By Carole Beers - Journal Reporter

Writing lesson: Woman tells story of growing up in the Northwest with her horse in a book that took 38 years to create

For 38 years, Connie Rae Strain burned to write a book.

Not just any book. Not necessarily a bestseller, but a coming-of-age book honoring her two families, her beloved Pacific Northwest, and her unlikely teacher -- a clunky, spunky horse named Shane.

``I had no writing lessons, no experience in the field, and no guides,'' said Strain, 52, a California native who grew up in Bellevue and now lives in Snohomish with her husband Joe and a handful of cats. ``But I had to do it.''

She pecked away in fits and starts for a dozen years, between or during jobs (she and her husband headed an executive search firm). But she also let years pass between sessions, and felt dogged by ``a weary frustration.''

The shock that prompted her to finish the book came two years ago with the death of her stepfather, Daddy Mike (Arend). He was as beloved as her natural father, Ray Horton, and an accomplice in her horse adventures.

``My husband said, `You have to finish this book,''' said Strain. ``So I just put my head down and did it.''

At first she printed it off the computer, sending photocopies to friends and family. They liked it so much, even the portraits of two families touched but strengthened by the wrench of divorce, that they demanded she publish it as a book, to share with the world.

``I was apprehensive before I read it, that if somebody isn't family, would it work for them,'' said Horton, a retired Boeing executive, as well as an artist, bicyclist and musician. ``But I feel very favorable toward it ... and think she did so very well with the conversational style of writing.''

Strain's natural mother, Agnes Arend, loaned her the money, about $10,000, to print 1,000 first copies of ``Perfect Imperfections: For Animal Lovers of All Ages.'' Editor Barbara Fandrich polished the manuscript. Gorham Printing of Rochester published it.

Now Strain hears raves about the book from readers around the world. They like the realism, the details about animals and nature, the humor, and the universal truths including how to bounce back from seeming tragedy.

``I didn't want a thing changed,'' said Momma Darleen,'' Strain's longtime stepmother, and recent recipient of a kidney donated by Strain. ``I love the book. It has something in it for everyone.''

While welcoming accolades, Strain is busy acquiring copyrights and business licenses, a bookkeeper and an agent, as well as arranging book signings and readings.

Most important, she has committed herself to the writing life, with her second book, ``Gibson Hall,'' a novel, well underway.

A reason to write

Strain, 52, feels penning the first book will pave the way for future writing success.

But that's not why she wrote it.

The author had promised the book to her family, notably her fathers, who finally ``succumbed to my years of deep-kneed begging'' for a horse, when she was 14, and the ``in-between child of divorce.''

She had promised the book to the memory of the paint gelding who taught her about life and acceptance. And she had promised it to herself.

``What really prompted me to write was Shane,'' said Strain, an avid reader all her life. ``I felt that because he was such an inexpensive horse, so quirky and yet so easy to understand, that I wanted to share that with the world. I am quirky and get into trouble myself, so I've learned to be patient with that and with other people because I had to be patient with him.''

She said the book, for animal and nature lovers, appeals to a range of people because it's told from the viewpoint of an ``in-between child of divorce,'' who splits her time between two families, embracing everyone in the circle, while moving ahead.

The adjustments she and the other siblings make to a new mommy and daddy allow for amusing reading, as when all the kids have to share one bedroom and one bathroom.

That the heroine, herself, is ``insane with longing'' over horses, adds piquancy, she thinks.

``And I so feel it's a Bellevue and a Northwest book,'' Strain said. ``I tried to portray the beauty and features of the area, such as the ride on the Pacific Crest Trail. The book will go out in the world, and be an ambassador for our area.''

Bellevue's Highland Junior High School, Sammamish High School, Bridle Trails State Park, and Lake Hills are featured prominently in it.

Truth or dare

Many true incidents are told, with some embellishment. Strain admits her memory might have been faulty in some areas, and that she changed names, though not those of her family, to protect privacy.

``But I stuck to the truth, at least about me,'' she said. ``It was painful to admit my mistakes ... but I think people might identify with that, too.''

The day she finished the book she went to the corner in Overlake where she first saw her horse.

``I told Shane, `I did it. I finished your book.'''

Strain, a lifelong animal lover, has no horses now. Nor any children.

In her book ``Perfect Imperfections,'' an old trail cook asks her if she'll ever have any kids.

``I can't even keep a pet turtle alive,'' she replied.

But she's definitely kept alive her dream of writing, and lives it daily.

``I think the real work has only just begun,'' she said.

People tell her they are sorry after having read her first book.

``I ask them why,'' she said. ``And they say, `I didn't want it to end.' That's about the best compliment I could ever have.''

``Perfect Imperfections,'' by Connie Rae Strain. (Isle of Dogs Publishing; www.isleofdogspublishing.com). Softcover, $14.95; collector's edition, $27.95.