Cat As Inspiration
In a previous blog, I discussed the special affinity that exists between writers and cats. But I did not mention that cats can also be an inspiration.
Two of my novels, in fact, were inspired by felines. I keep a 365-page-a-day cat calendar on my desk (the dog calendar is in my kitchen, but that is a blog for another day), and one day a few years ago, I tore off a page to discover the picture of an absolutely gorgeous cat. She was haunting in fact, with sleek, graceful features, regal posture, serene countenance. But it was her eyes that captivated me that day, and I found myself frequently glancing at the picture as I worked.
The photo's caption explained that she was the Singapura breed. One of the smallest breeds of cats, the Singapura is noted for its large eyes and ears, brown ticked coat and shortened and blunt tail. The name comes from the traditional name for Singapore, singapura, which means "lion city" in Malay. The calendar described her as a wild cat of Singapore's streets, beautiful but homeless, a survivor against all odds. And I started thinking of the cat in the picture in terms of a person. Gradually she morphed from four-legged feline into a lovely two legged human being who, over the weeks, eventually became Mei-ling, the heroine of my novel, PERFECT HARMONY. (As an aside: "Singapura" was the working title of that book until we all agreed that the translation of Mei-ling, "perfect harmony," would suit the story more.)
I said that two of my novels were inspired by felines. So what is the second one? Well, it hasn't been written yet (it is in fact next in the line-up after I have finished BLACK OPAL) and I never like to divulge what a book is going to be about while I am still developing it. But I can give you a hint: the breed of cat that inspires my next book is the Egyptian Mau.
Image Source:www.catsofaustralia.com/images
Re: Cat As Inspiration
I also love cat's eyes I think they're really captivating and I think they kind of transmit an air of intelligence and indepence that I love. =)
Did you say EGYPTIAN?? :P I LOVEE your books about Egypt. And books about Egypt in general, especially Ancient Egypt =)
Greetings,
Anto