Kings of Colorado – Book Review

April 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Kings of Colorado by David E. Hilton

Not long ago, I received an e-mail that went something like this:

“Dear Valerie,
David E. Hilton’s debut novel KINGS OF COLORADO—now available in paperback (Simon & Schuster; January 3, 2012; $14.00)—is a powerful coming-of-age story set on a juvenile delinquent ranch in the Rockies….I would love to send you a copy of KINGS OF COLORADO to review, giveaway, or feature on Believing in Horses….” 

Since Simon & Schuster cared about my thoughts, I thought I would share them here as well.

In Kings of Colorado (Simon and Schuster, 2011) by David E. Hilton, Will Sheppard stabs, but does not kill, his father, and pays the price for the rest of his life. Sent to the Swope Ranch Boys’ Reformatory in Colorado across the country from his Chicago home, thirteen-year-old Will learns lessons one would hope a child protecting his mother from his abusive father would never have to learn. Two years at the brutal boys’ ranch toughens Will, but does not leave him devoid of emotions. His saving graces include friendships, a special horse he trains, and a kind nurse. Will endures one violent and tragic hardship after another, leaving the reader wondering if he can possibly survive.

[Read more...]

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On Book Reviews

February 17, 2012 By 1 Comment

On Book Reviews

As an author, why should I review other writers’ work?  Because it makes me a better writer.

About a year ago, I read an article on Writing.com that suggested the same conclusion, so I thought I’d check it out.  After all, reviewing includes reading and analysis, something I’d spent a lifetime doing as an intelligence officer.  So how hard could it be?  Turns out, not so easy.  And how to synthesize several hundred pages into a paragraph, and cram those days of personal reactions into just a few statements?  I’ll offer some suggestions that work for me.

1.   Decide You Are Going To Review the Book Before You Begin Reading

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s one I learned along the way.  I’ve actually written reviews on books that I DIDN’T realize I was going to review until after reading, so it’s not impossible.  However, having reviewed both ways, planning ahead works better (for me).

2.   Find a Formula That Works For You

I start with a basic template because I need organization.

*Book introduction and synopsis, with an enticing first sentence.

*Personal observations and reactions.

*A notable portion, quote, passage, character or plot theme that reinforces or explains personal observations and reactions.

*Formatting, design, illustration, or other items impacting the reader.

*Author details, particularly as they relate to subject matter.

*Conclusion and recommendation.

Bill Ansejo’s article “How to Write a Book Review” at Writing-World.com, provides a useful guide covering technical aspects such as including the book title, ISBN, price, etc., and helpful “Points to Ponder,” for example, discussing the credibility of characters.

3.   Read Book Reviews – Lots of Them

See what you like and don’t like, and what may work for you.  Book reviews appear everywhere – newspapers, magazines, online.  I happen to be a Twitter.com fan, and just searching “Book Reviews,” or #bookreviews, yields great results, too.

4.  Decide What Kind of Book Reviewer You Will Be

Kelly Jensen, Stacked blog, wrote an excellent piece, “On Being Critical.”  I particularly liked her delineation between critical and negative, with the following as a key point:

“Critical reviews are not negative reviews.
Know this distinction. Critical reviews involve thoughtful analysis and synthesis of the work at hand. They support their statements — both positive and negative — with what’s in front of them.  They check their baggage at the door.

Negative reviews are not supported by text. Negative reviews don’t tell readers anything substantial about the book, but rather, about the reviewer. It’s self reflective, rather than text reflective.”

My personal choice is that if I don’t like a book, I don’t review it.  Since I’m not a book reviewer for a living, I have that freedom.  Enough negativity exists out there, and I just don’t feel the need to contribute more.  This doesn’t make me a dishonest reviewer, and doesn’t mean I rave about every book I read.  But I’ve thought hard about it, and decided that the kind of book reviewer I want to be is one who offers opinions and advice, if applicable.  It’s a bonus if a book’s author appreciates the review and new readers decide to read a book due to my thoughts on it.

5.   Write Well

Remember way back in the first sentence I mentioned that writing reviews makes you a better writer?  Critical thinking, analysis, clarity of thought, proper word choices, captured in a succinct manner deliver the best reviews.  Book review writing provides an excellent writing exercise.  Try it.

Any other tips out there on writing book reviews?  While much is written on HOW authors can get book reviews, it seems less is devoted to how authors can WRITE good reviews.  Please share your thoughts or links to well-written reviews.

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Free Jumping – with Video!

October 20, 2011 By 3 Comments

American Quarter Horse Billy free jumping for the first time

Billy free jumping. For videos, see links in post.

My husband, Jaime Navarro, and I won a silent auction item at the recent Maryland Horse Council annual barbeque: 1 Free Jumping Session with Steuart Pittman. At Pittman’s Dodon Farm, he and an assistant school a horse through their jumping chute in the indoor arena. According to the auction flyer, “Most horses only need to do it once or twice for them and you to find out just how much talent they have.”

