What was the initial inspiration to write Simikia?

I have always loved writing and have been selling articles and short stories since I was 18.  In 1982, I discovered the sport of Endurance horse racing due to my favourite movie BITE THE BULLET.  The horse I started the sport on, Wallowa’s Dreamer, was an Appaloosa I rescued.  She got me looking into the history of the Nez Perce Indians and Chief Joseph and how the tribe developed the breed.  For the first time, I took the time and dedication to write an entire book.

Are modern westerns a favoured genre for you, whether books or movies? Modern Westerns genre.   YES.  My dad was a great lover of Max Brand and Zane Grey.  He had me reading their works when I was in grade school.  And as for movies!!  Every John Wayne movie ever made as well as all the old western stars.  We saw them all in the theatres. Couldn’t get enough of them

What part did your heritage play in the narrative?

NONE  I was born in Toronto Canada and my dad was born in England and so Cockney that my friends couldn’t understand a word he said.  But my Dad put me on a horse when I was 2 years old, and I have been on them ever since.  

What would you like your readers to learn from the story?

How horses become part of our lives.  My life would not be worth living if it weren’t for my relationship with horses.  And that goes for the dogs, too.  I had a “pet” coyote that lived to be 12 years old.  I loved her so much.  So the heroine of this novel had to be a coydog

This is Wallowas foal, Shaman of the Wallowas. Note, he is a mule. Born in 1982. Shaman set records in distance racing that no one will EVER beat. Over 17,000 sanctioned miles! Competed to the age of 28!

Why are Appaloosas horses so special?

It is the only breed developed by an American Indian.  They were  carefully and lovingly bred by the Nez Perc to be their breed!  My first horse that I rescued when he was a foal was an Appaloosa.  His name was Chico.  The horse I started Distance racing on was an Appaloosa, Wallowas Dreamer.  Her baby was a mule but had the Appaloosa markings and attitude.  He set records in distance racing no horse will ever equal.  His name was Shaman of the Wallowas.  They are smart and tough and loyal.  That being said, I love ALL horse, ALL equines, and they all are special in their own way.

What did you learn about writing during this process?

When I first started submitting articles for publication, I typed them out, mailed them along with a SASE , and waited for a return, or a check.  Then that process stopped and I am the least techno person you will know.  I hand wrote SIMIAKIA and then typed it out on a typewriter.  I kept it in a folder and never even thought of sending it for publication because I was clueless how to do it.  A friend surprised me by putting it on a flash drive, and my local library started sending it to publishers for me.  I found out that 90% of the on line publishers don’t even read the work.  They are going to make money so what do they care.? Then I sent it to Ed at Endless Sky and in communicating with him realized he actually read the work!!!  My attitude changed and even though I figured I was just spending money for an ego trip, I felt it worth it.  I am currently still getting over the fact I have a BOOK IN PRINT!

How do you see your writing career developing?

Hell, I’m 72 years old!  I will never stop writing but don’t think I will  undertake another project like this.  However, I do have a great short novel called Christabo’s Christmas.  We will see how this goes and if Ed isn’t sick of me yet I might have him take a look at it.

Can you tell us a little about endurance riding?

My life!!  I saw a movie in 1972 called Bite The Bullet about a 500 mile horse race sponsored by the railroad.  I watched it and thought, I wish they still did that.  Then I found out they did!!!  I started racing in 1982 and have finished almost 73,000 race miles.  I have competed in the 1996 World Games, done the Tevis twice, won multiple regional and National Titles, and still love it.  It is a sport where the care of the horse comes FIRST.  We allow no drugs what so ever.  We don’t let horse even start participating until they are at lease 4 years old, not like so many other horse sports that break a horse down before he is even mature.  It is strictly veterinarian controlled and no horse starts or continues a race if the vet feels he should not.  Horses are even pulled at the end of a race if they are not judged Fit To Continue, which means you can’t can’t run the hell out of them to the finish line.  And the people in the sport are a family.  They are my family.

Wallowas Dreamer, in whom I started the sport of Distance racing I. 1982, ‘Lowa carried me to Midwest Endurance Rookie Champion in 1984

Do you have a message for your readers?

To Finish IS To Win

Where can readers find you?

I can be found on Facebook.  I do not have a website, nor do I even know how to have a website.  I can ride any horse on the planet and mush a team of 20 dogs, but the “kids” at work have to help me use my phone.

Bio:

My friends say the book is autobiographical and more related to the coydog in the story than I am the heroine. Set on a horse when two years old, Lori has now ridden horses on six continents. In 1982, she discovered the sport of distance racing. She and her variety of horses and mules have amassed multiple national titles and more than 63,000 sanctioned race miles.