Trials and Tribulations

In Dark Clowder Cats, a young cat faces high expectations and comparisons to her father’s success as she finds it within herself to become a leader in her own right. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The first book in the Clowder Cats series was a straightforward adventure/fantasy story. From the outset, I intended the Clowder Cats series to be for a young adult audience, and when Bushytail had a kit it was the perfect opportunity to focus in on the trials and tribulations all young adults have as they pass through being a teenager and becoming an adult.

I find your characters to be fascinating. Did any of the characters’ development occur organically throughout the story?

Storm’s dour attitude at the beginning of the story comes as a bit of a shock to readers I think. Being the main character, the reader is expecting that she will develop into a heroic character, but as we all know these things don’t happen quickly. When finally Storm begins to show some more admirable qualities, the editor’s comment was, “Thank goodness!”

What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?

I really enjoyed writing the scene (spoiler alert) where Storm finds stillness through dance. I was inspired by watching someone do martial arts forms at my local gym and the beauty of it. The theme of “stillness” being a state of mind that we all need to bring us peace runs through both books, and Storm is a perfect example of how hard it can be to find that, especially when you are a teenager.

Can you give fans a peek into the next book in the Clowder Cats series?

I am really hoping to have book three out in another 12 months. I have planned four books for this series – one for each of the four clowders: High Clowder, Dark Clowder, Tree Clowder, and River Clowder. Storm is the main character for books 2, 3, and 4. In book three, we also finally get to find out more about Bristle, Brave, and cat magic!

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Storm is having difficulty at cadet school. As Bushytail’s daughter, everyone expects her to be the best cadet but she knows that she is far from it. As time goes on, and she still can’t master the three rules, she becomes discouraged. It is not until the clowder is under threat and she is forced to make a journey to the city that she finds the skills within herself to lead others.

When the guardians charge her with a mission to help the leader of Dark Clowder she is confused and disappointed. After the harm Brokenear caused she had hoped that Dark Clowder was disbanded for good, but the Guardians insist that all four clowders need to be strong for the Stone to be strong. She dutifully tries to play her part but is filled with doubts about whether or not she is doing the right thing. It is not an easy journey, but along the way she discovers that although she is not good at being still, she has other skills to offer.

In the end she is forced to make hard choices. Does she follow in her father’s footsteps or not?