Will you help me write a book?

October 13, 2011 at 9:57 pm

Hi Stacy My name is Pat and I am the lady who wants you to make a full lenght movie of yourself and how you started out with your love of horses and what your mom taught you about horses. Please look into it and contact Disney Productions to see what they can do and also ELLEN, I KNOW she would LOVE to see it, after all, she paid for you and your family to be on her show with Roxy, so let’s get on with the show!!!

Pat got me thinking because this request comes in frequently. In fact I have even had a book agency and a movie agency contact me. But I need help. I don’t know the first thing about writing a book. I have written articles though and I was thinking maybe if I broke it down into small sections maybe I can do it. Will you help me? What would you want to know? Would you please suggest some ideas?

33 Comments

  1. Grace on February 15, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    Stacey

    I would LOVE it if you made a book. This is only my personal oppinion but i think that you should put as much YOU into it as possible. I love reading your blogs. Maybe you could just do sections of short stories, in the format of how you write your blogs?

    • Stacy on February 29, 2012 at 9:20 am

      Grace, keep up the encouragement! I am writing and writing and writing….

      My first ‘training’ book comes out next month with Horse and Rider…but my memoir is what I am working on now. Feel free to shoot over questions you really, really, really want to know the answers to. Not so much the ‘where were you born’ but more of the personal question you want answered…but might even be afraid (or embarrased to ask).

  2. patricia woodruff on January 4, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Wow!! Stacy!! I can’t WAIT to read you new book….then it will be in the movies!!!. What will the title be?

  3. susan sauer on January 4, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    Though it may sound simplistic, your personal story can fall into place if you keep it straightforward, use time as your guide, and merely tell your readers what influenced you at each stage within that timeframe. Also, keep in mind that almost anything referencing your gift with horses will be interesting; no one else knows what you know! Perhaps later in the writing process you may want to find an editor who is skilled at guiding you to shape your work but encourage you to keep your personal stamp on the work. Good luck to you, and thanks for considering such a worthwhile project. Many folks will be more than happy to read about and learn from your experiences.

  4. Kathy Doman on January 4, 2012 at 1:10 am

    Hi stacy,
    i would love to read a book about how you feel, about you not a step by step guide for horse training but why youdo what you do,how does it feel to work so closely with horses and people and the relationships that form. as a mother of young children i am personal interested in how you find the balance between raising children and your horses.as i get the guilts that i dont spend enough time with my horses and guilty that sometimes i wish i was out in the paddock instead of being with my children. do you still see a hill and fantasise about galloping up it or see a log and jumping? i guess what im trying to say in writing your book is dont over think it you dont always remeber exactly what happens but you do remeber how it made you feel, so just start writing it dosent matter if you jump around people are interested.

    Good luck

    and thankyou for the inspiration you have given me to go back and play with my horses.

    Kathy Doman

  5. Sam Hales on January 3, 2012 at 4:26 am

    I really like the format that Mark Rashid uses for his books. I consider his books very informative yet entertaining. Hope you decide to publish your story.

  6. Ellen Kelling Vukovic on January 2, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I have two thoughts. First there are a significant number of middle age baby boomers who grew up loving horses but couldn’t afford them or ride them until mid-life. (This age is heavily marketed because if they aren’t getting into horses themselves, they are getting their grandkids into them.) I’d like to see an article describing things for the middle-aged horse novice to consider before buying a horse or taking lessons.

    Second, I would like to see an article on how to come back from an injury. I was riding my horse and we both fell. Even though I was wearing a helmet, I suffered a traumatic brain injury. Once I am cleared by the doctors to ride again, how should I deal with riding, i.e. anxiety, fear, etc. Thanks Tracy for all you do.

  7. Karen Guyer on January 2, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    I would like to hear about times you were discouraged and how you pushed thru and overcame.

    PS. It was great seeing you at the New Years Shoot! I enjoyed seeing you and your horse together. So smooth!

  8. Lisbeth Johnson Borjesson on January 2, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Hi Stacey 🙂 I have some suggestions about what to think about when you write your book. I use questions when I work, for exampel: What does people want to know about? What do I want to pass on to people? What is important to know from the beginning? How can I say it so as many people as possible can understand what I mean?
    There is a lot of people with troubble reading so I think it is important to use a lot of pictures to the text, makes it easier to understand……..

    Good Luck with the book :). Looking forward to read it!

