The Purrrfect Inspiration
We were recently talking about how writers need inspiration and comfort during these tough times. We are comforted by every submission and manuscript we read - but we’ve also found that recently we’ve been relying on cute animal photos to get us through the day. So, we’ve asked some of our authors to introduce their pets and share how they are comforted and inspired by them during the writing process.
WARNING: BE PREPARED FOR CUTENESS
Names: Neville and Luna
Muses for: Juliet Mushens
When Neville and Luna were kittens they would shred manuscripts constantly. However, now they are very cosy companions when I curl up with a long edit to do.
Cuteness score: These two are the original Mushens Entertainment snuggle monsters who have learned a lot about publishing! Luna is working on her novel, Pawed & Prejudice, and Neville’s guide on selling books, Pitch Purrrfect, is forthcoming.
Name: Curious Zelda
Muse for: Matt Taghioff
Why does she look so spooked? Why is she sitting in that position? One thing I do know is that Zelda is different. Life overwhelms her. Existential crises affect her. Blank walls intrigue her. Zelda’s behaviour is consistently puzzling and fascinating. With her hilarious expression and curious nature, her stories have endless possibilities. I have so much fun interpreting her. I think she enjoys staring at me while I write - albeit confused, like a life drawing model who hasn’t been briefed. We have a weird connection, but it’s lovely. Imagine writing with your best friend on your lap. I’m lucky mine is a cat.
Cuteness score: We love Zelda and ponder life alongside her! She is incredibly literate and even wrote a book (interpreted through Matt’s words) that you can check out here.
Name: Arthur “Artie” Flufkin
Muse for: Katie Khan
Writing can be a lonely business sometimes, so I keep my rescue cat’s scratch post beneath my desk and his bed in the bay window beside me. That way he pads in to visit me fairly often while I’m drafting, and the end of each chapter is punctuated with content little snores. Occasionally he will give me an odd look, and I’ll realise I’ve been muttering the prose aloud; either that, or it’s dinner time. Cats do not believe in muses or an author’s creative flow — Artie is my fluffy alarm clock, a fantastic beast to drag me back into the real world, especially if it’s time to eat.
Cuteness score: A cat that also makes great literary suggestions?! Sign us up for the Artie Book Club please!
Name: Moose
Muse for: Amy McCulloch
Hello! I am Moose, the cavalier King Charles spaniel, and I’m only 8 weeks old. My main purpose in life so far is to distract my mum Amy McCulloch from doing any writing at all - but with this sweet face, she can’t be too mad. This is payback for making the main character of her robotic pet book JINXED a cat, when she knows deep down she is a puppy person really!
Cuteness score: We’re also distracted from doing any work by that adorable face!
Names: President Mittens and Professor Mochi
Muses for: Andrea Stewart
When our mom can't think of what to name a character, we use her keyboard to make helpful suggestions!
Cuteness score: We voted for Mittens for President and are happy to announce that Mochi is now a tenured professor at the University of Pet Inspiration.
Names: Dolly and Ziggy
Muses for: Claire Douglas
So this is Dolly (on the left) and Ziggy (the one higher up!) they comfort and inspire me by either making me laugh at their naughty antics or by cutely grooming each other or scrapping and they always seem to know when I need a cuddle. This is Ziggy about to start a fight with that paw ready!
Cuteness score: Great names. Epic cats. Can they come visit the office soon?
Name: Tegid
Muse for: James Owald
My crucially important job is to absorb all the stress and worry, so that James can get on with writing undistracted.
Cuteness score: Tegid is like a wise old sage who will put a comforting paw on our hand when it’s time to stop for the day and go for a walk, or nuzzle us when we need encouragement (i.e. a biscuit). Liza requests his help during tax form season.
Names: Buzz and Woody
Muses for: Abigail Dean
Buzz and Woody are 15 week old British Shorthair kittens. As brothers, they’re generally very close, although there have been incidents when Woody has finished his own dinner, and headed for Buzz’s bowl. Buzz and Woody have no clue why their humans spend their days typing. Fewer words, more snacks. They do, however, appreciate that laptops can double as heated mattresses. The kittens are currently working at decimating their thirteenth tickle stick, and are looking forward to the day when they’re big enough to jump onto the kitchen counters.
Cuteness score: We will love these cats to infinity and beyond!
Names: Buffy & Faith
Muses for: Laura Purcell
Buffy (right) and Faith (left). They don't understand what 'writing' is but they're glad it allows mummy to buy them parsley.
Cuteness score: We’ve just replanted our entire garden solely with parsley for these two little nuggets of love.
Name:
Joanie
Muse for: Stacey Halls
I'm Joanie Halls, Stacey Halls' Staffie puppy. I'm a big softie, love tickles and my favourite food is hot dog. I'm very distracting so Stacey is only allowed to work when I'm napping, which is a lot, because being this cute is exhausting.
Cuteness score: We’re not crying, you’re crying, definitely not us, sitting here, crying at how ADORABLE Joanie is, nope, not a tear shed.