Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Author Spotlight - M.J. Evans on her award winning title, In the Heart of a Mustang



WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER? 
I have loved creating stories since I was a little girl but I didn’t really set my mind to becoming an author until I was in my fifties. I love the process of writing, especially because it enables me to get lost in my imagination. However, I didn’t have the time, while raising five children, to put my stories down on paper until my youngest was in high school. It was then that I started committing the time that it takes to actually get a book done.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? 
While my highest goal and greatest accomplishment is raising my family, I was born with Manure in my blood…I have always been addicted to horses. As a child, horses were all I thought about and I knew I wanted these majestic animals to be a part of my life as an adult as well. I have been fortunate to be able to combine my passion for horses with my love of writing and have done so in all of my books except for North Mystic. I have also had fun teaching riding lessons to help support my three horses.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
In the Heart of a Mustang was the result of my experience working at PATH, Intl., the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. There I saw the healing power of horses as they interact with at-risk youth. I combined this with my interest in the wild mustang herds in the western U.S. and created this story.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE IN YOUR AWARD WININNG BOOK?
“Life isn’t fair for anyone…that’s what makes it fair.” This was Dr. Collin’s response to Hunter when he complained “It’s not fair.” We all need to remember that everyone has struggles to face in their lives. It is up to them to choose how to handle those inevitable challenges.
IN WHAT WAY DO YOU FEEL YOUR CHARACTERS RELATE TO YOU PERSONALLY?
None of them are exactly like me but I am probably the most like Smokey, the wrangler at the ranch. I am pretty down to earth and practical. At the same time, I’m rather philosophical about life just as he is.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 
I hope that my readers come away with the understanding that our choices determine our destiny.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER: 
I am the author of three popular trail guide books for Colorado equestrians. One day, my family and I were hiking and riding one of the trails in my first book. When we returned to the trailhead and were dismounting, a woman ran up to my husband and said, “She wrote ‘Riding Colorado’ didn’t she!” My husband responded, “Yes. How did you recognize her?” Answer: “I didn’t. I recognized the horse.” That was a humbling experience!
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE? 
My horse stories are most influenced by Marguerite Henry. My fantasies are most influenced by J.K Rowling.
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? 
The Bible and The Book of Mormon
DO YOU HAVE ANY WRITING RITUALS? 
I do have one habit that has helped me: I never stop writing at the end of a chapter. I stop right in the middle of a sentence. That way, when I return to my computer, I already have a start!
WHAT DID YOU DO TO CELEBRATE THE PUBLICATION OF YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
I probably went on a trail ride with my horse and riding buddies!
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK? 
Clearly define who your audience is then figure out how to reach them. For example, my trail guide books, Riding Colorado I, II and III, sell by the thousands. My audience is horse people who live in the Denver area. So, I sell them through tack and feed stores between Colorado Springs and Fort Collins.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? 
Have fun with your writing, share your passion. If you do, your readers will have fun reading your book!
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? 
I am back to my love of fantasy. I am currently working on a four book series titled: The Centaur Chronicles. Again, my horse passion is coming through. Have you ever thought about how many fantasy characters are based upon horses? This series is set in the imaginary land of Crystonia, home to Centaurs, Ogres, Cyclops and a little fairy-like race called the Duende. For 150 years, the land has been without a ruler and the larger races have been battling for the throne without success. However, tradition has held that the rightful ruler of the land will be the wearer of the silver breastplate. No one expected it to be worn by a Duende girl.
The first book of the new series, The Stone of Mercy, will be out in October of this year. The target audience is middle-grade and young adult readers. It will be available on my website: www.dancinghorsepress.com and wherever books are sold.

Other Books by this author: The Mist Trilogy: Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness, The Rising Mist; North Mystic; Riding Colorado trail guide books. All available at www.dancinghorsepress.com The fiction books are also available wherever books are sold.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

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