Writing with cats

Cats instil a sense of peace and tranquillity. It's impossible to be angry or upset around cats and their great sense of presence and innate dignity spurs the muse locked within each of us.

This feeling is encouraged in Dr Gerald Schiffhorst's book `Writing with Cats' which is a delightful read and very encouraging to writers of all levels struggling to find their `mews'. He suggests that we study our cats and take note of how they carry out their own tasks with precision. Each action is preceded by thought and planning – and a writer would do well to emulate his or her cat.

I really enjoyed this book, both for its down to earth method of talking to the reader, encouraging and motivating the reader to embrace the feline within and take one's cue from watching one's cat (s), and also for the vast knowledge that Gerald has for his subject. He is an excellent writer, teacher, and student – yes, I do mean student – because he has studied Lizzie, his own `mews' who has taught him all he knows!

I've been writing for many years and I thought about whether my writing style and content had improved or grown in wisdom and maturity since having my cats. Looking back now I know that writing about cats began when Biggles and Garfield first came here and I would write long letters to family members and friends about their exploits which would have people laughing as they could visualise the activities I wrote about.

But it isn't just about writing ABOUT cats – Gerald's book confirms that cats INSPIRE us and he uses lots of quotations about other writers throughout history who've been inspired by their own feline companions.

To learn more about Gerald's book `Writing with Cats' please visit his website www.writingcats.com and to order it from www.amazon.com  please click here: http://www.thedailymews.com/catbooks.htm

You can order it from www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com  

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