Like most writers, I spend a great deal of time alone. I need quiet and solitude to write thousands of words a day, so I tend to shy away from people and the noise they inevitably create.
But I never eschew my furbabies. They keep me company while I’m writing. I honestly don’t know how I’d write all the many, many words without my dog Sparky right by my side. She’s such a loyal and constant companion.
My cats, Luna, Mickey, and Maisy, are also companions, though, as is the case with cats, not so constant. Fortunately, Sparky is willing to share her space with the cats when they deign to visit. Here’s Sparky with Maisy.
Perhaps the best part of having my furbabies is that they force me to take a break. Thy have their sneaky ways of doing this. Mickey has a laser stare which she uses when she wants food or attention. She’s perfected it as you can see in this photo.
Maisy is a little subtler. She will sit on my lap and try to distract me from writing. She’s a very good lap warmer.
Luna—well, Luna does not have a subtle bone in her body. It’s all about her. If she wants attention, she plops herself in front of the computer screen. Not only can she keep up with my progress on my latest manuscript, she can attack the cursor as it moves across the screen.
And when she tires of playing with the computer, she also serves as a neck warmer on cold days.
In my latest release, No Earls Allowed, the orphans in the story have made pets of three rats they found. I got the idea because I thought they might not be allowed to have a cat or a dog, but rats would certainly be readily available. My sister had a roommate in college with a pet rat, and he was just the sweetest little guy. He would snuggle in your arms or on your shoulder all afternoon. I’ve always wanted a pet rat, but my husband is not on board for that. The cats might also object. That’s what fiction is for, right?
Have you ever had an unusual pet or known someone with an unusual pet?
Neil Wraxall is one of a group of noble younger sons who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. When Neil is asked to help the Earl of St. Maur's daughter with a charity, Neil accepts, thinking it'll be easy.
Lady Juliana has no use for high society. She'srunning a home for orphaned boys. Juliana is grateful for Neil-until she realizes she can't stop thinking about him. She doesn't like the distraction and wants him gone. But when Juliana pushes a local crime lord too far, she'll need Neil more than ever before.
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Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice Winner The Making of a Gentleman and the RT-nominated When You Give a Duke a Diamond. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.
