1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: Live. This is pet Life Radio. Let's Talk Pets. 2 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:28,039 Speaker 2: Hello, feline friends, Welcome to Katatude. I'm your show host 3 00:00:28,199 --> 00:00:32,000 Michelle Burne. Now, who among us cat lovers does not 4 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,719 love a good cat book, right, and especially when there's 5 00:00:35,719 --> 00:00:39,159 a little mystery. I really love this book. I am 6 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,759 so excited to have this New York Times bestselling author 7 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,640 on our show. So stay tuned. We'll be right back. 8 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 3: Take a bite out of your competition. 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Slash advertised today. 19 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:44,159 Speaker 4: Let's Talk Pets on Petlifradio dot com. 20 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:48,319 Speaker 2: Welcome back everyone. I'd like to welcome Gwen Cooper. As 21 00:01:48,359 --> 00:01:52,000 I mentioned, Chi's a New York Times bestselling author, and 22 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,879 so Gwen with their cats, Clayton and Fanny write these 23 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,040 amazing books. So welcome Gwen. I'm so happy to have 24 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:00,000 you on Catitude. 25 00:02:00,079 --> 00:02:01,359 Speaker 5: Thank you so much for having me. 26 00:02:01,439 --> 00:02:05,599 Speaker 2: So obviously, Clayton and Fanny just desist. But can you 27 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,799 give a little bit about your background and then tell 28 00:02:07,879 --> 00:02:08,840 us about your cats? 29 00:02:09,039 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 5: Yeah? Sure. 30 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:12,479 Speaker 6: So I've been a writer for a while now. Some 31 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:16,120 of your listeners are probably familiar with my memoir Homer's Odyssey, 32 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,879 A Fearless view line tail or How I Learned about 33 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:20,879 Love and Life with a blind wonder Cat. 34 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:23,719 Speaker 5: So that book came out a few years ago. I 35 00:02:23,759 --> 00:02:24,960 wrote a couple of follow up books. 36 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 6: I also wrote a novel called Love Saves the Day, 37 00:02:27,159 --> 00:02:30,360 which is narrated mostly from a cat's point of view. 38 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,960 Speaker 5: And you guess, so that's what I do. 39 00:02:33,159 --> 00:02:37,319 Speaker 6: I also am very passionate about animal rescue, and I 40 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:39,360 to do a lot of work with the animal rescue 41 00:02:39,439 --> 00:02:43,360 organizations in the US and also around the world. Seems 42 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,199 to be a lot more natural disasters these days, so 43 00:02:45,199 --> 00:02:48,680 there's sort of always somebody who needs a little bit 44 00:02:48,759 --> 00:02:51,919 more of a platform. Yeah, I feel like now I'm 45 00:02:52,039 --> 00:02:54,280 just rambling a little bit but that's pretty much my 46 00:02:54,319 --> 00:02:55,759 deal that that's who I am, that's what I do. 47 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 2: Thanks for sharing that. Now we're going to talk about 48 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:02,199 your new book, which is you Own We Live Nine Times. Yes, 49 00:03:02,479 --> 00:03:03,400 I love the title. 50 00:03:03,759 --> 00:03:04,199 Speaker 5: Thank you. 51 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 2: Before I asked you about the book, what inspired you 52 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,120 as a writer to have cats, as they're not always 53 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:16,080 the center character, but they're subcenter. How would you say. 54 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 5: That feline detectives? 55 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 6: How to What inspired me to write to write a 56 00:03:20,960 --> 00:03:23,240 novel in which talking cats solve a murder? 57 00:03:23,319 --> 00:03:25,479 Speaker 5: I think is is that that's a good way to 58 00:03:25,479 --> 00:03:27,639 get it. Yes, I will add by the way the 59 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,680 cats talk to each other, not to the humans around them. 60 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,240 This is not like a doctor do a little thing. 61 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:37,159 Speaker 6: There's no supernatural cats who are supernatural humans who can 62 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,039 like mind meld with cats. The cats talk to each other, 63 00:03:40,159 --> 00:03:42,159 the humans talk to each other. The cats try to 64 00:03:42,159 --> 00:03:44,159 figure out ways to get the humans to know what 65 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:48,039 they're doing. But getting back to your question, so again, 66 00:03:48,159 --> 00:03:51,360 those who have read Homer's Odyssey will be familiar with 67 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:55,759 this story. But back when I had a couple of 68 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,360 years after I had adopted Homer, who was a blind cat, 69 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:01,240 I had just moved into to my new apartment. It 70 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,479 was my first apartment that I was living in by myself, 71 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,479 without my parents, without a roommate, and I woke up 72 00:04:07,479 --> 00:04:10,680 at four o'clock in the morning one day and there 73 00:04:10,759 --> 00:04:13,919 was a strange man standing at the foot of my bed. 74 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,240 I will not you can read the entire story in 75 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:20,680 Homer's honesty, but suffice it to say that Homer, who 76 00:04:20,759 --> 00:04:25,360 was a very small black cat, but who was really fearless, 77 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,360 and he was an incredibly friendly cat, but he seemed 78 00:04:28,399 --> 00:04:32,079 to sense that this man was dangerous and he attacked 79 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,199 the man, who turned and ran out of my apartment, 80 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:38,279 and we called the police, and in the end everything 81 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:42,240 was okay thanks to Homer. So this idea of Homer 82 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,639 as a crime fighting cat has sort of always been 83 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,720 in the back of my mind. And yeah, a couple 84 00:04:48,759 --> 00:04:51,319 of years ago, I thought it would be a really 85 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:54,720 fun idea to write this cozy mystery series. And it's 86 00:04:54,759 --> 00:04:57,959 set in my native Miami Beach. Born and raised to 87 00:04:57,959 --> 00:04:59,879 Miami Beach, and I spent a number of years living 88 00:04:59,879 --> 00:05:02,560 on South Beach in the nineties, so the book is 89 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,800 set during that time. South Beach was very much like 90 00:05:05,879 --> 00:05:08,439 a small I mean it was it's still small time. 91 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: I don't know about now because we're I'm based in 92 00:05:10,759 --> 00:05:13,319 South Florida, I don't know about okay, how so much. 93 00:05:13,439 --> 00:05:16,480 Speaker 6: But it was and so you know exactly what I'm 94 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:19,480 talking about. In Southeach, it's like two square miles. It's tiny, 95 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:22,959 and back in the nineties it was very much like 96 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:25,279 you knew everyone and everyone knew you, and it was 97 00:05:25,399 --> 00:05:28,360 a very small town kind of vibe. And it just 98 00:05:28,399 --> 00:05:31,720 seemed like a fun idea, especially because I know this 99 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,720 is like everybody my age says about the time when 100 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,399 they were in their twenties, but it just seems like 101 00:05:37,439 --> 00:05:40,480 the nineties was a much you know, it was just 102 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:42,759 things were a lot less. 103 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 5: I don't know, everyone seemed a lot friendlier back in 104 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:45,759 the nineties. 105 00:05:46,399 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 6: So yeah, so it just seemed like a fun idea 106 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,959 to set this novel circa nineteen ninety eight in South 107 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,600 Beach and to have cats solving a murder, which is 108 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:58,600 also what it came together. 109 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,759 Speaker 2: Okay, Well, first of all, I'm glad Homer attacked that man. 110 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,120 That is an incredible story. 111 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 5: It was truly an incredible cat he really was. 112 00:06:06,959 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 2: Wow. Yes, I am going to read Homer's odysty because 113 00:06:09,879 --> 00:06:12,160 I have not not that I can recall. I don't 114 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,519 always remember the books I read and then I reread them, 115 00:06:15,079 --> 00:06:16,560 which is not a bad thing. 116 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 6: That happens to me all the time, by the way. 117 00:06:20,399 --> 00:06:23,199 Speaker 2: So I love the setting. I love how you have 118 00:06:23,319 --> 00:06:28,319 the cats talking to each other and also to the 119 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:32,279 one dog. I think they do actually really speak to 120 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:33,720 each other in their own way. 121 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 5: I would actually tend to agree with that. I really do. 122 00:06:37,199 --> 00:06:37,800 I feel that. 123 00:06:38,439 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 6: I mean, obviously, animals have ways of communicating with each 124 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,959 other that are not going to be known to us, 125 00:06:44,959 --> 00:06:47,439 because why would they be. I mean, they don't, just 126 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,040 like they don't understand what we are saying to each other. 127 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:52,160 Speaker 5: So this is my theory as well. 128 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,439 Speaker 2: Some people beg to different everybody has different opinions, but 129 00:06:55,519 --> 00:06:58,319 I think they understand each other better than my cat 130 00:06:58,399 --> 00:07:01,199 might not understand me, or cheese is not, or my 131 00:07:01,319 --> 00:07:03,680 cats rather or cheese is not to understand me. 132 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,079 Speaker 6: Well, that is the eternal question, of course with cats. 133 00:07:06,199 --> 00:07:09,439 Do they not understand or do they choose not to understand. 134 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:13,399 I've caught my cats understanding more than they would probably 135 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:13,959 like me to know. 136 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 5: They do. 137 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 2: Yes, that's the key. Okay, let's get back to what 138 00:07:18,319 --> 00:07:21,199 inspired you to write you only lived nine times. 139 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:21,759 Speaker 5: You know. 140 00:07:21,839 --> 00:07:25,399 Speaker 6: I had the idea very spontaneously a few years ago. 141 00:07:25,759 --> 00:07:28,360 I honestly don't remember what the initial impetus was. I 142 00:07:28,399 --> 00:07:32,240 had not yet at that time read really any cozy mysteries. 143 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,399 Speaker 5: I know that there is. 144 00:07:33,399 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 6: An entire subgenre of cozy mysteries with cats, and I 145 00:07:37,399 --> 00:07:40,079 had not at that point read any of those books. 146 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,160 But it was a spontaneous idea that I had, and 147 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,040 I just kind of you know, Homer still has a 148 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:48,360 very active social media community, and so I just kind 149 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,759 of floated the idea there and people were very enthusiastic, 150 00:07:52,279 --> 00:07:53,680 and I was like, Okay, you know what, I'm going 151 00:07:53,759 --> 00:07:56,079 to do this. And then for two years I was 152 00:07:56,240 --> 00:08:00,680 so intimidated at the thought of doing it because I'm 153 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:05,120 not a puzzle person. I've never written anything even close 154 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,959 to a mystery, and I was pretty sure I could 155 00:08:08,959 --> 00:08:12,279 not do it. I was just really really intimidated. And 156 00:08:12,319 --> 00:08:17,120 then one day last year, I told myself, look, it's 157 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,199 been like three years since you first talked about this, 158 00:08:19,279 --> 00:08:21,759 so you're in and you're out. You're either gonna do 159 00:08:21,839 --> 00:08:24,560 this or you got to tell everyone that you were 160 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:27,800 just talking and you didn't really mean it, and I 161 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,480 didn't like that idea, so I decided it was less 162 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:32,159 scary to try to write the novel. 163 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 2: Well, I think you did a good job, because I 164 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:38,000 do read a lot of recording this right before Halloween 165 00:08:38,039 --> 00:08:40,080 and that's coming up. But I'm not a fan of 166 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:42,240 gore and horror and that kind of stuff. But I 167 00:08:42,399 --> 00:08:44,879 neither am I, by the way, not my thing, but 168 00:08:45,159 --> 00:08:48,559 like going into some haunted place where people jumping out 169 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,159 would be like no, no, not for me either, But 170 00:08:52,639 --> 00:08:56,120 novels and you know, mysteries and all that. Fine with that. 171 00:08:56,279 --> 00:08:58,879 James Patterson is one of my favorite authors, but his 172 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:03,320 early stuff, so I love when there's a twist also, 173 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:05,919 but we'll get to that a little later. Why did 174 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:08,840 you choose that title? What made you decide you only 175 00:09:08,879 --> 00:09:09,720 lived nine times? 