Interview with Equine Author Nicole Moore

Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Nicole Moore

7/28/2017

Equestrian Author Spotlight: Interview with equine authors who love all things horse books!

In this fourteenth Equestrian Author Spotlight, I talk with Nicole Moore. She is the author of the Shade Break Farm equestrian fiction series. Of course, we discuss the best topics on earth ... writing, books and horses! In the interview, you'll learn that her favorite equine memory is of a snowy bareback ride on Christmas Day! As a writer, I completely understand and agree with her answer to my question, "What's the hardest part about being an author?" Happy reading.

About Equine Author Nicole Moore

Interview with Equine Author Nicole Moore

When Nicole Moore isn't typing away on her computer, frantically trying to get her ideas down before they fly away, she can be found enjoying a variety of activities: sipping a hot cup of tea on her balcony surrounded by her garden, hanging out with her orange tabby Frankie and binge watching Netflix, or more likely, spending quality time at the barn with Flynn, her handsome bay thoroughbred.

Okay! Let's saddle up for Nicole's author interview now.

What is your favorite horse memory?

I have had a number of wonderful horse experiences, from horse shows to lessons, to just late Friday nights at the barn, listening to music and grooming. But my very favorite horse memory has to be with my first horse, Boo.

Ah Boo was an off the track thoroughbred, but he had the attitude of an old lesson horse and completely took care of me. I had spent many years taking lessons and leasing, and I didn't have a horse to call my very own until I was a young adult.

The first Christmas I had Boo, I unfortunately was unable to travel home due to work and would be spending it by myself. I was feeling pretty down about it, but I perked up when my barn owner and some of the ladies from where I boarded invited me to a Christmas morning ride.

We all got to the barn early for the ride. It had snowed a little bit the night before, and was very chilly. To stay a little warmer, I rode Boo bareback and in just a halter and lead rope, and the woods were absolutely beautiful, covered in snow and so silent and peaceful.

Riding a horse that I loved so much, feeling him so close to me, on what was a very special morning, is DEFINITELY my most treasured memory.

How did you/when did you/why did you choose to write horse books?

I had played around with the idea of writing for awhile; I wrote often as a child and a teen, and I was an English major in college because of my love of writing and literature. I could never finish a full story though. I would start, get stuck somewhere in the plot, and never finish. Or I'd force myself to get to the end, and be completely dissatisfied with it! One day, I was riding and I thought to myself, "Self, I bet I could write for hours about horses." It turned out, I was right!

How many horse-related books have you written?

Just two so far. I have the first book in the Shade Break Farm series, "A New Beginning", and the second, "Kick On!". I'm currently writing the third and have no plans to stop the series anytime soon. I'm also working on an adult equestrian book, "A Valley Fog", that I am VERY excited about. I'm almost through the first draft, and have plenty of editing to do, but I hope to have it out soon.

Which do you prefer to self-publish or traditional publishing?

I've only self-published, but I'd actually prefer to traditionally publish. Self-publishing does give me a lot of control over my series, but I probably spent as much time trying to market my book as I do actually writing.

I'm extremely active on social media, I have multiple ad campaigns running, and I spend a lot of time trying to get my book noticed by the right audience. It would be much easier to just write and hand the novel over to someone to edit, publish, and promote it for me.

For the time being though, I plan on remaining a self-published author. I'm confident in my series, and I've received a lot of positive feedback, so I'll just keep forging ahead.

What's the hardest part about being an author?

Reading reviews. It's so hard to put yourself out there for other people to critique. You're basically saying "Hey, I think I'm so great at writing that I'm asking you to grade me, to tell me if I'm right or wrong, and to be brutally honest when you do it." It's a tough thing to find out not everyone likes your writing style, your characters, etc. I just try and keep it all in perspective, that not everyone will like my work, but we're all individuals with unique tastes. It's what makes people so wonderful!

If this book is part of a series, would you share little about it?

Absolutely! The series, Shade Break Farm, is centered on a young girl, Sarah. Sarah has big dreams of becoming a professional eventer and competing at the Rolex Three Day Event. She lives at Shade Break Farm with her trainer, Jess. Early on in the first book, Sarah is given a rescue horse named Flynn to work with, and the two end up completely bonding. The series is about the two of them building their relationship and learning together, as they move up the eventing levels.

What was your inspiration for the horse(s) in your book?

Some of the horses are based on generic horse personalities we've all met around the barn (Angry mare, anyone?). But I've also taken some horses directly from the ones I've owned or leased. The main horse character, Flynn, is pretty directly modeled off my own off the track thoroughbred Flynn. They've got very similar personalities, even down to hanging their ears off to the sides like a donkey.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Sarah is an easy one, I picture Saoirse Ronan as perfect for the part. Jess would be a hard pick, she's very bubbly, very excited, but is also a no-nonsense kind of lady. I see her as a Jessica Chastain, or possibly an Amy Adams type. The other characters I don't have a firm idea of, other than Amanda, from the second book. I picture her as maybe a Brie Larson.

Discover More About Equine Author Nicole Moore

Horse Books by Equine Author Nicole Moore

Blog: https://shadebreakfarm.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Moore
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15289778.Nicole_Moore

What a spur jingling author interview!

Thank you to Nicole Moore for participating in my Equestrian Author Spotlight series. I really enjoy these interviews. I learn so much from other authors and appreciate how unique each of our writing journeys is. I love that all the authors featured in this series are linked through our creativity, passion for writing, and love of horses. I think it is so important to support each other. I appreciate the support of a fellow author. Thank you for giving me the gift of your time, Nicole.! #authorsunite

I LOVE HORSE BOOKS. If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted let me know. I’d be happy to include you, too. Sharing about fellow horse book authors makes my spurs jingle! Visit my contact page to fill out a request!
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