C is for Cats and Coffee

This post is part of the Blogging from A to Z challenge–blogging every day in the month of April (except Sundays!) with each letter of the alphabet.

Ask a writer what the staples of their profession are. Sure, you need your tools: a laptop/computer, paper, pens, whatever medium you choose to write on/with. You need time and space free from distractions. Some need music. Some like to have their notes and research easily available. A good critique partner is a blessing, someone to read and chop away at your drafts.

A lot of writers also need their caffeine fix and feline friends.

For some reason many writers tend to gravitate toward having cats as pets. Maybe it’s the calm, introspective nature of cats (when they’re not running wildly from room to room for no reason). Or maybe it’s their calming, inspiring purr as they cuddle against you (when they’re not draped over the keyboard blocking it). Cats are constant writing companions who glare at you imperiously, as if asking why you choose to click away on those keys instead of using your hands to pet them. They are fuzzy little muses who wedge themselves into any available space–in your heart, and on your desk.

Likewise, many of us are deeply invested in our morning (and noon, and night) coffee. I admit I’m a caffeine addict. The K-cup brewer is both the greatest miracle and biggest bane of my existence, allowing me to produce cup after cup and never have to drink the same thing twice if I get a nice variety pack. I mean, I have to try out all the flavors, right? Coffee is my writing fuel. Coffee turns me into a productive, creative human being first thing in the morning.

Here is a picture of my own fuzzy muse, plotting a bestseller for me:

And here is my last haul of K-cups from Amazon. Lots of variety! Cheap! Will last me a while (ha ha)! Don’t judge me. I only took them out of the package like this to make sure they were all there.

How about you? Are you a writer who needs the purr of a kitty and the buzz of a cup of coffee to make your writing routine complete? Show me your pictures!