176 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,639 Speaker 5: It just so spontaneously occurred. 177 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 6: I mean again, as soon as I had the idea 178 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:18,879 for writing a cozy mystery novel in which Homer or 179 00:09:18,919 --> 00:09:22,600 Homer and his two sisters would in some way solve 180 00:09:22,639 --> 00:09:25,480 a murder, at that same moment, I had the idea 181 00:09:25,519 --> 00:09:28,399 for the title. I can't even really tell you how 182 00:09:28,399 --> 00:09:30,679 it popped. It just popped into my head. It was 183 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,360 not a thought process. It was not like I sat 184 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,600 down and I will tell you that for the second 185 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,480 book in the series, which I am already at work on, 186 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:41,200 which is called The Cat War Black, and I was 187 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:43,960 looking at my shelf. You know, I've read some more 188 00:09:44,039 --> 00:09:46,080 mysteries since I decided to write this. In the last 189 00:09:46,159 --> 00:09:48,440 few years, I have read more, and I've write not 190 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:50,720 just cozy mysteries but others, and I've really gotten to 191 00:09:50,799 --> 00:09:51,840 enjoy Cornell Woolrich. 192 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 5: So I saw him kind of sitting on the shelf 193 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:56,600 and the bridewar black, and I was like, ah, the cat. 194 00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 6: He is a black cat, the Catwar Black, and you know, 195 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,440 so that's there, you go, that's how that happened. 196 00:10:01,519 --> 00:10:04,879 Speaker 2: Yes, obviously Patterson's not cozy mystery, but I like cozy 197 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:08,200 mysteries too, So there's not many books I don't like. 198 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:09,919 Speaker 5: I'm kind of right there with you on that. 199 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,600 Speaker 6: Actually, as long as it's you know, a paper with 200 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:15,200 words between covers, I'm in right. 201 00:10:15,279 --> 00:10:19,440 Speaker 2: Although there are sometimes books where I won't really jive 202 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:20,200 with the voice. 203 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,679 Speaker 6: Absolutely well, it's a very personal thing and ultimately an 204 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:27,480 author's voice I think you need. You know, every art form, 205 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:31,240 every mode of creative expression, has its strength and its weaknesses. 206 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,679 I think, what are the great strengths of writing? And 207 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,039 if books is that it's very intimate, it's a voice 208 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,679 in your head. And if it's not a voice that 209 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,559 you like having in your head, then you got to 210 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:41,679 just get rid of it. You got to close the 211 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:42,879 book and move on to the next one. 212 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, I try to force myself through, but at 213 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:47,320 times it's like, Okay, this is it. 214 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:49,159 Speaker 5: Life is too short for bad books. 215 00:10:49,639 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: Yes, that'll be a good T shirt. So let's talk 216 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,679 about different perspectives that you wanted to explore. So you 217 00:10:56,799 --> 00:10:59,159 have a character in the book that talks to the 218 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:00,440 casts that's not a cat. 219 00:11:00,639 --> 00:11:04,279 Speaker 5: Well, there's a dog and there is a bird. 220 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 6: I think in terms of actually being able to speak 221 00:11:07,759 --> 00:11:09,559 directly with the cats, I think that's it. 222 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,399 Speaker 5: The animals can all talk to each other. 223 00:11:11,759 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 6: I do like to feel that Rachel, who's my human protagonist, 224 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,840 and she is Homer and Scarlet, and there's the other 225 00:11:19,879 --> 00:11:22,639 two cats who Homer lives with homeer Scarlet and Vashdi, 226 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:25,519 and she is there human. So I do like to 227 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,480 feel that there is kind of a really good unspoken 228 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:30,120 communication between them. 229 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:31,879 Speaker 5: But ultimately Rachel. 230 00:11:31,639 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 6: Is not able to have conversations with the cats, like 231 00:11:35,279 --> 00:11:36,759 the one that you and I are having right. 232 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 2: Now, okay, and I get that are any of the 233 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:43,120 situations in the book based on any of the occurrences 234 00:11:43,159 --> 00:11:45,840 that have happened between you and your cats? Like do 235 00:11:45,879 --> 00:11:49,240 you have a dumbwaiter in your house or no? So 236 00:11:49,639 --> 00:11:51,639 most people don't unless you have an older house. 237 00:11:51,919 --> 00:11:53,639 Speaker 6: Yees, So I had to you know, this was one 238 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:56,000 of actually the challenges, and this was one thing that 239 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,799 really because then there are also practical considerations in writing 240 00:11:59,799 --> 00:12:03,440 the book. I'm writing these three cats who people know, 241 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:05,679 but I'm writing them with a human who is in 242 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,840 some ways based on me, but it is ultimately not me. 243 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,399 And people who know my cats know that they have 244 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,519 always been strictly into our cats. But if the cats 245 00:12:14,519 --> 00:12:18,200 are going to investigate murders without their human knowing about it, 246 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:20,679 there has to be a way for them to get 247 00:12:20,759 --> 00:12:25,080 out of their home without her knowing. And really that 248 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,200 took me a little while to come up with the 249 00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:30,720 mechanism by which the cats are ultimately able to sneak 250 00:12:30,759 --> 00:12:35,039 out of the house without Rachel knowing that that was 251 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:38,200 not as immediate as the title or the idea for 252 00:12:38,279 --> 00:12:41,519 the book that was actually something that took some thought 253 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:42,960 over a period of time. 254 00:12:43,159 --> 00:12:45,960 Speaker 5: You know, something that would be just believable. 