Monthly Archives: January 2018

31 Jan

Just released – the Foreword Clarion review.

0 0

“Falling into Now shows a strong woman surviving and thriving

after a tragic accident, offering unbridled inspiration to others

attempting to get back on their feet and move forward.”

Find the review on:

https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/falling-into-now/

or read it below:

Falling into Now: Memories of Sport, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Education

Smith’s story offers unbridled inspiration to others attempting

to get back on their feet after tragedy strikes.

Olympic equestrian Claire Smith’s memoir Falling into Now is

about struggling to adapt to life after she sustains a head injury

when her horse falls during competition.

As part of her healing process, Smith wrote this detailed account

of the physical and emotional trauma. Diary-like entries come in

a travelogue format, roaming from the frigid Canadian winters to

the warmer climate of North Carolina, and explore the

challenges involved in redefining her core identity and once

narrowly focused goals. Segments are organized thematically into

chapters, including “Horses,” “Chaos,” “Restitution,” “Quest,” and

“(Re)Adjusting.” Many sections are identified by locations and

dates, orienting their events before and after the life-altering

accident. The perspective constantly changes as Smith struggles

to make peace with her fundamentally altered life.

In addition to capturing her own raw state during her arduous

recovery process, Smith crafts insightful sections from her parents’

viewpoints. These additional layers to her story excel at

acknowledging the pain and strain that family members and friends

feel when a loved one struggles with a serious injury or illness.

Smith’s ability to perceive the way her tragedy has impacted others’

lives is a rare quality that elevates the work and offers lessons beyond

the personal.

Vivid and moving writing, particularly about Smith’s beloved horses

and dogs, elicits emotional responses. Strong black-and-white

photographs of Smith with her beautiful animals provide a personal

touch. Smith’s gift for raising awareness about the “invisibility” of

people using wheelchairs, and her disdain for pity, are some of the

triumphs in her story.

During Smith’s extended recovery process, a few questions remain

unanswered. In particular, the source of her lack of fear when she

gets back on her horse is never addressed. Her loss of interest in

competitive riding also remains unclarified. Some points are

insistently repeated, such as about the impossibility of returning to

her previous life; these frustrations naturally reflect Smith’s bumpy

ride and slow trajectory toward discovering a new identity.

Smith’s determination to redirect her goal-oriented nature toward

completing advanced academic degrees results in a particularly

fascinating outcome. Her new interest in writing and in research

about the power of creativity to speed the healing process after

brain injuries is the book’s ultimate hopeful note.

Falling into Now shows a strong woman surviving and thriving

after a tragic accident, offering unbridled inspiration to others

attempting to get back on their feet and move forward.

26 Jan

Eventing Nation – January 25th, 2018

0 0

A great article written by Leslie Threlkeld just came out on the Eventing Nation website. May it spark interest in the book!

Here it is:

‘Falling Into Now:’ Claire Smith’s Road to Recovery

19 Jan

Presentation at Brockville Public Library Saturday Feb 17th, 2 pm

0 0

Former Olympic Equestrian Rider Claire Smith to be Featured at February’s Meet the Author

19 Jan

YourTV Smiths Falls-Brockville Interview

0 0

Found this on youtube. It’s a short interview that I did on January 9th. In it, I talk about the book and my reasons for writing it.

17 Jan

Book signing Saturday Feb 24th 11 to 2 – Chapters Kanata

0 0

I just scheduled a new event – a book signing at Chapters Kanata in the Centrum. I’ll be there on Saturday, February 24th from 11 am to 2 pm. Stop by for a chat and to buy a book!

The online reviews of the book are wonderful. Go to www.chapters.indigo.ca, then search for ‘Falling into Now’, and click on the paperback version of the book. As of today, there are 21 reviews. It seems that people ‘get it’. Here are some excerpts:

The book is filled with “deeply personal insights”. It is a “true story of resilience, persistence and adaptability”. “This story tells of one woman’s incredible loss, turmoil, challenges, courage, acceptance and unrelenting determination”. This is “an incredibly motivating and inspiring story. Claire Smith personifies resilience, perseverance and grit”. “Claire’s book takes us on a journey of recovery that is revealing and inspiring. It is not a work of fiction, carefully crafted to manipulate our emotions. It is an honest conversation complete with asides, distractions and retellings. It is the story of a real person. Many times while reading it I felt as though Claire were sitting beside me telling me her story. I recommend that you spend some time with this honest and courageous woman, but be prepared to be moved”. Claire “takes the reader on a journey of her resulting struggle with loss, recovery, and the search for a new identity. I think both riders and non riders alike will be captivated by this inspiring memoir”. “This book is not just about horses. It’s relatable to all as it winds through the experiences of belonging and not belonging, loss and change, fear and triumph. It teaches that we don’t have to be defined or limited by some of our life experiences. We can all strive to reach such self awareness, understanding and inner peace”.

Needless to say, I’m delighted!

12 Jan

Book events

0 0

As an unknown author, I’ve discovered that the marketing of my book is up to me. Thankfully, Roger and Lianne Sands of Arranel Studios (http://arranelstudios.com/) came to the rescue.

I’m grateful to them for their enthusiastic help. They’ve created a website (https://clairesmith-author.ca) and they took the author photo:

February’s events:

February 6th, 10:30 am – Smith Falls Library – reading and discussion

February 8th, 1:30 pm – Kemptville Public Library – reading and discussion

February 17th, 2 pm – Brockville Public Library – reading and discussion

At these book club meetings, I will be talking about the book, and look forward to engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

February 11th, I’m invited as a guest on Rogers TV with Craig Oliver for the program ‘Challenges and Change’

Previous shows can be viewed on http://www.ami.ca/category/challenges-and-change-craig-oliver. Stay tuned for my segment!