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03 October 2018

Simon The Time Traveling Cat's Life Gets Disrupted | IWSG


The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is a place to share and encourage, where writers can express their doubts and concerns without appearing foolish or weak. It's a great place to mingle with like minded people each month during IWSG day.

Every month there's an optional question which may prompt folks to share advice, insights, a personal experience or story. Some folks answer the question in their IWSG blog post or let it inspire them if they're struggling with what to say.

This month's question is:


"How do major life changes affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?"

Check out how people have answered this month's question, as well as the other insecurities and writing topics they may have shared by visiting the IWSG sign-up list here. If you want to see how I answered the question, have a look below. 


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Image via The Graphics Fairy


"Here, kitty, kitty," I called out. I opened a can of cat food, scooped it into a bowl, and set it on the floor. "Come and get it." 

A streak of gray fur flew past me and skidded to a stop. Simon sniffed at the bowl then sat back on his haunches and glared at me. "This doesn't smell like Frisky Feline's Ocean's Delight, lady," he said.

"That's because it isn't. It's a new brand of organic cat food especially designed for the, ahem, less active cat."

"Less active cat?" Simon asked. "What are you talking about? I'm very active."

"Moving from the bed to the couch for your afternoon nap isn't exactly what I would call active." I pointed at the bowl. "Go on, try it. The lady at the store said that the morsels of tuna and turkey nestled in a hearty beef gravy are sure to delight any feline's taste buds."

Simon extended one of his large gray paws and tipped the bowl over, knocking the contents onto the floor. "My taste buds told me to tell you to take a hike, lady. A hike right back to the store to get some Ocean's Delight."

"Oh, Simon, you're going to have to learn to embrace change. I bought a case of these cans. It's this or nothing."

"Fine," Simon said. "If it's change you want, how about if I start hacking up my hairballs on your pillow instead of on the carpet from now on. How does that sound?" He padded toward the bedroom, then turned and looked at me. "I feel one coming on."

Fine," I said with a sigh. "I'll go to the store."

"While you're at it, pick up some full-fat milk too, lady."


* * *

 
When I first looked at this month's question, I figured it didn't apply to me as I didn't think I had had any major life changes since I started writing. Then I thought about it some more and realized that I actually started this whole blog as a result of a major life change - buying a sailboat, moving aboard, and setting off in search of adventures on the water. 

Duh! That's a pretty big change and the reason why I started writing in the first place. And my cozy mystery series is all about how the kooky Mollie McGhie copes with major changes in her life when her husband presents her with a dilapidated sailboat and tried to convince her to sail off into the sunset with him. So I guess writing is how I document and process the changes in my own life.

In related news, I just got back >>Bodies in the Boatyard<< from the editor. I'm in the process of making changes before it goes back for a final round of edits. Hoping to release it in November (exact date TBD). Cross your fingers for me. And your toes. Plus your elbows if you're particularly dexterous.

How have major life changes affected your creative pursuits?


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Murder at the Marina - a lighthearted & humorous cozy sailing mystery - available in ebook and paperback format at:

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Find out more at ellenjacobsonauthor.com 

65 comments:

  1. Happy IWSG day Ellen. Great news on your next book! I'm sorry I haven't posted my review yet, but I still plan to. Life has seemed to race on with the planning of school and then the new school year with my kiddos. I love Simon's thoughts, as usual.

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    1. No worries, Erika. I can only imagine how crazy life is for you with the kiddos.

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  2. Furballs on the pillow? I've had them in my shoes and on top of the fridge. Top that, cat.

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  3. I'd be hurrying off to the store too! Great news about the edits. That's one step closer to me getting read your next book. :)

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    1. You can tell you're a cat person by your comment :-)

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  4. You went through a huge change and it gave you a setting for your stories, which is awesome.
    When you get back, pour that full-fat milk on Simon's head.

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  5. I don't have to worry about hairballs with the tortoises. :)

    Good luck with the edits!

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    1. I might just suggest to Simon that he could be replaced with a tortoise :-)

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  6. Simon seems a lot like my kitty LOL.
    It's amazing you ended up with such a fantastic setting for your stories due to your real life adventure. Has to make the books even more special! Good luck with your edits.

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    1. It seemed to have worked out well to use real life as an inspiration :-)

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  7. LOL. I would say change affected your writing. ;P I'm excited for you. Second book just around the bend...

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  8. Wow you are motoring along. Apparently, the sailor's life isn't the only thing working for you. ;-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. I'm trying to keep the momentum going while I can before boat projects and cruising take over again.

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  9. Crossing fingers!
    We've had so many major incidents in our lives in the past few years, I feel like all we do is roll with the punches! But we're going to keep on rolling!

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    1. Sometimes that's all you can do, just keep rolling. Hang in there :-)

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  10. It's a well-known fact: the quickest way to make a cat turn his nose up at his "favorite" food is to buy it in bulk.

    I wonder... if you hadn't made such a huge change in your lifestyle, do you think you would've still pursued writing?

    Good luck with book 2, girl! My fingers and toes are suitably crossed for you. Forget about the elbows, but I tried crossing my eyes, and that just made it too darned hard to type.

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    1. So true about buying in bulk!

      Such a good question - would I have started writing if we hadn't moved onto a sailboat. I'm not sure. I might have found another creative outlet, like painting or making dollhouses.

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  11. Yes get to the store because Simon only eats what he wants to eat. Love the story.