  9. Petra Bandhauer on January 1, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    Great idea, Stacy! One time I can translate it into Czech. Keeping my fingers crossed, keeping it in my prayers.

  10. the YOU show a/k/a superbooks7 on January 1, 2012 at 9:46 am

    Have you seen the book called, “What Horses Teach Us ” by Glenn Dromgoole? Your story, short form, etc, would be great in this form, as a beginning writing/publishing to get you on your feet with your book writing. The book is only 96 pages, all glossy, great photographs of the horses The pictures are precious. Example, a picture of horse and foal , and the short writing that is on the page, “Most of us are a bit awkward when we’re young but we’ll grow out of it”. I can see your words of wisdom, under each page of your pictures of your horses.

    And for you, it would be picture-writing, (done quickly, easily), with your own horses. The publisher of this book (Willow Creek Press) probably does more books like this one. Contact info for Willow Creek is P O Box 147, Minocqua, Wisconsin 54548. If I remember correctly I purchased this small book at a Tack store called The Saddlery or something like that. Which brings to mind that you already have a great place to market your new books–at all the places that sell horse supplies (besides in regular book stores). This note is in answer to your question, “Will you help me write a book”.

  11. LINDA on January 1, 2012 at 8:42 am

    WhiteHotTruth.com from Danielle LaPorte is a website you might look at, Danielle will help write the book of your life…

  12. the YOU show a/k/a superbooks7 on January 1, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Here is one more idea, Stacy. You have a blog here with some great information and great writings. Simply take your blog and republish it as a book —through a free vanity publisher. (Using every new days’ entries as more pages or chapters in your upcoming book).

    You can do it; You have the heart for it and you have the business sense for it since you manage your own business already. Your book –the blog of your life— will no doubt be a success.

    If you have time to write here, then you have time to write your own book. The idea of an offer from Disney sounds tempting (I read that in one of your entries here), but I can see how a large company like Disney would have to take your story and make it theirs. Disney isn’t the only route to success or to the movies. Not knocking Disney here, just “thinking outside the box”.

    I can picture your blog entries here (and more and more and more as you write each week) turning into one super-fabulous book about life, love and horses, your own memoirs, and your own hearfelt, kind instructions on how to listen when a horse speaks. Sorry about the long note, but you did ask. I tend to answer questions in the long-winded way.

  13. the YOU show a/k/a superbooks7 on January 1, 2012 at 8:18 am

    and, lol just a post script here, I would not “begin ‘ it as a child, I would begin my story right where i am now–in the present and slowly work backwards.

    OR best option (just my thought), use the “open to any page” theme, that is so wonderful in any book. Instead of whole chapters–reading through words etc. Use lots of white space and pictures, and arrange the book so that the reader can open to ANY page to begin reading your wonderful story. Please really think it over before you use any outside publisher . For me, it’s all about controlling my work, i.e. I am a volunteer television producer, and I do this volunteer work mainly for a “voice”, a loud voice that has aired on Time Warner and Cablevision. This works for me. For me it’s about message, about sharing ideas and sharing experiences. I could never “say” what I wanted to say on commercial television or in any paying job in television. The lack of censorship is wonderful when you use community television. Freedom of speech and control of content is best when there is no one “sponsoring” you or backing you with money.

    And I think it would be so wonderful for your voice to be heard –unencumbered by any commercial publisher . Once your book is written, it’s pretty much guaranteed it will be a movie, no doubt, no doubt. You have millions of people , already, just waiting to see YOUR MOVIE.
    Have a peaceful holiday, holydays, and do whatever YOU think is best for your life. Only you have the answers inside of you. Listen to yourself. Never doubt yourself. You do know how to write your book, you just didn’t know it yet.

    Peace.

  14. the YOU show a/k/a superbooks7 on January 1, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Hi Stacy, Regarding your book project. Here is my suggestion –just my own idea. I don’t think that you need any help writing that book, AND I think that instead of turning the project over to anyone–another publisher etc. etc., that you can do a marvelous job yourself , as long as you have a good lawyer to handle the legal details. There are so many books that are self-published that have gone on to be Times best sellers. If I was you, I’d just be journaling ‘private” with my thoughts and ideas about horses, and about what horses mean in my life, adding some experiences, some funny stories and of course some of the serious stuff. Your book will be a BEST SELLER –no matter who writes it. This is your life..you are the best person to write it and to keep control of the book, and all the royalties. Have no time? Yes, you do. If you begin today, writing just 1/2 hour a day, in less than a year, you will have your book ready.

