Looking out the Window: Meet the Members of PAW, Puppies Assigned to Writers. They're Introducing Their Authors and Giving Away One Book by Suzy Parish, Kathleen Neely and Carol Wilson James. To enter to win see directions below.
Hello, Gail. Zoe, Brody, and Sandy here from 3 Dogs and Their Authors. Every time we go to the park, friends always ask what it’s like to be an author’s dog. So, here’s the scoop on our lives as the inaugural members of PAW (Puppies Assigned to Writers). Want to know more? Follow us on Instagram And thanks for letting us visit your blog.
BRODY: My author is Kathleen Neely. What I like best about her is that she feeds me. Sometimes she slips me something that isn’t part of my regular diet, like the crust on her pizza. I love that she gives me the best part.
ZOE: My author is Carol James. The thing she enjoys most (besides walking with me) are rectangles. She calls them computers, books, e-readers, or TV. She spends a lot of our at-home time staring at them. I often sit beside her because she likes my company. (And I want to be available whenever she’s ready for a walk.)
Thank you! What is your favorite thing to do with your author?
SANDY: My favorite thing to do with my author is play tug with my rope toy. She thinks she's winning, but I let her have the rope. It keeps her from being grumpy.
BRODY: I love to take my author for a walk. I’m still training her to walk faster. She just tugs on the leash to slow us down, but I persist. I figure eventually she’ll learn to speed things up. I try to be patient because she keeps saying “Heel.” That must mean her foot hurts.
ZOE: You mean besides WALKING? I love snuggling with her on the couch when she has on her fuzzy robe. It’s soft and warm.
How do you influence your author's writing?
SANDY: Zoe, Brody, and I are PAW members (Puppies Assigned to Writers). We were given the commission by the Creator to help the authors we've been assigned to. We love, honor, and obey our authors and help them become more like the Great Creator Himself. We may communicate with each other but only do so when our writer is not aware. We know authors are highly emotional creatures, prone to fits of melancholy. Therefore, it is our job to remind them of the love of the Creator and the beauty of sim-ple things.
BRODY: Writing is all about touching the senses. I do that for my author. I show her what love and loyalty look like. That helps her write emotional scenes. I stimulate her sense of touch, sound, smell, sight. I confess I can’t do much to spur her sense of taste. I don’t mean to be boastful, but I know she’s a better writer because of me.
ZOE: Writing is a very lonely occupation. Just the author and her imagination. So, I sneak into her office and lay on the couch so she won’t be lonely. Sometimes I take a ball with me to encourage her to finish quickly so we can play.
What do you do to help your Author get past writer's block?
SANDY: I bring my toy to her and lay it at her feet. If that doesn't work, I poop on the carpet.
BRODY: I always know when my author has writer’s block. She gets restless, then stands, paces, sits, and stands again. She also makes multiple trips to the kitchen. I know I’ve got to stop her. I whimper and she has no choice but to take me outside. The fresh air renews her. That’s usually enough, but if not, I have to get serious. I’ll frenetically chase the cat, not letting furniture stop me. She decides I need an energy release and reaches for the leash. Walking always gives her good ideas for her writing. Sigh! I do what I can to help each story reach the readers.
ZOE: I find distracting her with my toys works best. At first I thought she didn’t like them because she’d throw them into the kitchen when I shared them with her. But then I discovered she thinks throwing them is a game. So I indulge her and retrieve them. Works every time.
Describe your perfect day.
SANDY: Eat, poop, play, sleep. I'm a minimalist. Oh, and chew up her tennis shoes.
BRODY: My ideal day is when Sasha comes to visit. She’s a black lab and greyhound mix who lives with my uncle Brian. I chase her, but she can run like the wind.
ZOE: Walking with my author in the people park in the morning. Running in the dog park in the afternoon. Walking with my author in the neighborhood in the evening.
Which of your Author's books is your favorite and why?
SANDY: That’s easy. She only has one (Flowers from Afghanistan), and it tastes like mint. I hope the next one comes in a different flavor.
BRODY: Two of her books have canine characters. The Least of These and Arms of Freedom. Arms of Freedom is my favorite, even though the dog’s name is Useless. Let me explain. When Duke refused to bark at strangers, Seth’s mom said he was useless for a watchdog. The nickname stuck. It annoyed me, but Seth had a tender moment and explained to Duke that no one is ever useless if someone loves them. I confess to a slight emergence of tears.
ZOE: I like all of Carol’s books, but my paws-down favorite is Season of Hope, because two of the characters, Fred and Ethel, are Jack Russell terriers. And JRT’s are (of course) my favorite breed.
And now for some amazing news: Our authors have such generous spirits and would like to give away some of their books. Just leave a comment below, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of their books. (In the USA? Your choice of an e-book or a softcover. Outside the USA? An e-book.)
Sandy: My author is giving away a copy of Flowers from Afghanistan. “Hope blooms in unexpected places.”
Buy Flowers From Afghanistan on Amazon
Brody: My author is giving away a copy of Arms of Freedom. “Two girls denied a childhood; two women in search of identity.”
Buy Arms of Freedom on Amazon
Zoe: My author is giving away a copy of No Longer a Captive. “Can she unchain her heart and gain the freedom to trust the man she loves?”
Buy No Longer A Captive on Amazon
Our authors are very friendly and would like to connect with you.
Suzy Parish
Suzy Parish’s debut novel, Flowers from Afghanistan, was awarded a bronze medal by the Military Writers Society of America. The book was chosen as a Best First Book in Inspira-tional Romance by the National Readers' Choice Awards. Suzy wrote as a Community Columnist for the Huntsville Times. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Sandy the Labrador Retriever pup oversees Suzy’s writing schedule and is her four-footed en-courager.
Suzy’s Social Media Links: Find Suzy Parish's links here
Kathleen Neely:
Kathleen Neely is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes, The Least of These, In Search of True North, and Arms of Freedom. She was awarded first place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through Almost an Author. She has numerous devotions published through Chris-tianDevotions.com. Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the local chapter, ACFW Upstate SC. Kathleen is a retired teacher and elementary principal. She contin-ues to speak to students about writing. Connect with Kathy at:
Carol James
Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She loves creating Redemptive Romance. She lives in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Jim, and her encourager, Zoe the JRT. Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she'd been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction. Her first novel, Rescuing Faith was an Amazon number 1 bestseller. Carol is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Connect with Carol at:
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