    Life changes I've had a lot, but since I'm not a writer it really doesn't matter. I think life changes to change ones perspective. Or at least it should.

    I'll be buying a paperback copy of your next book. Hubby and I love your first book and we'll be reading your next book.

    Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. ♥

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  12. It sounds as if Simon has things under control, but he's a cat, so that's natural. Congrats on the new book progress. Excellent news.

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    1. He definitely has me under his thumb, or should I say paw?

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  13. Good for you for actually meeting your deadlines! I think I'm driving Chris crazy with my ever-shifting ones, but it relates to the IWSG question this month. Life ALWAYS gets in the way of my writing, which I hate. I wish it weren't the case.

    As for Simon, I'd do what he says, if I were you. Hairballs are nasty.

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    1. Chris said he had someone at the end of the month, so I'm trying to get mine wrapped up before then. I wonder if it might be you :-)

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  14. What an awesome way to take change and make it work for you! Good luck with everything.

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  15. I love how you've made the subject of your major life change into fodder for your excellent cozy mysteries!!!

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  16. Congratulations on the new book and good luck with finishing those edits. I'm editing now too.

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  17. Congrats on the upcoming book!
    My cat is also, a, um, less active cat. Luckily he accepted the change when the vet put him on prescription food.

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    1. You are lucky that he accepted the change. Some cats are less forgiving of their humans when they change their diet :-)

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  18. Gasp, are you calling Simon fat?! The nerve!

    Congrats on the book! And you've DEFINITELY been through a big life change--it's so awesome!

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    1. Poor thing, he just thinks he's extra cuddly, not overweight.

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  19. Simon might best be dealt with by shutting the bedroom door!

    It certainly was a life change that led to you being an author, and that is a very good thing because you write good books.

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    1. Aww...thanks so much for your sweet words about my book :-)

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  20. I think you are a perfect example of how major life changes affected your writing. And, even more, it totally influences the topics of your writing as well! On a side note: good for you that you never had to deal with major emotional or devastating changes to your life! That’s awesome. :-)

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    1. Oh, there's definitely been major changes that have been difficult with family illnesses. Wish that wasn't the case, but it is :-(

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  21. Evidently your transition from land lubber to sailor was so smooth, you couldn't deem it a life event? That's so funny. Hey, looking forward to reading your next marina book. November is great to have it ready for Christmas and after-Christmas sales. They say people look for books to fill up the Kindle they received from Santa. Wishing you success with Bodies in the Boatyard!! Love that title
    JQ Rose

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    1. It definitely wasn't all smooth sailing :-) I was wondering if November was good for a book release - good to hear that it can work with the holidays.

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  22. Heh, I think Simon needs some Ocean’s Delight. Lol.
    Moving onto a sailboat is a life changing event! Must’ve been a big adjustment, but sounds like you’re doing well. Congratulations on your upcoming release!

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    1. All Simon thinks about is his next feeding, that is when he's not napping :-)

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  23. Talk about major life events! Moving onto a sailboat to live??? I'm so glad that started your writing. Can't wait for your next book.

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  24. Simon knows how to get what he wants, doesn't he? Amazing how much writing can help with changes, but then also be affected by them. Congrats on getting through the next round of edits!

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    1. I've really enjoyed reading people's answers to this month's question. So interesting to see how writing has helped folks during change.

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  25. That cat is something else! Talk about spoiled for choice... 😃
    Congrats on the progress with Bodies in the Boatyard. You're on a roll, Ellen. Well done!

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  26. Sometimes I think my life is all about change. Change is that one thing that I can always count on. Simon doesn't know what he is missing.

    So glad you bought a sailboat and started writing!

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    1. I think your life is chock full of change too from your van travels to your house/pet sitting. Always a fun adventure and new experiences just around the corner.

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  27. Life on a boat sounds so romantic. I enjoy reading your blog a lot. Love the story.
    Happy IWSG Day.

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    1. Thanks so much, Juneta! Life on a boat is romantic at times, until things break :-)

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  28. I call that change for the better - even if Simon tries to dictate your regime. At least it's just once a month.

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  29. I'm glad you decided to document your sailboat adventures, because they eventually lead to these fun tales of Simon :) You have me more and more intrigued with your first book, I will have to bump it up on my reading list. Good luck with the edits!

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    1. I've got a huge TBR list too - there never seems to be enough time :-)

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  30. Finiky cats! I have two. God the awful smell when they refuse to eat and it sits all day!

    I don't write through major upheavls in my life, but I think unemployment is the only thing that I consider too major to write through. Like you, I can't think of too many major changes, good or bad. Life is usually just life, and it has been fairly good to me.

    Good luck with the rewrites and new release.

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  31. I need to stretch more. I can't cross my elbows. Good luck with the edits--it's a painful process for me, but always worth the effort, even if it never quite turns out like I envision it :)

    Yeah, I'd say selling up and moving aboard a small boat was a major life change :) You've done well, turning it into a cozy mystery series!

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  32. Simon certainly knows how to be bossy. Maybe he can turn back time long enough for you to get a refund for your case of new cat food?

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  33. Another book? You are on all roll! Good luck with the final edits and your release date!

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  34. Wow, that's rapid release! Do you plan on keeping up that pace? Good for you either way!

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    1. It seems like a lot of people release a book every month, so I'm not sure how rapid my releases are :-) I'd like to release the third book in early 2019 before we head out on our sailboat for the season. Not sure how realistic that is, but I'll see if I can pull it off.

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