Ellen here, and I’m so happy to welcome A.R. Kennedy to her first Chicks post. Don’t miss the darling photos of her doggies!
My Writing Companions
People often wonder how does a writer write. But a more entertaining question is “Who does a writer write with?”
This author writes with these two small pups. They are usually running around my condo. Occasionally, they are sleeping. Most often, my miniature schnauzer puppy, River—who turns one in October!—is running around our home with objects she shouldn’t have—pens, pencils, papers, reading glasses, water bottles. Her inclination to grab a writers’ tools makes me wonder if she wants to write her own story. For the time being, she’ll have to be the inspiration for my stories.
I know what you’re thinking—I want to see photos of this rambunctious puppy mid-antic. Alas, when she sees the phone, she attacks that too. There are teeth marks on most everything I own—my flip flops, my phone, my iPad, the TV remote, charging cables, notes on upcoming projects, my glasses.
My friends send me pictures of their pups sleeping. I have one picture of River sleeping, because she never stops. And I love her for it. It also leads to weekends at “Grandma’s” so I can get some writing completed.
That’s Hedwih on the left and River on the right.
To date, all of my novels include an adorable dog. In the Nathan Miccoli Mystery series, it’s Laude—a feisty, black miniature schnauzer who is Lily’s near constant companion.
In Saving Ferris, Ferris is the star. This failed out of service school golden retriever teaches Cecilia who her family really is and she never thought that would include a dog. Saving Ferris is a story that makes us consider what, exactly, pets mean to us.
My pups, the ones that live with me and the ones that have passed on but live forever in my heart, are the inspiration for these four legged loves. Their antics, their love, and their personalities are instrumental to the creation of my fictional pets.
**Cat lovers — I hope you are still with me. I love all pets. In my upcoming series, A Traveler Cozy Mystery, main character Naomi will be a cat owner.
BIO: A.R. Kennedy lives in Long Beach, New York, with her two pups. She works hard to put food on the floor for them. As her favorite T-shirt says, ‘I work so my dog can have a better life’. She’s an avid traveler. But don’t worry. While she’s away, her parents dote on their grand-puppies even more than she does. Her writing is a combination of her love of travel, animals, and the journey we all take to find ourselves.
https://www.amazon.com/A-R-Kennedy/e/B00GOKCWHE
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/ARKennedyauthor
Twitter https://twitter.com/ark_author
Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7382548.A_R_Kennedy
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/a-r-kennedy
Your dogs are adorable! Pets certainly make life–and books–more enjoyable. I have cats myself. I don’t think they’re nearly as energetic or destructive as dogs, which suits me just fine!
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Thank you!
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The dogs are adorable. But you don’t understand River. The dog doesn’t want to write her story. She wants you to write it. She’s a dog with a special gift. She knows how to solve murders. And she can telepathically give you the answers. So she wants to be a Watson to someone’s Sherlock
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Don’t give her any ideas…
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Thank you for having me on the blog today! A R
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We’re so glad to have you, A.R.!!
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I always admire writers who work with inspiring canine muses. My Golden named Farley (Marley with an F) inspires the need for me to write very, very…quickly. Looking forward to reading your series, A. R.! (I love Long Beach, by the way. An old haunt of mine.)
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Thank you!
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Ohmygosh those dogs are adorable! My Nala is as laid-back as yours are rambunctious. In fact, when our vet met her the first time after we adopted her, she remarked, “Nala is very respectful.” And she was right! Even after 5 years, she still asks permission to get up on the couch. (Nala, not the vet.)
Adding your books to my TBR pile. Thanks for visiting here today!
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Thanks! I can’t believe Nala asks permission to get on the couch! I found River on my coffee table when I briefly looked away.
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Sometimes she looks at me and I tell her she can get up, then at hubs and he tells, then at me again until finally one of tells her to act like a freakin’ DOG already!
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I can related to the company f animal companions. I have a standard poodle that is at my side 24/7, and I’m sure many animal lovers will understand when I say, she’s my beta-listener. Congratulations on your new book.
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Well said! My pups are my beta listeners too.
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What adorable writing companions. Now, go find out what River is chewing on.
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😂
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A.R., thank you so much for visiting with us! I love your doggies. I write with our darling rescue Pogo keeping me company. I got this child’s stuffed chair that’s shaped like a caterpillar and he lies on it under a blanket because he’s a chi mix and always cold. He chewed off the caterpillar’s antennas, though. He’s eaten so many blankets and stuffed toys that I think by now he’s half stuffed animal himself!
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😍 pups are so much fun.
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Haha!
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Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, A.R.! I am most definitely a dog person and yours are adorable! My Jack Russell mix, Ziggy, is not almost nine, but she still acts like a pup–doing what we call the “devil dog” routine, racing around the yard or house like a crazed animal. But luckily she now sleeps much of the day, allowing me to write.
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I call that the zoomies. I love when the pups do it!
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I can’t believe River did all those things you said. Just look at that innocent face — lol! Thanks for visiting us, A.R.!
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That face gets her out of a lot of yelling. Sometimes I fear she’ll think her name is ‘River No’
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Thank you so much for visiting us! Your dogs are absolutely ADORABLE!! I grew up with a pair of terriers who were so much fun. Pets are the best. ❤ Congrats on the books!!
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Thank you! Yes, pets-especially mine -are the best. 😀
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