    And there are publishers who will not charge you to publish. (For example, there is always lulu.com for beginners). You can upload your book to a pdf for free and set your own price , commission etc.

    Or you can buy a PDF program yourself— and publish your book yourself without even using an external publisher.

    You have so many options open to you. Remember this –YOU have the story, you have the photos, you have the videos, you have the horses, you have the talent. GO FOR IT. Live like you were dying and get out there and do your own book.

    Of course you may decide that writing isn’t your thing, but in any case, I just wanted to throw out this option to you. Hope you are successful in anything that you do.

  15. Bill, El Rancho Geriatrico on January 1, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Stacy,
    Don’t start out to write a book. To fantasize about an inch-and-a-half-thick hardback placed just so on your coffee table will make you impotent. And do NOT write to impress your peers. They already know everything. Picture a child, a girl child, who has never ridden, or even led, a horse. Tell her your story, and t’hell with agents and publishers.
    Bill

    • Stacy on January 2, 2012 at 3:47 pm

      I actually got tears in my eyes with that suggestion. I think I know that little girl….

      • patricia woodruff on January 15, 2012 at 3:13 pm

        Stacy, When you write your book, add in as many pictures as possible and hopefully you have photos of yourself riding as “that little girl”. This is going to be GREAT!!! Pat W. New Jersey

  16. Janet on January 1, 2012 at 4:24 am

    If you are writing the book from your heat then it will be easy. The thing is to let the pen do the writing, and don’t over edit the first chapter. I am currently writing my account of the past two years, after someone you love has commited suicide. In your case Stacy you are writing on something that you love to do and you achieved your goals and success. So starting it will be easy, I would start with your Mom and your childhood. Some people like to write themselves notes or memo’s and then write the story from those did bites, and others like myself just sit down and zone until I am totally finish the whole thought. Most of all when writing about yourself be truthful and honest, after your finished read outloud, Then find someone like a teacher that doesn’t know your personally and have them read it and let them expand on where they think it is lack. Above all do not let you freinds and family do this prossess because they will lie and say it’s really good and they might be whole thoughts. missing. After this prossess get the copy as clean as possible, and look for an agent, or start send out the out line of your book to different publishers. Or you can have it published though a vanity publishing company and sell the book on your own, which may or may not be the way you wanna go but it is an option. Most publishing companies won’t except a manuscript that is not represented by an agent.

    Good luck on this project. I’m looking forward to reading it.

  17. Judy Mullet on January 1, 2012 at 1:26 am

    Include with each story or event the life lesson it revealed to you. I’m 65 and have always loved horses. I’ve learned so much about myself, others, and God by working with horses, it would be interesting to share that aspect of your career.

  18. julia on January 1, 2012 at 12:39 am

    I’ve written three novels and almost finished one non-fiction book. I don’t really know what to tell you because what works for one doesn’t always work for another. But I’d be happy to answer any questions. For me, I’d say the best advice is make a rough outline of what you want to write for the whole book, then allow yourself as you’re writing to deviate from that outline as much as the story/process takes you. For me the outline is the tool that makes the whole process look doable – but the story tells itself through me, so I don’t force myself to stick to the outline. Since I write fiction I also write notes – like family trees and character descriptions so I can keep the consistency. Also, you just need to write – even if you’re writing crap. You can always erase the crap later. But it’s important to sit down and write every day – whether you use the writing or not. It keeps the momentum going. I would love to read a book by you – whether it’s an autobiography, horse advice, or fiction.

  19. Jessica on December 31, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Writing a book would be amazing. I would be interested on how/who got you into horses, how you decided on reining, and what are some of your personal exsperiences with road to the horse and some of your other major titles. Have fun! Have a great new year and God bless.

  20. Lisa Kay on December 31, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    I love it when women want to tell their stories. EVERY woman has one. I, personally, do not really want to see another horse training book out there. I would be much more interested in YOUR story with horses. Have you read any of Mark Rashid’s books? They are told in story format from when he was a little kid. There are about 7 or 8 of them. I think that would give you some insight into something other than a traditional how to book. Also, there is a book called “The Memoir Project” by Marion Roach Smith that is an easy read and very insightful. I, too, am beginning to write a book – a first for me, but one I am looking forward to. It is my story. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

  21. Madeline on December 31, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    How did you grow up?
    How did you get into horses?
    Who were your mentors?
    How did you work to where you are today?
    What was your first horse?
    …..:)

  22. Karla ll on December 31, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Book writing is easy, article and shorts is hard for me. I’ve written several since high school never actually tried to publish but did come in 15 th out of 150 in a contest in high school.

