Writer's Cats

Writing can be a lonely and isolating business, but my furry babies always keep me company. Terri is the best writing cat. She's a Bengal, and loves to be around me. When I'm in my study writing, she curls up either beside me, or on the blanket next to my couch, and settles in to sleep. If I move to make a cup of tea while thinking through a plot line, she comes with me, then settles back down when I do. Terri is quite talkative, and I have whole conversations with her - yes, I know, I'm the crazy cat lady!

There are also the two moggies, KC, a fat tabby, and Sooty, a tuxedo cat (Black and white to non cat people!) KC seldom disturbs the creative process, preferring to spend her day hoping to catch a bird (in spite of the cat fencing which keeps her in the garden, and the birds out of her reach) Sooty on the other hand believes in interrupting me regularly, flopping at my feet for attention, or nudging me if I failed to notice her, or am not paying her enough attention.

Aside from being companions, and providing distractions, the cats also provide inspiration and fodder for articles. For several years, I wrote regularly for Cat World, describing the antics of our furry children. It helped build a portfolio, and gave me a steady writing gig. KC's antics chasing butterflies won a place in a Chicken Soup anthology, which proved lucrative. I've just spent the morning submitting a few more stories for an upcoming Cat Story anthology, and hope to have another published: https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

And I have until January to think of a few more. This link lists all of their upcoming themes, and if you're a dog person rather than a cat person, there is also an upcoming call for stories about dogs.

My cats are great companions, and while they can be furry distractions, they also provide plenty of writing inspiration.