Pony

What books did you like as a child?

My favorite horse book was “Hold the Rein Free” by Judy Van Der Veer, and favorite non-horsey book was “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.

What books do you read now?

All sorts: Harry Potter books, horse books, literary books, non-fiction books, fantasy books, chick-lit books, poetry books, juvenile fiction books, and the list goes on.

When and why did you decide to become a writer? Did you write stories when you were a child?

I wanted to become a writer when I was a child, but didn’t think it was possible until I was about 28 years old, and that’s when I started writing Freedom. Thinking it wasn’t possible for me to be a writer didn’t stop me from writing for myself though. When I was a child, I wrote a number of books about a bay mare named Nellie.

Did you have a favorite subject in school?

I liked both English classes and Math: English because I loved to read, and Math because it was like figuring out puzzles.

What do you do in your spare time?

I hope to soon spend lots of time with my horses, but they are still being boarded far away from our new house. We’re going to bring them here soon though! I also love gardening and spending time with my family and friends.

Do you have a favorite food?

I like food way too much to have a single favorite! However, I do have a favorite desert – crème brule.

Do you listen to music, and what kind?

I like Irish punk, some jazz/blues, and opera. I know, I know, it’s a weird combination!

Do you have a favorite book of the ones you have written?

This is the toughest question of all! Usually, when I’m writing a book, that’s my favorite one – so right now, Bleak Passage and Deceived are my favorites, because I’m working on them both. Another one that is very special to me though, is Freedom, because it was my first.

Do you have a favorite character that you’ve created? And if it’s Angelica, do you have a second favorite?:-)

Of the humans, I really like Karlie in Gold Fever, because she’s so resourceful; Giselle in Frantic Flight, because she’s so brave; Sophie in Desert Song, because she’s so sad yet in the end finds a home; Lauren in Abandoned, because she is so forgiving (at the end anyway!). Of the horses, I love Freedom, because she’s so wild and beautiful; Daydream in Swift Current because she’s so caring; Firefly in Dark Fire, because she’s so fiery; Luna in Condor Mountain, because she’s so mysterious; Ciervo in Rattlesnake Rock, because he’s so elegant.

Where do you live, and where did you grow up?

I live in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, and I grew up in Bella Coola, which is a remote valley in the middle of the B.C. coast, miles away from the nearest town. Bella Coola was a very beautiful and wild place to grow up, which was great for my imagination as a child.

Do you ever put real people into your books?

Oh yes, my nieces and nephews! And real horses too – Trooper/Ben in Abandoned is based on my first horse, also named Ben; Coyote and Orion in Abandoned are Wiley (his full name is Wiley Coyote) and Orion; and Freedom and Keeta in Freedom are based on Ali and Comanche, two of my past favorite horses.

What is your favorite place in the world?

I can’t answer that one for a while, as I don’t think I’ve found my favorite place yet. I need to do some more traveling! Next year, I hope to take a trip to Australia and New Zealand!

Where and when do you write?

I write almost every day, and most of my writing is done in my office at home, though I do a lot of my thinking work while I’m doing other things.

Where do ideas for your books come from?

The original spark for a book can come from anywhere: from articles I read, from TV shows or movies, from things people say, from experiences I have, etc. Then after the original spark happens, I use my imagination and play with the idea. Some ideas turn into books and some just remain as fun daydream sessions.

Please tell us about your horses, and any other pets that you own.

My favorite part of the interview! My horses are Orion, a gorgeous black, five-year-old, Morgan/QH cross mare that I co-own with my daughter, Charity. Orion is very mischievous and fun, and has a great sense of humor. Then there is Wiley, a chestnut, four-year-old, Anglo-Arab gelding that I co-own with my daughter, Maria. Wiley is very sensible, calm, and friendly. We have two dogs too, Raven (a german shepherd) and Cedar (a collie), and one snobby, gray cat, named Misty.

How old were you when you started riding?

I was three when I got on my first horse. An old retired horse lived in the pasture beside my grandparent’s house and one day it was laying down near the fence. I was very excited and showed the horse to my grandpa. He said, “Why don’t you go for a ride?” He was just joking, but I thought he meant it, so I ran out there and climbed up on the horse’s back. The horse didn’t know what to think of this little wiggly person on its back, so it stood up and started to walk away, taking me with it! However, my grandpa came to rescue me, with a big smile on his face.

How do you start writing a story?

I start by writing an outline. However, I find as I write the story that it always turns out to be just a little bit different than the outline. It’s as if the characters decide they want to do things differently than I do!

What is the hardest thing about being a writer? And the most fun thing?

The hardest thing about being a writer for me is to keep on writing even when the writing isn’t going well. I’ve found however, that if I just keep going, I’ll eventually get past the hard part. The most fun thing is knowing that readers all over the world are reading my stories, and that they love Angelica as much as I do!

What’s in store for Angelica in the future?

I’m not sure. I guess I’ll have to keep writing, and the readers will have to keep reading, to find out!

Did you name Angelica after yourself?:-)

No. She’s named Angelica because she is an Angel, and because, well, Angelica was just the right name. She couldn’t have had any other.

Is it especially challenging writing a series, and do you prefer to write books for a series or a stand-alone book?

I like doing both and right now, I’m working on one of each. I like the freedom that is found in writing a stand-alone book – you can have any characters and any situation you want. However, I like going back to the Horse Angel books too, because I love Angelica and believe in the good she does, and I love all her co-stars whether human or equine!

Why do you write about horses? Do you think it’s easy for you to understand what a horse is thinking?

I write about horses, because horses have always been my number one passion. They are the most beautiful creatures in the world to me. I think that, with time and experience, it’s possible to understand how horses think. First, you have to recognize that they don’t think like us humans do and then stay open to learning their “language”, and in time you can understand them quite well.

What sort of a person are you today – are you an Angel?:-)

I wish! I’d love to be a horse angel! And I suppose I try to be, as much as a human can.

Have you ever had any first-hand experience with horses suffering or being put in danger, like the horses in your books?

A few times, yes, though they weren’t as exciting as in the books. I’ve had some wonderful “Angelica moments” too. For example, one time I had a strange feeling and just knew that my horse, Comanche, needed me. I found her on the ground in her pasture, very sick. I phoned the vet and when he came out, he gave her some medicine but said she probably wouldn’t live. I was heartbroken. When he left, I knelt beside Comanche and tried to communicate to her how much I’d miss her if she died. She lay there for few more minutes, then with a loud groan and trembling muscles, climbed to her hooves. She completely recovered and carried on to live with me for many more years!

Who are your favorite people in the whole world? My best friend and husband, Brad, and my amazingly fantastic kids, Seth, Maria, and Charity!

Do you have a personal motto?Yes! “Fall down seven times. Get up eight!” It’s an old Chinese proverb.

Are you interested in hearing from fans, and if so how do you like to be contacted?

I love to hear from my readers! Go to my website at www.angeladorsey.com