By Jeannie Watt
A writer supposedly works alone. I don't. I have help. A lot of help.
Let me introduce you to my writing assistants:
This is Floydie, my Norwegian Forest Cat. He's pretty bossy and puts up with no nonsense.
He's also very big. He weighs 18 pounds, so he's hard to move away from the keyboard when he begins to encroach.
These are my outdoor cats, Fiona and Lizzie. They're off duty until spring when the rodents start running rampant, so they spend their free time helping me. Side note--these little ladies turned my husband into a cat person.
And these are my loudest assistants, Builder and Buddy. Their noise level grows in direct proportion to how much trouble I'm having with my current scene. I just discovered, however, that if I put a snack in their cage that they've never seen before, they'll go very quiet as they assess the situation. But once they figure out its edible, they're right back at it, singing and shouting encouragement to me.
And there you have it. Me and my team. We've put out quite a few books together and they've been a huge help recently as I put together my sample chapters for my next Heartwarming. I really love the story, so they've done a good job.
How about you? Do you have helpmates at your house?
A writer supposedly works alone. I don't. I have help. A lot of help.
Let me introduce you to my writing assistants:
This is Floydie, my Norwegian Forest Cat. He's pretty bossy and puts up with no nonsense.
And these are my loudest assistants, Builder and Buddy. Their noise level grows in direct proportion to how much trouble I'm having with my current scene. I just discovered, however, that if I put a snack in their cage that they've never seen before, they'll go very quiet as they assess the situation. But once they figure out its edible, they're right back at it, singing and shouting encouragement to me.
How about you? Do you have helpmates at your house?
So happy to meet them. Are the cats interested in the birds or do they share space happily?
ReplyDeleteAs soon as the cats realized that the birds were part of the family, they left them alone. It's interesting how that comes about. It's happened with every cat I've ever owned.
DeleteWhat a bunch of cuties!!! We had a tiny chihuahua for many years. He couldn't wait for me to sit down to write so he could curl up in my lap. When he died, it took me months to write again. It just didn't feel right without him there. Since he died, my husband refuses to get another dog so my house is sadly muse-less. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI so understand LeAnne, and hugs! I had a dog bed behind my chair until last month, when my old companion of many years crossed the rainbow bridge. It does jar the writing.
DeleteI have two writing buddies, Nacho the dog and Ozzy the cat. One - and usually both - are with me all the time. Loved seeing pics of yours :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy! The nice thing about these kinds of partners is that they don't read over one's shoulder. :)
DeleteAlas, I no longer have writing buddies. I really love the photos of everyone else's pets.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy pet pictures, myself, Roz.
DeleteYour buddies look like they're great fun. Your office wouldn't be the same without them! I don't have pets, but I'm always happy to see photos of dogs and cats--and birds--making themselves at home and enjoying their human friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for pet pics, myself. I get sucked into Facebook because of it.
DeleteYou have the most interesting partners. Very photogenic. I only have Roxy. She's over 50 pounds now, but forgets she's not a lapdog. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA fifty pound lap dog is not to be ignored. :) I bet she's a snuggly armful.
DeleteI love your writing buddies, Jeannie! Like you, I have critters inside and outside the house, but my inside buddies consist of two dogs and three cats. I can't trust any of them in my office. The dogs would eat my books, printouts, notes, pencils etc...it all tastes good...and my cats would be up to their own mischief. One of them is quite a trickster and would likely delete my scenes and come up with his own cat romance. I have glass doors I keep closed so they just look in, pout or scratch at the glass until I give in. Funny thing is my human kids have been known to do the same ;). Can't wait for your next Heartwarming!
ReplyDeletejust a husband and one son is left at home--I have one in undergrad and another in grad school.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeannie ~ I haven't been following any blogs for quite some time. I was just going through a few of my bookmarks and found this post. I'm glad you are writing for Heartwarming now. I just ordered your book.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing pictures of your pets. Hope you are enjoying your new home.