Horses versus Cars by Melinda Curtis (with help from Shirley Hailstock)

A week ago at the Romance Writers of America conference, Shirley Hailstock and I sat together at a Harlequin marketing meeting, eating chocolate (her) and drinking coffee (me), when one of us remarked that we should "do something together" for our August releases.

The next evening while we further bonded at dinner over Shirley's incredible dress she wore to the RITAs one year (the romance writer's version of the Oscars - pictures, please!) and I was drinking a glass of wine - sorry, Shirley, but I've forgotten what you were drinking (I suspect water)...Anyway, I digress. During this conversation, I got the distinct impression that Shirley loved cars more than she loved horses. Her August book features one powerful Corvette and the historic Route 66, while mine features powerful race horses, including one promising colt recovering from a mountain lion attack (and one sexy horse whisperer).

What could we possibly have in common to talk about our two books? (some of you are already ahead of me) That's right. HORSEPOWER. 

Now, some of you may not know this, but Shirley has a wicked sense of humor. And me? Well, I've been known to look at the world with a slightly jaded eye. Together, we just can't talk about horsepower without getting a bit out there or getting a bit competitive. Neither one of us will admit the other's mode of transportation is better. So here we go, Shirley. Top this!


For the next few weeks, Shirley and I are going head-to-head in our quest to prove which is better - horses or cars. And we're asking you to play along - on this blog, on Facebook (Shirley, Melinda) and Twitter (Shirley, Melinda#HorsesVersusCars). 

Commenters, meme creators, witty on-liners and support of the fun posted anywhere from today through August 20 will be in the running for a prize - autographed books (one from each of us) or if you're an author, you could win our utmost respect (lol!). Winners will be announced on Shirley's blog post (here) on August 21.

So, which is better? Horses or Cars?

Comments

  1. That's not an easy question for me. I rebuilt car engines as a kid and worked all sorts of jobs to buy my first Camero when I turned sixteen. The first one was a '71 that I custom painted. (No, I didn't buy that one new! :-) I had a summer job in a body shop doing custom paint.) I bought my first Corvette while I was in first year university and sold my last one just a couple of years ago, since I was not using it enough.

    As for horses, I've always loved just about any type of animal. I begged my parents to let me go to a horseback riding camp when I was a kid, and they did. I've ridden whenever I can since.

    If I had to choose (sorry, Shirley), it would have to be horses.

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    1. My first car was also a '71 Camero. I'm a comfort person. I love the open road, especially when it's really open (just me and the horizon). I have a need for speed. My first experience on a horse wasn't the best and backside still remembers it.

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    2. Hey, now. My first car was a Trans Am, 1978. It's not that I don't love cars, it's just that horses have their advantages

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    3. As I said, it's not an easy choice for me! Now...Harley Davidsons anyone?

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  2. Cars! Thank the Lord and Henry Ford for cars. I'm terrified of horses. My dad loved them, but somehow that horse-loving gene skipped right over me. I think they're beautiful to look at but riding? No way. I've had some bad experiences--I think they smell my fear and act up on purpose...

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    1. I'm not afraid of them. I think horses are majestic and noble and I love to watch them on the open range (not at a horse race park). I'm with Carol, give me a car and look where I can go, what I can see, who I can meet.

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  3. Hm, some of my fondest memories are of taking my kids to visit my parents in Oklahoma after they retired there in the area where they had both grown up. My dad saddled horses and took the kids riding, which they loved. On the other hand, I've never been bucked off of a car.

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  4. I like both for different reasons. As I kid I grew up riding and I think every child should have the opportunity to own and ride a horse. Teaches responsibility for when you're 16 and covet owning a car. The ideal would be to live on a ranch and own both.

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    1. When I used to watch a Disney program called Spin and Marty, I so wanted to live on a ranch. I only wanted to do it for the summer. Of course, I wanted all those interested people to be there too.

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  5. I shouldn't be allowed to weigh in because I've never owned a horse or driven a car (well, I was learning, but it didn't end well), but I will anyway. I have fond memories of a '66 Mustang Fastback when Ron and I met and married. Went from L.A. to San Francisco between breakfast and lunch. We loved it and managed to suck face at red lights despite the bucket seats. But who can watch a horse run and not feel God's hand on your shoulder? Tough choice. But no one has to follow behind a car and clean up after it.

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    1. You've never driven a car? Wow, I didn't think there was anyone who hadn't done that. The freedom you get from being able to go where you want when you want and without someone else's assistance. I have a sister-in-law who didn't drive until she was well into her 30's (probably 40's). Finally, she got a license so she could go to work alone. She worked nights beginning at 4:00 am.

      That was all she wanted to do and she wouldn't get on a highway. In NJ that's almost impossible. After about 6 months, she was never at home. You couldn't find her. She said there was so much she could see and do by just running out for a few minutes. Of course, minutes became hours. And now, she's one of us.

