Anyone who enjoys reading horsey novels...

xspiralx said:
Just as personal preference, I like books that have a female as the central heroine to the story - the one that goes on the journey and the one that the story revolves around. I like the male hero to be a strong secondary character - one that like Mr Darcy or Rupert Campbell-Black is already established and successful, and able to act as a sparring partner to the heroine before ultimately playing the hero and swooping in to save the day.
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Thanks spiral - that is pretty much what I had planned! My main character is a young female, but there is a very strong secondary male character, whose 'journey' will be different in terms of the way it ends, but ultimately just as significant...

Foxglove - I understand what you're saying about narrowing the market, but that is always going to be the case when using an equestrian theme - some people will buy it because of it, and some people would avoid it at all costs. I think the bottom line is, I want to write because I enjoy it, and because people tell me they enjoy reading my work - so if I ever do manage to earn anything from it, then that will be a bonus. The enjoyment for me is getting the words on the page! I'd love to be the next JK, but I'm not the kind of person who can write about fantasy/sci fi stuff. I have visions one day of writing a Riders-style epic based upon the world of Formula One, but that will have to wait for the moment...!

sussexbythesea - thank you, I think you're right - it's the journey, not the outcome, that counts the most! This thread has helped me so, so much - I want to thank everyone for your wonderful brainstorming! :)
 
I do think the main character needs to win something, even if it is the coloured cob class at the local show with a pony rescued from the knacker man :)
 
Oh there will definitely be a victory! For my female character, it will probably be something like Badminton/Hickstead Derby - I'm leaning towards eventing so probably the former. My male character is a bit more tricky; his 'journey' will involve him regaining his lost nerve, but I'm not sure that will occur until near the end. His 'victory' could simply be to set foot in the stirrup again!

Those are my thoughts at the moment anyway :D
 
Personally I'm happy with either a male or female lead, or a duo, just as long as the story captures my imagination. I reckon girls probably write girl leads better and male authors write male leads better - I've just finished a first draft manuscript a male friend has written set round point to pointing, and all his two main characters are both male. Very male, quite the lotharious actually!
On the hugely sweeping-statement basis that the main audience are probably going to be girls, a female lead backed up by a super-attractive Rupert C-B type male prob works best?
So exciting the prospect of a new horsey author. You should keep this thread to show prospective future publishers the demand is out there!
 
poacher82 said:
Personally I'm happy with either a male or female lead, or a duo, just as long as the story captures my imagination. I reckon girls probably write girl leads better and male authors write male leads better - I've just finished a first draft manuscript a male friend has written set round point to pointing, and all his two main characters are both male. Very male, quite the lotharious actually!
On the hugely sweeping-statement basis that the main audience are probably going to be girls, a female lead backed up by a super-attractive Rupert C-B type male prob works best?
So exciting the prospect of a new horsey author. You should keep this thread to show prospective future publishers the demand is out there!
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Thank you for your reply! My ideas are now changing every three minutes - I can't decide which angle to take! The 'triumph over adversity' storyline is already in place - I just need to decide who does what! :D

It's always been my dream to be an author. I know I could never make a living from it, but if I could tinker away in my spare time, I'd love to think I might be able to get on the shelves one day :) I've read enough crappy novels - someone obviously thinks that they're worthy of print....! :eek::p
 
_MizElz_ said:
I've read enough crappy novels - someone obviously thinks that they're worthy of print....! :eek::p
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Exactly! There are so many completely crap, guess-the-ending-by-the-end-of-the-first-chapter novels out there on the shelves! Wish I could do it, but fail miserably in the imagination stakes. And, judging by my previous post (admittedly written on my phone after a glass of wine or two!) also in the grammar and spelling stakes...
 
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