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Andrew Todd

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  1. Andrew Todd

    A Brief Respite

    By Andrew Todd,

    Hey All--
     
    I've just posted Chapter 12 of 'Second Chances'. I'm early this week, because my work schedule is a little bonkers.
     
    After this chapter, there is going to be a (hopefully) short break in my postings. I've fallen behind in my writing and the leeway I had with chapters has all but vanished.
     
    So, I find myself needing to take some time to sort things out and play catch up.
     
    Thank you for your understanding. Hopefully, it will be a short break.
  2. Andrew Todd

    Checking In

    By Andrew Todd,

    Hey All--
     
    I've been receiving a lot of mail asking about the next chapter of 'Three Hearts' or Book 3 of 'Riding Lessons', so I thought I would take a moment to offer my apologies and explanation for their tardiness.
     
    I, like so many people, have suffered from Severe Depression Disorder for most of my life. In early May, I hit rock bottom (before anyone jumps to any conclusions...I DID NOT try to hurt myself). I have a wonderful and supportive family and I have an agreement with them that when i reach a point where I just can't handle it, I let someone know.
     
    For most of the month my one salvation was the ranch where I have been riding for the last two years. They are a rescue, taking in abused and abandoned horses. I spend almost everyday there...riding, playing with horses, just hanging out...along the way, I decided that after two years of riding every horse there, I wanted to start a full-lease, for those who don't hang out at the barn, a 'full-lease' means that the horse is exclusively yours.
     
    I asked about leasing the horse that I was currently riding, a beautiful 8 year-old chestnut quarter horse. I was denied because this horse is so well-trained that they use him for lessons and to take beginners on trail rides. The owner of the ranch, a lovely lady, was determined to match me up with a horse (she has been trying to get me to adopt for a year), but I wasn't looking for A horse, I was looking for THE horse, MY horse.
     
    At the same time, a new volunteer came to the ranch. Since it's a rescue, anyone who works there is a volunteer. He was a very nice young man who had been riding and training since his early teens.
     
    He started working with a 4 year-old paint gelding that had been at the ranch since he was a baby. The paint had been saddle broken over a year ago, but had never been properly trained. I rode him once last year and swore never again...he bit, bucked, balked and was an absolute brat.
     
    Watching my new friend work with him over the course of a week, I saw what real horsemanship is. He was kind and gentle, but firm. He taught the paint voice cues and how to respond properly to them. On Memorial Day, we went on a trail ride, the first time this horse had been on a trail in over a year and he was amazing, never shying or balking once. We even went for an unplanned swim. Pulled off the saddles and boots and took the horses into the lake with out clothes on and swam with them for an hour.
     
    The ranch owner was still trying to match me up with a horse. At the same time, we learned that my new friend, who is a dancer by profession, was leaving in mid-July for a new job and would be gone a minimum of nine months. At that point, we both had the same light bulb go off.
     
    So as of mid-July, I am leasing the paint and right now I am working with my new friend at learning how to continue the training he has started. He has also been giving me lessons to smooth out my rough edges. He's the first person at the ranch who knows about 'real' western riding as most of the people there are English riders who think western riding is just a different saddle.
     
    So right now about every free moment I have is being spent at the ranch and working on this new project.
     
    In the course of a month, I have gone from one of the lowest moments of my life to being that happiest and most at peace that I have been in years.
     
    Unfortunately, the price of this happiness has been a lack of time to devote to writing. Since we are on a time crunch, this project has to be my priority right now. Hopefully, once things settle into a more 'normal' (is there such a thing) pattern, I'll be able to devote more time to my writing again.
     
    Thank you for your patience and understanding and your continued support.
     
    Andrew
  3. Andrew Todd
    Ok, so I thought I knew what I was doing...
     
    I recently posted a new story 'Infinity' both here and on Nifty. My original idea for the story was a far cry from what I ultimately prooduced. I was a little unsure of the end product, but sometimes the muse gets what she wants and not necessarily what I planned.
     
    I was so up in the air about this story that after I got it back from my editor, I re-wrote the last line of dialog and I added the very last line of the story. I thought both made the story better, but I broke my own rule for any re-writes, I did not re-read the whole story.
     
    I literally made these changes as I was posting the story here and submitting it to Nifty.
     
    I was thrilled to get some great reviews almost immediately. And when it posted to Nifty, the next day, I started receiving great e-mails from my usual group of fans there as well.
     
