Do you want to write a historical, a ranch novel, or a novel
with horses in them, but are afraid because you know nothing
about this noble beast? Fear not! As a life-long equestrian
and aspiring novelist, I can help you learn the difference
between a palfrey and a gelding, sidesaddle and astride, English
and western. Grab a cup of tea, your computer, and join me,
Tricia Johnson, for a week of fun horsey facts that will have
your readers believing
you live in a stable.
Horses were my passion long before I dreamed of writing a
novel. Even after a near-fatal riding accident at three, I
still found myself hypnotized by these noble beasts.
I watched Secretariat race to victory and devoured all horse
books, my favorites being Walter Farley's Black Stallion books.
At ten I bit the bullet, overcame my fear and learned to ride.
Despite the death of my dream of being a jockey a jockey (I
was already 5' 6" and growing), I was able to settle
down and enjoy a diverse experience in equine affairs.
I've been teaching professionally for 22 years. I've owned
3 horses, shown saddleseat, hunters, jumpers and western.
I've Evented, crewed at endurance rides (the idea of riding
for 25 or more miles just boggles my mind), competed in driving
events and have tried vaulting. In 1994, I attended
the Chef Center (in Augusta, MI) certification for instructors
in therapeutic riding and achieved my Advanced Certification
in Therapeutic riding for both cognitive and physical disabilities.
I was head instructor and Equine director for Stepping Stones
Therapeutic Riding Program for 5 years, where I taught lessons
and trained horses, employees and volunteers. I had to put
competing on hold while starting a family, but I still teach
and ride for fun. Currently, I teach at Rivers Edge Farm in
CT as a hunter jumper instructor for beginner through advanced
riders.
I've been writing seriously for 6 years. Like my love of
all disciplines of riding, I find my writing is just as diverse.
My first love is historicals, but I've branched out to pen
a contemporary, a romantic suspense and several forms of paranormal
novels. All of them have a horse or two in them. Though I'm
unpublished, I've garnered some editor interest through wins
in the Emily, Chicago Fire and Ice and Suzannah, 2 Molly finals,
and 3 finals in our own Golden Gateway Contest. I'm a member
of RWA, a FTHRW BOD member, Mentorship Program Chair, and
I'm looking forward to hopefully one day seeing one of my
stories in print!
