Horse Author Interview – Melanie Sue Bowles

Image from Horses of Proud Spirit

Melanie Sue Bowles is the founder and director of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary. She has authored two books, The Horses of Proud Spirit and Hoofprints: More Stories From Proud Spirit. The proceeds of book sales go to support the care of the 65 horses that currently reside at the sanctuary.

Melanie’s website states that the horses are never stalled and they live out their lives in the companionship of other horses with no cross fencing between them. This place of gently rolling hills is “one of the very few true sanctuaries in the United States”; horses who find their way to this oasis are not adopted out because they have already “given enough”.

Tell us a little about yourself for those who haven’t yet read your books
I was born and raised in Michigan. In my early twenties I moved to Florida where I earned my living as a professional firefighter/medic. But my true passion is horses. 

In 1991, along with my husband Jim, I founded Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary. It began with just one horse in need on five acres of land, and today Proud Spirit stands as one of the longest existing privately run organizations for horses in the United States.

We have evolved into an award winning 320 acre facility that has intervened on behalf of nearly 300 horses. In 2005 PBS filmed a documentary about our rescue work, sighting our program as “exemplary” and “a model for other organizations.” We are currently caring for 65 rescued horses.

What is your earliest memory of writing, and do you remember what you wrote about?
I was quite young when my older brother, who I was extremely close to, went off to college. I would get out my little pencil box along with a stack of lined school paper and write him very long, detailed letters about everything that was going on at home. I included all the tiny mundane stuff such as how I got grass stains on my new shorts. He used to tell our mother that it was like getting mini-books from home.

What inspires you when you get writers’ block?
Most of my writing is about horses and issues facing the equestrian community. When I’m dealing with writer’s block I ask myself what the horses would want readers to know. I remind myself what horses deserve from us.

What kind of books did you read as a young girl, and do you remember which ones were your favorites?
I couldn’t get enough of all the Heidi books and Little House On The Prairie. I read that series over and over. I believe Laura Ingalls Wilder shaped the love of memoirs and nonfiction that I have today.

What is the best advice that you ever received regarding your writing?
Reread, revise, rewrite and then do it all over again.

What is the worst advice that you ever received regarding your writing?
Before I finished writing my first book another author, who shall remain nameless, told me that I would never get published because I had no college English.

Was the publishing process what you expected and in what ways?
I had an extraordinary experience with my first manuscript. It was accepted by the very first publisher I sent it to. That’s almost unheard of (take that aforementioned nameless author). The entire process, for me, was a terrific learning experience. Even when there were some dicey moments during editing, I still loved it.

What is similar about the horse as an animal and the art of writing?
They should both be handled from the heart.

What are you working on right now?
I’m writing a collection of stories about the numerous dogs who have found their way into our lives.

What book is on your nightstand right now, if any?

Something to Write Home About by Janis F. Kearney. An excellent memoir from a fabulous author. 

Aside from the book(s) you have written, what are you passionate about in life?
I believe that this life we are given is not about ourselves…it’s about finding ways to make the world a better place.

I believe in the power one person has to make a difference.

A Look At Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary

Many Thanks

Thanks to Melanie for answering the interview and sharing more about herself. Be sure to visit her rescue website to learn more about her and what she does.

And thanks again to Eleanor for putting the interview together, you can subscribe to learn more about her and her palomino Sage on her horse blog.

Stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists, photographers & authors.