Monday, June 22, 2020

Merritt!

Merritt Kalb!
I'm sorry you're backed up with reading...but I'm glad I get a chance to pay proper tribute to my writing partner, Merritt Kalb, the Queen of Cats.

A rescue kitty, she's six months older than my son, the Imp, and they've had a mutual adoration society since we brought the baby home. Almost ten years later, Merritt still isn't sure what this strange looking kitten is, but she knows it belongs to her. Probably the best moment was when the two-year-old Imp discovered that letters make words and tried to teach the cat to read: "C-A-T -- CAT! -- That's YOU!"

It didn't work, but that wasn't the point. 

She owns him, and us, and is very annoyed that she didn't get co-author credit on A FATAL FINALE.
--Kathleen Marple Kalb


Hiatus update: I've been able to read three requested fulls this weekend. Sadly none led to offers, but at least I'm not five months behind on reading, only three.

Got some organizing and sorting done too, which led to buying middle-grade non-fiction for research of course. God, I love this job.

I've also had time to develop some thoughts on novel structure that I hope will be useful down the road.  

Having this extra time is great but I miss you guyz.

12 comments:

Joseph S. said...


Merritt Kalb - WOW.

She must have been an Egyptian queen in a prior life. She maintains her royal demeanor this time through.

nightsmusic said...

Wise eyes on that kitty!

Glad you're catching up, Janet.

The Noise In Space said...

I always love these pet posts. My roommate and I are quarantining separately and she has the cat with her, so I'm living vicariously through those lucky enough to have their furry friends nearby.

Glad you've been so productive, Janet!

Emma said...

Three fulls whilst enduring a migraine and no grilled cheese fresh off the stove! And you still love your job! I'm beyond impressed. I would have been a quivering mass of jelly.

Very pretty cat!

I'm hiding from the heat in my office with my little dog sitting on my foot. He's hiding too.

Lisa Bodenheim said...

That is one intimidating looking writing partner!

ooooo, thoughts on novel structure?! Share with us someday? Pretty please!

Beth Carpenter said...

What wonderful eyes Merritt Kalb has! And the book sounds delightful. No wonder she wanted co-writer credit.

KMK said...

Her Serene Majesty (who considers absolute adoration her due) will not say thank you, but I will! As for the book, she's rather put out that there's not a cat, and would very much like to meet the parrot. To play with it...I think!

AJ Blythe said...

Ahh a live in sitter for the Imp... or did they get into mischief together?

Janet, two months of catch up is a fair swag of time! Come the end of your hiatus you'll be twiddling your thumbs and scheming evil on authors.

Brenda said...

Quite regal.

BJ Muntain said...

We miss you, too, Janet!

Donnaeve said...

Haaaa, that face. That look. I'd call that the "Merritt Smirk."

(coincidentally, Merritt is the name of Jessie Sasser's brother in The Moonshiner's Daughter - and here I thought no one else had ever heard the name before - and it's been bestowed upon a cat! *waves at Kathleen*)

KMK said...

"Wave back" at Donnaeve! And a little backstory -- the name Merritt is for the Merritt Parkway -- because she treats the house as her personal highway!