    But, I started noticing something in the reviews and in the e-mails. It wasn't until I received an e-mail from one fan in particular that I went back and re-read the whole story and realized what I had done.
     
    When i had re-written that last line of dialog and written that last line of the story, I had made it the ending much more 'fluid' then what I had planned.
     
    Many people who were reading the story believed that Finn, the character who spent the story in a coma, had awakened long enough to profess his love for Jack and then died. They were writing me these heartfelt letters of praise, because just allowing Finn and Jack this closure was a 'great' thing. Giving two people in love a chance to say their 'final goodbye'.
     
    I would love to say that I was this brilliant, but to me Finn was alive. That had always been my intention, that Finn had awoken professed his love for Jack and they lived 'happily ever after'. The end.
     
    But after re-reading the story, I saw how things could be interpreted either way.
     
    Plus, a lot of people wanted me to continue the story.
     
    So, I guess now I am thoroughly confused. My original intent was to write a series of Holiday themed stories to plug into the spaces between my long 'Riding Lessons' books.
     
    However, when I finished 'Infinity' (not even the original name I wanted to use). I had given up on that original idea and decided that this was a one chapter Christmas story and everything that I had to say had been said as far as Jack and Finn were concerned.
     
    If Finn was alive, as I had always intended, then the boys had their happy ending and I was done.
     
    But, if Finn had not survived and he had awoken just long enough to profess his love for Jack, then that opened a whole lot of possibilities for me.
     
    I know where Jack's story goes from there. I know what happens next, but if I write that story...do I spoil the original story for everyone who read it the way that I had originally intended. Do I 'wreck' their happy ending?
     
    So, I guess, I am posing that question to my readers.
     
    Do you want things left as they are...however you are interpreting the ending of 'Infinity'...or do you want that story to continue with Jack alone?
     
    I'm not promising to write the next chapter, I just want to get an idea of how people feel before I even invest the time and energy. I'm happy with the status quo and I like the idea that I have for Jack's next chapter, but I don't want to ruin anyone's happy ending either.
     
    I have a young friend, who does not like sad stories...he only likes happy endings...I keep trying to explain to him that the pain we get handed in life often leads to our happy endings...am I right?
     
    On a more personal note...I am looking for a couple of 'Beta Readers' for my next book in the 'Riding Lessons' series. I have a couple people now who I share chapters with, but since they have become friends....they tend to 'love' everything I send them...I'm looking for soem readers who will tell me exactly what they think...the good, the bad and the tacky...I don't promise to change a single word , but I do promise to listen to every critique openly. If you are interested, shoot me an e-mail at atodd867@gmail.com or im me here. I only need two or three people. Thanks.
  4. Andrew Todd

    I Dreamed a Dream

    By Andrew Todd,

    Wow!! Just WOW!!
     
    Every once in a while you are lucky enough to have a dream come true.
     
    Last night I got to have one of mine come true. I was lucky enough to get to see Idina Menzel in concert.
     
    If you aren't familiar with her, she was the original 'Maureen' in 'Rent' (and did the movie), she originated the role of 'Elpheba' in 'Wicked' for which she won a Tony...and if your idea of 'art' is the boob tube...she also played 'Shelby Corcoran' on 'GLEE'.
     
    She is one of the most amazing performers I have ever seen. Giving a dymanic, funny, thoroughly entertaining show.
     
    But, the dream that came true for me, was not just seeing this amazing performer in person. It was having the opportunity to hear her sing the amazing 'Defying Gravity' from 'Wicked' in person.
     
    For a theatre geek of my generation, this would be the equivilent of hearing Barbra sing 'Don't Rain On My Parade' live or Judy sing 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.
     
    Some twelve hours later, I still have goosebumps.
     
    What a fantastic way to begin my favorite month of the year!!
  5. Andrew Todd

    Hello, World

    By Andrew Todd,

    Wow!! A blog...
     
    Never thought I'd be doing this, though if you had told me a month ago that I'd a written 24 chapters of a story that generated the kind of response that my first story "Riding Lessons' have I'd have just laughed it off.
     
    Before I get started, i do want to take a moment to thank all of the folks who have been so generous in their praise and forthcoming in their critism of my first writing effort. I thought maybe I'd get a few e-mails and then the story would end up being one of those stories that gets buried 5 pages in on Nifty. Now, here I am a little over a month after the first chapter posted and I'm still getting these wonderful e-mails for each chapter.
     
