As writers we spend a lot of time with our fictional characters. They become our invisible friends. We talk to them and we talk about them. We imagine what their life was like before our story begins. Sometimes, like in my case, we imagine what they do after the book ends. It’s just something we do.
As I stated a couple of weeks ago, my first novel is going to be out in the next few weeks. I’m very excited! I’ve spent so much time with these characters and this story that I’m anxious to see how others react to the book.
So, in preparation for launch day, let’s meet the heroine of On Common Ground. Her name is Ketra Weston. She’s a gorgeous, petite, blue-eyed blonde, who loves her family, horses, and eventually, Trevor Donaldson. We’ll talk about him later.
Ketra was a rodeo queen who, along with her sister, won several championships as team ropers. Yes, it’s unusual for women to be team-ropers, but team-ropers they were none-the-less. When things turned sour during her senior year of college, she gave up the rodeo spotlight and started training barrel horses instead. She’s been around horses all of her life and it seemed like a natural progression to move into training.
I found this video on YouTube, which somewhat mirrors Ketra’s life. Ketra and Ashley (the gal in the video) both started out as ropers, they were both about the same age when they started training horses, they are both from Oklahoma, and they both have a great love and respect of horses.
I hope you enjoy this glimpse of the rodeo world and the exciting business of barrel horse training. Oh, FYI, the horses in this video are very mellow. Usually barrel horses are very high strung and hard to manage. They love to run and they’re typically VERY big and strong and fast. Please enjoy.
And now you know a little bit about my imaginary friend Ketra Weston. Next week, we’ll take a peek inside Trevor’s world and see what he’s up to. Until then, stay happy.
Do you enjoy going to the rodeo or watching it on TV? Have you ever ridden a barrel horse? What’s your favorite rodeo event? Are you friends with your book characters?
Word of the Day: Ajowan
Fun fact about me: I’ve never wanted to be a barrel racer, but I sure wish I knew how to rope.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, August 2018. Photos courtesy Google Images. Video courtesy YouTube (Ashley Schafer)
Haven’t been to a rodeo in years, although I used to enjoy them when I was a kid. (Yes, they did have rodeos back in the caveman days.) Don’t know that I ever had a favorite event.
I’ve never seen an ajowan;
I never hope to see one,
But I can tell you this for sure:
I’d rather see than be one.
Actually, that was supposed to be a purple cow in the ditty, but . . .
LikeLike
I love the “purple cow” ditty that you created. Cute! And, I knew that rodeo had been around for quite awhile but caveman days? Wow – that’s a loooonnnngggg time. (snicker).
Thanks for visiting and making me smile.
Patricia
LikeLike
So far as characters go, they can really pull our heartstrings at times. The other day I was thinking about my novella series “Fancy.” Two sisters were separated by events around the Civil War and didn’t see each other for about 15 years. As I thought about their reunion, chills ran up and down my spine. I know – it’s fiction, and they’re my own characters, but I can’t help it!
LikeLike
I’ve teared up at some of my own scenes and character emotions as well. I have a particularly emotional story that I need to get back to for editing and I’m hoping I still have the same reaction when that time comes. Stay tuned.
Thanks again.
Patricia
LikeLike
Thanks for introducing us to Ketra (love that name, too)! My ex sister-in-law barrel raced and roped, also very much into horses. I think she actually won some awards for barrel racing, but it was years ago and I don’t remember all the details (Jack probably would, though). I think it’s super-cool that your character is a female barrel racer – not something you see in books very often (which is a GREAT thing)! And yep, I’m buds with a lot of my book characters. Not the villains, though. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked meeting Ketra! I hope people love her story. I’m working on Trevor’s blog post for next week. I hope you like him too.
I’m also glad you don’t like your villain characters. That’d be just weird. I’ve got a creepy villain in my next book.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Stay tuned for more characters. (And that book launch thing. That’s kind of a big deal.)
Patricia
LikeLike
As a lifelong Ohioan, I will admit to being totally clueless about rodeo. Although it is fun to watch on TV once in a while.
My characters are definitely friends! Well, maybe not the bad guys. 🙂
Never cooked with ajowan – and never heard of it until today.
Good luck with your upcoming release! So exciting!
LikeLike
Well, next week you’ll get a taste of ranch life with my hero Trevor. I hope you like him as much as I do. He’s not much into rodeo, but he is a cowboy. And, yes, he’s one of my friends, too. He and Ketra make a good team, although they don’t start off that way. Nope. They sure do not.
Stay tuned for that. And thanks for the good wishes. I’m hoping the book does well in the world.
Patricia
LikeLike