Every week I volunteer a few hours of my time at a local animal shelter, where I specialize in cat adoptions (no surprise there). In addition to changing litter boxes and giving the cats some much-needed attention, my duties include striking up conversations with potential adopters to to help match them with the right pet [...]

I finished the first draft of my novel-in-progress last week. Before you suggest breaking out the champagne, I have to remind you (and myself) this is just the beginning of a very long road. I don’t outline in advance, so to say my first drafts are messy is an understatement. But it definitely feels good [...]

I spent about half of my long weekend feeling too sick to do anything and the other half working on my new novel and fearing that I’m writing myself into one giant corner. So! Today’s blog will not go much deeper than the following five random things: 1. Super sexy sci-fi/fantasy novel cover remakes, anyone? [...]

Consider yourself warned: I have officially joined the modern world at last. That’s right. I have an e-reader. Here’s a photo of me using my new Nook. This picture also proves that cats don’t care whether you’re reading a regular book or holding a little screen, so long as you make the with body heat [...]

I’m sitting on my purple couch watching the snow come down. Cirrus is sitting behind my head and Saucy is keeping a close watch on the tree branches moving in the wind. It finally feels like winter here in Cleveland. In the coming days, I am going to bake dozens of cookies and see the [...]

Tonight is the launch party for Rust Belt Chic: The Cleveland Anthology, which I’ll sadly have to miss because I’m traveling for work. But before I left, I lured Saucy and Cirrus into my writing room and took this photo. Saucy’s willingness to be photographed for a full 5 seconds before swanning away helps make [...]

Yes, the rumors are true. I have an article out in Cat Fancy magazine. Let’s all take a moment to savor that statement, shall we? In bookstores and pet stores across this fair nation, you can find my article, “Your Cat As Your Coworker” (or “Kitty Coworkers”) on page 28 of the September 2012 issue [...]

This is a photo of one of dozens of boxes I packed Friday night. I was so exhausted and in such a hurry that instead of labeling the box “Living Room,” I automatically started to write “Living Arrangements.” It somehow seems fitting that I’d make a big change in my own living arrangements less than [...]

Today was the first day in weeks that I had a free evening to myself, and it was all thanks to a canceled writing group meeting. As much as I love a good critique session, this cancellation allowed me to 1. actually enjoy some time outside after work and 2. catch most of the live [...]