It’s The Focus, Stupid!

The editor’s fingers drummed on top of her desk, her eyes steady, friendly enough, but not kind, “You have been claiming you’re going to get four books out this year—three of your novels and the next Land for Love and Money.”

I felt myself blink. “Yep!”

“Where are they?”

I launched into my mantra. “Well, the Sandy storm shut you folks down, and then I decided to rewrite the last third of Uncompahgre and, hell, this is only December…”

She brusquely cut me off, “Are you making improvements to your ranch this year?”

I felt my eyes widen. What the @**# does that have to do with this? “Yes—irrigation and field work on two fields on the spread…”

“Just two?” she interrupted me again with a wry smile.

“Yep. Try to do more and nothing will get installed.”

She nodded. “Exactly. So if that’s true for the cowboy and his ranches, what makes you think it’s less applicable to the author and his books?”

Of course, she was right.

“It’s the focus, Stupid.” That has been my grimaced message to myself in the mirror the past month.
There’s a host of things to attend to on the ranch side of my equation, compounded by the morons in Washington DC – and I include all of them, both parties, left or right. But that is yet another tale. And then there’s life, and the never ending promotion of the books.

When I finally do sit down to write, and those first several paragraphs setting the scene are on the page, it’s as if I’ve stepped through a portal. I am on the stage, it is 1855, and there is the smell of sage, gunpowder, perfume and the land. The characters smile, nod their heads as if they have missed me, and begin to again tell me the story. Then I can write like the wind – three to six thousand words a day, and sometimes more. The problems are two-fold. First, finding the time to sit down and do the first two transportive paragraphs. Second, now that the single cell in my thick cowboy skull has acknowledged that more focus on fewer books, and a set schedule taking into account the incredible myriad of mandatory steps will actually result in more “walk” and less “talk” in getting the highest quality books out and into your hands!

It wasn’t until we sat down during January and really mapped out the schedules to some of the smallest details (though even then not to the nth degree) that I realized how right they were. There are more than one hundred critical steps between story concept and the pages in a reader’s hands. The Cowboy had blissfully and woefully underestimated.

I’ve tipped my cowboy hat back and I’m scratching my forehead vigorously. “What the hell was I thinking?”

So in summary, apologies for getting Book 3 out later than I wanted or you anticipated, but taking a step back now means ten steps forward in the future. Adjusting the Uncompahgre release results in a schedule and structure critical to a realistic two Threads West books per year—still more than the typical big series schedule of a single novel per annum.

Yes, I write because I love to write. I pen because I have a story to tell.  I bond with the characters that live in the pages because they are me, and you, and real people we all know. I immerse myself in the tale because there are multiple messages on many levels that I want to send. But above all, I write because you like to read.  Thoughts, comments, or what have you are welcome!

Extremes of Thread West Country ...

This was only a few week ago.... 



THE EXTREMES of threads west country…dumping again and woefully behind on digging out from the first one. 14 inches since 9 this AM, dumping, equipment still mostly in mercury retrograde and getting close to 4 feet on the level. The ranch house seems mighty comfy considering thoughts of the Donner party in wagons stranded high in the pass at 8,000 feet way back when!

Great fan letter!

Dear Reid,

 

My name is Martha and we meet briefly at a book signing for Barnes and Noble in Salt Lake City, Utah this past summer. At that time you suggested I read your first of two books and then asked me to write to you and let you know what I thought. You signed my book and ,wrote “bet you can’t read just one”. Well, you were right,2 days later I was purchasing the 2nd book. In less than a week I completed both books. What a treat! Thank You, Thank you, Thank you, for introducing me to your beautiful gift of writing. There aren’t a lot of writers that touch my heart and soul the way these books have.

 

I follow your web site, and was pleased to read that you are taking a little more time with the 3rd book. Taking your time to listen to your characters as they tell you their stories, without rushing them with deadlines. That means a lot to me as a reader. It is amazing to know that there is another that feels the energy of this life as I do. People that are moved by a breath taking sunrise or sunset. The sounds and smells of nature and all it has to teach us. The grounding effect of the earths energy as I stand on its surface and feel part of all that is. I look into the sky and can’t imagine the expanse of it. The beauty of the stars on a clear night. The sounds of the birds welcoming a new day and the sound of crickets ushering the night. The sounds the smells. The belief that we are all part of that essence of life. Your writing assisted me in experiencing and remembering many of my own experiences. Love-loss, joy-sorrow, happiness-sadness, loneliness, despair, grief and pain, all those things that mold us into who we are. All these experiences can make us or break us, but hopefully make us stronger, more loving and kind, more peaceful. Time will tell I suppose.