A life-long horseman, Steuart Pittman’s credentials include certification to teach eventing through the preliminary level. I featured him in Believing In Horses as “the current President of the MHC, a well-known local equestrian, and a former grassroots lobbyist,” all true. Dodon Farm’s business ranges from breeding, training, and starting horses to improving riders. I also consider Steuart a “horse saver” (my term), for his tremendous efforts in supporting the MHC’s Unwanted Horse Project and in his work retraining off-track Thoroughbreds. He and his wife, Erin, created The Retired Racehorse Training Project, which recently received its official 501(c)3 charitable status.

My husband really enjoys silent auctions — following the bids, the last minute scramble before the pens go down, and the wins. When they announced he won the Free Jump session, he turned to me and said, “I can’t wait to see what Billy can do.” Billy is Jaime’s Quarter Horse, a former racehorse, who masquerades as a Thoroughbred.

“Billy?” I thought to myself. “Well, okay. That’s not exactly what I had in mind, but it will work.”

I guess we’ve known each other long enough for him to read my expression, and he continued, “Or Lucky – maybe we should take Lucky instead.”

And so we ended up bringing both Billy and Lucky, after discussing it with Steuart.

Upon arrival, Steuart brought us into the indoor arena, one horse at a time, and explained the set up. He, and his assistant, Emily, would be free longeing the horse around a circle, having him run through the chute. It would start with a trot, no poles, then progress to a cross rail, then a series of jumps.

Our role was to stay in the middle and watch, and not distract the horse by talking to him, coaxing, clucking, etc. Do you have any idea how hard that is to do? Non-horse people, that’s like asking you to go to your kids’ soccer game and watch from the sidelines and not say a thing! You can grade us from the videos as to whether we got a pass or fail on that one.
I posted a few video clips together, showing the progression. I’ll start with Billy.

We learned so much from this. We anticipated Billy would be a bit uncomfortable in the new setting, but the last thing we thought is that he wouldn’t want to canter. He loves to move – fast – so this surprised us. We also noted an unusual maneuver with his left hind during the flight of the jump and the landing. This is something we’re going to keep an eye on and see if it’s consistent, and also see if he does the same with his right hind when moving in the opposite direction. It’s nice to have an idea of what’s going on beneath you when in flight.

Lucky, Andalusian cross, free jumping

Color Me Lucky believes he likes to jump!


As Pittman said, “There are no two horses that jump alike.” The next clip, of Lucky (AKA Color Me Lucky) demonstrates this. At five-years-old, this was Lucky’s first attempt at anything above two feet; he seemed to like it.

Overall, the Free Jump Session showed us what our horses can do, as Pittman says, “without the rider in the way.” A completely enjoyable experience, run by true professionals, I highly recommend it. For a complete paper on the issue, see Pittman’s Teaching Horses How to Jump. And for more information on Dodon Farm, in Davidsonville, Md., please see www.DodonFarm.com. Of course, comments are always appreciated here, too!

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A Portion of the Proceeds to Help Thoroughbreds

October 3, 2011 By 1 Comment

Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue, Inc. Booth at Maryland Million

Lucy Krone (left), on the Board of Directors for Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue, Inc., received check from Valerie Ormond (right) as a portion of the proceeds from Beliveing In Horses.

The highlight of my weekend came on Saturday when I provided one of the Maryland rescues featured in Believing In Horses with a small donation. When I decided to write a book about unwanted horses, I knew I wanted to include real life rescues and retraining facilities. I’d met Kimberly Clark, owner and founder of Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue, Inc. (TPR, Inc.) once, and knew she was the type person, and ran the kind of facility, I wanted to accurately portray in the story. Besides bringing awareness to the unwanted horse problem, I had also hoped to recognize the efforts of hard-working volunteers and provide a portion of the book proceeds to two Maryland horse rescue organizations (Freedom Hill Horse Rescue is the other, and they’ll be receiving a check during their Oct. 22nd fundraiser).

When I found out that TPR, Inc. would have a booth at the Maryland Million horse race, I thought it would be a great opportunity to present them a check on that day. I hadn’t expected to be able to provide a donation this soon, since the book has only been out for a few months, but people have been so generous. It’s funny, the book sells for $12.67 with Maryland tax, and at one point I started saying, ‘Or $13.00 even if you want me to donate that extra 33 cents directly to the rescues.’ It’s amazing how many people want to donate that change, and how some have even tacked on a few extra dollars.

J.K. on a former racehorse at Laurel Park, Md.

Jockey J.K. Adams, featured in Believing In Horses, takes part in the Thoroughbred demonstration between races at the Maryland Million, Laurel Park, Md.


According to TPR, Inc.’s mission statement: “Thoroughbred Placement and Rescue, Inc. exists to improve the lives of thoroughbred racehorses by finding the best homes possible for them upon retirement from racing. They successfully transition and retrain racehorses for other disciplines and use these techniques and philosophies to help others learn these skills. They strive to improve the reputation of the Thoroughbred by providing the correct information about this wonderful breed of horse. Through placement, support, education and rescue, they strive to make a difference.

Although my monetary donation from Believing In Horses is small, I know it is for a big cause. I hope that the more people learn about horses, the many wonderful horse people we have here in Maryland, and how people can make a difference and continue our state’s historic horse legacy.

