Life Among the Lipizzans

My form of OCD tends to focus me tightly on a few things, and I lose track of the fact that though I read lj every day, I should, you know, post to it once in a while.

Since I last officially showed up here, spring has evolved into the threshold of Arizona summer--not so hot today, but the Dragon is stoking its fires. 105F by Saturday, they say. Gah. Still, that's June, and Dragon Weather is what June for the most part is. We steel ourselves for it, and make sure the coolers are working and the hoses are ready and the horses have lots of shade and cool(ish) places to stand.

There have been a lot of things going on. Writing. Horses. Visitors. Camp Lipizzan. My sister helped me update the Camp and Editing/Mentoring page, so that finally makes sense. (Still booking for early 2014, and have an opening in October. November is full, full, full.)

I've been Bloggy McSpamalot lately. Most recently, mizkit and I had this conversation, and it turned into this big honking blog about the publishing industry and what it's done to authors. I'll be guest blogging over at janni's blog I think next week--more on that subject, with a personal slant. And there's the Horseblog at Book View Cafe, which shows up every other week or so, for horse neep and general matters equine.

And there's bookstuff, too. The Kickstarter came out really well, got lots of support and now I'm writing the book and prepping the rewards. One of which is an old favorite of some of you, and is out from BVC this week, with new cover and everything: The Hall of the Mountain King. The rest of those will be coming in June and July, and two sequels in August. I'll KindleNook them after that, but BVC royalty rates are much better, so I like to start there and stay for a bit.

I know. It's all terribly press-release-y and linky. It's like when you visit a friend after too long, and it's all piled up and arranged into lists and you babble it all out at once and then you stop and take a breath and slow down and start talking like a human being again. I feel more than a little bit as if I'm wroking three jobs and they're all 12 hours a day, and the math isn't quite working.

Still. The more one does, the more one finds one can do. Getting one's mojo back (at long last) helps a lot with that. Now to keep it. That's the goal.

Ephiny wants to know if there are cookies for dessert. (So why can't you have dessert with breakfast?)

Photo: Oh hai. Good morning!

In which I am moved to put on my ranty pants. A rarity--usually I stick to horses, Arizona, and my own books, but this hits me where my mentees live. And I love my mentees and want them to do well. So:

http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/2013/03/08/random-hydra-and-the-terrible-horrible-awful-no-good-very-bad-contract/

First, the Feed the Ponies Sale continues. I've decided to extend it another week, to the 12th, and I will be adding some (less expensive) items and options later today. Ebooks, shorter mentoring options, like that. If you have requests, please do ask.

Meanwhile, we're in between Camps at the moment. The last one ended on Saturday; the next begins two weeks from today. It's a breathing space, a hurry up and get stuff done space, and a chance to reflect on what Camp Lipizzan has evolved into and where it seems to be headed. Having new victims Campers for both is conducive to that kind of reflection.

When I first came up with the idea, I was looking for a way to keep the horses fed (having come off Publisherdammerung more on my shield than with it) while also sharing what I have here, both the writing and teaching skills and the horses themselves. I envisioned it as a fairly structured class, a writers' workshop with horses, and came up with various versions and incarnations that I thought might work.

That lasted about as long as the lead-up to the first Camp. ( And oh, did it mutate on contact. )

What happened was that Campers had their own ideas as to what they wanted and needed. And so did the horses. The people who came turned out to be, for the most part, experienced writers--professionals with books sold, writers with extensive workshopping cred, Clarion graduates--and their horse experience ranged from extensive to near zero. What they wanted, above all, was the experience of living on a horse farm for a few days, being part of the rhythm of the farm, having constant access to the horses, and expanding their knowledge of the species--while also writing and writing and, have I mentioned writing?

Meanwhile I was discovering what I could manage, because the farm itself is a full-time job, and I also have to do various things (besides Camp) to keep the bills paid. Writing, for example. Editing. Taking in boarders (which adds to the work of the farm). Caring for the horses takes priority, which Campers know coming in, but then comes taking care of Campers--feeding, mentoring or workshopping as desired, plus the bare basics of making sure the house is clean, organized, and ready to stay in.

