Interview with Amber, Shari Lyle-Soffe's cat

Shari Lyle-Soffe is a children’s writer with four books published. She has a picture/storybook series about raccoon brothers, “The Misadventures of Rooter and Snuffle”, “On the Go With Rooter and Snuffle” and “Trouble Finds Rooter and Snuffle”. She also has a picture book titled “Nothing Stops Noah”. Amber is her black and orange tortoise-shell cat. Visit her blog at http://sharilyle-soffe.blogspot.com/

Read an interview with Shari and my mom on Suite101.

Amigo: Welcome to Pets and Their Authors, Amber! Nice photo! Tell us, is your mom as stable as she looks in her website photo?

Amber: Not really. *Purr… I rescued her after my first owners dumped me in the woods in the middle of the night. I knew she needed me and I needed a comfy place to sleep and food to eat. I was still pretty much a baby. My dad tried to make me go away but I knew they both had an emptiness in their hearts since their dog, Toby, died. I made up my mind to fill the void.

Amigo: Does Shari let you sit on her lap while she works at the computer?

Amber: Absolutely not! I have a throne nearby where I keep an eye on the birds outside the window. Sometimes I nap. Mostly I keep watch to make sure no one bothers her.

Amigo: Has your mom immortalized you in any of her books? Did she

show your real character or did she exaggerate it for the book’s purpose? Are you happy with her portrayal of you?

Amber: (Amber stretches) She just signed a contract for a book with a character much like me.

Well…she did refer to the character as scroungey and that definitely is not me, but I understand literary license. I forgive her since she didn’t use my name.

Amigo: I’m guessing your human mom chose your name…tsk, tsk, tsk. What has that done to your self esteem?

Amber: (Rolls over on back and slides off chair head first.) You should have heard the names they tried out before this one. They tried “Ginger” like I would ever get on a boat with Gilligan. Then, showing their twisted sense of humor, they called me “Kaboodle”. Get it? “Kitten Kaboodle.” I almost coughed up a hairball on that one. The name Amber kept coming back to my mom. She named me after a book, “Forever Amber”. I think it suits me.

Amigo: Is your mom crazy about book promotion? What does she do to promote her books? Does she ask your advice at times?

Amber: Mostly I think book promotion makes her crazy! She has done school visits, book store signings, networking online and in person. She is trying to find what works best for her. Well…purr…she does use me as a sounding board, or just someone to listen to her complaints. I don’t mind, sometimes I even talk back.

Thanks for stopping by, Amber!

Interview with Tia, Mel McIntyre's Collie

Tia shares her home with children's book author Mel McIntyre, who's penned such delightful books such as Flutter Bunnies (well, the book is delightful, the bunnies are not--as you know, rabbits are currently my enemies). And, hey, cool--his publisher is the same as my mom's: Guardian Angel Publishing.

Mel has a website at http://topcopyguy.blogspot.com.

Tia is a 3-year-old Collie cross. But she’s never cross and has the sweetest disposition ever. She came to her new home in July 2008, and it feels like she’s always been here. She loves going for walks, romping around in the yard, and getting treats. Her other favorite activity is playing with her cousins during visits.

What type of books does your human dad write?

My master, Mel McIntyre, writes all kinds of stuff. I use the term “master” loosely, because it makes him feel better. But you know who’s really in charge. He likes writing articles and books the most. Usually he just sits and types and doesn’t seem to have any idea what he’s up to. I don’t mind: it gives me a chance to catch up on my beauty sleep. When it’s time to go out, I make sure he knows about it.

How long does Mel work each day on a book and ignores you?

Some days he works all the time. Even evenings. It drives me mad, especially when the neighbor’s dogs are out playing. Not that he ignores me, because I’d never let that happen. But he’s always got something on the go. Guess that’s the only way to make sure there’s enough dog food in the house.

Does Mel ask your advice when he’s stuck? Does he even listen?

It’s a good thing I’m so patient. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to listen to the same chapter, over and over. And it never seems that different to me. Makes him laugh out loud sometimes. “Listen to this sentence,” he’ll say. But I’m not even sure what a sentence is. Sometimes he’ll ask me if this word is better, or if a character’s name should be Squidgy or Paintbrush. I just bark when I feel like it. He says “Thanks, Tia” and seems happy. That’s all that matters to me.

Does your human dad let you sit on his lap while working at the computer?

What do you take me for? I’m a proper dog. I’m not likely to sit on anybody’s lap, no matter how cute they are. You can’t beat a nice, soft carpet, in my book. Besides, I’ve got a bed in the front room, another bigger bed upstairs, a blanket on the sofa, and my special blankie on his office floor. What more do you need?

What does your dad do besides writing? Is he a hermit or does he actually set foot outdoors? My mom has to be dragged outside.