Thank you Kimberly Clark and all the other horse savers for all that you do!

For more information on Thoroughbred placement and Rescue, Inc., please visit www.goodhorse.org. And for more information about the book Believing In Horses, please visit www.BelievingInHorses.com. Please click on the link below to see a VIDEO of the Thoroughbred demonstration during the Maryland Million at Laurel Park, Md., Oct. 1, 2011.

TPR, Inc. at Maryland Milliion

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Writer’s Muscles

May 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

Now that I’m offically a “writer,” people frequently ask me:  “How do I become a better writer?” 

My responses may vary some, but the key advice doesn’t change:  “Write more and read more.”

I especially like to encourage people to expand beyond what they noramlly write to flex those brain muscles.  Reaching beyond normal boundaries also provides writers a good break from their normal routines, and may just unearth hidden talents writers may not know lie beneath.

I took my own advice a few months back and participated in Writing.com’s 15 for 15 contest.  Contestants respond to a writing prompt title and image, and write a story, prose,or  poetry in 15 minutes or less for 15 days in a row.  I truly enjoyed the people I met virtually through the contest and found it to be an excellent exercise in ensuring I wrote — even just for 15 minutes a day — for over two weeks.  I even placed a few days, and below was what the judges named the winning entry one day.  I considered it a win that I hit all 15 days, and learned something in the process.

Writing Prompt

Savanna

Remington Hawkins surveyed his territory again, never tiring of its beauty and majesty. The sky spread above easily blending into the heavens, and the grasslands below stretched in its golden glory as far as he could see. Silence rarely visited. The life in the reeds, the trees, and the dots filling the air each provided its own version of “here I am.” Magnificent, and all his.
Remington learned to enjoy his new station in life following a period of denial, confusion, and disgust. His content hadn’t come quickly or easily, but once he’d figured it out, he realized he’d gotten exactly what he asked for in life. He replayed the scene in his mind over and over again, as if seeing something new in the scene would make a difference.
“So, young man, with all you have, you seem to think you need more?” asked the weathered, dark gypsy woman with knotted knuckles and slits for eyes.
“Yes, I need more,” Remington answered. “Who doesn’t?”
“Be careful what you ask for, and how you ask for it. Forces are always listening. You may just end up giving up your good fortune here to someone else…say, someone like me…for what it is you think you want. Are you willing to do that?”
“Oh, this is nonsense. I only came here because my superstitious business partner saw you and said his luck turned around right after he did. I didn’t come here to see a shrink.”
“Very well, then. But before you go, I’d just like you to think very hard about what it is that you want…what it is that is important to you…how you would put that into words.”
“Ha! That’s easy. I want to be King of the Jungle.”

Valerie Ormond

Writing.com  15 for 15 Writing Contest

1st Place Winner, January 15, 2011
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Just Add Magic

March 13, 2011 By 4 Comments

Just Add Magic

Abracadabra–it’s official:  I AM a writer.  I learned this, among other things, while attending my first all-day writing conference, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia Region Spring Conference.  Over 190 attendees included beginner and experienced writers, illustrators, editors, agents, and more.  Fortunately, I had the opportunity to make some new acquaintances, including Cindy Callaghan, author of Just Add Magic, which seemed an appropriate image for this blog, for reasons you’ll understand if you read to the end (not fair, I know!).

Since I don’t think anyone wants to hear my play-by-play description of the conference, I’m going to report a short takeaway from each speaker I saw.  (Due to breakout sessions, I could not see/hear all speakers).  My highlights may not be the same as someone else’s, but that’s part of the beauty of conferences – the ability to listen for the messages applicable to you.

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHTS
Marilyn Brigham, Editor, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books N.G.E.F. Y.  – Adapted from legendary editor Ursula Nordstrom, “Not Good Enough For You.”  When editing your work, apply this principle.  It can ALWAYS be better.
Kristen Nobles, Art Director, Candlewick Press After reading the text for a book, she usually jots down three verbs to help determine illustrator choices.  What three words would describe your story? 
Laura Bowers, Author (Young Adult) Passion makes you WANT to write the story.  Perseverence MAKES you write the story.
Kathi Appelt, Author (children, young adult, and adult); Faculty, Vermont College of Fine Arts Look for seeds that are planted within your own life stories.  Write to the hole in your heart.
Heather Alexander, Editor, Dial Books for Young Readers Respect the demands on editors’ time; present your submissions with this in mind.
Rosemary Stimola, Agent, Stimola Literary Studio Age is irrelevant in the writing business; recently considered representing a 14-year-old, and currently representing an 87-year-old.

 Now, back to the magic, mentioned in at least three presentations I heard.  Cindy Callaghan’s fun book Just Add Magic, features “secret recipes” discovered by 12-year-old girls in an attic.   While none of the speakers yesterday claimed to offer THE secret recipe for success, I interpreted their heartfelt presentations as “ingredients.”  Not everyone likes the same food; not everyone likes the same book.  But when writing, it may help to pick the ingredients that work for you; blend, stir, fold, bake, broil, or grill them as you’d like; but, please don’t forget to include the magic.

Filed Under: books, goals, life lessons, Maryland, motivation, work, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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