My Typing Slave has purchased quite a few perches for my use that look a lot like books written by author Candace Havens, who writes wonderful romance and women's fiction about witches, demons, sisters and librarians as well as some erotic romance and nonfiction. Most recently her book Dragons Prefer Blondes is being released by Berkley Trade, so I thought it would be a good time to find out when SHE is opening a cat sanctuary. Read more below....
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1) Why did you decide to be a writer instead of a cat sanctuary owner?
The only reason I didn't open the sanctuary was because of a terrible allergic reaction to the most beautiful creatures in the world. Writing was the next best thing for me. It allows me to create worlds where my characters are not allergic to lovely felines.
2) Why do you think cats are better than dogs? (Since you call yourself a writer, I trust your answer will be eloquent.)
Well, that's an easy one. Cats are so smart, beautiful and elegant.
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?
In my first three books, which is the Charmed & Dangerous series, Casper was prominent. She was a protector and friend of my witch Bronwyn. I have plans to star some felines in upcoming books.
4) What are your favorite works of fiction involving cats or favorite fictional cats?
I really enjoy the Lillian Jackson Braun series, and there are so many others, um, Annette Blair and Yasmine Galenorn are two more that come to mind.
5) Do you have any amazing, or at least humorous, real life cat stories you'd like to share?
My parents didn't seem to care that I had such horrible allergies, so we always had felines around when I was growing up. They had very original names like Girl Kitty, Boy Kitty and Killer. My favorite was Goffrey, he was dark gray and I swear he knew everything I was thinking. One time when I was upset about something, he came and put his paw on my hand, as if to say, "everything will be okay." I loved that guy, and he had the most incredible green and gold eyes. He was magic.
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 wasn't fond of the cleaning up the long hair part, but we've had some of the most beautiful long hair cats when I was growing up. My aunt just bought a hairless cat, and I'm thinking, with my allergies, that might be the way to go. :-)
7) 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.
If I had a cat it would most definitely be C.
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Sincerely,
Meankitty
http://www.meankitty.com/ * http://www.jodywallace.com/
15 comments:
I love cats and I'm the one who lets the cat pretty well rule the house. He sits on our couch when I'm home but doesn't when my hubby is here. sits with me at the kitchen table in his chair, follows me around. He doesn't bother me, though, he's just good company
My three cats definitely rule the house. They kick my son out of the room if he's being too loud, pick out my clothes for work (by lovingly marking it with clumps of cat hair), and growl if anyone they deem unworthy enters the house. They are the best kitties!
Great interview! Unfortunately, like Candy, I share an allergy to cats but thankfully not to books ;-)
My daughter is allergic to her cats as well. Even growing up-glad I am not the only parent that said live with it!!When she comes home she lives on allergy meds.
We have 3 cats (2 of them are the daughter's) and 3 dogs although Spike seems to think he is a dog. sleeps with us and the dogs or curls up on the dog bed.Or my sock drawer. I wear fuzzy socks. It was that or the underware drawer. Would rather wear fuzzy socks than undies.
I can't imagine life with out any animal, dog or cat, in it.
Sometimes, I really miss our cats. One passed away years ago -- the other had to find a new home when it became apparent that I was developing asthma (and so was our [then] young daughter).
Pantera was the pet & get inspired kind of cat. Kiko would've been a blogger, if blogging existed then. :)
Terrific interview, Candace. Pity about the allergies. Makes kittie worship a little difficult. I just got done brushing Sami and could have probably made another cat out of the hair I combed out of her. I've never seen a cat shed so much.
Ah, allergies. They are the bane of many a cat lover. So sorry you have them. Still, you do the feline world proud by writing them into your books!
And I enjoy those books too. Especially the Charmed ones!
I really do appreciate you guys coming and hanging out today! I swear I'd have a cat who owns me, if I weren't so allergic! -Candy
I'm Allergic to cats to alway wanted one when we move to a farm it was easier to have out side cats at lest until we got dogs then they move next door to the grandparents house.but i always had to wash my hands evry time i touch them put they where so cute i could not help my self.thanks for cooming Candace Havens
sasluvbooks@yahoo.com
Great interview..
I have 5 cats, and 3 dogs. Although the dogs are Aust. Kelpie X's and are very catty, so its like having 8 cats alot of the time..
Wouldn't have it any other way. Sorry to hear you can't live with one or a couple..
ioki underscore jo at hotmail dot com
Candace, our cat Mouse is like your girlhood friend Goffrey. When one of my daughters is sick or feeling sad, Mouse will lay down on them or near them and purr. Very comforting. Cats aren't nearly the meankitties as they want us to think ; )
Hi Candace,
Fun blog! I love cats but don't own one since I am allergic to them. I do think they are very pretty, intelligent and very sassy. My friend has one and he is so smart and sassy! Always causing trouble, and seems to say to my friend, "Ha, ha, look at me!"
Wow you love cats and Joss Whedon. You are awesome. *GRINS*
Candy,
Congrats on your July 7th release!
I think with that first line answer to the first question, you passed MK's test! I'm allergic to cats, too, but can't resist them. We have 3, supposedly my son's but you know who takes care of them. But they take care of me. Cats are smart because they're intuitive.
Julie
Hi Candace..I have a 24 pound gray cat and he rules..our kids say we treat him better than we did them...my reply he doesn't sass back. ha ha I have been doing alot of blog and really getting into it now..I was slow at first as all this computer talk is fairly new to me. I spent years just playing games..now my game sit feels I forgot it as I much rather be here with books and their authors. I truly know books are addictive. I read whenever possible and enjoy it. There's three of us at work who reads while we have lunch and we set back in the room where the rest of the chatter doesn't bother us..now we are called THE READERS. ha ha susan L.
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