Besides that writing stuff, he spends a lot of time seeing to the fire. Got a woodstove in the basement, although I’ve never bothered to venture down there. Thinks he can heat the whole house with it. Humans, eh? The only good thing about it is that he has to go outside to fetch wood in (I don’t do ANY fetching, on principle) and to cut wood up. That means I get to go outside a lot more than some dogs do. Whenever I want to, really. Just have to bark, or whine a little, and he jumps to it. Better to go outside with me than have to clean up the floor, I guess. Not that I’d ever make a mess in the house: but HE doesn’t know that.

Thanks for stopping by this side of the woods, Tia!

Interview with Dax, Bruce Golden's cat

Please welcome my feline guest, Dax!

Dax lives with science fiction & fantasy author Bruce Golden, whose novels have received rave reviews on many prestigious publications such as Asimov's Science Fiction (I bet this has gone to his head!) His novels include Better Than Chocolate, Mortals All, and the upcoming Evergreen. His short fiction has also been included in several anthologies. Anyway, Dax is here today to spill the beans on Bruce. Welcome, Dax!

Bio: Dax was born in 1995, and began life, along with his sister, Odo (recently deceased), as a feral kitten, even though he comes from a very long line of cats associated with author Bruce Golden. However, Dax, unlike his sister, always came to eat when Bruce brought out the food, and adapted to his human friend quite quickly. (His sister had to be caught and coerced, but after a few weeks was as loving any cat could be.) Dax is known to be very human-like and very intelligent as cats go. Though age is beginning to slow Dax down, he still follows Bruce wherever the human goes.

Thanks for stopping by this side of the woods, Dax. Tell us, what type of books does Bruce write?

His first two books, Mortals All and Better Than Chocolate, were both science fiction, as is his latest book, Evergreen. He calls it his finest work in more than 30 years as a creative artist, but I think he gets a little carried away with the superlatives some times. Though he says some day he’d like to write a non-scifi book, I’ll believe it when I see it. He’s written 30-plus short stories, and they’re all scifi or fantasy. The cool thing is that from the very beginning he’s always liked to include cats in his stories whenever possible. He has an unsold screenplay in which a great-great-great uncle of mine, Nomad Muad’Dib, plays a large role.

Has Bruce immortalized you in any of his books?

That’s kind of a sore point with me. You see, in his first book, Mortals All, Bruce chose to include my nephew Jekyll as a character (Jekyll and I are not close. We tolerate each other, though, on occasion, I’ll chase him around, just to let him know who’s top cat.) I’ve been waiting and waiting for Bruce to put me in one of his stories, and he swears that I’m going to be in the book he’s currently writing, as a cat referred to as Prince Dax. The royalty thing’s a nice touch, don’t you think? And so purrrrrfectly fitting.

I like to stare at my mom while she writes to make her aware that she’s ignoring me and make her feel guilty. What do you do to annoy Bruce while he writes?

Lately I’ve developed this really pitiful cry—it would bring tears to your eyes. I’ll wander around the house crying until I get some attention. Bruce gets very annoyed when he’s writing, and sometime he’ll yell at me to shut up. But mostly he just asks me what’s wrong. The joke’s on him. Nothing’s wrong, I just like to cry pitifully to make him feel guilty.

Good work, Dax! Tell us, does Bruce let you sit on his lap while he’s working at the computer?

I’m not much of a lap sitter, though both my nephews, Joker and Jekyll, take turns on his lap while he’s writing. When Bruce was writing Mortals All, Jekyll spent the entire time sitting on the back of the chair (this was before he got fat, and still fit there). That’s probably why he got a part in the book. I’m more of a kneader than a lap sitter. I also like to get up on the desk and lay right in front of the computer, which drives Bruce crazy, because he can’t get at his keyboard to work.

I once tried to sit on my mom's lap, but she said I almost smothered her to death (what a lie!) Anyway, what advice would you give to those pets that have to live with irrational, egotistical authors?

Under the category “Do what I say, not what I do,” pets should give their authors a wide berth during those irrational periods. Don’t bug ‘em, or you might get a box of tissues thrown at you. But you also need to stroke their egos, so rub up against them, turn on the purr, and congratulate them on their accomplishments—even if they’re not making enough money with their writing to buy you the really expensive cat food.


Wise advice, Dax! Thanks for stopping by!

Meet Carranza, Lisa J. Lickel's fictional cat!

My guest today is a fictional cat named Carranza.

As Carranza humbly admits, he's a real hero who has saved the lives of many characters in her mom's books. His mom's name, by the way, is Lisa J. Lickel and she writes Christian/mystery novels aimed to inspire and entertain. She keeps a blog at http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com.

Carranza's bio (from his mom's mouth): He is a fictional cat based on a couple of cats we used to have at home when I was growing up. One was a long-hair gray tabby who was never comfortable inside the house, the other a crazed Siamese we named the Terrible Turk who used to chase my brother and me around. Carranza is obviously not really Spanish, and doesn't pretend to know the language very well. He just thinks being suave will get him everything.

