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| Sooty |
Each author has their own tried and true method of working. What works for one, won’t work for another. Some like to write in a pub or coffee shop. Some like to work early in the morning or late at night, some have to have music playing while others (myself included) need peace and quiet.
When I first started writing seriously, and by that I mean actually finishing what I started, I needed that peace and quiet. As I became more comfortable with my process my dogs, Sooty and Jay, joined me. I had the pleasure of their companionship and best of all, if I happened to ask the ‘what if?’ question out loud, they never confused my thought processes with an answer.
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| Jay |
Anyone who has ever had a pet knows the time will come when you have to part company. Sooty, the sweetest natured dog I ever had, went over the Rainbow Bridge at age twelve, Jay at age sixteen. They could never be replaced but a friend, knowing my fascination for moose, bought me a stuffed moose toy. I have no idea why his name is Stan, but there you are, it is.
My writing time these days is aided and abetted by Xena, Warrior Princess. Yes, that is her full name. When I first saw her, she was a bundle of black and white fur, cute as a button and I immediately
called her Precious.
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| Xena, Warrior Princess |
She’d been acquired as a companion to our resident cat who was badly missing his next-door buddies whose owners moved. However, he thoroughly objected and growled, hissed, and spat at the newcomer who growled, hissed, and spat right back. There was no way she was going to be intimidated and very quickly ruled the roost. I am pleased to tell you that after eighteen months of grumbling at each other, stalking and pouncing on each other, power plays and mood swings, they are now best buddies.
Xena will mostly sleep on a blanket on my bed while I am at my desk. Often, she will want to sit on my lap and – oh, look? Moving fingers! Can I play too? So occasionally the words don’t come out quite right but isn’t that what spellcheck and autocorrect are for? Right now she’s sitting in front of the warm air vent, and on a day like today with the temperature at minus-thirteen plus the wind chill and blowing snow, who can blame her?
I used to have birds to keep me company. Now my only furry companion is my husband, who's sporting a beard.
ReplyDeleteI have my fur babie who thinks he helps, too. Good post.
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