Tips for Writing an Int*l Horse Story
Published by GHC • Jul 2nd, 2007 • Category: Books and Writing, Guest Bloggersby Sorrel Gal
Hi Herdmates…
LeadMare asked me to post about some of the process I went through when creating the International Horse stories about Shahar, Destiny, and Sundancer in the Stables. So here are a few thoughts to graze on…
Pick something that really interests you and research it. For the Shahar story I found the origination legend, common Egyptian horse names, and girl names. I also found out how much water a horse needs to drink on average per day, then came up with Dayana’s plan to provide that water. In the Sun Dancer story, I used my knowledge of Native American legends around “medicine hat” Paint Horse markings and my personal knowledge of horse training to create the foundation for the story. All of these little facts help to make the story feel more real.
Create a main character that you understand. My characters tend to be fairly sincere, a little emotional, and good problem-solvers…which is probably a lot like my own personality. And I like to have my characters become empowered. They always encounter some sort of set-back or challenge, but they prevail in the end. It’s important to create the character’s personality, and then make their actions true to that personality.
Pay attention to how you write. Is it good language and good storytelling? I’m not a professional writer, and don’t have have formal training, but I still care how sentences and paragraphs flow…how the story is being communicated. This attention to detail improves the overall story you are crafting because the writing itself is transparent, it is just the story that the reader sees and experiences.
If you have questions, post a comment and I’ll be happy to respond.
~ Sorrel Gal
Sorrel Gal is a long-time contributor to and supporter of Girls Horse Club. She wrote the first three Int*l Horse stories, which have helped inspire others. Throughout her career she has designed or contributed to the design of many computer games and interactive books, including the Perfect Horse creator. Currently Sorrel Gal directs and teaches college-level electronic game design (a very cool medium for storytelling) in Vermont, USA.
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Thanx for this,its nice to meet u at last,the person behind the stories!
What would you say the hardest thing is?
Hello, I love the writing you did for the horses in the stables. They’re like the foundation of GHC. I was wondering if you plan out what you want to say first, or do you write as ideas come to you on the spot? Thanks.
Hi Animalsrkool and Julia,
I would say the hardest thing is the writing itself. I’m a sorta impatient person, and writing takes time and effort. I love the creative parts, coming up with the characters and the stories and the solutions to their problems. But sometimes, slogging through actually writing it, and making sure it all works is very time consuming and takes a lot of effort.
I’ve heard many approaches to writing. Some people just start a story and don’t have great plans. They just write, and see where the story goes. Some people write the end first, then back up and fill in the story. And some people plan the whole thing out in outline form first, then write. I think you have to discover what works best for you.
I tend to just start with a general idea I want to write about, and then create an adventure around that. So I start at the beginning and then write forward. This does mean that I often backtrack and rewrite, sometimes over and over. So maybe its not very efficient, but it seems to be my process. I would just experiment. Try writing a short story using all the methods I just described. See which one is most comfortable for you.
Hope that answers your questions…back to the barn! SG
Aren’t my boys cute! So fuzzy in the winter. SG
SG, thought you might enjoy reading the poem we just published, written by one of our regular contributors and inspired by Destiny, Dancer and Shahar!
The Stables ~ A Poem
LeadMare, thank you for putting it on! I’m really happy that it is on and I am glad that you put a link here. Thanks!
Sorrel Gal, I hope you like the poem I wrote (The Stables ~ A Poem) and thank you for making this blog because it is great! Also thanks for helping to make this website so great! I really love this place a bunch!
Thank you to everyone behind the scenes of Girls Horse Club! (This goes to LeadMare, Sorrel Gal, and everyone who helps out!) Thanks to you, I now have a new favorite place to visit every single day!
your boys are so cute! they are fuzzy. are they ponies or horses? i can’t tell
SG, If you ever have the time and desire to make another Int*l Horse Story, I’ll read it for sure! You are just such an excellent writer!
Dear Horsejo,
It amazes me how creative you all are and the effort you put into this site. It’s a wonderful poem. Keep writing!
—
Amy asks if my horses are ponies or horses
…ssshhhhhhdon’t say the “P” word! They are horses, but small. They are called Blazers. Google it and see what you find. They are small, but hardy and wicked fast. True and Tanner are about 14′2, and are half brothers.
SG,
I will keep on writing, I love to write, and I never stop. I have a ton of stories published. But what amazes me the most, is that on the 6th, I’ll be on for one month. And I already love this site so much!
Thanks
SG, your stories about the Int*l horses are amazing! When I just came here and didn’t quite know around I always visited the Stables and read your stories! Did you first create Shahar, Destiny, and Sundancer or did GHC and you just had to write a story based on them?
I never heard of blazers before, but I checked it out and now I understand. :)
Horsejo I read your poem and it was brilliant! It’s really interesting and influencing what things inspire you for poems and stories.
Thanks for listening(reading)!
Madelaina I am glad that you like my poem. (the Stables ~ A Poem) Thanks for the support!!
Hi Madelaina,
LeadMare and I talked about what breeds we wanted to start with. Once we had the breeds selected, I was free to start writing. I tried to craft stories that brought good characters together with something important or special about the breed. So Shahar taps into the origins of Arabian horses, Destiny touches on the less savory aspects of horse racing and also its origins in steeple chasing…and Sundancer, my favorite, touches on the native american legends about medicine hat paints.
:) SG
You are an Amazing author Sorrel Gal! Keep writing so I can keep reading! LOL!
Thanks SG. Your stories are so inspiring! :)
I didn’t say this yet: Great blog, Sorrel Gal! There, now I said it.
Awww!! Your horses are soo cute:) Your blog was awesome to
Oh and your blog helped me to submit a story on this site and it got put up:) Thanks you so much. I go by the name “hunterjumper45″ when im writing. Oh and my stories name is “A horse is a girls best friend” It is in the fiction section for whoever wants to read it:)
Thanks for the tips Sorrel Gal ;)
With your characters,do you ever have problems choosing names that fit the personality? Because my character her name,it dosen’t really seem to ‘fit’ if you know what i mean..