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This week: Going to the Dogs (and Cats) ! Edited by: Fyn  
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Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. ~~Groucho Marx
Fall in love with a dog, and in many ways you enter a new orbit, a universe that features not just new colors but new rituals, new rules, a new way of experiencing attachment.~~ Caroline Knapp
I spend my nights just sitting and reading a book and drinking my tea and walking my dog. That's about as exciting as my life gets.~~ Peter Dinklage
Your best ideas, those eureka moments that turn the world upside down, seldom come when you're juggling emails, rushing to meet the 5 P.M. deadline or straining to make your voice heard in a high-stress meeting. They come when you're walking the dog, soaking in the bath or swinging in a hammock.~~ Carl Honore
I usually plan to read a book for a half-hour before bed, but then I end up staying awake until 3 A.M. to finish it. Fortunately, my dog doesn't mind when I keep the bedside lamp on. ~~Amanda Hocking
Here one day would stand a giant among dogs, powerful as a timber-wolf, lithe as a cat, as dangerous to foes as an angry tiger; a dog without fear or treachery; a dog of uncanny brain and great lovingly loyal heart and, withal, a dancing sense of fun. A dog with a soul.~~Albert Payson Terhune
You now have learned enough to see
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people whom we find
Possessed of various types of mind.
For some are sane and some are mad
And some are good and some are bad
And some are better, some are worse —
But all may be described in verse.
~~T. S. ELIOT, "The Ad-dressing of Cats," Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
Cats are the runes of beauty, invincibility, wonder, pride, freedom, coldness, self-sufficiency, and dainty individuality - the qualities of sensitive, enlightened, mentally developed, pagan, cynical, poetic, philosophic, dispassionate, reserved, independent, Nietzsche-an, unbroken, civilized, master-class men. ~~H. P. Lovecraft
Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function. ~~Garrison Keillor
Perhaps it is because cats do not live by human patterns, do not fit themselves into prescribed behavior, that they are so united to creative people. ~~Andre Norton
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Hi! I'm Bear, the lap-lounger extraordinaire and VIP! (Very Important Publishing Puppy.) I'm filling in for Fyn this week because she's inordinately busy --that time of year when her authors slip into overdriven and sheer panic that their books won't be out for the holidays. So, since I've learned a thing or two in my thirteen puppy years, I thought I'd share a thing or two.
Now, I'm a dog, a pooch, a ... well ...actually, I'm really just a four-pawed human, but shhh! Don't tell anyone! The first thing I'd like to share is just one of those things none of the two-pawed people seem to get. We bark to communicate. You talk, we bark. You expect us to understand you. (And, actually, we do ...when we choose to!) But the stilt-legged ones aren't as good at languages, I guess. So I will fill you in. We are your protectors. Be we big or teensy, we are here to keep you safe. You are the most important thing in our world, so it only makes logical sense that we want you hale and hearty and capable of providing treats, dinner and endless toys. If there is a dog walking down MY street, I am going to bark. I did not give it (and whomever is walking it) permission; therefore, they are trespassing. My street; my rules. Got it? Good.
Hulk, who has wandered by and jumped up on the window sill would like to add something here. He's a big, old and wise tom cat who is quite decent -- as cats go. Hey. Feed me. I do not give much of a hoot who walks down that road out there. Unless they try (hah!) to chase or catch me. (Like that will ever happen.) I do not care if you can translate the superior feline languages or not. Feed me, and we are good. Beware. My claws are sharp and I like to shred things.
The second important thing is that dogs are instinctually empathic. W e simply KNOW when you are sad, sick, lonely, happy, tired and if you have food. We hear refrigerators opening, know the rattle of the potato chip bag and know the measure of the sound of your heartbeat. We know the sound of your car and the squeak of the dog carrier. When you don't feel well, we want to help. When we lick your hand, we are doing what we do to make you feel better because we love you. Or, you are fine and we want to show you love. Do you know that you taste different when you are sick?
Cats are empathic, too. We are just highly particular about whether or not we care to do anything about it. I do not see food. Feed me. I do not like being ignored. And people have the audacity to think we cats are the independent ones, all unfeeling and uncaring. My world. My rules. Got it? Meow!
My mom, Fyn, is a publisher. One of her authors has a spectacular example of dog flesh. Jinx is big. His head is bigger than I am. He is a freckle-faced, highly exuberant example of the joyous dog. He barks at the people on his street, the mail lady, the horses going by, the squirrels, the cars ... Jinx barks at pretty much anything. He loves to play tug of war with a huge piece of knotted rope. He loves to curl up next to his mom and nudge her when her writing isn't going as well as she'd like. He celebrates when she is excited because her books came in. He's an important part of her life.