The first few Camps (and also Lipizzan Weekends, which ended up folding themselves into the Camp Lipizzan concept) made it clear where I'd have to draw the boundaries, and also what Campers would be most comfortable with in terms of scheduling and amenities. More than three was too many, and even three was straining the resources. The idea of having some stay offsite never did jell, though we tried to offer it a time or two. The whole point, clearly, was to be here all day, every day, and overnight. To be in and of the farm as well as working on writing about horses.

I learned very quickly that it's not possible to be head chef, innkeeper, cleaning staff, AND master of horse, and that getting writing of my own done was heavily dependent on how much of the rest I had to do for the Campers' comfort. Menus tailored to the individual Campers--check. Dishes that were quick to make and/or easy to prep in advance--check. Bread machine: essential. Costco and Trader Joe's: cannot live without. Breakfast and lunch ad lib--necessary; horse chores eat cooking time, not to mention energy. Dinner in a group--also necessary, for the social aspect and the chance to share the activities of the day.

As Camp evolved, so did the horses and the personnel. I changed trainers from one focused on dressage to one with a much broader sphere of expertise, including equine bodywork and massage, equine body language, and groundwork as well as ridden work. One way and another, she made sure we got to know her friend and business partner who teaches horse-assisted yoga--and then the horses got into it, and now we have White Horse Herd Yoga, which is a thing, and nobody can really describe it, but it's...well. You have to be there.

We discovered, as we went on, that a weekend isn't quite enough, though it can work for a first time (because almost everyone comes back, sometimes annually or even more often); the optimal length seems to be four nights and five days, spread over weekdays as well as weekend. And the trainer comes, sometimes more than once, and the yoga teacher likewise. And sometimes it's about the horses, and sometimes it's a hardcore writing retreat.

Some Campers participate in horse chores. For some, the writing is central, and one hears them padding down to the barn every so often to pet noses and take in the sun and the wind and refresh their minds before they dive back into the project. Some want to interact as peers or students (and sometimes I become the student); some mostly do their own thing, with me as innkeeper and cook.

Now we have new people joining the family (because it is a family, or a herd if you prefer), with new talents and wants/needs/plans to bring to the mix. I never know what a specific Camp will end up being about. It's always different, and it always seems to make a difference--to the horses and me as well as the Camper.

It's become very important to some, who come back again and again for the Arizona desert and the quiet and the comfort of a somewhat ramshackle farmhouse where no one minds if you put your feet up or spread your project all over the living room, and the cats supervise and the dog keeps you company. And of course there are the horses--who more often than not decide who is "yours" for the week, and that one makes sure you know it early and often.

As I said, it's a thing. It seems to be a longterm thing. I'll be very interested to see how and where it evolves from here.

In honor of the weekly Winter Storm Warning, and for those who don't do facebook, have some Leaping Lipizzans. Video! At last!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200870139736154&l=5801671206604812341

Why, yes, I did finally break down and get a smartphone. My old averagephone was starting to object to having its battery charged, and the tiny screen and increasing difficulty and slowness of getting to the data part of the deal were making it frustrating to use. And having sprung for a new one that is by no means cutting-edge, it's trailing by quite a bit (but still has Ice Cream Sammitch, so hey), I find that I am a monster, a very monster, with that camera.

If we get more snow tomorrow, I may be out there again. We'll see.

This one's been going around, and sartorias talked me into doing it. She's doing it, too.

One is supposed to "tag" other people, but I don't do that. If you're a writer and haven't already played and want to play, go right ahead. And let us know where your post is, so we can follow you over there.

It goes like this:

1) What is the title of your book?