Hola, Carranza, thank you for taking time out of your busy life of fighting crime to join us.

Da nada.

What’s with your name? Who chose it? What has that done to your self esteem and what does that say about Ms Lickel?

Si, Carranza aqui. I was born one stormy morning, when the hour was darkest, when the battle to conquer the story was nearly lost. Ms Lickel beheld my magnificence and plucked me from oblivion to help her beleaguered and misguided brainchild: Senorita Judy Winters, heroine of The Gold Standard. Judy truly needed me, for she could not discern the deceitfulness of others of her kind. It was Judy who accepted my mission and granted me the most highly exalted name of General Venustiano Carranza, the First Chief and reformer of our sister civilization, Mexico. Senorita Judy’s eighth grade history students agreed.

I, Carranza, with the most humble showing of mio gato esteem, solemnly accepted my duty—to expose evil and represent the worthy. I sacrificed myself for the greater good of Senorita Judy, and my benefactress, Ms Lickel, who will make certain that I and my descendants will never be forgotten. And for such, Ms. Lickel has my undying gratitude.

Yes, that's very humble indeed, Carranza. So, tell us about Ms Lickel as a writer and as a pet owner. No sugar coating here. Give us the real deal. This blog is only read by pets, so don’t worry, she won’t find out what you say. In the event that you find yourself into trouble, I can always offer protection. I have a good connection at the CIA.

Bah – as if I, the great Carranza, need protection! I am the defender of computer and farm, of virtue, and of Senorita Judy’s shoes. Ms. Lickel has done me the greatest of honors in freeing me to assist Senorita Judy in any way I see fit. Since I am a virtual aide de camp, I do not worry Ms Lickel by accidentally causing needless and unfortunate allergic reaction in her mate.

Senorita Judy, on the other hand, exiled me to a most wretched and miserable existence with Tia Louisa in a far off foreign land of dirt and strange creatures with crowns and feathers instead of fur. I did not think I would forgive her, until I beheld…her – mia encantadora gata – my beloved Cat. Tio amoro. (Tail twitch.)

When Senorita Judy came to reside with me in my new kingdom after Tia Louisa’s unfortunate murder, I showed her my heart was great enough with love to help her find the killer and save the farm from los banditos. Ms Lickel knew that only I, Carranza, could save Senorita Judy. Ms Lickel, however—she could share a little of the wild catnip from her yard with me once in a great while. There, you—Ms Calvani—put that down in the interview.

Aha! I knew there was something devious about your author mom, keeping the cat nip all to herself! Does Ms Lickel ask your advice when she’s stuck? Does she even listen?

But of course. (Both ears twitch.) She had already borrowed of the elegant persuasive insights of my son, Pancho Villa, to help Senora Judy in the subsequent tale of The Map Quilt, when she realized that I, Carranza, must be allowed my voice and perceptive ways to shine forth first. The fact that her editor demanded a rewrite of The Gold Standard after she had written its sequel, The Map Quilt, had nothing to do with her realization that she desperately needed me to save her first story.

Ms Lickel: “It’s true. I did need him. Carranza helped Judy and Hart immensely.”

Thanks for the input, Lisa! (gosh, these authors are always wanting to steal the spotlight! Who asked her opinion?) Tell us, Carranza, are you happy with the way your mom immortalized you in her novel? Did she show your real character or did she exaggerate it for the book’s purpose?

As you can see in my above answers: in a word, Si. I am the true hero of The Gold Standard, and my son, Pancho Villa, and grandson, Santa Ana, live on. I am most proud. Of course, I deserve it. And, I must tell you, my true nature was splendidly portrayed. I did not even need human words to show all of you my trustworthiness. I saved Senorita Judy not once, not twice, but three times. I even saved Senor Hart, so they could wed and live happily ever after and have more adventures. Ah, if only I and my beloved Gata could do the same. Unrequited love—it is my only complaint.

Of all your mom’s books, which one is your favorite? Why?

I must confess, excuse me while I chase that, er…never mind, that I am most proud of Pancho’s story, The Map Quilt, which he told to Ms Lickel after he helped Senorita Judy find the quilt in the trunk of her attic. (Whisker groom.) However, without me to save the day in The Gold Standard, he would not have been able to tell his story.

(Somewhat disdainfully): Ms Lickel tells a reasonably fair account of my cousin, Memnet, in her Message stories. (Ear twitch and groom.) Naturally, one cannot possibly consider a foreign invader, Egyptian Mau, in the same magnificence as myself, but still, I allow her to continue so—as long as she will never love another as much as I.

Ms Lickel: “Don’t worry, Carranza. You’ll always be my hero.”

Excuse me, but I must go now to gather another boon to present to mia adora Gata.

Gracias, Carranza! Next time, please bring your Gata with you!