 

Upon completing these two books, I realized there was a stirring in me, a memory of other stories, I hadn’t read for years. Stories of my ancestors, most of which came from the lands across the seas. Wales, Scotland and England. Some of them came here due to a love for adventure, but most of them desired a concept called “freedom”- freedom from want, freedom from slavery, freedom of religion and the freedom of God’s incredible gift, free agency. Many came because they could own land and own their own home- a dream denied to most in Europe. The stories began with my Great, great Grandparents, John and Martha Timothy, leaving their home in Cardigan, Wales; traveling to the port of Liverpool, England. They boarded the sailing ship, SS John J Boyd on April 23, 1862, and prepared for the 600 mile journey at sea. They had 4 young children at that time ages 6,4,3 and 1, and Martha was 5 months pregnant with my great grandmother, also Martha, who was to be born in a wagon somewhere along the Platt/Wood River in Nebraska. As I reread these stories once again, I sobbed like a baby. I had forgotten for a moment, the trials they endured preparing to leave Wales, but also their journey on the ship and their travels once they arrived on this great land, to settle here in Utah. Their trials didn’t end with their arrival here, it only began.

 

As I completed reading the two stories of my Great Great Grandparents and then my

Great Grandparents, I bowed my heart and my head in reverence and gratitude thanking them and God for their sacrifices, that my Grandfather, my Father and myself had the opportunity to be born in this beautiful land. May I always live worthy of their sacrifices. I’m so grateful that my children have such a heritage. I’m grateful for them and the memories I have from that past experience. And to think those stories are just from one of my parents, my Fathers side, and my Mothers people came from Scotland and England. All have Martha’s in them, and Ellyn’s,  my middle name. How blessed I feel to be their namesake.

Wow! I guess you know how your writing has affected me, and that’s just a few ways.  Please, please continue to listen to your Muses and they’ll show you the stories to be told and the lives and experiences to share. Hope to have the opportunity of having another book signed. I hope Salt Lake will be on your list of stops.

 

Sincerely, 

Martha

Equine VIP Horses Digest, “Equine VIP Interviews Author Reid Lance Rosenthal”

Author Reid Lance Rosenthal took time to speak with Equine VIP during a whirlwind of press surrounding his 2nd book release “Maps of Fate”.

His first book “Threads West” has been compared to McMurtry’s
Lonesome Dove and to Michener’s Centennial by reviewers and readers. Threads West won eight National Awards including BEST Historical Fiction, BEST Romance and BEST Western to name a few. It’s easy to understand why the public is excited about his new book! Reid’s 2nd novel is the next episode of the epic series that tells the tale of multi-generational men and women from a diverse origin. Set in 1855, it’s the saga and adventure of an emerging nation and gripping tapestry and romance of personalities of the West.

YOU ARE A 4TH GENERATION LAND AND CATTLE RANCHER – WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO ADD BEST SELLING “AUTHOR”?
Horses are a big part of my life as a ranch owner. Sometimes when I disappear to write and promote my books, my horses wonder if I’ve forgotten them! At 9 years old I was already writing short stories, but it was much later while riding my horse “Tramp” when I sat down looking at the landscape around me and took my pen out. It was a magical moment.

YOU’VE BEEN TITLED A “COWBOY ROMANCE WRITER”. ISN’T THAT UNUSUAL?
It seems I’m in a class by myself! There are no other “cowboy” romance writers and very few males writing romance novels. The few male writers out there are writing under a female synonym. I write in the genres of “historic, western, romance” because I’m fascinated with the western landscape and its influence on generations of its settlers. Land is the source of many energies; the catalyst of greed and conflict, the backdrop of love and romance and the American spirit. Even an urban dweller can find a vista of a pounding sea and feel this energy.

ARE YOU SURPRIZED BY ALL THE ATTENTION AND AWARDS YOUR BOOKS ARE RECEIVING?
I just hope people like the books and get the message – that is what
makes me smile! I had to go sit by a creek for a while when Max McCoy
the author of 4 Indiana Jones, 18 other novels and screen writer for
Steven Spielberg’s “Into The West” asked me if he could write a review. I am honored, and I’ve been told the number of Awards my first book received hasn’t happened in 86 years.

MAPS OF FATE IS YOUR 2ND BOOK IN A SERIES – WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH EACH BOOK?
I love to write! Half of my time is spent on the ranch and horses,
and the other half is spent writing and researching. Pleasure equals work,and work equals pleasure. I try to balance both. However I spend about 95% of my time on a book before it’s released. When I sit down to write, the characters live in the pages of each book and take a journey of self exploration. I’m fascinated with American traits and values of the Old West and hope each story pulls at your heartstring with a universal message. Each book has a story that needs to be told. A touch stone to the past and guide to the future.

HAVE YOU BEEN APPROACHED BY HOLLYWOOD YET?
I’m in early discussions about a movie or mini-series. It’s hard for me not to get choked up watching the Youtube trailer for Threads West!

HOW CAN OUR READERS LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BOOKS?
http://www.ThreadsWest.com

Part 3 - Romance Writers Interview!