Catherine Walker's Blog, page 4

Snuggle Up with a Book

Well December is here and as though timed to perfection here in south France, the temperature has fallen too. It's the time when we start thinking of those gifts we're going to buy our family and friends for Christmas and I have to admit that I have bought just one or two things myself. When it comes to our pets it can be a little trickier to find that perfect gift but fortunately Cat World magazine is on hand! If you check out their December issue you'll find a whole gift guide packed with goodies for your kitty but also some ideas for those owners too...including amongst the book reviews an editorial for The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady.
December is a great time of year to snuggle up with a book by the fire. It's almost like hibernating as you watch the bare branches, having dropped their leaves, sway in the cold breeze beyond the window. So a big thank you goes out to Cat World Magazine and remember to get your copy!


The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady is available now in paperback and eBook!

Cats v Dogs

If you're reading this the chances are you like cats and probably have at least one of your own at home, perhaps sitting on your knee right now, but what do you make of the other four legged friends, man's best friend? Dogs? I don't have one myself but my elderly neighbour has and unable to take care of it herself I step in to help feed and walk the dog each day. Her name's Dolly and she's a Breton Spaniel. She's a good girl on the whole but this afternoon she made another Great Escape from her enclosure in the garden. That's perhaps the third hole she's now made and I'm beginning to tire of fixing them back up. Squeezing under the gate like Peter Rabbit from Mr McGregor's garden, she then races round to my house ready for play time. Dog's are very different like that compared to cats. Sure the kitties like to play and hang out with you but a dog is in constant demand of your attention. The limitless energy Dolly has tires me out!
My cats are my allies, my best buddies, and like me they're pretty chilled out. There's no fetching sticks, running through wet grass and jumping in puddles. They're sophisticated, relaxed, undemanding, tidy. I look across at Archie, my cat, and he's asleep or lounging in the sunshine, content. I look at Dolly and she's looking back - ready for yet another walk. So as the sun fell beyond the horizon I put Dolly back to bed and I just hope that she doesn't squeeze out of a new hole before I've caught my breath!


The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady is available now in paperback and eBook!

Breakfast Photo Shoot

Don't you just love the way your cat says hello to you in the morning? My cat Teddy practically head butts me in his attempt to get as close as possible when I pick him up and he dances in my arms, rubbing his nose against my nose, my shoulder, in my hair, until I'm grinning from ear to ear. It's a great way to start the day! He is also one of those cats that likes to wander and it is not unusual for him to disappear for a day or two and when he does return he is more excitable than ever, as though he's been on holiday and is so pleased to be back home.
This morning however I was met with a number of very confused faces when I failed to fill their food bowls.  The truth was we were out of cat biscuits and they were at the top of my shopping list, I just hadn't been to the shop! The cats followed me round, wondering what was going on. Does she realise she's forgotten to feed us, I could almost hear them whisper. We're not seriously expecetd to go and catch a mouse are we? They were steadily gathering as they smelt something fishy going on (or rather smelt nothing at all!)
I dashed to the shop and grabbed a couple of bags but whilst I was there picked up something for myself too; a new telephoto lens from my DSLR! I had fun this afternoon testing it out, taking lots of photos of my cats, who have, I'm pleased to say, now got full tummies!

The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady is now available in paperback and eBook!

Meet Roux!
 Maybe I'll climb this tree...
 Maybe not.
YAWN!
 Feeling shy.
Is that a bird?
See you again soon!
Read 'The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady' Now

A Lot of Cats...and Even More Steps!

Have you ever seen the town of Rocamadour ? If you ever visit France it is certainly a sight not to be missed! As soon as you see the towering cliff face and the buildings clinging to the rock, you cannot help but feel your jaw drop. Looking at the town from afar down the valley, anyone would be enchanted by its beauty and in awe of its magnificence.
The upper stages of Rocamadour are comprised of a number of chapels and has long been a place of pilgrimage for Christians. Buildings date back hundreds and hundreds of years and in days long gone monarchs of Britain and France amongst others would journey there and climb the great staircase on their knees. Don't miss the fabulous wall paintings of the skeletons and the sword wedged into the rock high above your head, and throughout the city are a number of ancient stone gateways which look like something out of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. If it wasnt for the ice-cream stands (I recommend the chocolate flavour) you would think you'd travelled back in time!
Rocamadour is also a wondrous place for people who love cats, like me! There are many to be seen sleeping on stone walls or sitting in open windows, rolling around on the cobbles or exploring the dustbins. Cats of all sizes, of all colours and all patterns. I knelt down to fuss a couple who were eagerly gathering around the doorway to a shop at closing time, knowing that the owner of the shop would soon present them with a saucer of milk.

Despite the extraordinary sights at Rocamadour, the cats were very popular with many passers-by. I, like so many, took many photos of this magical city but couldn't help but sneak in just one or two of the cute little moggies sunning themselves on the famous steps!

The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady is available now in paperback and eBook!

The World of Writing...with a cat on my knee!

I'm returning to my blog after a couple of days furiously tapping away at my laptop, writing several thousand words to meet a tight deadline. It's been tiring but worth the effort in the end and of course I had my cats to keep me company through it all. Writing is a craft I have always enjoyed, right from a young age. I wrote my first book when I was barely ten years old and presented it proudly to my younger brothers to read. I probably still have it in the house somewhere.
It is a tremendous feeling you get when someone tells you how much they have loved your book and a moment that will stay with me forever is when, earlier this year, I saw my name and the title of my book, The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady in the list of short-listed entries in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. It was the first time I had entered the competition and having been a bundle of nerves as I checked the second round list first thing that morning, I was overwhelmed with delight.
The stakes raised, I counted down the days until the quarter finalists were announced and I couldn't help but get a little emotional as I again saw The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady on the list. It felt tremendous. Out of 10,000 submissions worldwide I had made it to the top 100 in my category! The top 95%
It was also a nerve racking time too. Amazon released the first chapter for anyone to download and review and despite my achievements so far, I felt anxious about what lay ahead. In the end I needn't have worried. Before I knew it I began receiving 5 star ratings and praising reviews from readers on the other side of the world. I can't imagine I am the only writer who struggles sometimes with confidence in their work but everything about that competition boosted my optimism and motivation. I watched with a smile as my book climbed ever higher in the charts until it was sitting at the top of the results when you typed ABNA 2014 into Amazon. I may not have won the ultimate prize but what I won was confidence. It proved that people all over the world liked my book and wanted to read more and then of course there was the review from Publisher's Weekly who said, 'The prose is solid...it contains some striking images.'
The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award was certainly a roller-coaster ride of emotions for me. Will I enter again? You bet!

The True Story of a Not So Crazy Cat Lady is available now in paperback and eBook!