My new book, the first one under my own name in a few years, is Living in Threes.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

It started as a story about a girl very like my sister, waiting for sea turtles to come in from the ocean to lay their eggs on the beach in Florida. Then it sort of grew.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

It's fantasy. And historical. And science fiction. Which is why Book View Cafe published it. Nobody else had any clue how to market it, since it doesn't fit into any of the usual slots.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

I don't "shadow cast." My brain doesn't work that way. I like the idea that everybody will see the characters differently, and put their own faces on them.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Three lives, three worlds, three times: three young women, past, present, and future, come together to solve an age-old mystery and save a world.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It's been published by Book View Cafe, the professional authors' cooperative.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Years. It was originally bought by Jane Yolen for her imprint at Harcourt, and was in revisions when the imprint was shut down. It went through several incarnations as we tried to find another home for it. Last spring I took it back from my agents, with their blessing, and funded the final revision plus the interior and cover art (by LJ's own sea_pony) with a Kickstarter. A round 256 backers got together to make the funding a success. Then Book View Cafe edited, produced, and published it.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet has some similar themes. And she blended fantasy and science fiction in somewhat similar ways.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My sister. Sea turtles. White Horses. Ancient Egypt. A lifelong love of science fiction.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

The main story is contemporary, and moves from Florida to Egypt. There is also a historical story, set in ancient Egypt, and a far-future story about a girl who wants to be a starpilot. All the stories are connected, and there's a mystery to be solved and a set of crises to be resolved.

Well. Today I got to writing (ohhh noes!) and forgot to post a last-day reminder. Now it's Saturday night and we're live from the desert, and because I was in a galaxy far far away instead of here where I should have been, I'll do something for you: I'll extend the Equinoctial Sale until Monday at noon PDT.

Details are here. Camp Lipizzan dates in January and March, and a couple of mentee/editing/critting slots are still open. If you've been thinking about signing up but got lost in the weekly chaos, now you have until Monday. Come and play!

Two days left for the Equinoctial Sale. I have a couple of mentee slots left, and Camp dates in January and March (and possibly late October/early November--if you want or need to just run away, send me a ping; it's beautiful here at that time of year).

Pooka says if we get another two mentees and/or a Camp, he can have Dr. NeedleVet again for all his owies from the sprain. He feels much better, is at the on one day, off the next stage--noticeably sore yesterday, only barely sore today. We persevere with the stall rest, though he is agitating to get sprung sooner rather than later. We have, however, learned our lesson good and hard, if excruciatingly slowly, and this time will not yield to his blandishments. He gets out of jail when every day is a not-sore day. About another week, I calculate. If I don't weaken and let him get out and reinjure himself all over again.

Which I Will Not Do.

No.

It's been a while since I had a Sale, and there are openings and free dates (and a hay bill and a shoer bill and a herd of kamikaze horses), so here we are. Please feel free to boost the signal far and wide. Sale begins now and continues through September 22nd. Query here or send email to capriole at that gmail thing. And yes, I take Paypal.

Mentoring and Writing Teaching, Editing, and Various and Sundry Services

I have a number of openings for freelance editing, which includes everything from proofreading to copyediting to full-on line editing, and also for writer clients. I'm a full-service mentor, from brainstorming a new project to developing outline and synopsis to critting your ms. to working with you on your submission package. I'm particularly experienced in working with individual style and process, and plotting and brainstorming, including worldbuilding, is a specialty. I can also help you with the equestrian parts of your novel or story.

I have had to raise my rates to $50/hour, but for the duration of the sale, I'm offering a package of five hours for $200 (that's one hour free). This is enough time for review and discussion of a standard submission package (query, synopsis, chapters), a nice amount of worldbuilding and plotting, a chunk of proofing, editing, or critting--the options are numerous and very flexible. I will bank hours if you would like to start later on--say, after NaNo.

Offer open, as always, to current as well as new mentees.

