Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Karen in Texas — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:19:36 GMT

I just read your postscript to the Me and Julio article---that answers my above question regarding Skip Away and Mandy. Your memories of those occasions would be welcome reading. Thanks.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Karen in Texas — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:35:33 GMT

Steve---Did Mandy ever meet Skip Away? If so, could the two of you maybe write a joint memoir of that occasion for those of us who believe he was among the all time great champions of racing? Thank you.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Greg J. — Fri, 14 May 2010 14:48:58 GMT

Mandy,

Beautifully written, Bravo :)

Mr. Haskin,

You must be very proud! On a side note, I hope you don't mind, But, Was thinking of Kip Deville and since you have kept us up with his progress, I was wondering if there is anything new about how he is doing? Thanks in advance...

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Laura P — Wed, 12 May 2010 08:33:15 GMT

A happy ending to Part I: It's terrific, Mandy, that you'll continue to write about a subject so close to home and close to your heart.

It's nice to see the photos, too, of "all the pretty horses" in Stride Magazine, at the link your Dad posts. And you may enjoy reading the award-winning novel of that name (part of a moving and beautifully-written trilogy) by one of America's best fiction writers, Cormac McCarthy.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

sherpa — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:24:44 GMT

Mandy, you had me hooked at this:

“When you wake you shall have all the pretty horses. Blacks and bays, dapple grays…”

I had to re-read the first 3 paragraphs of your article after the tears dried up.

You have a very engaging style of writing. Not surprising, considering your pedigree. Hope we hear a lot more from you here, but I expect your dad will let us know whenever you have an article published at Stride or elsewhere.

Thank you, Mandy's dad, for sharing this with your BH fans.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

txhorsefan — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:39:29 GMT

Mandy, thank you for sharing your writing with us, allowing us to share our memories and comments and now for responding to our remarks. Along with his talents, your dad has given you a strong dose of his generosity I think. I completely agree with Zookeeper and Karen2, except I haven't gotten a copy of My Racing Heart yet. I've finished my current stash of books so I'm re-reading some of the many columns written by Steve Haskin that I've printed out over the years and I'm so happy now I can look forward to reading more Mandy Haskin.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Karen2 — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:15:53 GMT

Another Haskin to love..........I know Steve's articles in the blood horse and on these blogs before I even have to see his name on them. The writing style is so clear. You seem to have "it"!!! I am not a wordsmith so I can't explain what "it" is, but I know "it" when I see "it".

I am in the middle of reading "my racing heart" right now and I am LOVING it!!!

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Zookeeper — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:27:35 GMT

Mandy,

Believe me, the pleasure was ALL ours. The best part of your comment of 11:32AM: "I continue to write for all of you". A promise of more superb writing to come... Here I go, drooling again! Where's my bib?

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Mandy Haskin — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:32:25 GMT

I just want to give a huge thanks to my dad for posting my article here, and to everyone for their kind, encouraging words of support. All your compliments have really touched me. I am delighted that the piece awoke so many memories in other people and I loved reading them. This blog turned out to be the perfect place for everyone to share their stories. Stories like these are what this sport is all about. And if the rewarding process of telling mine wasn't already enough to make me want to keep writing, your encouraging comments certainly do! As I continue to write (which I intend to do a lot of, in between feeling my clients' ankles), I continue to write for all of you. Very best wishes to everyone!

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Lou in Hangtown — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:25:31 GMT

I'm so glad that Mandy will be writing about horse-racing. Her writing touches me and, if it's about horse-racing, I'll have access to it.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Karen in Texas — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:53:23 GMT

Zookeeper---I do indeed know what you are talking about! "My Racing Heart" was not only a good book, but an emotional reminder for those of us who have owned or been involved with horses and had to leave that world for a while. I could "feel" Nan Mooney's words as she reconnected while hearing "My Old Kentucky Home" in a Radio Shack in Manhattan, and I can "feel" Mandy's words as well.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Zookeeper — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:44:33 GMT

Karen in Texas,

"My Racing Heart" one of my very favorite books! Beautifully written! Your mentioning of it makes me want to dig it up out the piles accumulated around my house. I read it when I was fairly new to racing. I'll appreciate it even more today, as more knowledge about the subject always enhances the pleasure we get out of great books. Thank you for reminding me of it. I'll go find it right now and put it on top of the ones I'm planning to read next.

I'm an avid reader and like drug addicts, we who never want to be out of reading material, have a stash always waiting, so we don't go into withdrawals. You probably know what I'm talking about, don't you?

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Tim G — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:34:48 GMT

Oh by the way Steve? I've seen Mandy. She definitely didn't get her good looks from you.(sorry bud)

Not to sound sexist but I'm sure any male clients she trains didn't mind her feeling their ankles. Now if she'd have picked up their feet and examined their frog? That might have been a little iffy.

Think she's a dancer too isn't she?

Also, did she take the photos? Those were pretty impressive as well. I read the 'Chronicles on Dubai' piece on the Dubai website, excellent.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Shelby's Best Pal — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:23:34 GMT

I'm looking forward to reading more of Mandy's columns.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Kevin A. Burke — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:41:56 GMT

TO: Mr. Steve Haskin,

I apologize for being off subject but please read Mr. Rob Whiteley's (Liberation Farm) article on the Paulick Report.

