life, and with our horses. I believe when working with our horses it is far more important to get to know "who" they are before we begin to "train" them. That's another word I'm not too fond of, "training." Better than some of the other words used, but still very much in the world of "what" instead of "who."

If we take the time to allow our horses to tell their story, if we listen to their opening paragraphs of reflection, contemplation we will know them more deeply. That will allow us to have an understanding of "who" they are instead of "what" they are. Which will make possible a deeper, richer form of communication that will make sense to both the horse and the human.

Kessy & me lovin' the moment

To me taking the time to learn who a person, character in a novel, or a horse is, is time well spent. It's the fundamental building stone for everything that follows. It's about who they are, not what they are.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry