The Nine Reasons Why Writers Have Cats

Ever noticed that writers tend to have… lots of cats? Like not just one or two, but sometimes three or four? I could never quite figure out the obsession, until I adopted a few of my own (yes, I just said the word ‘few’, and yes, I may have more than one cat).

1) You will never again be alone, ever

cat back.gif

2) They are excellent paper shredders… and you will cheer them on even when it’s the sole copy of your manuscript. You are eating that paper so well my little darling munchkin poo

cta eating paper

3) Kittens. Just kittens. I mean, they do end up turning into cats at some point. But kittens

kitten.gif

4) Cats are the only thing on the planet more bonkers than writers. This is reassuring to said writers

cat cleaning

5) Feeling blue because you’ve just killed off one of your favourite characters? Never fear, the cat will help distract you (or make you scream in pain or whatever it is that the cat feels like doing to you at that moment in time)

cat vampire

6) Cats show us that even when we fail, there is still plenty to laugh about (windowsill = finding a publisher)

flying cat

7) You can rant and rave to your cat about the person you intend to kill (in your book) without any serious repercussions *cough agent cough*

cat plotting

8) Cats can make for great inspiration. Especially when they’re being creepy. And especially when you turn around. And they are there. Just staring

Intense cat

9) Google ‘author with cat’. That is all.

cat writing

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91 responses to “The Nine Reasons Why Writers Have Cats”

  1. Rebecca Whitman Avatar

    Both charming and hilarious. Here is another point why we have them: they are self-sufficient (mostly). Cats will take themselves to the bathroom and keep themselves entertained while you tackle the latest writing deadline/cram/what-was-I-thinking-plot-twist. lol
    They are fiercely independent and, for most of us, it is a confidence booster to be around people and pets that have the confidence we aspire to have in ourselves.

    Like

  2. nesslee2013 Avatar

    OMG, this is awesome Milly, I have two cats, and they ALWAYS seem to like to sit on my journal when I’m writing. If I’m not writing they’re stretched out on the floor in any room I’m in, except the bathroom, where they’re wrestling each other in the tub, or chewing on my shower curtain. In the kitchen, one of them will be at the sink meowing at me to turn the fawcet on for his daily bath, yes, one of my cats LOVES water, I think I should get a fountain. An indoor fountain, they’ll never wake me up for water again. They’ll just wake me up for other reasons. I love my cats….had them since they were 5wks old, long story. But they’ve both lived up to their names, Sheldon, (yes, named after Sheldon Cooper on BBT), he’s as aloof and annoying as hell. The Feline version of his human namesake. The other is his brother Shadow, we named him that because he’s all black, but he follows us EVERYWHERE, he truly shadows people. He’s the water lover, and loves the dog too, but loves to tease him. They’ll both be laying on the floor, Shadow will creep over (while still in a lying position) and bat him on the head and run. LOL, it’s so funny cause the dog looks at me like…”what’d I do?”. LOL. I look at him like….nothing, he did that because he can.

    Like

  3. aliterarybent Avatar

    All true!
    I have a cat….just the one…called hector. He’s my best friend and worst critic. He also lets me know when I’ve been reading for too long by laying across my book and giving me that “feed me!” look. BUT his brothers and sisters (several of them) live next door so often I have 4 or 5 cats in the house at once all demanding my attention. I have become a crazy cat person!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. wildmountaimthyme Avatar

    Hilarious! They are so much fun to watch!

    Like

  5. tammysharp Avatar

    I recently discovered my inner cat person. Good post!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Createdesign Avatar
    Createdesign

    I have 2 cats currently trying to decide weather to make it 3 as per my last post would love for you to read and give me feedback ✌🏻🐱

    Like

  7. Rachel McAlpine Avatar

    I only have one at a time. She inspires me and actively edits, whether I like it or not.

    Like

  8. Peter Wilson Avatar
    Peter Wilson

    Great Post! I wanted to share with everyone a T-shirt I recently designed for cat lovers. Here is the link:

    I hope you enjoy and don’t mind me posting this!

    Like

  9. timewilson Avatar

    very charming pictures. Here is a link to one of mine: https://animate-tim.com/2018/11/02/hanim-the-cat-again/

    Like

  10. jamjet73 Avatar

    I have two, I want more but I’m old and for some reason if your old, a female, and have more then two cats your called “The old crazy cat lady” and yes I write poems and short stories. =^..^=

    Liked by 1 person

  11. purrdisecat Avatar
    purrdisecat

    this is so true and so me!! i also adopted one cat from a shelter during my study and away from home. i just can’t live without a cat. and they also make the best companion ever.

    Like

  12. […] The Nine Reasons Why Writers Have Cats — Read on millyrogers.com/2018/08/05/the-nine-reasons-why-writers-have-cats/ […]

    Like

  13. theblissfulbargers Avatar

    I stumbled across this post and could not stop laughing! I just have one cat but I can totally relate! Love your GIFs! 😂😂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Hahah I’m so glad I’m not the only one who can relate to the daily #CatStruggle!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. TransmediaPedia Avatar

    Reblogged this on TransmediaPedia.wordpress.com and commented:
    I had to Reblog this because… writing and cats.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. TransmediaPedia Avatar

    Shared and liked. Wish there was a “I Freaking Love This” button.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      hahah thanks 🙂

      Like

  16. sjblann Avatar

    LOVED this post! Thanks for the laughs!

    Like

  17. The Nine Reasons Why Writers Have Cats — The Cat’s Write – WARRIORS OF THE HEART Avatar

    […] via The Nine Reasons Why Writers Have Cats — The Cat’s Write […]

    Like

  18. Jonathan Caswell Avatar

    Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
    EXACTLY—EXACTLY!!! 🙂

    Like

  19. Flavia Vinci Avatar

    I am still laughing😂

    Like

  20. you.do.you Avatar

    ya know i have more than 30 cats living with me inside my house. no cage. they run free and everytime i got home from work, everything’s a mess. more like having hooman kids

    Like

  21. Kenzie Clarke Avatar
    Kenzie Clarke

    As a writer with three cats… yes. All of this is true.

    Like

  22. Hi, I’m Crazy Avatar

    You’re right, she does make me feel less crazy! And when I’m frustrated, she’s always by my side and getting into such shenanigans.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. It's Yusra Patni Avatar
    It’s Yusra Patni

    This post was so awesome. I loved reading this and I totally agree with every point of what you said.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. readerwitch Avatar

    So that’s why Hemingway had so many cats? 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  25. Madeline Bartson Avatar

    I love this post almost as much as I love cats lol. My cats love to sit in my lap and play with my pens as I’m trying to write. Also, why do they bite us so much and why do we still love them?

    Liked by 3 people

  26. Charlie Wright Avatar

    Yes, love this! I’m such a cat person! have three of my own. Excited to get a puppy next year though! They’re much better companions generally. I prefer cats but most of the time they do their own thing.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. idealideas Avatar

    WOW! Such a great and cute article! I am amazed 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Norah Avatar

    Love the staring eyes of the creepy cat. I don’t have a cat and I don’t think you’ve gone any closer to convincing me I should have one or a few, but I enjoyed the smiles from your article anyway, Milly. Thank you.

    Liked by 4 people

  29. Mistyrious1111 Avatar

    Bwahahaha! I have four cats! I couldn’t live without owning at least two cats! And yes kittens. My youngest cat is two. I’d love to get a kitten again. There is nothing more entertaining than watching a kitten at play. Well actually, there is! Watching two+ kittens at play! My two year old still plays but the other ones don’t want to play with him much anymore. I get down on the floor and play with him daily but when I’m busy or tired he begs the others to play and their just not into it. They’ll chase a laser all over the place, but other than that they don’t play. I’m afraid he would hurt a kitten though. He’s a big muscular 17 lbs boy and he can play rough! For now i will just have to watch kittens playing on YouTube…

    Liked by 4 people

  30. Aspasía S. Bissas Avatar

    Shared on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AspasiaSBissas/). I have three cats and they are excellent writing supervisors 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

  31. Anne Clare Avatar

    HA! Thanks for the laughs. I had to call my hubby over to see, and then he had to pick up the cat that lets us pick her up so she could see…

    Liked by 4 people

  32. Rulonda JaBrey Avatar

    So cuuutttee!! I love kitties so much, but I won’t be able to get one yet. Writers must have a least one cat. Everybody knows that. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

  33. Ramona Avatar

    I agree, it is all true. And it goes for crocheters too. I mean, yarn. 😀

    Liked by 4 people

  34. Paul2daB Avatar
    Paul2daB

    SO…what about those of us who are authors that do not have cats? I am an author and I don’t have one. Does that mean I am not really a writer because that would be heartbreaking….lol

    Liked by 5 people

    1. readerwitch Avatar

      Hold on and you’ll get there. Hemingway also didn’t have cats at first (didn’t even like them) and then looked what happened 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Paul2daB Avatar
        Paul2daB

        Lol I dont really even like cats that much *cowers* please don’t hate me. Lol

        Liked by 2 people

        1. readerwitch Avatar

          See? It all fits! As I said, in the beginning Hemingway didn’t like them either. And then he changed his mind. That’s what cats do. But you have to be exposed to cats to get into the right mood 😀 I’m only joking. I love cats, but I understand that some people don’t. I live in the area where most don’t, so I got used to that. Anyway… look at Hemingway’s photos 🙂 He’s always with cats in those pics where he’s older.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Paul2daB Avatar
            Paul2daB

            I have had horrible experiences with all cats with like 2 exceptions. Lol

            Liked by 2 people

          2. readerwitch Avatar

            Cat free writer that is, then 😀

            Liked by 1 person

  35. Emily Buckel Avatar

    I’m certain cats improve any equation, but mostly writing. They’re the embodiment of the craziness writers experience!

    Liked by 4 people

  36. Chris Hall Avatar

    Reblogged this on luna's on line and commented:
    I just had to share this. Why? Cos I’m a bit of a crazy cat woman myself, and it’s a kind of ‘cheer me up midweek’ kind of post.

    Liked by 4 people

  37. nagstrong12 Avatar
    nagstrong12

    I have 3❤
    Lovely post

    Liked by 3 people

  38. purplebroccoliblog Avatar

    Every time I get inspired, all four of mine seem to pick up on it and swarm my keyboard! I have to use an old manual typewriter to get any peace, as they don’t like the klacking of the hammers.
    \

    Liked by 4 people

  39. Maddie Helton Avatar

    My situation is a little different, but my closest cousin owns a cat, and she loves to have her picture taken doing ridiculous things, so we started a blog for her. So technically, the cat started me writing….

    Liked by 4 people

  40. Failing For Success Avatar

    Darn! I don’t have a cat. I wrote a fiction book while in the Navy and all I had was myself ;(

    Liked by 5 people

  41. Madam Mim Avatar
    Madam Mim

    Cuuuute! I don’t have cats, but my housemate does, so I guess I have cat housemates?? And all of this is TRUE!!

    Liked by 4 people

  42. The Scientific Artist Avatar

    Maybe I do need a cat … 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  43. Ariel Lynn Avatar

    1) You will never again be alone, ever

    Especially not in the bathroom. G-d help you if you leave the door closed! 😆

    Liked by 3 people

  44. debrapurdykong Avatar

    Love this post! My cat, Mimo, is 19 years old. He’s aging and has some health issues, and I know his passing is inevitable. It will change my writing habits, as he’s always here every morning. Somehow, I’ll find a way to adapt.

    Liked by 4 people

  45. kernerangelina Avatar

    Love number 4 and I have 4 cats!

    Liked by 4 people

  46. heylookawriterfellow Avatar

    I am not cat person. But, hey, I couldn’t help but enjoy this.

    Liked by 3 people

  47. V.M.Sang Avatar

    I don’t have a cat. My husband doesn’t like them, but when my daughter was at home, she had three. (Husband put up with them for his beautiful daughter, of course.) Unfortunately, I wasn’t a writer then. I had a proper job, so I missed out on all the writerly fun, like the cat on the keyboard and eating your manuscript.

    Liked by 3 people

  48. Jane Schmidt Avatar
    Jane Schmidt

    Well put together Milly – so true. What wonderful memories we have had with our cats. xx

    Liked by 4 people

  49. Alex McKay Avatar

    Love this😂😂😂 I love my furry babies!!! 🐱🐱💕

    Liked by 5 people

  50. Chris Hall Avatar

    What a lovely, happy post! I googled ‘author and cat’ as you suggested and we’re in very good company 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

  51. Rara Avis Avatar

    Number four was hilarious!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  52. Sonia Bellhouse Avatar

    My cats are family-at times I have had four, at the moment I have three delightful bundles of fun and playfulness. Cats are also incredible listeners when you want to read your work out loud- at least for a while. They steal your office chair and look so cute you get another. One of my cats always runs to greet me when I have been out. They make a home feel more like home.

    Liked by 3 people

  53. Deborah Makarios Avatar

    I have two cats, and in my opinion, the thing which raises them above dogs as pets is that they clean up after themselves. Yes, dogs will grovel to ‘master’, but who is picking up whose poo here? Exactly.
    Cats also make excellent fur-covered hot water bottles when they feel like it (great for warming a stationary writer). Cruelty-free fur, too, or at least free of cruelty to the fur. Whether cruelty is entirely out of the picture does rather depend on the disposition and mood of the cat.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Ariel Lynn Avatar

      “Cats also make excellent fur-covered hot water bottles when they feel like it (great for warming a stationary writer).”

      What a good point! Not only do they warm like a hot water bottle, but studies show their purrs have healing effects on cats & the humans they’re near. So, they also have the healing/soothing qualities of a hot water bottle!

      Liked by 1 person

  54. Crystal P (snowlessknitter) Avatar

    I have a dog now, but I always consider myself a cat person at heart. Cats and I just *get* each other. But, my dog is incredibly territorial when it comes to cats. She chases most of them off the property.

    Liked by 4 people

  55. Book Club Mom Avatar

    This is great – cats are their own people, but they make great writing company!

    Liked by 3 people

  56. BrittneyRz Avatar

    Haha loved the post. #4 is so true for my cat. He is insane and makes me feel more sane. It is a win-win situation!

    Liked by 4 people

  57. A.I. Alex Avatar

    I never had a cat, but the way you put it, it seems like a whole lot of fun 😅 i dunno if i’d be able to take care of one though 😖

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Crook's Eye View Avatar

      Meh… If you can keep food in its bowl, you just took care of it! Lol Cats are totally low maintenance. Well, besides the litter box, that is.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. A.I. Alex Avatar

        Well that’s actually encouraging 😏

        Liked by 5 people

  58. Crook's Eye View Avatar

    Cats. Devious. Delightful. Imaginative in their destruction. Much like writers!

    Liked by 4 people

  59. Puzzles of the Soul Avatar

    Cats are ace there is nothing like them. I have two they are muses and draw around me when I write or pray. Excellent post Milly. Bless you.

    Liked by 4 people

  60. YariGarciaWrites Avatar
    YariGarciaWrites

    I love cats! We adopted a dog and it’s simply not the same. However, we do love him and he is in his forever home… but he might get a little kitty brother or sister someday :-p

    Liked by 4 people

  61. Eleanor Burns Avatar

    No pets allowed in our rental, alas. No wonder I’ve writer’s block … 😦

    Liked by 3 people

  62. Alexis Rose Avatar

    I have two 😁

    Liked by 3 people

  63. dourdan Avatar

    i love #8 (cute little dolly face!) i wish i was back in an apartment that allowed pets. 😛

    Liked by 2 people

  64. ospreyshire Avatar

    Hahaha! That was a funny post that cheered me up. I guess every author should have a cuddly friendship kitty to help them get through life.

    Liked by 4 people

  65. Anthony Avatar

    Good to hear your thoughts again Milly. Writers and Cats…..definitely a thing.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Yeah it’s been a while, about 1.5 months I think!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Anthony Avatar

        I’m not counting. I am happy when I read your posts, and I think you’re doing something even more interesting when you’re not posting. I hope your winter (my summer) has been going well.

        Liked by 1 person

  66. Darnell Cureton Avatar

    What’s not to like?

    Liked by 4 people

  67. Terry Price Kimmel Avatar
    Terry Price Kimmel

    Love it Millie!

    Liked by 4 people

  68. Jonathan Ment Avatar

    Excellent, enjoyed the return to roots.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks, I thought it had been too long!

      Liked by 1 person

  69. Antoinette Truglio Martin Avatar
    Antoinette Truglio Martin

    And you don’t have to walk a cat

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      I can’t believe I forgot this, it’s the number one reason why I have cats!

      Liked by 1 person

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