Meankitty Wants to Know: Vivi Andrews

Today's interviewee is author Vivi Andrews, who writes paranormal romances for Samhain Publishing. As you will see, she has had the extreme good taste to write some books about felines who occasionally turn into humans (at least that's my interpretation).

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

When I was a kid, my parents told me I was only allowed to have pets if I was able to take care of them. I interpreted this as a need for a degree in Veterinary Medicine. By the time I figured out that I have zero aptitude for science (and cats do not like the nasty people who stick them with sharp things and poke them in unpleasant places), I had already developed an obsession for reading and writing. And unless it was a migratory cat sanctuary, I think my nomadic tendencies would get in the way. I am much better suited to being a wandering writer and devoted animal lover than sanctuary owner.

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

The slavish, blind adoration of the canine cannot compete with the majestic independence and innate elegance of the feline. (Eloquent enough? Did I manage to disguise the fact that I kind of like the slavish adoration?)

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?

My recent ebook release, Serengeti Heat, features felines in several starring roles - including both the hero and heroine. The pride of lions in this novella can shape-shift into human form (though why they would ever want to abandon their feline aspect is unknown). I have plans for many more feline-dominant works from this pride in the future.

4) On the off-chance you have yet to incorporate cats into your fiction, when do you plan to rectify this egregious error and demonstration of poor writing skills?

See above.

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

I have a particular weakness for cats of the large variety. The leopard Baby from Bringing Up Baby is among my favorites. Also, Bagira from The Jungle Book and Jasmine from Secondhand Lions.

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

Yesterday I took my niece and nephews to the Columbus Zoo. We were at the lion compound when the male lion began to roar, walking toward us. It may not sound so amazing, but my jaw dropped and I was as spellbound as my four-year-old nephew at the spectacle. Five feet away from a roaring lion. That's amazing enough for me.

7) 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.

A) Long, silky, flowing hair to run your fingers through. Nothing is more soothing.

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.

B) This tends to happen when I'm visiting my aunt and pet-sitting - she has two cats, Zoey and Mookie, and two dogs, Byron and Brady. Neurotic Zoey isn't much of a cuddler, so usually she's just telling me it's dinner time - I do my can-opener magic and go back to work. Mookie's another matter. He needs adoration and he needs it now. I'll pet him for a couple minutes - then prop the sliding door open so he can go into Jungle Kitty mode and explore the yard while I get some writing done. Compromise, baby.

User submitted:

How goes the discussion about discipline in your house?

There's discipline?

What one thing would you change about your pet/human?

The five a.m. bark-a-thon from the dogs. Slavish adoration is nice and all, but they are loud and I really like sleep.

Can you type with a cat stretched out across your wrists? If not, why not? Otherwise, how's the carpal tunnel?

Luckily, Mookie, prince of all he surveys, prefers to be draped across shoulders rather than wrists - much fewer problems with carpal tunnel that way. Though it does occasionally require typing one handed - which I've gotten pretty darn good at.

When you're in the zone with your writing, what does your pet have to do to get your attention?

I think my aunt's cat Mookie, whom I provide with necessary can-opener skills and cuddles when she is travelling, has aspirations for best-sellerdom. Whenever I am writing, he will walk across my laptop keyboard, adding his own editorial remarks to whatever I am working on. If I dare to erase his additions, my legs will be used as a scratching post until I pick him up and pet him into purring submission.

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Sincerely,
Meankitty
http://www.meankitty.com/