Which leads me to my other point. I live in a writing world. (That's why I am the VIP!) Characters in books need dogs and cats too. Some sort of pet; an iguana, a horse or even a sloth. They need someone to cuddle with when the events that progress a story are full of disasters, miscommunications and angst. They are great for instigating conversations. Let's face it, we're cute, adorable, loyal and great foot-warmers. We provide vocal points for characters to muse at, complain to and brainstorm with. We keep their secrets well, too! We excel at hogging beds, ruling the couch and being transitory obstacle courses. We are always happily awaiting the return from store or work (those forever times be they five minutes or five hours long) and happy to see our moms and dads. We make everyone smile.
You may be, pooch. We cats are aristocratic, elegant, superior and are the stars. We like sunny spaces. We are purr-fectly happy to receive the petting and ear-scratching we so deserve. We don't care if someone is here or not. We do not care about secrets or broken promises. (Unless it concerns food!) And, we are hungry. Did I mention I want to be fed? Noow!
Writers should consider giving their characters a pet. It wouldn't matter if it was a breeder's choice or a mutt from a shelter. We need people (or the characters) and they need us.
I need food. Hello?
Fridge. I hear the fridge! Oh. Fyn's getting a saucer of milk for Hulk. She's bringing it outside. I want to go outside!! I love being outside. I don't care about milk, there are a thousand things to scent out here. Fyn's sitting in her chair watching me and Hulk. He's finished his milk and is off across the street. I can't cross the street. I know to Stay In the Yard. I get to go back inside. Hulk doesn't. I gets treats. Yummy treats.
Fyn has a Bichon (like me!) named Dickon in her new book. He's friends with the cat in the third floor apartment. They will be important when the building catches fire. I'll be happy when she has time to write more because she reads it to me. My parts are the best!
Well. my poor paws are getting tired. I hope you enjoyed my puppy-thoughts and views.
 ~Bear
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HWinB.C.  writes: I so relate to your story. The stress level goes off the chart, eh. I find myself making too many mistakes in my writing that I would otherwise catch. The reviews have been kind considering the errors.
House renovation was stretch out due to the fires breaking out everywhere. I've lived in diverse places growing up. Been through earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, but I've never been witness to the devastation I am seeing now in B.C. I must confess the forest fires are freaking me out and the smoke is depriving oxygen to my brain.
I can so relate to the stress you are describing. Hang in there!
HWinB.C.
ALWAYS!
Quick-Quill  says: As the wife of a contractor, some guys bite off more than they can chew. If they don't have a good relationship with their subs they tend to be shoved into a moving schedule. My husband allowed for this and for the most part he was put at the top of the list because he made sure to SCHEDULE with the subs 2-3 weeks ahead. They knew about when he'd be ready for sheetrock, then taping and spraying came next and so on. Everyone worked together to make the project move and the customer happy. sometimes Expectations are higher than what is the reality. Poor time managers. I don't point fingers.
Room's allllmost done! Drywall is up and painted, floors are in, tile is next and then everything in its place!!! The light at the end of the tunnel is getting quite bright!
dragonwoman  answers: It varies, but most of the time at my computer, sometimes while at a doctors or other appointment(always carry a notebook and pen or pencil), upright in an uncomfortable chair with a notebook(composition books anyone?) I used to write in my head some years ago, but that hasn't been possible in a while. (sieve memory to the max)
Thanks for replying! I really meant a room or at a desk or on the couch sort of thing, but this will work. Love the writing in his/her head --I do that all the time! :)
Mara ♣ McBain  adds: LOVE the newsletter! Chaos!!! Great for fiction ... not so great for trying to be creative. There is an end in sight. Hang in there!
Where do I write? Well, I am blessed to have a my very own writer's den with a door and everything. When we moved in I took the largest of the two remaining bedrooms and claimed it! I'm surrounded by books, candles, pictures of people that make me smile, incense burners, gargoyles and STUFF. Sometimes too much stuff. I'm in the process of switching from my huge corner desk with a hutch ... to a gorgeous antique library table type desk that is much smaller. They are currently both in my space so things are cluttered. The hubby is converting the closet to built in shelves where some of this stuff will go. With the switch I'm doing a little redecorating. New work/floor lamp to arch over the new desk, a few small plants to give my weary brain oxygen, and finally have framed pictures of ALL my cover art up on one wall. (I'd been stalled at 4 out of now 10 since shortly after moving in UGHH!) It's going to be glorious when I'm done. But chaos for now, but I'm still writing. It's the only thing that keeps me the slightest bit sane!
I SO KNOW how that works. Soon both our rooms will be done...in the meantime...meetcha in the blanket fort! Hot chocolate and Dove bars are waiting! |
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For Authors: August 23, 2017 Issue [#8463]
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