When we’re not partying at a drag show, bringing you video interviews and attending events, something we really love is taking time out to relax with a good story.
What we enjoy even more, is for that story to be queer coded, so when we found out about “The Ranch at the End of the World”, our interest immediately peaked.
Nell Dart has been kicked out of school and onto a bus, taking her to the middle of actual nowhere (Wales). Leaving behind her first love, Soph, she embarks on an adventure in search of a stolen horse and a night alone with Fran in the forest. Surrounded by a group of other ‘dropouts’ they all find themselves trying to find themselves in the hills of rural Wales. This is an adventure story, a love story and a story of trying to look beyond first impressions.
Why let us tell you more about it though, when the incredible Author herself (Emma Bettridge) can give you a way better idea of what to expect!
Interview with the Author
Firstly, could you give our readers a little introduction to yourself as an author?
Hi there! I have written two picture books published by Graffeg – “Goodbye Hobbs” and “Red is Home”, “The Ranch at the End of the World” is my first book for teenagers. I live down in the shires near Exmoor, have many animals (dogs, cats, horses), read A LOT of Australian crime drama and watch I Kissed a Girl whilst replying to emails. I’ve always worked with children and animals in one way or another, so writing for them makes sense to me. I have a bright orange campervan which I often take out for the day to run the dogs and then work in. I recently got lost on Exmoor in the fog and it was excellent. Especially the bit with the coffee and the cinnamon bun I had in the van waiting for me.
What first inspired you to start writing?
I really like reading. Disappearing into whatever world is offered up. I still love that feeling of starting a book and whispering to myself ‘holy shit, they can write.’ I’ve always worked in theatre, so spent many years reading people’s scripts and giving feedback. And then my dog Hobbs died, and about a week after that my girlfriend at the time (MGATT) and I went away to Cornwall, it was raining, I was so sad, and then for some reason rather than enjoy the romance of a fire in a cottage in the rain, I decided to write a story about a dog who hates cats, but it turns out it’s because he wants to be a cat. Kate, MGATT, read it and said it was not bad – which I took to mean it was amazing, so I kept going and then Goodbye Hobbs was born. My other work involves working with children and teenagers, which I LOVE. It’s all based outdoors, with loads of animals and very much not about sitting at a desk to learn. So I knew there was an older reader book in me, and here it is.
Do you feel like your background in theatre has helped perfect your skills in storytelling?
Yes, absolutely. Live theatre gives an immediate reaction from the audience, it builds worlds and is so visual. So pulling that all into my head to write stories has been hugely beneficial to how I create the world and the characters. It has helped a lot with writing dialogue too, I always say it out loud as I type, imagine what might work if this was a theatre show or a film.
When did the idea for “Ranch at the end of the world” first start to form in your mind?
I took an Arvon course – amazing writing retreats/tutorials – and was very fortunate be supported by one of the tutors, the very prolific Anna Wilson. This was before I had anything published, so her encouragement and support around first, Goodbye Hobbs and, then, the scratchy beginnings of what would become The Ranch at the End of the World was so massive. It gave me the confidence to go for it. The book comes from my desire to talk about animals and the landscape and trying to to understand people and their behaviours. I also really like imagining packing a bag and running off to the wilds.
Could you tell us about the creative process for developing this particular story of Nell and Fran?
I think it won’t be a surprise to anyone that some of this comes from real life. Like lots of writers, I use writing as a tool to get my own experiences (heartbreak anyone?) out of my head and onto the page. So, having Nell in that flux space between Soph and Fran, was partly what was in my own life at the time. Grieving a relationship gone and thinking about what a new thing could look like. Honestly. it’s a great way to stop boring all your mates about it.
You’ve got a background in working with horses, did this factor into the themes of the story?
I hope people who read this, who know horses, will feel that I’m doing them justice. I’m a huge fan of trying to keep an element of wildness in my animals. My dogs eat a raw diet, are outside a lot and sleep where they like. My horses are out 24/7, with access to shelter and food (grass/hay). They don’t have shoes, I don’t ride them with bits in their mouths, they aren’t shut in a stable all night. So the lives of the horses at The Ranch absolutely mimic how mine live. I bloody love horses. Can talk all day about them, what we can learn from them, how we can communicate with them. My youngest horse is 5 and if she could, she would sit on your lap. So her antics have definitely informed some of Gully’s in the book. I love just watching how they interact, endlessly fascinated in how we all communicate with each other and other beings.
Does the book play on any other real experiences that you’d had in your own life?
Oh for sure (insert sunglasses emoji in here). Most of the things that happen will have a true-link to something I’ve experienced. Without too many spoilers, I have many times twisted my ankle, I have sat through a strange solar-eclipse and I have often felt the way Nell feels in this book. I also really really want a land rover defender 90.
Was the intention behind some of the education-based plot to provide social commentary on the current state of the world?
