FAN MAIL, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

A few days ago, I received a fan letter. I don’t get a lot of them, so I’m always excited when a reader takes the time to send me a note. I was eager to check it out when it arrived in my inbox, but in no way was I prepared for the words I read. 

As an author of cozy mysteries, I keep my stories light. I love the gentle genre that promises a few hours respite from the real world. But I also try to add a note of sincerity, of grace, and maybe a bit of optimism as well. Yes, like many of us, I want to save the world. 

I usually have no idea if any of these subtleties come through to my readers. Then this letter came: 

 

Dear Ms. Hunt,

 

I am in the middle of The Ghost Cat of Ocean Cove, and it’s such a perfect book for me I don’t want it to end. Camellia’s dream is my dream too, leaving the big city and moving to a cottage on the coast with my cats, so I am reading very slowly, especially since it’s the first book of the series! I can’t wait for the next one. 

 

The world feels like such a mess right now. Getting lost in a mystery with a cast like a Miss Marple Mystery, and a ghost cat (!!) helps me cope. You remind me that it might someday be possible to take a different path in life. 

 

Reading your book feels like sitting by the fireplace with my furry ones when it’s pouring rain outside, (my favorite thing to do) even while riding a city bus in Seattle. That’s quite an accomplishment!

 

Thank you for the comfort and joy you have given to me through your writing. It really is a blessing.

 

Jennifer

 

After I stopped smiling and crying, I wrote back to Jennifer, whom I’ve never met. I told her how much her letter meant to me. And do you know how she responded? She sent me pictures of her cats!

 

Have you ever received a fan letter that’s stopped you in your tracks? I hope so, because this one made my day year!

   

You can find Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer on her blogsite: https://molliehuntcatwriter.com/ 

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Meet the Mewse

 

I'm amazed by the number of writers who have playlists they listen to while writing. I am not one of them. I have to have silence when I write; any noise distracts me, even music. Well, there is one sound that doesn't bother me - the purring of a cat. Those purrs are provided by Molly, my muse - or as I prefer to call her, my "mewse".

Miss Molly, mewse extraordinaire

 Due to the recent passing of our oldest kitty (Delilah), Molly and her brother Desmond (Dez for short) are now the old lady and old man of the house at 12 years of age. (They were named for the couple in the Beatles song Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.) Dez is a bit of a fraidy cat but Molly is much more mellow, a nice trait in a writing partner. When I sit down to write, Molly climbs into my lap and quietly demands attention. Once an acceptable amount of affection has been supplied, she curls up in my lap and purrs. For the most part, I couldn't ask for a better writing buddy. Molly is well generally well-behaved and stays off of my keyboard. She does occasionally get annoyed when I insist on doing things such as using my arms/hands and will pop off to her cat tree for a bit. But, once I'm forgiven, she comes back for more cuddles.

Molly and her nemesis (my pen)

Lest you think my mewse is "purrfect" I can assure you she is not. As I said, she stays off of my keyboard but, when it's time for pen and ink edits, all bets are off. As soon as the pens come out, the games begin and my formerly well-behaved mewse goes bananas, swatting at and chewing on the pen. Oh,well. I guess a girl's just gotta have fun.

Until next month, take care and happy reading!

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