Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Sharon Kay Roberts

Horse books make my spurs jingle! Before I am a writer, I am a reader. I owe my favorite authors a great deal. They make me feel. My favorite authors speak to a place that engages me and fills me up no matter where I am in life, happy, sad, mad, overwhelmed, they write to the place that heals me when I am cuddled up and lost in a good book! So in order to give back (or pay it forward), I’ve decided to host an equestrian author spotlight series on my blog!

In this sixth spotlight edition, I talk with fellow equestrian author Sharon Kay Roberts! We talk about the best topics on earth ... writing, books and horses! You'll love Sharon's favorite horsey memory! Enjoy the read. It's a fun ride! ​

​A little bit about Author Sharon Kay Roberts

Pony Book Author Sharon Kay Roberts

Sharon has loved and enjoyed the companionship of ponies and horses all her life. When she couldn't actually be with horses she devoured books about horses. As a mother she raised her children with ponies in the sandbox and family trail rides. She was a 4-H leader and when her children left the nest she became the Arkansas Director for Personal Ponies LTD. (www.personalponies.org) It was inevitable that one day her favorite animal would find its way to the pages of a book, a book about a pony named Honey inspired by the ponies of PPL. While writing Honey's story, Toby would intrude in her thoughts wanting his story told as well.

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Okay! Let's giddy up into the interview!

What is your favorite horse memory?

When my first horse Toby finally trusted me enough to allow me to walk up to him when he was lying down. He had been abused and this was a milestone.

What is your involvement with horses?

I currently own three horses. I have a Quarter Horse gelding, a Haflinger mare and a grade Pinto mare. I enjoy spending time visiting and scratching their many itchy areas. My daughters and granddaughter take trail rides with me. I give riding lessons to three of my pastor's children. Our church is the only one in the area that gives horse rides during Vacation Bible School.

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

I started writing my first book, Honey, a Pony's Story, at one a.m. hoping writing the thoughts down would cause them to leave my mind and allow me to sleep. The story continued to come to me at night (when I really should have been sleeping because I needed to be up at four a.m. for my job as a dialysis nurse). When Honey was about half written, Toby started to enter my one a.m. computer sessions. He wanted his story told as well.

Do you prefer eBooks or physical copies?  Why?

Definitely physical copies. I love the whole experience of books. Walking into a bookstore, petting the store cat. The discovery of a new book or author. The feel of the book, the heft telling my hands of the importance of what they hold, the soft swish as I turn the page reminiscence of a horse's tail. I am sure it has nothing to do with my being 64 and intimidated by electronics.

What is your favorite horse book besides your own of course?

I have two books that influenced my own journey with horses. Black Beauty was read to me as a bedtime story. It was my introduction to horses as sentient beings. Many years later I read The Tao of Equus by Linda Kohanov.

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

My father was an officer in the Coast Guard. As a military brat who moved every few years horse ownership was a dream. While a teen living in Massachusetts my dream became a reality in the form of a piebald gelding. Toby distrusted all, and was afraid of men. His apparent history of abuse and our road to partnership was the basis of Toby in the book. Mariah, Star of India, and Lady Kim were my three daughters Heather, Amber and Dawn's horses.

What was your inspiration for the leading man/woman in your book?

Cat was inspired from my years as Arkansas Director for Personal Ponies LTD a 501c3 charity organization. PPL's mission is to enrich the lives of children with special needs by their connecting with a small equine companions. The United Kingdom Shetland has the ideal temperament for this very special job. www.PersonalPonies.org

Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?

I hope young readers will realize that being different is not bad. See the person inside the body as horses do. When humans open their hearts and quiet their minds they start on a journey. A journey of learning and perhaps healing.

What’s next?  Future goals for your writing?

I have a third book I want to write. I have a very basic outline. Unfortunately, the horses in my mind are remaining quiet, and I am sleeping undisturbed.

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​Discover more about Sharon Kay Roberts' work

Connect with Sharon Kay Roberts Online:
Facebook: Horse Books Pony Stories
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/horsebooksponystories

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What a spur jingling interview!

Many thanks to equestrian author Sharon Kay Roberts for this wonderful interview! I so appreciate the support of a fellow author! Thank you for giving me the gift of your time, Sharon! 
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​If you are an author that writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted let me know.  I’d be happy to include you too.  Helping out fellow horse book authors makes my spurs jingle! Visit my contact page to fill out a request!

Miss one of my Equestrian Author Spotlights? No problem! Review them here!​

1. ​Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Amy Elizabeth
2. Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Laurie Berglie
3. ​Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Brittney Joy
4. Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Sydney Scrogham
5. Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Christine Meunier​

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