Carol F. McKibben
  • Home
  • About Carol
    • Services >
      • Clients
      • Testimonials
    • Contact
  • Books
    • Luke's Tale
    • Snow Blood: Season 1
    • Snow Blood: A Vampire Mystery Thriller - Season 2
    • Snow Blood: A Vampire Mystery Thriller - Season 3
    • Snow Blood: Season 4 (A Vampire Mystery Thriller)
    • Snow Blood: Season 5 (A Vampire Mystery Thriller)
    • Kane: The First Blood Son
    • Moon Blood: Book 1
    • Moon Blood Book 2
    • Moon Blood Book 3
    • Moon Blood Book 4
    • Moon Blood Book 5
    • Reign - The Assault of Lucifer Morningstar - Book 1 Silver Blood Knight Series
    • Riding Through It
    • Media Kits
  • Free eBook
  • Blog

Riding Through It

There's an expression that horse trainers use whenever a client's ride becomes difficult - "Keep riding through it." I've heard it at least a hundred times while riding my horse. It's a function of good horsemanship. If you give up or get off in the midst of difficulties, you might win the battle that day but lose the war in the long run. Learning to be really good at something takes persistence and time. Such it is with life; so it is with writing.

My Books

Building Character

4/28/2016

8 Comments

 
Picture
A new character for my Snow Blood Series has presented himself. My brain is full of him today, so I thought I would take you inside my writer's mind as his character unfolds. He came to me by way of my son-in-law who posted him on my personal Facebook page. So, thank you, Donald. 

After seeing his picture and its significance, I wanted to share my journey with him so far. It wasn't a coincidence, you see. Most of you know I own, ride and compete with my Friesian Aramis. The horse in the photo above is a Friesian, a winged one at that. At first, I thought he should be named Aramis, after my own horse. But he quickly corrected me and shared that his name is Mathias. Some of you are probably shaking your heads right now and calling me crazy. Probably. But I firmly believe in a hypothesis that William Faulkner set forth about his own writing. He said, "It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does."

So it has been with all my characters - from Luke to Snow Blood, Ashlundt and Sara to Brogio and Selene or Tim and Corky to Kane and Scrawny.They take on a life of their own.

Because I am introducing a new character in Snow Blood Season 3 called Seth, it only seems fitting that Mathias join Seth in Season 4. What you won't know in Season 3 is that Seth is much more than he appears to be. Once his true nature is revealed in Season 4, Mathias will become Seth's natural companion. Or, at least, that is what Mathias has revealed to me so far.

He's a winged horse, like Pegasus, but unlike the mythological horse, Mathias' nature and origin will be unclear at first. As the story progresses, readers will come to know much about him. He is a teacher, like all horses. He is a companion and adviser, like horses. He is dedicated and willing to work hard. You don't think so? I've told you before. My horses have taught me patience, persistence, strength and how and when to use it. They've taught me to live in the moment, to seize the day, and to be demanding when necessary always followed by kindness. They have further development my sense of responsibility. Mathias will show us all how to be more honest with our friends. I know that I can never fake it with my own horse. He always knows what's going on with me. Oh, one more important thing. Horses have taught me how to be gentle and to move slowly around them so as not to startle them. A nice thing to do for people as well, don't you think? 

Mathias embodies all these teaching abilities and more. How exactly he fits into the total story line he hasn't revealed yet. But, he will. Like I said, I'll need to follow him around for awhile to get his entire story. 

So those are my thoughts this morning. You probably wouldn't want to live inside my head, because that kind of stuff is always going on! But, if you love to write, you'll probably get it all. If you love to read, you'll probably get it too.

Til Next Time,
​Carol




8 Comments
Judy Stone
4/29/2016 09:23:25 am

I'm a reader, not a writer, but I've been blessed to know several. I understand the characters in your head; I have plenty as well, but my muse prefers to lurk in the background with the nuts and bolts and not crafting the stories.

Looking forward to reading book 3 and meeting Mathias in book 4.

Reply
Judy Stone
4/29/2016 09:23:43 am

I'm a reader, not a writer, but I've been blessed to know several. I understand the characters in your head; I have plenty as well, but my muse prefers to lurk in the background with the nuts and bolts and not crafting the stories.

Looking forward to reading book 3 and meeting Mathias in book 4.

Reply
Carol McKibben link
4/30/2016 01:52:15 pm

Thanks, Judy! I so appreciate your comments and that you get it!
Best, Carol

Reply
Carol McKibben link
4/30/2016 01:52:55 pm

Thanks, Judy! I so appreciate your comments and that you get it!
Best, Carol

Reply
Carol McKibben link
4/30/2016 01:53:07 pm

Thanks, Judy! I so appreciate your comments and that you get it!
Best, Carol

Reply
Carol McKibben link
4/30/2016 01:53:38 pm

Thanks, Judy! I so appreciate your comments and that you get it!
Best, Carol

Reply
Dina Bushrod link
4/29/2016 10:33:44 am

I love this idea of yours. As a lover of horses I can't wait to see what's in store. Love how your imagination takes off running. Give a big thanks to your brother for me.

Reply
CAROL MCKIBBEN link
4/30/2016 03:11:51 pm

Thanks, Dina! Horses and dogs are my biggest passion in addition to writing. Glad we share a common bond. Not sure what you mean by thanking my Brother. It is difficult for me to do so, since he passed away a number of years ago.

Thanks again!
Carol

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Carol McKibben

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Belief In Self
    How To Get What You Want
    How To Love Unconditionally
    Inspiration
    Just For Fun
    Moon Blood
    On Writing
    Snow Blood
    Things You Should Know About Luke's Tale
    Virtual Book Tour
    Words Of Wisdom
    Writing For A Living

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.