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    2. I'm envious of that fastback, Muriel. But let's face it. Horse emissions are better than fuel emissions.

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  6. As a child, I begged my parents for a horse. Then when I turned 16, I begged them for a car. I guess for me, it's a tie.

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    1. I lived in a city. No horses allowed. I only saw them at camp and when we went specially to go horseback riding. I wanted to drive, not necessarily own a car. That was for the guys (mechanically minded -- remember girls didn't do that [sorry, Kate]). When I learned and my father loaned me the car, I'd be gone until the gas ran out.

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  7. Horses, Horses, Horses!! When I was five I cried myself to sleep because I didn't have one. Since then I've owned Walking horses and my daughter and granddaughter have dressage horses. And my daughter uses horses in her hippotherapy sessions.
    Did I say I voted for horses?

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    1. I think of owning those horses as having to do a lot of work I wouldn't like, but I have taken classes on maintaining my own car and done a lot of the work that keeps it running, but nothing major like rebuilding an engine.

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    2. All that work is rewarding, Shirley. Horses give back. And they don't tell your secrets

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  8. Melinda, I was drinking a margarita. If I don't have a diet coke, that's my drink of choice.

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  9. Yeah, after my horse encounter last October in Hawaii, while they're gorgeous to look at and appreciate, I'm going to go with cars. I like the IDEA of a horse, tho! :)

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  10. This is too bizarre for mess I just published my Katia's Promise which was about antique cars and now I'm writing about horses in Unbridled Love. I love them both so much, but getting down to it, cars. I agree with Shirley that the sense of freedom and choice is a siren call. It will be difficult to give up the keys when I am no longer competent enough to drive, I will really hear the cal of the open road!

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  11. I was obsessed with horses as a child. I read every single title on the horse shelf in our small town library. Finally, when I was fourteen, my parents gave in and got me a horse. Turns out, while I loved being around the horse, I'm a terrible rider. Poor balance and lack of confidence. I tend to be a timid driver, too. My first car was a Mustang II, so maybe it was a compromise.

    As far as looks, while a Jaguar or Porsche may come close, nothing is more beautiful than a galloping horse. On the other hand, I have actual plans to tour Route 66, and no plans to ride a horse. It's clear I'll have to get both books.

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    1. Ha! Beth, I feel your pain. I got my first horse at about age 14, was tossed too many times to count, but learned a lot about myself and mastering difficult situations. How challenging is driving a car on cruise control?

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  12. Cars! I'm afraid of horses, though I think they're beautiful, and every time an Amish buggy goes by I want to wave them down and ask for a ride, but I just like to drive cars. My first was a '66 Ford Fairlane, my favorite was my '86 Camaro (my kids were teenagers--they loved it, too), and now I'm an SUV fan.

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  13. I grew up on a farm and had all kinds of animals....except horses. I wanted one so bad. My dad would tell me that unless I needed them for work, they were nothing but a useless expense. So, I never got one. :( We have one at our house now. He isn't ours, but we board him and I pick up the feed for the owner so I see how expensive it is, so I guess I'm like my dad now. I can survive without a horse, but I NEED my car. :)

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    1. LOL! LeAnne, my grandfather was the same way - animals are for work. Hobbies should not be expensive. He drove a Ford Maverick without A/C

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  14. Horses are amazing animals but if we are talking how would I like to get from Point A to Point B, I'm going to have to say cars. I prefer to get places quickly. I have a sister in law who would choose horse in a heartbeat, though!

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    1. But would you enjoy going from Point A to Point B?

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  15. Oh, golly, what a fun thread. I can't imagine life without a car so from a practical standpoint a car is a necessity where I live in the 'burbs, but horses are so wonderful. I'm such a fan of history, especially the Old West and the days of the Pony Express. And horses can do such good for so many therapy patients. So for me, the tiebreaker may come down to television. Mr. Ed's theme song sure beats Car 54, Where Are You? Fun thread.

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  16. Since cars are all I know I have to go with cars. Horses are beautiful, majestic creatures but I have to admit I'm a little afraid of them. Once in NY I was standing on a street corner waiting for the light to change so I could cross and I felt like something was looking at me. I looked up and it was a huge horse!! He was looking down at me. A cop was riding him. The horse looked so tremendous standing beside me. I'm always afraid a horse might kick me and kill me. He was beautiful though. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

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    1. Having been kicked by a horse, I think you'd survive. The horses the cops ride in NYC are really beautiful! And they have to be steady and well-behaved. (Apparently unlike the horses Anna Stewart rides in Hawaii)

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  17. I'm going to have to vote for horses. Yes. Cars are definitely more convenient when it's time to go to the grocery store. But Winston Churchill once said, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." I have to agree, even if I have to change it to read "person" at the end. Horses soothe our souls. And please don't forget all our cowboy heroes! It just wouldn't be the same if they were all riding off into the sunset in their Camaros.

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