Camp Lipizzan

This is the famous Horse Camp for Writers, located in southern Arizona--just outside of Tucson (25 minutes from Tucson Airport). I do one a month, and Campers often book the next one while they're at the current Camp. Limited to two Campers per session--three if they're good friends and one doesn't mind sharing a room. House has cats, but guest rooms are cat-free. Cost includes room with double bed and shared bath in farmhouse accommodations, library with comfy chairs and Supervisory Writers' Cat(tm), meals tailored to individual needs and diets, free wi-fi, and of course hot and cold running Lipizzans. Riding lessons and yoga classes additional--we work with Desert Horse Equestrian Services (riding, equine sports massage, bodywork and energy work) and Desert Horse Yoga. We highly recommend the White Horse Herd Yoga, and if you don't ride but want to learn how horses move and communicate and think, we have an option for that.

Rates begin at $375 per person for two nights/three days. First additional night $75, and $50/night thereafter. For the Sale, I'm offering a free night. Book four nights/five days at $500 per person and get a fifth night free. That's almost a full week in the desert, with horses, being fed and pampered, and writing like a writing thing. If you want a workshop, we'll include that. Also included: transport to and from Tucson Airport or, if you fly into Phoenix, from the Arizona Shuttle depot in eastside Tucson.

Dates are available between October 1st and November 15th, and between January 15th and April 1st. First comer gets to pick the date; if you're willing, we can add another Camper at that date. If you book October, I'll give you an even better deal: $475 per person for 4 or 5 nights.

To book, or if you have questions, comment here or email me at capriole at that gmail thing.

Thankyouall!

There comes a time in the life of a horse barn when, for one reason or another, one or more of the horses will move on to a new home. Fora the barn owner it's an ambivalent experience. When the move is in general a good thing (as in this case it is), the feeling overall is of rightness. Acceptance. But also sadness. Usually a little. Often a lot. End of an era. Change--which always has a slightly scary component.

So tomorrow Carrma is moving to River Valley, where S keeps her horses, and where horse yoga also happens. It's a very good place, with very good people. Good things happen there. It's only 20 minutes away--so quite easy to stop in and visit.

Carrma was never My Lipizzan. We've been friends and colleagues, have collaborated in raising foals and grandfoals, and have seen each other through a succession of trainers and boarders and lessons and Camps. She's mostly been aloof, I'm not your Lipizzan, just put the food in the tub, please. And that's been comfortable for us. When she's wanted a personal human, she's had one. She even spent three years on a ranch in Dragoon, until her person sadly died and she came back to DHF.

In recent months however she's undergone a change. She's engaged me much more. She's asked more of me--and acted as if she had an Agenda and would I please speed up my slow human brain and catch up with it. She's even been imperious, and for the omega mare who gets her way through the mastery of passive aggression, that's kind of remarkable. And frankly adorable. She's always been an awesome horse, but she's finally deigned to show me her sparkly side. I'm sure that if she could fit into a pink frock, she too would parachute into the Olympic Stadium with Agent 007.

Then last week lines were drawn and choices were made, and the hauler was booked for tomorrow.

Now when the hauler is booked, the barn owner usually goes through a process that other animal folk are also familiar with. We withdraw emotionally; we prepare ourselves for the separation. Especially when there's an emotional bond, that is essential; a departure like that can be incredibly painful. The worst for me was when Gabriella left the first (and believe me, the last) time. There were excellent reasons for that, and excellent things came of it. But it was like ripping my heart out. It hurt for years--never fully healed until she came back. (Yes, that horse is that important. I can't help it. It's how it is.)

This time is different. Weird, really. As soon as the decision was made, Carrma went from cheerful to seriously sparkly. Smug, for a fact. Happy song. Finally! Stupidhuman got the clue!

And now she's more There for me than ever. Happy ears. Full engagement. "HI! I'm HERE! Snuggle Me! Worship Me! Aren't I AWESOME? Don't you ADORE Me?"

She's not trying to convince me to keep her. At all. I'm more than fine with her going. It's one of those "feels right" situations. She's just including me in her plans. Whatever those are. And letting me know that wherever she is, she's still, in her way, here.

Kind of like having a tutelary spirit, but she's alive and breathing and full of her own wonderfulness. Quite like her son Pooka. He does come by it honestly.

So there's a new chapter starting. I have no idea what Carrma has in mind, but I'm very much looking forward to finding out.