Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Following a successful career as a business consultant and motivational speaker I had the opportunity to indulge my life-long love of horses as a trainer, breeder, judge, and expert witness. Transitioning from speaking to a thousand people at a time to cleaning stalls, with no one watching but the horse who lived in it, was hugely satisfying.
I know, most people might find it anticlimactic or lonely – but I loved it. It was complete and immediate immersion into all things horse. My husband and I worked in two different states for almost two years, so I spent all my time and energy with horses and people who lived the life.
My first customer got a great deal, “If you don’t like the result, you don’t have to pay me.” He paid me. Years later I had my pick of great horses and World and National Championships as a trainer and breeder. Stallions were one of my specialties. They taught me simplicity and how to earn attention and respect.
When my husband retired, I sold my large training facility in Arizona and we moved to Texas to downsize. The only thing we downsized was our staff. We no longer had any. We bred AQHA cutting and reining prospects, raised our own hay, had a small cow-calf operation, and I continued training. Those were delightful, challenging years of growth and discovery.
God wastes nothing. Somehow, my daily training notes from working with two gray quarter horses became a book, “Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace.” The book became a ministry and the first of a three-book series. Seven years later the equine-related ministry corporation was dissolved. Board members needed a break.
The transition from entrepreneur to ministry built new habits and norms. In 2017 I changed from full-time ministry to serving in a new capacity. I write, teach, coach, and do all I can to help others find simplicity and security in relationships and faith.
As a Christian author, I write for horse lovers and readers looking for answers in a complex and changing world. The basics are the same. The truth is the truth. What works, works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Art of Getting to YES – How Using Questions Correctly Inspires Action, Agreement, and Connection with Anyone” is my latest release. Understanding and skillfully using the 4 Types of Questions enhances communication, success, and relationships. Misunderstandings and manipulation damage relationships, whether professional, personal, or with a horse! Every seminar or clinic includes a section of the 4 Types of Questions. Feedback from students or audiences made it clear that the information was new and powerful. My job is to help others, so I wrote the book. It’s a short read and free for everyone on Amazon and other online outlets.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m an impulse writer. There’s usually a catalyst that triggers sessions. Some days there’s one inspiration, other days bring a deluge of things I am compelled to write.
Becoming an author was a surprise to me, so I still write in longhand. I have a stack of black spiral-bound notebooks full of material. Notes. Essays. Chapters. Ah-ha moments. Self-slaps on the back of my head… The pile is almost three feet high, and I finally organized them by date into plastic boxes to contain the clutter.
Keeping track of documents on the computer is a daunting task. Eventually I learned how to compose directly into a word processor, but still write in longhand almost every morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many, both great and not-so-great. The Bible is my main reference, and I’m a fan of C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, and Oswald Chambers. As a non-fiction writer I do lots of research. So, most of my reading falls into the work category. Mysteries and legal who-dunnits are my favorite indulgent reads.
My bookshelf includes a variety of books, ranging from “Communism in Harlem During the Depression” to “Creatures of the Same God” about the spirituality of animals on the non-fiction shelves. Other books range from “The 2548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said” to a Tami Hoag novel I picked up yesterday.
Jerry Jenkins is a gifted author and editor. I continue to learn a lot from him about what to do and what not to do. For years I licensed my books to the ministry. They were used more offline than online, and the ministry had a policy of no marketing or promotion. When I became an independent author in late 2016, I immersed myself in book marketing, editing, and communicating with readers. The result? New covers, and new edits of my older titles.
What are you working on now?
I’m always working on multiple titles. At the moment I have active manuscripts including lessons in investing scarce resources of time, energy, passion, and finances, a compilation of heart-warming true horse stories, and one for people who survived abusive, absent, or apathetic fathers and how relationship with God can bring meaning and healing to their lives.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book marketing will always be a work in progress. Because my genres aren’t wildly popular to mass audiences, I have to lead people to the books, not expect the books to find readers.
Leadership, relationship, and success are big sellers. But most folks want a silver bullet or instant happy pill. My books deliver content, illustration, and what to do to reach your goals. But there’s never a suggestion that it’s easy or happens overnight. It’s simple. But simple and easy aren’t synonymous. And, I always mention God.
Blogging, personal appearances, and doing whatever I can to offer valuable content to readers works the best. Facebook is important. I have several groups and work on relationship first, and book marketing somewhere down the list of priorities.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The first question I ask new authors is to describe their goal, and why they write. The path forward is wildly different if you’re writing for profit, indulging a passion, or just want to get a book onto Amazon.
Is the book a tool for an existing business or a work of the heart? The goal determines the next step and the one after that.
Few new authors realize that book marketing delivering the greatest profit begins before they write the book. I didn’t know that for years. Now I test ideas and concepts before committing time and effort. I also test titles and book covers through an independent survey site. Most authors are too close to their work to be objective. Including me.
The most important four-letter word for authors is EDIT. My greatest fear as an author isn’t poor sales, but typos.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Invest resources, don’t just spend them. Identify your goal and only take steps that get you closer to it. Don’t waste time and money on detours that seem good at the time. Know your goal. Stay focused. Resist temptation.
Another great observation is that you can only make a first impression once. As I mentioned in a previous answer, the most important four-letter word for authors in EDIT.
What are you reading now?
These are some of the books open now:
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (again.)
Internet Business insights by Naish and Flogging
Coinman by Pawan Mishra
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Chocolate Kiss of Death by Lily York
A favorite novel I have to mention. Funny. Fast. – “Louisiana Longshot” by Jana Deleon (it’s permafree)
What’s next for you as a writer?
The most important item on my to-do list is connecting with people and offering valuable content. I’m adding video, new articles, and continuing to slog through book marketing opportunities.
Balance is important to everyone. Authors need to be readers. Teachers need to be students. Speakers need to be listeners. And coaches need to be coached.
Writing is an important part of my life, but it isn’t all of it. The continuing quest for balance is the gift, the opportunity, and the challenge.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible.
The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers.
The three title box set of novels by Francine Rivers, “Mark of the Lion.”
Author Websites and Profiles
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