Meankitty Wants to Know: CJ Redwine

Author CJ Redwine is in Typing Slave's local RWA Chapter and can be found online at: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

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

Who says I can’t do both? I’m very good at multi-tasking. For example, I currently offer sanctuary to Tinks the Terror and Spastic Kitten and spend a good portion of my writing time mopping up spills, breaking up fights, and patiently explaining why my keyboard isn’t the best place to take a nap.

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

I have never—not once--been awakened by a cat sneezing an entire snout-full of snot into my face. I can’t say the same for my dog.

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?

Some of my novels have cats and some don’t but honestly, being a cat is all about attitude and my books always have plenty of that.

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?

All of my novels either have a cat as an integral part of the plot (sinking claws into the family jewels counts as integral, right?) or were written while fending off Tinks the Terror’s efforts to hoist a leg and bathe in the center of my keyboard.

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

I have to say the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. He’s so affable and creepy.

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

Sure! Here’s one about the dubious “presents” my cat left for me to find one morning: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/2007/11/perfect-aim.html

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.

Our family prefers short hair to accommodate my husband’s allergies but I love cats, no matter what. I will say, though, that the thought of a hairless cat is a bit daunting.

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.

Well, C, of course. I mean, I did just introduce my cats as Tinks the Terror and Spastic Kitten. Not a lot of mental stability going on there. To deny their demands is to invite the apocalypse, kitty style, upon my house.

User submitted:

How goes the discussion about discipline in your house?

Loud and futile.

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

Since Spastic Kitten is a striped, bow-legged little bantam of a kitty, I sincerely hope not.

****

Sincerely,

Meankitty
www.meankitty.com