By Danielle M. Angeline
(From the April 2005 issue of the Update.)
I don’t know if it’s my age or just plain stupidity, but lately I’ve had some crazy mishaps that I have been able to incorporate into my writing. Since I turned forty, I’ve been much more adventuresome and have developed this willingness to “try new things.”
Two years ago, my immediate family of twenty gathered in the mountains just north of Colorado Springs for our annual summer vacation. Since we are spread out across the country and only see each other once a year, it was exciting to be surrounded by my four sisters, their families, and my dad.
A few days into our camping week, my rambunctious nieces wanted to go horseback riding. I thought I’d tag along and watch because I wasn’t all that hyped about horseback riding—it’s something I’ve never done. My sisters encouraged me to “try something new”. Then the trail rider—conveniently he was a very handsome gentleman—explained I had to sign a release in the event I was injured. The words screamed in my head, “Don’t do it!” But, my stupidity and my sisters won, and I signed on the dotted line. The top of my horse’s tail was even with the top of my head, and I had to use steps to mount the too-big-of-a-horse-for-me. I managed, despite the hour and half trail ride, temperatures in the mid-nineties, and lack of water.
Nearing the end of our adventure, I was parched, my derrière hurt, and my legs were numb when this beautiful, majestic creature broke into a trot. Panic set in; the horse went one way and I the other. I ended up face down in the dirt with bruises appearing almost instantly on my body. The oh-so-handsome trail rider was more concerned about the horse than me. He ended up taking our horses back to the stables, and I was left behind—alone and in pain! I cursed, walking that last quarter mile in the blazing sun, hoping and praying one of my sisters would come to my rescue, but no one did. Later, I found out that the “hottie” trail rider told them I was fine.
While my horseback riding adventure seemed tragic at the time, I now laugh when I retell my story. This is what being a romance writer is all about—turning real life into fiction! Instead of me as the main character, how about substituting a fictional character named Kate, a powerful, corporate lawyer from New York City into my trail riding experience. Unable to cope with her fiancé breaking off their engagement, Kate hops on a plane to visit her one sister—not four—at her Colorado horse ranch. One of the ranch hands, Nick, (Mr. Hottie Trail Rider) encourages Kate to go horseback riding with him. Unfortunately, the horse is too much for her to handle, and she takes a fall. Kate’s horse breaks out into a gallop, and Nick goes after him, leaving her to fend for herself. As she wanders the vast countryside, her temper is raging and so is the storm on the horizon.
When she returns, Nick is nowhere to be found and neither is her sister, who went into town to pick up her feed order. As daylight turns to night, Kate is still fuming. She decides to do what she knows best—use her lawyer smarts to sue the ranch hand. But when there is a knock on the door, Kate is surprised to be greeted by a clean-shaven Nick, gripping a huge bouquet of wildflowers and possessing a smile that could melt any woman’s wounded heart.
I was so inspired by this real life event that it’s already been turned into a manuscript. And while I continue to try new things, I am still encountering mishaps, like the snow tubing tumble I experienced this past weekend. Again, I have another real life occurrence that just might end up in one of my books. These adventures may eventually become hazardous to my well-being but for now, I find it fun and challenging to turn and twist these factual events into fiction.
As for my family vacation this year, we’re going to the beach. I’ve already stocked up on the sun-block but I find myself wondering if “Jaws” will be lurking too close to the shore line, or if one of my sisters will dare to suggest parasailing. Regardless, I’m sure there will be another event in my life that may be worth turning into fiction.
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Danielle M. Angeline is an associate editor for the WRW Newsletter. She is currently working on a new project, entitled Someone’s Hero.
