Author Interviews Vicki Watson

Author interviews Vicki Watson author of Sonrise Stables: Rosie and Scamper

Vicki: Several years ago God gave me the idea for what is now the first chapter of Sonrise Stable. I avoided writing it for a long time, but the idea would not leave me alone. My initial thought was that I would write a short picture book. As I finished my "picture book," the story began to grow in my mind and I realized it could become a chapter book. Although I didn't have a story line for the entire book, I began to write the second chapter. As I completed one chapter, the idea for the next would come to mind. After seven chapters, I was amazed at how the story all fit together. Now I'm not saying it was divinely inspired in the same sense that the bible was, but I do believe God provided the inspiration and I hope the results are glorifying to Him. My goals in writing the book were to convey a strong Christian message, to stress the importance of family, and to portray realistically what is involved in owning and caring for horses.

Sharon: When did you become fascinated/involved with horses?

Vicki: My love of horses began when a teenage neighbor offered me my first ride, on the back of her palomino Quarter Horse. From my 8-year-old perspective, it seemed like the biggest horse in the world. From that moment on, I was addicted. I pestered my parents endlessly for a horse of my own. My dad finally bought me a pony at an auction. Although Cricket bucked me off nearly every time I got on her, it didn't diminish my love of horses.

Sharon: Is your horse in it or did she/he inspire a horse in your book?

Vicki: Rosie and Scamper is fictional, but based on real experiences I had with horses as a child and later experiences my daughters and I had together with our horses and ponies.

Sharon: Did your parents understand you love of horses?

Vicki: Neither of my parents were very involved with horses. It was a neighbor that was instrumental in teaching me about horses and helping me learn to ride. I would help them with barn chores and odd jobs in exchange for riding time and lessons. When I learned to ride reasonably well, my dad traded Cricket - the wild pony and a pig to this neighbor for a well-trained pony, Dolly, that I loved.

Sharon: What have you learned from horses?

Vicki: I was inspired by John Lyons and Lew Sterrett of Miracle Mountain Ranch to see parallels in the relationship of a horse to its master and our relationship to God. There are many spiritual lessons that are reinforced through horses. Additionally they help us develop character qualities like responsibility, compassion, and patience.

Sharon: What is your favorite horse activity?

Vicki: I love riding on scenic trails with my daughters and friends, enjoying the horses, the scenery, and the conversation, away from all the hustle and bustle and technology.

Sharon: Will you be writing more books?

Vicki:I have at least two more books planned for the Sonrise Stable series and hope to start the second one later this year. I purchased my first mule last fall and already envision a place for her in the second and third books.

author interviews Vicki author interviews Vicki