255 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:50,559 Speaker 6: It doesn't have to really be completely believable, just plausible 256 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:53,399 enough that people are like, Okay, I could see it, 257 00:12:53,399 --> 00:12:54,039 it could happen. 258 00:12:54,519 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 2: And there's some other antics that are could that really happen? 259 00:12:58,039 --> 00:13:00,279 And you think about it and though, yeah, it probably could. 260 00:13:00,639 --> 00:13:02,960 I'm not going to give boy all details, but the oil, 261 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:05,960 I don't want to get into it, but the situation 262 00:13:06,039 --> 00:13:08,799 with the oil, and I hope this doesn't say so much, 263 00:13:08,879 --> 00:13:12,840 but I actually did wash Dennis because he's part man coon. 264 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,159 Say he's like a dog, part dog cat. And I 265 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:19,000 only say that because he's pretty chill. But that's yeah, 266 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:19,919 that's not easy. 267 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:20,519 Speaker 5: I will say. 268 00:13:20,519 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 7: So. 269 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:22,919 Speaker 6: There's a scene where one of the cats get stuck 270 00:13:22,919 --> 00:13:26,440 in their mode of escape and so they deploy Wesson 271 00:13:26,519 --> 00:13:30,000 oil to help ease her out. But I will say 272 00:13:30,039 --> 00:13:33,240 that I one and there are always people who are 273 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,039 whorder mystery Ficinado's what will tell you what Some of 274 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,879 the rules of the genre are. One rule that I 275 00:13:38,919 --> 00:13:41,399 set for myself, and it was a very strict no 276 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:45,039 cheating rule that anything I had the cats do had 277 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:49,039 to be something that cats could actually do that they 278 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,519 did not. Suddenly, you know, I didn't want them to 279 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,440 be able to read a name, or I mean to 280 00:13:54,519 --> 00:13:57,440 do something that would would genuinely be beyond. 281 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 5: The skills or physical abilities of a cat. 282 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 6: So everything that cats do in the book is something 283 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:07,440 that a cat could do in real life. And maybe 284 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,919 you will start to wonder why your cats are doing 285 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:13,360 some of the inexplicable, seemingly inexplicable things that they're doing 286 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:14,080 when you. 287 00:14:14,039 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 5: See the thought process with the cats in the book out. 288 00:14:16,879 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, it does get you thinking, we're going to take 289 00:14:18,879 --> 00:14:23,919 a short break and we'll be right back. Real people, 290 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:25,159 real stories. 291 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:27,799 Speaker 7: Our little dog, he helped this lumph problem at the 292 00:14:27,879 --> 00:14:32,000 chemotherapy lasted for six months, started developing more lymph nose, 293 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,600 so I thought I'd just try carnivore. The lymph nose 294 00:14:34,639 --> 00:14:36,639 started to go down. Then I took him into the 295 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:38,399 vet to him checked out, and then there was no 296 00:14:38,519 --> 00:14:39,559 signs at all inside. 297 00:14:39,639 --> 00:14:41,919 Speaker 8: My cat had issues that developed in his height, and 298 00:14:42,039 --> 00:14:44,519 three months later my ven airing said let's go ahead 299 00:14:44,559 --> 00:14:47,159 and remove the eye. I heard the carnivore on advertise, 300 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:48,919 and so I said, you know what, I'm going to 301 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:51,519 order this product. They did the procedure, they did all 302 00:14:51,519 --> 00:14:53,240 the death and they said, I don't know where you 303 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:57,399 did this product. They had eyed, I've got a laborador. 304 00:14:57,639 --> 00:14:59,919 You could hardly lift yourself up off the door. 305 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:01,639 Speaker 7: The treatment was chemotherapy. 306 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 8: That's when I said this could be the ticket. About 307 00:15:04,279 --> 00:15:07,240 three weeks you could tell she was very alert. She 308 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:09,759 was going on buy my walk and she is like 309 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:10,759 crime again. 310 00:15:11,039 --> 00:15:14,320 Speaker 2: Well eight six six eight three six eight seven three five. 311 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,720 That's eight six six eight three six eight seven three five. 312 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:19,919 Speaker 5: Or visit carnivore dot com. 313 00:15:20,039 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 6: That's c A r N. 314 00:15:21,399 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 2: I v O r A dot com. 315 00:15:23,399 --> 00:15:27,399 Speaker 3: Use promo code pet life at checkout for fifteen percent 316 00:15:27,559 --> 00:15:30,679 off your order at carnivora dot com. 317 00:15:31,399 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 4: Let's talk past it. 318 00:15:32,639 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 5: Let's done past Talk about. 319 00:15:33,919 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 1: Life Radio Headline Radio. 