You’ll find several popular themes in romance novels—themes
such as reunion stories, secret babies, twins, marriages of convenience, bad
boys, and of course—cowboys. When I decided to write a cowboy hero, I began
doing research. After all, I’m from Kentucky. I’ve been out West, for sure, but
at the time, I didn’t feel qualified to set a story there.
One group I learned about during my research was the
Professional Bull Riders, Inc., called simply the PBR. Check their website.
You’ll learn what they are all about: “This
is not a rodeo. We don't rope calves, and we don't chase barrels. This is bull
riding, and the first rule is just to stay alive.”
It’s not “if” you get hurt in bull riding. It’s “when.” My
husband says these cowboys are crazy. But he goes with me anyway to do
firsthand research. We’ve driven to Nashville, Lexington, and watched PBR
events several times in Louisville.
Bull riders are from everywhere. The PBR website explains:
“More than 1,200 bull riders from the U.S., Australia,
Brazil, Canada, and Mexico hold PBR memberships. They compete in more than 300
bull riding events per year on either the elite tour, which is the Built Ford
Tough Series, the Touring Pro Division, or the PBR International circuits (PBR
Australia, PBR Brazil, PBR Canada and PBR Mexico). The ultimate goal for PBR
athletes each year is to qualify for the prestigious PBR World Finals in Las
Vegas where the coveted title of PBR World Champion is decided.”
So, when I started to pull together ideas for Kentucky Cowboy, I
thought why couldn’t my cowboy be from Kentucky? And why would he come home?
Family, of course. And what if he meets his old girlfriend, the one who dumped
him so many years ago?
That’s how stories start—with the “what if?”
In the book Folklore
on the American Land, Duncan Emrich makes the point that the cowboy
is “a symbol of what we as a people and
nation have wished as our way of life. He is a projection of our hopes and
desires, a projection of our best code of ethics, of our wished-for mores.”
Americans have always been attracted to cowboys for what
they represent: individualism, independence, freedom, courage, loyalty, and
much more.
Bull riders are popular. Why? The PBR website sums it up:
“Professional bull riding is a fierce, rough, and grueling sport with roots
deeply imbedded in American culture. It's America's original extreme sport.”
2019 Update
Bull riding is
a dangerous sport. The riders and fans were shocked by the recent death of
Mason Lowe. Read
a memorial to him.
Lowe, 25, passed away
on Tuesday night at Denver Health as a result of injuries sustained in
competition when Hard Times bucked him off and stepped on his chest at
the Denver PBR Chute Out Velocity Tour event inside the Denver Coliseum at the
National Western Complex.
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I’m so very sorry to hear of this young man’s death. No amount of glory is worth it.
ReplyDeleteJan, what wonderful insight into a dangerous, albeit exciting, world. So horrible that this man died so young.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating post. I know there are many PBRs residing in Calgary, Alberta and every year they celebrate with the Calgary Stampede. As for Kentucky, it's a beautiful rugged countryside so, of course, there's cowboys. I loved hearing what your research involved and look forward to reading your story. All the best.
ReplyDeletennlight at nnlightsbookheaven dot com
Karl and I used to cover rodeos when we were working on the ambulance. It was a very nail biting experience! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love cowboy heroes. You definitely summed up their appeal.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Jan. Very educational. I grew up in the land of rodeo which is everything from Arizona to Florida I think. I've never been able to watch the bull riding or the bronc riding. Just too scary. I have a cousin who was a bull rider. He "retired" when he was thrown and the bull stomped on his leg and foot. He was pieced back together and can walk albeit with a limp.
ReplyDeleteI love this!! Kentucky cowboys! I've been traveling and spent the last 7 weeks in Florida. I had no idea how many cattle ranches there were here. Plus horse farms!! You better believe I'm taking notes for a new series of Florida ranchers!! I used to think Florida was basically beaches and Disney!! I know better now!
ReplyDeletewould love to read this!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying your new blog. Great post.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
What a dangerous activity. I really can't stand watching bull riding, but I agree, those men are very courageous!
ReplyDeleteMy contact info: adissidente at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing about the bull riders. That is indeed a dangerous sport. I bet you met some cool people in your research!
ReplyDeleteMsredk at all dot com
Wow, great behind-the-scenes to your book, Jan! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the recent death of Lowe. What an intriguing look into such a dangerous sport! Thank you, Jan.
ReplyDelete