Blood Horse Magazine should join him is his proposal. It is important that all differences be put aside. Both change and preservation can come about but only if the media leaders of the Thoroughbred World give their assistance and help finding solutions.

A "Tea Party Like Movement" is gaining form, Blood Horse should be one of the leaders.

Thank You,

Kevin

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Steve Haskin — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:39:00 GMT

I do see some similarities, Karen. Nan was extremely polished and had a great descriptive way of writing. I hired her to write a feature for the Kentucky Derby souvenir magazine, which I was editor of back then. Her subsequent book was excellent, but I haven't heard a word about her since.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Karen in Texas — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:12:05 GMT

Mandy's style reminds me of Nan Mooney's first person historical perspective in "My Racing Heart".(I believe you said you had hired Ms. Mooney as a writer years ago, Steve.) Her "memoir" into the world of thoroughbred racing is similar to your daughter's telling of her pathway to remain close to horses through journalism. The style is quite engaging I think.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Steve Haskin — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:30:31 GMT

Wow, some of these comments are so profound and thought-provoking; thank you all so much. Mandy will be commenting on them as soon as she gets out of work. Your encouragement is so appreciated.

Steve from St. Louis, shhh, I'm trying to keep those days hidden in some darkened corridor of my memory. But I have to admit, although my career was stagnant, going nowhere, they were fun days with lots of close friends at DRF, many of whom I'm still close to. Once I overcame the obstacle you mentioned, the flowers began to bloom on my career and I havent stopped smelling them since. They are as fragrant today as they were back in 1991 when I escaped from the library with the help of some of the other editors, gave up freelance writing for the Thoroughbred Times, and began writing regularly for DRF. Writing and covering the races still makes me feel like a kid all these years later.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

steve from st louis — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:35:47 GMT

Mandy, some say the story of your life is already written; all that's left is for you to live it out. In your case, it's sure to include great aspirations, much discovery, constant introspection, a stern respect for the natural order and an undying passion for that which truly drives you.

I knew of your father 30 years ago when he ran the library stacks of the DRF library for Freddie Grossman in Hightstown, N.J. Humble beginnings sometimes lead to greatness. Can it happen twice in the same family? We'll see. And hope.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:26:43 GMT

Steve

Screenplays was the direction I decided to take after retiring from my regular job about a year ago. I had writing ideas piled up over the years but wasn't positive which direction to take. Unfortunately I've spent too much time on horse racing and have about 20 unfinished screenplay projects. I need to get on the ball and off of the horse for awhile. Hopefully I'll be going for it soon, and focusing on one or two and finishing them.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

FSF — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:18:23 GMT

Read in conjunction with the crabby opinions about the "Get your Preak on" campaign, it occurs to me that a young, female writer with some fresh perspective can only be a benefit, provided she can reach out to an audience not currently hooked in to the (typically) older, (White) male journalist corps. No offense to the current "crop" of BH writers, of course. But, as a 30-something woman, I could trace my own childhood/adolescent love of racing through Mandy's stories (though mine was woven primarily through the NYRA circuit and some family lower-level runners in New Mexico), feeling much more connected than I typically do to the stories presented by other writers on this (and similar) sites.

Even though it was soooo "uncool" to be enamored with the sport during college, I've picked it back up in the past decade, and dozens of friends have had to "endure" it with me. Some of them have even become fans themselves. I like Mandy's idea of telling the story of racing through travel writing- seems like that could be a good idea.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Windy City — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:58:47 GMT

And I know ".... that horse racing will remain in my life as long as I keep...." reading about it, from great writers like you and your dad :-)Thanks to the talented individuals like you, I find myself waiting for the new articles. Many times I keep coming back to bloodhorse.com for new article from Steve and sometimes waiting just drives me nuts (is he on vacation or what??) :-))I even printed his article about Rachel winning the Woodward and included in my baby son's "First Year" book .... sorry Steve - I hope I didn't validate any copyrights... I went down your road too, it started with love to math (I know, I know - but it runs in my family) but I didn't want to be a teacher. So I jumped to physical therapy (they had free camps at horse barns, unlimited riding!) But at the end, and after few injuries, I jumped back to math, with now having a degree in accounting :-)So as they say, life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you are gonna get! Seriously, thanks to the people like you, the casual fan can find out more about this wonderful creatures, the personal insight with the loving touch of affection helps us understand and love them even more. Great article Mandy, good luck to you and I hope your dad will post some of your articles here in the future. Best regards from Chicago

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

sentinel — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:44:21 GMT

The last name Haskin will open doors for Mandy but I'm sure her talent will keep them open. I look forward to reading more of her work.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Steve Haskin — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:31:08 GMT

Dr. D, ironically, her boyfriend is, among other things, a screenwriter and he writes TV pilots, and she proofreads them and brainstorms with him all the time. He has a lot of things in the works with some big names in the business; just waiting for that big break.

re: Easy Writer - By Mandy Haskin

Cgriff — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:28:09 GMT

Steve Haskin said:

Her clients love her, but can't understand why she keeps feeling their ankles.

THAT is some classic humor and imagery! My LOL of the day!