320 00:15:35,799 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 9: Pet Live radio dot com. 321 00:15:48,799 --> 00:15:51,919 Speaker 2: Welcome back everyone. We're talking to Gwen Cooper, who is 322 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:54,879 a New York Times bestselling author and we're talking about 323 00:15:54,879 --> 00:15:58,399 her book You Only Live Nine Times? So do you 324 00:15:58,639 --> 00:16:01,200 have a favorite character in your book? 325 00:16:01,399 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 5: I will tell you. 326 00:16:02,639 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 7: So. 327 00:16:02,879 --> 00:16:06,159 Speaker 6: There is one character in the book who is there 328 00:16:06,279 --> 00:16:09,559 to bed to be disliked. He's like if you've ever 329 00:16:09,639 --> 00:16:11,120 like seen in kids like a puppet, you know, a 330 00:16:11,159 --> 00:16:14,000 punch and Judy pappat show. He's the one who's there 331 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:16,919 for you to say boo boo. You know, every time 332 00:16:17,279 --> 00:16:18,639 you love to hate him, he is there for you 333 00:16:18,679 --> 00:16:21,000 to love to hate him. And he might be and 334 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:24,320 it's very obvious when you read the book who he is. 335 00:16:24,399 --> 00:16:27,720 He's like a villain, but he's a comical villain, so 336 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,879 you know, he's the chill Meil basically. And I have 337 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:35,240 to say, I really do love him. I love this character. First, 338 00:16:35,519 --> 00:16:38,320 you know, I started off loving to hate him and 339 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:40,759 and now he just cracks me up. I think he's 340 00:16:40,799 --> 00:16:43,000 a big I really wanted the book to be fun, 341 00:16:43,159 --> 00:16:44,720 and I think he is actually a big part of 342 00:16:44,759 --> 00:16:48,600 what makes the book fun. He develops this intense rivalry 343 00:16:48,639 --> 00:16:51,120 with the snootiest of the three cats at the center 344 00:16:51,159 --> 00:16:53,960 of the story, and he always sees coming this from 345 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:56,600 this rivalry from a very human perspective, and she's coming 346 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:59,440 at it from a very feline perspective. I think anybody 347 00:16:59,519 --> 00:17:03,360 listening to this knows what a snooty cat who really 348 00:17:03,399 --> 00:17:05,160 does not like a specific person. 349 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 5: How intense that can be. 350 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:09,599 Speaker 6: And I actually think it's one of the most fun 351 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:12,920 parts of the books that I did not originally conceptualize 352 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:15,200 when I've sat down to write the book. But this 353 00:17:15,319 --> 00:17:18,720 character sort of kept intruding himself and I finally let 354 00:17:18,799 --> 00:17:20,400 him in, and I am very glad that I did. 355 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:24,039 Speaker 2: So, you know that brings me this question. I've read 356 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,480 quite a few books on that authors have written on 357 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,599 how they write, and I've heard over and over again 358 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:32,960 because it's on my bucket list to write a book. 359 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,240 I don't know if it'll happen, but hopefully, but I've 360 00:17:35,279 --> 00:17:39,079 heard that sometimes you have the characters, you have everything, 361 00:17:39,319 --> 00:17:42,880 the scenario, your protagonist, everything, and then the book kind 362 00:17:42,880 --> 00:17:44,880 of writes itself. Things change. 363 00:17:45,279 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 6: I would say for me, it's so there are some 364 00:17:47,079 --> 00:17:50,200 writers who and every writer has a philosophy on this. 365 00:17:50,279 --> 00:17:53,279 I think, you know, Stephen King is very anti outlined. 366 00:17:53,319 --> 00:17:55,599 He is very much at the school you sit down 367 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,720 and you start following the characters around basically, and they 368 00:17:58,799 --> 00:18:00,319 reveal themselves to you. 369 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 5: And then I know there are writers who are very 370 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:04,599 intense about outlines. 371 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:06,559 Speaker 6: I would not have had the nerve to sit down 372 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,559 to start, you know, I'm kind of in the middle 373 00:18:09,039 --> 00:18:10,839 with this book. I would not have had the nerve 374 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,559 to sit down and start writing a murder mystery without 375 00:18:13,599 --> 00:18:17,200 knowing who the killer was going to be generally, and 376 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:19,319 some of this did change, you know, in some of 377 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:22,559 the details, but in the broadest strokes, I always knew 378 00:18:22,559 --> 00:18:24,519 who the killer was. I always knew what the clues 379 00:18:24,839 --> 00:18:27,400 leading to that person. I always knew what the red 380 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,079 herrings were going to be. But having said that, a 381 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,039 lot of who the characters were, a lot of the 382 00:18:33,079 --> 00:18:33,960 stuff in the town. 383 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 5: You know. 384 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:36,599 Speaker 6: The great thing about a cozy mystery is that it's 385 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:38,880 not just about the murder. It's about a town. It's 386 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:41,599 about the people in the town. It's the characters who 387 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:44,160 inhabit it. If you've done your job as a cozy 388 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:48,000 mystery writer, people should be like, you know, despite the murders, 389 00:18:48,039 --> 00:18:49,920 I would really love to live in this town and 390 00:18:50,079 --> 00:18:54,480 hang out with these people. And so my cast of characters, 391 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:58,200 you know, especially the supporting characters, that was much more 392 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,440 of an organic kind of a process. Where as I 393 00:19:01,519 --> 00:19:04,279 was writing people, you know, some of the characters surprised 394 00:19:04,319 --> 00:19:08,279 me in some ways, and I went with it, and 395 00:19:08,279 --> 00:19:10,039 and I think the book is better for it. 396 00:19:10,039 --> 00:19:13,160 Speaker 2: It's a great book, really really did really great book. 397 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:16,680 In writing and living with cats. What is the one 398 00:19:16,799 --> 00:19:21,240 thing that you wish people understood more about cats? So 399 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:24,480 it could be, you know, people that have cats that 400 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,200 not all of us that have cats know everything about cats. 401 00:19:27,599 --> 00:19:30,319 Or it could be just you know, we have listeners 402 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:32,279 that don't have cats that want to have cats, or 403 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:35,119 just like listening. So thank you for listening. But what 404 00:19:35,119 --> 00:19:36,920 would you like people to know? 405 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:40,759 Speaker 6: So I would never presume to speak to other cat people, 406 00:19:40,799 --> 00:19:44,119 because I'm definitely one of those people who I feel like, 407 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:46,640 you know, the only thing I really know about cats 408 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,119 is that I know nothing about cats, sort of. That 