Five Lessons I Learned from My Cat

For those of us who have spent an entire lifetime living with a variety of cat companions, we have gained a deeper understanding of how the cat's mind actually works.

Cats learn a variety of things from us, mainly on how to be domesticated. Don't scratch the furniture, it's wrong to climb the drapes, or pee outside the box.

We in turn learn a variety of life-saving tips from our special furry loved ones.

Here are five lessons that I have personally learned from my cat, Isabel.

1. Sometimes it's okay to spend all day in bed. Cats sleep an average of sixteen hours a day. Humans sleep an average of eight hours a day. Sometimes when we're not feeling well, whether mentally or physically, it's a day best spent snuggled up to a warm kitty cat in bed, reading a book. Have a nap with them, they love sharing their lives with their fellow pride member.

Please click here to read the remainder of my article on Catews.com.

Queen Victoria's Wisdom on Writing

Happy Victoria Day! I decided to dig through my archives for a post from a couple of years ago.

Queen Victoria wrote a minimum 6000 words in her journal each day. She received her first journal in 1882 when she was a young girl of thirteen years old. It is unclear where her journals were stored as she finished each one, but a staff member of the royal household deemed them valuable enough to store away in the archive of her life.

Queen Victoria's entire journal collection can be found online at the Queen Victoria's Journals website. 

Women have extremely busy lives with work and famiy but Queen Victoria fitted a week into one day. She had the time to pen 6000 words each day, so I do believe that I can find the time to do the same, minus a zero or two!

As my vacation looms, I have promised myself to work on my steampunk writing projects at least 5 days in a row. It's been discussed whether I'll go into hiding, perhaps at a seedy hotel, or will I inhabit the local coffee shop and pretend to be JK Rowling? 

Ironically I was heading home one day when I nearly had to smack myself on top of the head! It's so true that we don't pay attention to our surroundings after the first few months. Stay tuned for my further writing adventures. I do know that the Queen did not stress about where to write, she just set pen to paper and wrote it.

If anyone here should finish reading Queen Vic's journals in their lifetime or write 6000 words a day, do come round for tea.

Time for Some Quick Reads!

While socializing at an event, many people will ask what I do for a living. I'll tell them about my writing journey. They're curious about where to find some of my short stories. Generally, I only write for pay. You can find a few of my free short stories scattered over the web if you look hard enough.

Here are a few spots where you can buy my short stories. Don't worry, most of them are only a few dollars to purchase. You really can't go wrong!

What the Cat Saw - Would you kill for your cat? This is a short crime fiction story, with a cat. Only 99¢ on Smashwords. It's quick and easy to sign up and you can pay with your Paypal account.

What the Cat Saw, available at Barnes and Noble Nook Book - Same short story, different location, also 99¢.

The Glass Marble - An ancient Egyptian story about a family struggling to survive, with many temptations available at the town bazaar. About one dollar (site is in the UK).

Zombies Against the Confederacy of Steam - found inside the Confederacy of Steam Vs Zombies Anthology by Marion Margaret Press. Normally zombie stories are told from the point of view of the humans. But what about zombie rights?

$2.99 US, available on Smashwords.