    With that said there are several ways you could divide this up and several ways you could write this. Is this an autobiography? Then start with early life or early horse life then go from there.

    Personally I would like training along with autobiography. But that is me.

    • the YOU show a/k/a superbooks7 on January 1, 2012 at 9:51 am

      Another great way to get fab information on writing a book is WRITERS MARKET 2012 (This is a book that is updated yearly and it lists all the publishers and companies that buy writing. It tells you the direct fax numbers and phone numbers and email addresses and websites of all the publishers. It tells you how to contact them, and tells you what their specifics are –what is needed to be seen by them. The book goes into great detail on thousands of mainstream and vanity publishers all over the world. Writer’s Market 2011 is probably on the shelves now and in a few months the 2012 book will be out. The deluxe edition comes with a free one year’s subscription to Writers Market online –a whole wonderful resource for writers. Anyone seriously interested in publishing a book , or article or magazine really needs to see this book. The book is about 1000 pages or so. It is available in any Barnes and Nobles and sometimes (rarely) it is in the central branches of the public libraries. No serious writer should be without this book, even if it is the earlier editions.

  23. Cyn on December 31, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Stacy, I do know someone who could help you and she’s a big fan, and another who will be when I tell her about you. I’ll contact you privately with their contact info.

  24. patricia woodruff on December 31, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Oh, STACY!! I am thrilled to finally get an answer from you, I KNOW you get thousands of emails that is why I am so happy. Well , the first thing you would have to do is think back from your younger days…as far back as you can remember…mention all of the people that encouraged you to live your dream of being with horses. Start writing down statements that were given to you when you were young that stayed with you throughout your life that got you to where you are. Naturally you would talk about God and how He helps you. (yes, I am also a Born Again Christian) Write down the statements your mom/dad told you…brothers/sisters and also the dates if that is possible. Write down the first time you were EVER on a horse/pony and your age and where that took place…(oh I can see it on the BIG SCREEN…a little girl riding a pony). Write things like ..I was feeling,,,?,,as I got on my first horse, the weather was …..? . The more details, the better because people can get the “real-feel” as they read it. Write about your first trail ride, how far you rode, how many went along, did your horse spook, well behaved..? Write about how you first learned the basic care of horses and being careful not to get kicked and what to look for when a horse moves in certain ways,,and who taught you. What was your first experience tacking up a horse..who taught you? Add in your first time you ran with a horse and how you felt. Then, go on how you started riding bareback (you wrote in another blog this was how you cooled them down) but go back before that. Stacy, I hope that I helped you, In general people LOVE real-life stories and I KNOW you will do a wonderful job at this..please continue on so we can ALL help you to someday be on the BIG SCREEN!!! If you think about it, it will encourage other “wanna-be horse- people” to follow their dreams!
    With Many Blessing… Pat Woodruff.

  25. Sue Otis on December 31, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    Small sections is a great way to go. I would want to know 1. How you trained you horse for that most amazing ride. 2. How you mentally and emotionally trained your self. 3. How I can follow in your footsteps one step at a time. 4, How to have trust, communication and co-operation of that level with a horse. 5. How to develop and nurture that relationship. 6. Personal stories of inspiration and dedication like “My Own War Horse”.

  26. Lynda K. Bundrant-Taylor on December 31, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    Hi Stacy,

    If you are interested in publishing a book, I can help you with this. You can
    contact me at timbercreek44@yahoo.com

  27. Liz Chappel on December 31, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    Hi Stacy
    I have a very good friend (American!) who lives in Cairns Australia. She is a writer and editor and runs courses on writing (particularly memoirs ) . She is a lovely person and I’m sure would be very happy to help you . She has a good knowledge of the American market as that is where she publishes her books . Let me know if you want her details .
    PS if you’d come for that helicopter ride you’d have got to meet her !

    • Stacy on January 2, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      We decided that next time we come to Australia we need to stay longer! We ran ourselves into the ground at the reef and the rain forest, talked about calling you and never got it done. We did think of you! Thanks again for the offer.

      • Liz Chappel on January 4, 2012 at 11:03 pm

        You are more than welcome:) Its an open offer .

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