409 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,480 could be Really, I have people who write to me 410 00:19:51,559 --> 00:19:54,680 all the time, and they have very intense questions, and 411 00:19:54,839 --> 00:19:57,039 I always have to say I always have to preface 412 00:19:57,559 --> 00:20:00,319 anything that I say with I am ultimately a an 413 00:20:00,319 --> 00:20:03,920 expert in my own cats, and even that is really 414 00:20:04,079 --> 00:20:07,359 barely an expertise. But that having been said, it is 415 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:10,240 only surprising to me how surprising it is to people 416 00:20:10,319 --> 00:20:14,920 who aren't cat people how very differentiated cat's personalities are. 417 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:17,559 And having lived with both cats and dogs, I would 418 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:23,319 say I have seen more variety in cats personalities than 419 00:20:23,319 --> 00:20:25,680 in dogs, which is not to be dismissive of dogs 420 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:29,680 or say that I've not seen variety and personality. But 421 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,480 you know one thing I really do try to show 422 00:20:32,519 --> 00:20:36,039 in this book. There are five cat characters, three central 423 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:40,519 characters and two kind of friends from the neighborhood, and 424 00:20:41,079 --> 00:20:45,119 each one of them has a very different personality, a 425 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:49,559 very different worldview, a very different conception of their relationships 426 00:20:49,599 --> 00:20:52,880 with each other with humans. Again, I think that is 427 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,160 something and maybe this is also for people who live 428 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:59,400 with cats to not get frustrated when cats don't conform 429 00:20:59,519 --> 00:21:02,599 behavior really to how you think they should be in acting. 430 00:21:03,079 --> 00:21:05,920 It really is not only easier, it's actually better to 431 00:21:06,519 --> 00:21:08,920 kind of let the cat lead you a little bit 432 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:12,319 in that sense, and pay attention to what they are 433 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:15,319 telling you about themselves. Again, I don't mean like literally 434 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:18,359 talking in words, but just like with people, cats will 435 00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:20,240 eventually show you who they are if you give them 436 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:21,359 the space in which to do so. 437 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,640 Speaker 2: Very true, and I agree with you on the personalities. 438 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,839 I had always had dogs, and then Dennis adopted me, 439 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:32,279 and then Moore came. So once I had five, two 440 00:21:32,279 --> 00:21:35,079 were more community, but we took care of them. They 441 00:21:35,079 --> 00:21:39,440 were still outdoor, So three indoor, two outdoor, and each 442 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:44,240 one very distinct personalities. So that you have to pay 443 00:21:44,279 --> 00:21:48,559 attention and learn who they are. But yes, very distinct. 444 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,000 So I kind of agree with that. Do you think 445 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:56,440 readers might be more influenced to adopt a cat, especially 446 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,799 more than one cat, after reading your book? 447 00:21:59,160 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 5: You know what? 448 00:21:59,759 --> 00:22:02,640 Speaker 6: I were sat down to write Homer's Odyssey and it 449 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,160 was my second book, and the literary agent I had, 450 00:22:05,319 --> 00:22:08,880 who had sold my first book, was incredibly discouraging about 451 00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:10,720 the idea of writing Homer's Odyssey. 452 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,319 Speaker 5: And I went on a little bit of a journey 453 00:22:13,559 --> 00:22:14,000 with that. 454 00:22:14,079 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 6: I talked to some people and found other people who 455 00:22:17,519 --> 00:22:18,680 had blind cats. 456 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 5: I just wanted to get to send You know, is 457 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:20,559 he right? 458 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:22,519 Speaker 6: Is this a terrible idea for a book? Is this 459 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,359 a terrible story that nobody's going to want to hear? 460 00:22:26,079 --> 00:22:28,319 And you know, we sort of all came to the 461 00:22:28,359 --> 00:22:32,160 conclusion that if a book like Homer's Odyssey could persuade 462 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:35,640 even one person to adopt one, if one blind cat 463 00:22:35,839 --> 00:22:38,079 ended up with a home who otherwise would not have 464 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,359 had one, then it was worth at least trying to 465 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:43,319 write this book and get it published. 466 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:44,880 Speaker 5: You know, I never know. 467 00:22:45,319 --> 00:22:49,960 Speaker 6: Ultimately, I don't think anybody really knows what ultimately moves 468 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,319 somebody to make a decision like that. But I do 469 00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:56,240 always hope in my writing, and especially when I write 470 00:22:56,240 --> 00:22:59,599 about now that Homer's is almost like a character. But 471 00:22:59,599 --> 00:23:01,839 when I write about a special needs cat, and certainly 472 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:03,759 when I worried about rescue cats, I always, in the 473 00:23:03,759 --> 00:23:07,720 back of my mind want to show what I think 474 00:23:07,759 --> 00:23:12,920 it incredibly enriching and rewarding experience it can be, even 475 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,599 if it's not to adopt a special needs cat specifically, 476 00:23:16,160 --> 00:23:20,319 but just to get out of the one rigid idea 477 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,880 box you have of what a certain kind of relationship 478 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,200 has to look like. And so I guess I always 479 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:27,400 have it in my head, I, you know, the hope 480 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:31,160 that somebody might be persuaded in that direction. I don't 481 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,480 know whether that happens, and when it does, I think 482 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,119 it ultimately is a culmination effect. A lot of other 483 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:38,519 things obviously go into making a decision like this, So 484 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,400 you know, maybe it's just like a little push. 485 00:23:41,559 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 2: A little push is good, and especially about adopting a 486 00:23:44,279 --> 00:23:49,000 special needs cat, and I think also adopting