Meankitty Wants to Know: Bianca D'Arc

Today I've interviewed Samhain author Bianca D'Arc. Bianca is published with Samhain, Phaze and a few other places. Her most recent release is a vampire romance. Here are her answers to my terribly insightful questions.

1) Why did you decide to be a writer instead of a cat sanctuary owner?

I'm saving cat sanctuary owner for my next career. I've had four full-fledged careers already - chemist, librarian, business exec and now writer - so there's still time! The reason I chucked the corner office in Manhattan and became a writer was because by my early thirties I'd climbed to the top of my profession, looked around and realized it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I've always written. It's been my passion ever since I was a teenager. I saved my pennies and planned for the big career switch. I gave myself five years to make a go of it and here I am a couple of years later, still writing. So I guess it must be working!

2) Why do you think cats are better than dogs? (Since you call yourself a writer, I trust your answer will be eloquent.)

Cats were worshiped in ancient Egypt. I can't think of any culture that worships dogs, off hand. Can you? Also, cats only associate with worthy humans. Dogs will roll around with just about anyone as long as they feed them. Cats are sneaky and masters of the pounce. They're like the ninjas of the domesticated animal world. That's to be admired. They understand stealth. I like that. (Except when they scare the dickens out of me!) Dogs are more blatant and obvious. They hunt in packs while my feline friends can go it alone. They don't need anyone. They are a universe unto themselves. There's something very Zen about that... and about cats. I love 'em!

3) Tell me about the felines in your fiction. How often do they appear and how big a part do they play in your narratives?

I actually love writing housecats into my books in different ways. In Sweeter Than Wine, a newly turned vampiress testing her shapeshifting abilities becomes a housecat when her partner and their werecougar friend expected another cougar. It's a humorous scene that I really enjoyed writing. In a book that's currently under consideration, the human heroine has an orange tabby named for Chuck Norris. Chuck the cat plays a significant role in the book, helping the panther-shifter hero disguise scent trails and accompanying them both on their adventures.

4) What are your favorite works of fiction involving cats or favorite fictional cats?

I like the cat in Angela Knight's "Jane's Warlord" but he doesn't get a big enough role compared to the wolf. Still, I like the way the cat interacts with the wolf, keeping him on his toes. I also really like cat shifters of all kinds. I write a lot of them in my paranormal tales and have read a lot of them in the writings of Christine Warren, Nalini Singh and others.

5) Do you have any amazing, or at least humorous, real life cat stories you'd like to share?

My friend's cat had to be banned from bedrooms at night because it thought feet moving under blankets were to be attacked. Nothing like waking up screaming in the middle of the night because your cat decided to pounce on your big toe!

6) Multiple choice 1. What is your preference and why?
A) Long hair
B) Short hair
C) No hair
-- Note: I am not, of course, referring to the hirsute qualities of your most recent hero or heroine.

I like long haired cats, even though the hair makes a mess. Why? Because they're soft and emminently pet-able. Nothing like a big ball of purring fur to keep you company while watching Animal Planet on TV.

8) Multiple choice 2. You have a writing deadline but the cat who rules you wants some attention. Desperately. Do you:
A) Lock the cat in another room and keep working?
B) Pet the cat for a couple minutes and then toss her cruelly aside?
C) Pet the cat as long as she wants because you know it will inspire and refresh you?
-- Note: If you answered anything besides C, we suggest you consider the fact you could have written a much better book if you had been inspired and refreshed instead of mean to the cat.

I'll answer C because I usually am much too easily distracted and would be happy to spend time with a furball rather than work. Work is a four-letter word, after all. I have to confess I do not own a cat at this time - mostly because I travel too much. I'm never home more than a few days at a time and it would be hard to keep any animal happy and sane in that kind of environment. Of course, I've already driven my goldfish crazy but luckily they can survive for a few days with no food. In fact, it's good for them to eat the live plants I've put in their tanks.
(Note: photo is from Animal Planet's site.)

User submitted questions:

How goes the discussion about discipline in your house?

My fish have absolutely no discipline. They're greedy beggars who always want to be fed and act out until they get what they want. If they were able to breath above water, they'd be walking all over me.

What one thing would you change about your pets?

I'd like for my big goldfish to not try to eat the littler ones. I've had to separate them into two tanks, which is double the work. If the big fish would just learn to play nice, I could put them all together, but I'm afraid it's not meant to be. *sigh*

Do you believe pets and humans come to resemble each other over time?

Yes. My goldfish are neurotic, just like me! Every time I come into the room where they are, they start freaking out in their tank, pacing and swimming like little banshees, begging for attention. When they think I'm not looking, I see how calm they are, so it's all a big act to get me to feed them more than I should. I always give in though. I'm too easily convinced that they're STARVING! LOL

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Sincerely,
MK