Inspiration

The pleasures of running are almost nonexistent to me. I jog because we all want to be in shape, right? I do. The best part of my 'exhilarating' run, however, is passing by Sable, the black mare. This beautiful creature lives in the farmstead below my current home. Every time I spot her, I stop running and go see her. It's an impulsive need of mine. Sable approaches the edge of her confinement to greet me as well. We have a mutual understanding. Sable communicates in that funny way animals do, by staring blankly at me while I ramble. She listens, I suspect the mare humors me hoping to be fed. So far, I've sorely disappointed her everyday. Of course, this horse's name is not actually Sable. But in my writer mind, she has been for a while.

My novel Hear Me Scream happens to have a black mare, important to the plot, to Raven's (the main character) growth. Originally, I was going to have a chestnut stallion, and I still did add Bronte. But the mare, the mare became the pictured animal down below, a brave traveler, a survivalist in a time where men once again turn to horses as their main source of transportation.

Here's to inspiration wherever you might find it!