YAS. I work in alternative education provision and have seen how completely brilliant it is. A lot of the research for this book took place at a wonderful organisation called EAQ Manor Farm. The character of Bet is very heavily based on Kerry, the inspirational legend who co-runs Manor Farm. Her manner and mode of communication, which is very cool and kind, has totally changed how I communicate with the children I work with, which then informs how I communicate with everyone in my life. It’s all about giving people a voice, and agency into their own lives through modelling and mirroring behaviours. This notion of ‘normal’ is something I’ve always railed against. Maybe it was identifying as gay in my late teens? In saying that out loud to myself, I was heading in a direction away from a patriarchal, heteronormative mould and had to kick a few doors in to live the life I wanted to. So that in turn, shed light on all those people who struggle to stay in lane, to live a life expected of them in one way or another.
Will you be sticking with the romance genre moving forward or will you perhaps be dabbling into other themes?
Well now, who can say? I’ve got a tasty draft of a crime book (the protagonist is married to the chief of police so she’s sort of making up stuff as she goes – they are a gay couple of course) and I’m well up for telling other kinds of stories. I don’t usually plan what I write, just go for it and go back over to fine tune – so it will be informed by what’s going on in the world, the weather, the animals or even just what I fancy writing about. I’m really interested to learn what stands out in The Ranch for readers – especially because I don’t necessarily think of it as a romance book. The best bit about all of this is when you sign off the final version and then hear what parts people were drawn to, or relate to, when it’s published.
Being part of the community yourself, do you feel like there has been an increase in visibility of writers and stories representing for LGBTQIA+ individuals?
Oh hugely. It’s SO LUSH. Even in the last ten years we now see characters who are LGBTQIA+ and funnily enough, that’s not the only thing about them! Hayley Scrivenor wrote a brilliant crime book called “Dirt Town”, which has characters from our tribe, but that’s not the story! “Dead Loch” was another winner for this. Representation is so helpful, especially getting it there from early years. My book “Red is Home” is all about a dog who lives with two sets of owners and what that means for how he behaves in each home. One set of owners is a gay couple, but it’s not the main thing about the story. I think because publicly more and more people are open about their sexuality (Billie E anyone?), it gives us all power to be open. So big strides have come for sure, but yet a lot of people struggle with being able to identify their own sexuality, and the fear and shame which can surround that. So I hope this book brings a bit of comfort, somehow.
Do you have any advice you can offer to those within the LGBTQIA+ who wish to tell their own stories?
Not sure how useful any of this might be (did I mention I just make it up as I go?), but maybe think about the stories you’ve read or seen recently which you really enjoyed, then think about how you might have told it differently, Or think about the things you’d like to read that maybe aren’t out there. I also think trying to write every day is key, even if it’s just for half an hour. It gets your brain into this nice space where you can empty out all the mundane stuff and just stretch your writing muscles. I think the more you do it, the easier it is to keep doing it. I guess like practicing an instrument or training in sport.
Finally, do you have any future plans you’d like to tease or share with our readers to keep them hooked?
I’ve heard Netflix are keen to adapt it… Wouldn’t that be GOOD? Or…I can confirm that the sequel to The Ranch at the End of the World is well under way, and I’ve got a new crush on someone (who has a girlfriend – gasp) so I suspect that will get worked out in this next book, one way or another!
Penny for your thoughts?
Okay so, we couldn’t go promoting a book without giving it a read ourselves and it feels right to let you know our honest opinion on the story, As it turns out, we actually would like to tell you more about it after all, from the viewpoint of a reader!
Firstly, it was great to get a story from the perspective of a female queer individual, this seems to be something that isn’t as regularly portrayed as we’d prefer. Nell being a character that is navigating a combination of love, family issues, mental health and a set of unfamiliar situations allows for the reader to find relatable elements within the story and creates a sense of realism.
Gradually learning more about Nell as we see her interact with various characters and scenarios feels like natural progression, like we’re becoming friends. The story itself has a casual pace, not moving so slow that it’s easy to check out, but also not rushing for the sake of a plot point. The ranch within the story feels very suitable as a setting and one that we can’t pretend we would be remotely mad at visiting.
Whilst Nell does handle a lot of things during the book, there is so much more to explore in future adventures. Having things end whilst a news story is beginning has definitely created a chokehold and desire for a second instalment, something we very much look forward to.
The book was finished over a few days following being enjoyed with a beautiful autumnal view, in a relaxing bath and as a nice way to settle before bed. With it being a family-friendly read, you can basically take it anywhere and embrace yourself in the believable world of Nell.
This was an easy read with some lovely heart-warming moments, delightful illustrations (by Josephine Birch) and didn’t try to take anything too far, a pleasant experience for sure.
I need a copy!
We’re pleased to say that “The Ranch at the End of the World” is available now via Graffeg simply by clicking right here and placing an order. You’ll also be able to find more great works by both Emma and other wonderful artists so have a browse and build up that personal library.
When you’re done, go give the lovely Emma Bettridge a follow on Instagram