and keeping 487 00:23:49,599 --> 00:23:52,000 a misunderstood cat that's the same. 488 00:23:52,079 --> 00:23:53,680 Speaker 5: I agree with you, Yes. 489 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:56,079 Speaker 2: I don't think any of your characters really fit that. 490 00:23:56,440 --> 00:24:00,599 Why do mine. Cats fit that role. But she was 491 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:04,880 feral adopted four months in Charlotte nine years. Still doesn't 492 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:07,680 know what a letter box is. But that's not what 493 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:11,279 this story this is about. But she's misunderstood. So if 494 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:14,519 we were too, I don't think you return, you know, 495 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:18,200 you adopt, but she adopted me. But I think that 496 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:22,039 I'm earning karma points someplace. But we you know, she's 497 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:27,079 just has issues. And while she's not distabled except in 498 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:28,920 her mind a little bit. 499 00:24:29,319 --> 00:24:31,839 Speaker 6: This is this is her way of communicating, right I 500 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:35,079 actually so, I wrote a book and it's an essay collection. 501 00:24:35,119 --> 00:24:38,079 It's called My Life in a Cat House and one 502 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:40,000 of the story, one of the essays in that is 503 00:24:40,039 --> 00:24:43,480 called the Picasso of p And that story is about 504 00:24:43,799 --> 00:24:46,559 my cat, Vashti, who, in real life, not in the book, 505 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,960 but in real life, you used her own urine as 506 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,960 a very expressive method of communication over the years. 507 00:24:54,519 --> 00:24:57,799 Speaker 5: And so I do feel you on this one. I 508 00:24:58,200 --> 00:24:59,759 do not know what you're. 509 00:25:00,160 --> 00:25:07,519 Speaker 6: She she had very specific insecurities and concerns, and she liked 510 00:25:07,519 --> 00:25:09,119 to send a message, let's say. 511 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:11,839 Speaker 5: So I do appreciate that too, you know. 512 00:25:11,880 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 6: Again, and that's part of why I say that cats 513 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,839 all have very different personalities, and they do if you 514 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:20,160 want to be a cat person, they do force you 515 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:21,960 to pay attention. 516 00:25:22,519 --> 00:25:23,559 Speaker 5: But I think that's a good thing. 517 00:25:23,599 --> 00:25:26,599 Speaker 6: I actually think that's why so many writers gravitate toward cats, 518 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,160 because to be a good writer, you also have to 519 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:32,039 pay attention to You have to pay attention to others 520 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:34,319 and get a sense of why they're doing what they're 521 00:25:34,319 --> 00:25:38,039 doing in order to create believable characters. And living with 522 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:41,400 cats I think forces you to do that, to pay 523 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:42,440 close attention. 524 00:25:42,680 --> 00:25:44,279 Speaker 5: Certainly to try to figure out what your cat. You know, 525 00:25:44,319 --> 00:25:45,920 why your cat's to doing what they're doing. 526 00:25:46,119 --> 00:25:48,559 Speaker 2: Right, And I'm still trying to figure her out. I 527 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:51,400 like that though, because of fee. I'm going to keep 528 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:53,960 that in mind because I'm a big art fand too, 529 00:25:54,519 --> 00:25:57,039 so can you give us a little hint about what 530 00:25:57,079 --> 00:25:58,839 your next book is going to be? It's what the 531 00:25:58,880 --> 00:25:59,680 Cat Wore Black. 532 00:26:00,079 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 6: It is called the cad War Black. It will be 533 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:06,160 Homer who Done It? Number two? It is going to 534 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:09,519 take place or it's gonna be set among the high 535 00:26:09,559 --> 00:26:14,119 stakes world of high fashion modeling. In this you know, 536 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:16,480 small coastal town that resembles South Beach. 537 00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:20,519 Speaker 5: And I'm still working through it, I do. It's gonna 538 00:26:20,519 --> 00:26:21,160 be a lot of fun. 539 00:26:21,319 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 6: I know that sounds really lame, but I have just 540 00:26:24,519 --> 00:26:28,799 actually yesterday finished my preliminary sketching out just where I 541 00:26:28,839 --> 00:26:30,079 you know, one of the first steps that I take. 542 00:26:30,079 --> 00:26:31,640 It's not an outline, but I just kind of sit 543 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,400 down and in three thousand words, I write the whole 544 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:36,960 plot of the book, beginning to end. And I just 545 00:26:37,039 --> 00:26:40,160 finished doing that yesterday. I'm so excited about this one, 546 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,880 and I'm so looking forward to writing these characters, to 547 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:46,799 bringing back the original cats. I'm also introducing an amazing 548 00:26:46,960 --> 00:26:50,119 new feline character. I'm just so in love with her already, 549 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,200 and I really think readers are gonna like her too. 550 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:56,599 So there will be six cats in this book in 551 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,400 addition to all the other characters. So the feline cast 552 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:02,319 is growing, but they are all very different from each other. 553 00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:05,759 And this new edition, her name is Celia, and Celia 554 00:27:05,799 --> 00:27:07,079 is amazing, So he is the best. 555 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:08,720 Speaker 5: I'm really excited to write art. 556 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 2: Well, I'm excited to read the ear book. I can't 557 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:14,799 wait for to be published. But I have a question. Well, 558 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,599 we have you have our listening audience. Tell them why 559 00:27:18,599 --> 00:27:19,640 should they buy your book? 560 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:22,440 Speaker 6: Oh you know, I really do think if you are 561 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:24,720 the right person for this book, if you like cozy mysteries, 562 00:27:24,759 --> 00:27:27,200 if you like cozy mysteries with cats, I think it's 563 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:29,720 a lot of fun. I just think it's a really fun, 564 00:27:29,839 --> 00:27:34,240 escapist read that is in no way stupid or insulting 565 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:36,119 to the intelligence. 