    The greatest surprise was getting e-mails from writers that I had been following and having them offer me praise and encouragement. It's like being a neophyte singer and having Barbra Streisand give you a complement.
     
    Shout outs to Ricky ('Blind Sensations'), reddirtwriter ('Maverick Cattle Company'), David Lee ('Tommy and Tanner'), Bobby Chester ('Jamie Lawrence') and Chris Johns ('Beautiful Fawns')...some of these awesome writer can be found here and some on Nifty...check them out... Also on Nifty in the 'Beginnings' section you can check out my other story "Ryan" written for and inspired by fellow writer, Ryan White (find his stories in the Prolific Authors Section...my personal favorite is 'Together for Christmas')...can't be published here cuz it's apparently got too much nookie and not enough 'story'...
     
    So what do I want to do with my blog?
     
    Hmm...
     
    Well, I'm a movie, music and book nut (all kinds of books, including comics)...so a large part of this blog will probably be me offering suggestions and review of new entertainment offerings.
     
    I'm also a political junkie...(please don't throw anything)...so I'm sure comments on the events of the day will creep in.
     
    And I love my sports...especially football...Go Pats!! So there will be some of that.
     
    And I'll probably answer some of the questions that seem to pop up in my e-mails from time to time (if you have any of your own... atodd867@gmail.com)
     
    Basically, it's what is says up there...a glimpse inside my twisted little mind...
     
    Just might be fun...
  6. Andrew Todd

    Ok, Just One More

    By Andrew Todd,

    Hey All--
     
    So, after re-reading Chapters 12 & 13, I decided that I would post Chapter 13 before my 'hiatus' as it is a more fun chapter and is a good ending point. Chapter 14 starts a very long week for the boys (5 chapters and counting) so those who have complained about me 'rushing' things...be careful what you wish for.
     
    Another reason I am posting this chapter is it's the first one to really deal with the rescue and that has been on my mind a lot in recent weeks (more than usual).
     
    One of the horses we rescued over the summer has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer...and to make matters worse, when he was taken for his first treatment, it was discovered that he had a tumor behind his eye.
     
    He is now being treated every other week at a very good veterinary hospital (a 2 hour trip each way) and the treatments will end up costing the rescue thousands of dollars.
     
    All of us who volunteer at the ranch and work with, care for and love the horses have pledged to do all we can to raise the necessary monies. I have sent countless e-mails to friends and relatives and to those who are on my mailing list.
     
    As I have this soap box, I also decided to use it. If anyone would like to donate to this cause I have set up a paypal.com account (under: atodd867@gmail.com). I have to balance my anonymity with my goal of raising as much money as I can for this cause.
     
    One thing I want to make clear, is that this is a not a 'quid pro quo' deal...donating or not will not increase or decrease my writing output. I am just trying to exhaust every possible avenue available to me.
     
    Thank you.
  7. Andrew Todd

    Coming Attractions...

    By Andrew Todd,

    Well, I was trying to hold out for Christmas Eve, but I settled for 'The Mayans Were Wrong' Day or as it's called around my house 'Happy, We Didn't Blow Up' Day...
     
    I have posted a new story. I wasn't sure exactly how to post this one, so I'll explain what I am doing.
     
    The new story is titled 'Danny & CJ' it introduces two new characters named (funny enough) Danny and CJ to the 'Riding Lessons' universe. I created a 'book' for this story called 'Interludes' because I have plans for a number of these one part chapters to introduce new characters to the main story. I am working on the second one as we speak, These will be posted irregularly as I feel the need to tell these smaller stories or give more background on these characters.
     
    Now, the main event...the next book in the 'Riding Lessons' series is well underway. I have been working diligently for the past few weeks on this new book. The title of the new book is 'Lessons Learned' Dusty, Zak, Mattie and Spin are back and they are joined by the previously mentioned Danny and CJ and a few other new characters.
     
    I hope to start posting the new chapters on New Year's Day and then go to a once a week posting schedule.
     
    Right now I am working on Chapter 8 as well as the second 'Interludes' story. I like to have a buffer in case I need to go back and make changes for continuity sake.
     
    Hope everyone enjoys the new stories.
     
    Have a wonderful Holiday season (which ever one you plan to celebrate) and an awesome new year.
     
    Thanks for the wonderful feedback I have recevied from so many.
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