The Reading Bud

Welcome to TRB Lounge. Today, I’d like to welcome the author of Will My Kitty Be In Heaven—Michele Cardneaux—for an author interview with The Reading Bud.

About The Author

I am an avid animal lover and truly love all animals especially cats and dogs!
Sadly these furry family members don’t have a life span as long as their owners. I presently do not have any pets and it’s incredibly sad but I wrote this after my daughters beautiful Blue Russian died last summer and it broke our hearts. Gatsby was the love of her life and my book is a memorial for him.
And WHY are we humans expected to just go back to acting like nothing happened? It’s incredibly painful and we need to speak to someone and maybe even a pastor or priest to get us through.
That’s what this book is about…Sarah got through with the love of both her mom and dad.

You can find author Cardneaux here:
Amazon

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Interview

Welcome to TRB! Please give our readers a brief introduction about yourself before we begin. 

I am Michele Cardneaux and I live now in Paris, Texas, not far from Dallas! Great shopping and great restaurants in Dallas! My only child, Catherine, is also in the Dallas area. 

I was born and raised in Mississippi but have lived in Fort Pierce, Florida as well as Rogersville, Tennessee. My senior year in high school we moved to Texas and I’m still here! Lots of HORSES! I love and enjoy horseback riding and I’m one of those that spoils all animals including horses!

Can you share a fun or intriguing detail about your book that isn’t mentioned in the blurb?

When I was growing up we always had kittens and dogs that would give birth to puppies ALL THE TIME!! I got way too attached to the puppies and the kitties and then they were gone. My mother raised them and then sold them after I fell in love with each of them! This went on all throughout my school days and I was quite affected by it.

What’s the main lesson or message you hope young readers will take away from this book?

My main message really is that I truly believe with prayer and family and friends we are more likely to be able to deal with the loss of a beloved pet because they truly become members of our family. I know and understand many people deal with this on the daily and it saddens me.

Who is your favorite character in the book and why? Is it someone kids would love to be friends with?

My favorite character is Sarah because she is relatable. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t lost their furry loved ones at one time in their life. I actually had a beautiful black kitty once that died and I mourned that kitty for five years! I named him Seymour. I must add my daddy was a kitty lover and would frequently bring one home from his work. He didn’t work OUTSIDE—he was a hospital administrator with an office INSIDE—but would tell us they either followed him home or jumped in the car with him!           

What sparked the idea for this story? Was it from your own childhood, a story you heard, or maybe even from your imagination?

This book came to me after my daughter’s kitty, Gatsby, passed away, and that’s when I realized people assume you can easily get over a pet. No one has taught us how to properly grieve the loss. When it’s a family member we are bombarded with sympathy cards, food brought over, and of course phone calls but when we lose a pet, nothing. Very upsetting.

How long did it take you to craft this adventure? Did you share it with any kids along the way?

This book was thought of quickly and no one added to it in any way.

What are your dreams as a children’s author? Where do you hope to be in the world of stories 5 years from now?

My ultimate goal is to write a series of books as Sarah tries finding her furry friends! Sarah lives in a small rural area which is on a farm in Mississippi with only farm animals and she loves them but she needs and wants a furry friend who can sleep in her bed with her.

Are there any other magical tales or adventures you’re currently working on?

I’m currently only interested in the journey Sarah has taken on! Maybe kitties and more kitties!

Why did you decide to write for children? Do you also explore other genres?

I decided to write children’s books because I have a true love for young children. Actually, my first job immediately after college was as a preschool teacher, and young children are the ones most affected when the family pet passes away.

When did you first realize you wanted to write stories for children? Was there a special book or moment from your own childhood that inspired you?

As a child myself I would tell stories to the neighborhood children or sit around a campfire telling ghost stories! So much fun! I enjoyed watching their faces full of excitement and anticipating the next word.

What’s your writing routine like? Do you have any special toys or treats that help you write?

No real ROUTINE just write whatever I am seeing or feeling around me.

Do you prefer to write with a computer, pen and paper, or perhaps even a magic quill?

I prefer to write using my iPhone but of course when I was starting out I preferred writing with just pen and paper!

Which 5 children’s books or authors do you absolutely adore?

I love Jacob Grimm from Grimms’ Fairy Tales! Here are five more of my favorite authors:

• Carolyn Keene, the author of the Nancy Drew series 
• Roald Dahl 
• Dr. Suess
• Vera Williams; she does beautiful picture books 
• Beatrix Potter

How do you bounce back when the story isn’t flowing the way you want it to?

I just allow the story to be in control and I am simply there for the ride! 

What magical advice would you give to young aspiring writers and storytellers?

The advice I would give young writers would be simple: IF YOU CAN SEE THE BOOK IN YOUR HEAD WRITE IT!

Thank you, author Cardneaux, for taking the time to answer our questions and for all your thought-provoking and interesting answers!

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About the Book

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If you are an author and wish to be featured as our guest or if you are a publicist and want to get your author featured on TRB, then please get in touch directly by e-mail at thereadingbud@gmail.com