566 00:27:35,599 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 5: Of the readers. I actually think it's smart. 567 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:40,880 Speaker 6: I really did work hard on the actual mystery so 568 00:27:41,039 --> 00:27:44,240 far readers, not just my existing readers, but actually you know, 569 00:27:44,279 --> 00:27:46,519 I've put this up for a review on some of 570 00:27:46,559 --> 00:27:50,000 you know, mystery book review websites and have been getting 571 00:27:50,039 --> 00:27:50,720 really good feedback. 572 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:51,680 Speaker 5: So it's a good mystery. 573 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,599 Speaker 6: And if the idea of spending like a couple of 574 00:27:55,599 --> 00:27:59,279 weeks on Miami Beach in nineteen ninety eight with some 575 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:03,000 amazing cats hits you on all the right levels, you 576 00:28:03,039 --> 00:28:05,920 will definitely enjoy this book. If you are looking for 577 00:28:06,079 --> 00:28:10,160 just an escape from all the depressing news, you will 578 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,839 really like this book. If you like feline hijinks, I 579 00:28:12,839 --> 00:28:15,759 think you'll really like this book. And I'm really I'm 580 00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:17,680 not usually this good a cheerleader from my books. 581 00:28:17,680 --> 00:28:20,880 Speaker 5: To tell you the church, it's a really good book. 582 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:24,119 Speaker 2: And also just to interject, I would not know this 583 00:28:24,240 --> 00:28:28,440 is your first cozy mystery because it's not blatant. So 584 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:32,119 there's twists like it which make it even more interesting. 585 00:28:32,759 --> 00:28:34,279 Speaker 5: Yeah. I always like twists, you know. 586 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:36,440 Speaker 6: That's I mean, that's the fun of it, right, And 587 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:40,000 but I do, you know, try to lay the groundwork 588 00:28:40,279 --> 00:28:41,960 like I never. I mean, this is the thing I think. 589 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:42,960 You also have to be careful. 590 00:28:43,039 --> 00:28:43,480 Speaker 5: I am not. 591 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:46,079 Speaker 6: I'm not a writer. I'm not trying to be smarter 592 00:28:46,160 --> 00:28:48,680 than my readers. I assume my readers are as smart 593 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:51,960 as I am, So I like to get them there 594 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,160 before the characters get there, but not as quickly as 595 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:57,079 they think they've gotten there, you know. 596 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,799 Speaker 5: So it's so it's a fun reveal. 597 00:29:00,079 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 2: Goodwill Where can people find out more about you and 598 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:04,119 your book? 599 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:06,279 Speaker 5: So the best place is too. 600 00:29:06,599 --> 00:29:08,880 Speaker 6: I have actually my own shop online where I sell 601 00:29:08,920 --> 00:29:11,680 directly to my readers, and I donate ten percent of 602 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,680 everything that I earn there to organizations that rescue abused, 603 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:17,799 abandoned and disabled animals, and they can find that at 604 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:22,200 shop dot gwen Cooper dot com. Having said that, you 605 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:24,839 can certainly that the book is available everywhere books are sold. 606 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:26,480 If your bookstore does not have it in they can 607 00:29:26,599 --> 00:29:28,960 or it for you. You can buy it on Amazon, 608 00:29:29,119 --> 00:29:31,039 you can get the e book on you know, Apple, 609 00:29:31,079 --> 00:29:32,119 et cetera, et cetera. 610 00:29:32,279 --> 00:29:32,960 Speaker 5: It is available. 611 00:29:32,960 --> 00:29:36,599 Speaker 6: The ebook is available for check out through libraries. Again, 612 00:29:36,680 --> 00:29:38,920 your library may or may not have a physical copy, 613 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:40,960 but they should be able to get you an ebook copy. 614 00:29:41,039 --> 00:29:43,839 So basically you can find it anywhere. But again, I 615 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:46,119 do sell it for less in my store than it 616 00:29:46,119 --> 00:29:50,759 has sold other places, and you, in purchasing it directly 617 00:29:50,799 --> 00:29:55,279 for me, are also supporting rescue organizations. Right now, I 618 00:29:55,279 --> 00:29:58,079 am donating. I'm making most of my donations to Cobble 619 00:29:58,119 --> 00:30:02,000 Small Animal Rescue in Cobble, Afghanistan, which is run by 620 00:30:02,039 --> 00:30:05,319 an American woman who is its founder named Charlotte Maxwell Jones, 621 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:10,440 who was just doing unbelievable rescue work under unimaginable circumstances. 622 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:13,000 Speaker 2: Oh, I applaud you for doing that, for giving back, 623 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:16,599 that's wonderful, So thank you so much for that. Listeners 624 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,480 Shop dot Gwen Cooper dot com and Gwen, I want 625 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:22,720 to thank you so much for coming on Catitude. 626 00:30:22,839 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 5: Thank you so much for having me. It's been really fun. 627 00:30:24,839 --> 00:30:28,200 Speaker 2: Cat Levers, I hope you enjoyed this show. What a 628 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:31,319 great book. Please be sure to check out You Only 629 00:30:31,359 --> 00:30:35,319 Live Nine Times and hey also Homer's Odyssey, both written 630 00:30:35,359 --> 00:30:39,079 by New York Times bestselling author Gwen Cooper. You can 631 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:42,559 buy her books at shop dot Gwen Cooper dot com 632 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:46,400 and also I'm sure wherever books are sold. Again, thank 633 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:48,680 you Gwen for coming on Catitude. I want to thank 634 00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:52,359 everyone that listens to Catitude. I appreciate you so much 635 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:55,960 over the years. This has been an amazing ride that 636 00:30:56,319 --> 00:30:59,799 is hopefully going to continue for many more years. Thanks 637 00:30:59,799 --> 00:31:03,240 to my cat crew Dennis, Charlotte and Molly who talks 638 00:31:03,319 --> 00:31:06,880 among themselves all the time, I know it, And of 639 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:09,680 course a huge thank you to my producer Mark Winter 640 00:31:09,960 --> 00:31:12,920 for doing all you do and making our shows on 641 00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:18,160 pet Life Radio sound amazing. And hey, remember lose the Attitude, 642 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:19,240 have Catitude 643 00:31:20,359 --> 00:31:25,359 Speaker 4: Let's Talk Pets every week on demand only on Petlifradio 644 00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:41,440 dot com.