I am excited to have my friend M.Pax, author of the just-released Semper Audacia, here as a guest today. This is the first time I've hosted a fellow blogger, and it's an honor to have Mary as my inaugural guest poster. So without further ado, please welcome M. Pax and her traveling, sci-fi loving kitties!
Travels with Makayla and Nini
by M. Pax
Makayla and Karenina [usually shortened to Nini], came to me at seven weeks old from a neighbor who had taken in a pregnant cat from a friend who had to move abroad. We lived in Fairfax, Virginia at the time. They were two years old when we moved from Northern Virginia to Portland, OR, from the east coast of the US to the west coast.
I flew with them from DC to Portland. They hated every second of it. My girls glared at that carrier and hissed at it whenever they saw it afterward. I had to throw it out, there was so much hate for it.
Almost four years ago now, we moved from Portland, east over the Cascades to Central Oregon. Kayla and Nini hate the car. Really hate it. Maybe not at much as airplanes, but close. All the way up Mount Hood, all’s I heard was their yowling. They’d crawl over me and scream in my ear, just in case I hadn’t heard. They wanted to be certain I did.
At some point past the summit, Nini got bored and went to sleep in the back of the car. Makayla has always been neurotic though. That’s how we ended up with Nini [which I’m very glad of]. Makayla would cry if I left a room. So, we got her some company, one of her sisters.
Anyway, so I ended up having to hold Kayla on my lap. I had to hold her up so she could see out the window. She wouldn’t sit by herself. Yeah, neurotic. She liked seeing the cows, horses and the other things, but she shook and stuck to me like glue. For several days she did. But she soon fell in love with the sunnier side of the Cascades as much as I did and she adores the bigger closets to play in.
I avoid traveling with them if I can. They’re terrible travelers. They’re also critics. They like to help me with my reading skills. If I start reading one of my stories aloud, they usually come into the room to listen. If I flub some words, they make faces of disapproval, ears flickering, eyes narrowing. If I read with spirit, they pay attention as if completely engrossed. If I read with less animation, they lose interest and may wander off. With their feedback in mind, I practiced at open mics held at my local library and at events held by my local writing group in front of people. Last time I pretended the audience was my cats. It was my best reading ever. Everyone agreed, an A++. So, they did help me hone my skills.
My cats also enjoy science fiction. If we pop in a Star Trek or Stargate dvd, they’re usually both down on the couch within a couple of minutes. Makayla really liked the Star Trek episode with Joan Collins when Spock built a radio. For some reason that really fascinated her. She doesn’t like to be petted when Spock is on. The pointed ears maybe?
So make believe traveling is all we do these days, which is fine. There’s little screaming involved, except for my grunts of frustration. Whenever I’m working, they’ll come hover at my feet. I think they’re asking me, “Any cats in this one? It’d be a better story with cats in it.”
There is an alien cat-like thing in Semper Audacia. Although, they thought the alien cat should have won, because cats are naturally better than everybody else, they loved that story and thought I should share it with the world. So, I did. They’re the best fans.
Do your pets help you write?
About Semper Audacia:
Smashwords link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92160
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QB25H4
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005QB25H4
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005QB25H4
Description: Alone. Leda is the last living member of the brigade, the sole defender of her world. War took everyone she knew, leaving her in the company of memories and ghosts. Or is it madness?
The siren blares. The enemy is coming. Or is it? The approaching vessel isn't a friendly design, but it answers with the correct code. Leda must figure out whether the arrival is reinforcements or the final assault. In an aging flyer, she ventures out to meet her world's fate, the last stand.
Details: 99 cents. Space Opera. Novelette. 13,200 words.
website: www.mpaxauthor.com
Don't have cats, but my dog isn't much bigger than a cat and she has pointy ears and long whiskers, so some days she gets called kitty cat dog. She's my writing buddy, always keeping her nose on the edge of my laptop when I write. Right now she's snoring. :)
ReplyDelete@LG, too cute, I love that your dog is called kitty cat dog! She sounds adorable. My cat has a habit of pawing at the keyboard himself when I write, so I think I would classify him as more of a hindrance than a buddy LOL.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary for being my guest here today!!! :)
Julie, thanks for hosting Mary today. It's great having a guest poster isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMary, best wishes on your new release. I wish you mucho successo with it.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Please see my guest post at:
So You Want to be a Writer?
Hah! Yes, my cats help me write...by holding down one of the keys while I'm trying to type. Not good.
ReplyDeleteCats have exceptionally good taste in movies too. Mine also like Star Trek. :)
Thanks for having me on, Julie. This was a fun post to write.
ReplyDeleteNini likes keyboards, too. Strange.
LG and Laura, it's fun to hear of everyone's companions when they're writing.
Arlee, thanks for stopping in and the kind wishes.
That was great! Such beautiful cats. I have no pets. Does a toddler count? He's a terrible traveler too.
ReplyDeleteYes, Christine, toddlers count. They can be really cute and do silly things, too. :)
ReplyDeleteMy cat keeps my lap warm when it's cold and I'm writing on the computer . . . which can be nice.
ReplyDeleteThat is nice. I like when my cats are cuddly.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release of your book. My dogs give me ideas, but they don't help me write. Your cats sound like they're pretty cool characters!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your dog give you ideas, Lyn. Pets are great characters. and thanks for the kind wishes.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun reading how Nini and Makayla helped you hone your reading skills.
ReplyDelete"If I flub some words, they make faces of disapproval, ears flickering, eyes narrowing."
How funny, and especially of their interest level, depending upon how animated you read. :-D
Yeah, if I'm interrupting their napping, it better be good.
ReplyDeleteI know Joey give you lots of inspriation, Loretta.
love this guest post! I have two cats myself and they certainly go about appointing themselves as writing muses. I love it when they keep me company when I'm watching a home movie.
ReplyDeletenutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Me, too, Schell. I like having the company.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story about your cats, who are adorable. Love cats. So allergic. I have to love them on the page or LOL Cats.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book!