Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First off, I am a huge cat lover, and I have written nine books about our furry felines – both fiction and nonfiction. I am living my dream as a full time author. I love the craft and creating. Also, I believe in lifelong learning with my ABL motto – Always Be Learning. Especially about cats.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Cat Behind The Curtain: A Cozy Cat Crime Caper (Cozy Cat Thriller Book 1). My real life cats inspired much of the book, especially the feline characters which are named after three of my kitties: Scottie, Tanzy and Alley. Although the crime in the book is not based on real events, how my cats would likely respond to it (I hope) would be real.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While I wouldn’t call these writing habits unusual, I need my iPod shuffling my Favorites playlist, double/double coffee, my recliner, pen, looseleaf paper and a clipboard to get to work. I write two drafts by hand and a third gets punched into Word. After that comes editing, proofreading and polishing. Then it’s time to publish.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read and been influenced by the many books on cats I have – both nonfiction and fiction. When I first started writing as a teen, Hardy Boys Mysteries, Stephen King, Frank Miller and various Marvel comics, including the Claremont/Byrne run on “The Uncanny X-Men” all impacted my writing. Today, my influences range from Lilian Jackson Braun and Kathi Daley to John Grisham.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I have one book and one major project that I am working on simultaneously.
Firstly, I am researching and writing another cat facts book that combines the short Bizarre Cat Facts with much more cat info.
Secondly, I am working on three sequels to The Cat Behind The Curtain. Each will be it’s own cozy cat crime caper. One will a free bonus for my Readers Group, and the other two will be for sale this year.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My late uncle, Wallace, gave his children a list of advice before he died and that included the best advice I’ve found. He wrote, “Always have a cat in the house.” I took this to heart and I have six cats in my home.
What are you reading now?
A couple of things I am interested in besides cats, I am currently reading about.
I have a weight problem – too much of it – that I am trying to lose. My workout routine is problematic – I don’t do enough of it – so I am getting into Fitness and Exercise Motivation by James Atkinson. I hope it helps.
For pure entertainment, I love zombie novels and movies so I am reading Jonathan Maberry’s Dead of Night.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My writing plans for the next few years includes another Christmas series featuring my daughter’s cat, Capone, and a new cozy cat mystery series where my old cat, Rusty, solves crimes.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take these four books that would include much reading and thinking:
PS: If you’d like to support my writing, please donate to my Patreon account where you can also get some exclusive cool cat swag (cancel anytime).
Here’s the link: https://www.patreon.com/PeterScottsdale
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