Writing Companions

I have to admit--as if I haven’t done so zillions of times before--that my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Lexie and Mystie are my writing inspirations, especially since a lot of what I write incorporates dogs. Not always Cavaliers, though. I’m working on the manuscript for the first story in my new Lauren Vancouver, Pet Rescuer series, and not a single Cavalier appears in it. They may in future stories. But it does contain a lot of dogs, both purebreds and mixes.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to write about when I sat at the computer to work on today’s Killer Hobbies post, but when I looked down, I knew. Both of my dogs were on the floor at my feet, sleeping. Keeping me company. Keeping me inspired.

While editing my Pet Rescuer manuscript, I’ve been sitting at my kitchen table a lot. That’s Lexie’s spot. She knows that, when I’m sitting there and not eating, she’s always invited to lie on my lap. She gives me kisses on the chin when she first arrives on my lap, then settles down to sleep while I read and make notes on the page. Sometimes I sit on my sofa, and then she always snuggles beside me.

Mystie likes to leap up onto my lap when I’m working at the computer. I know that, if she doesn’t snuggle down right away, and instead hugs my face, she needs to go outside. Woe is me if I need to finish a thought first and not take her out immediately. By then, she’s really serious!

Then there are the sounds they make as if responding to my talking to them. Mystie sometimes heaves big sighs. Lexie will make an affirmative noise at times, or a sarcastic snort at others.

If this is repetitious, then I apologize. But I love to talk about my canine inspirations!

What are your greatest inspirations to writing and otherwise?

By the way, my thoughts are with those of you who’ve been pelted by yet another snow storm. I grew up in Pittsburgh and empathize--although I finally put down roots in Los Angeles. We had more thunderstorms and sleet in L.A. a couple of days ago. Our latest storms ended with two gorgeous rainbows--one brilliant and an entire arc, and the other parallel and misty. We also could see snow on the mountains beyond the San Fernando Valley but didn’t have to deal with any related difficulties. How are you dealing with the snow?

And an earthquake in Chicago?? Fortunately, my older son, who grew up in L.A., pretty much slept through it.