An adventure with claws, courage, and a dash of cat-titude.
Interview with Kitty May Gruchelska
What is your favorite part of the book?
It’s difficult to say because the book is based on a true story, and I remember many of the scenes fondly due to personal experience. There were many highs and lows with the process of rescuing him from Saudi and it seemed at one point that fate was against us. Focusing on particular parts of the book, I’d have to say Gonzales’ interior dialogue, including his wisecracks and observations, but I also enjoyed creating the dialogues between him and the other cats on Street 122.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
For Gonzales, the main lesson was about trusting hoomans, especially when they’re so erratic but well-meaning. For Kitty, her ongoing personal issues were finding stability too, which makes her the ideal complement to Gonzales.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
The characters are all based on real cats and people. Jack and Kitty are my husband and I, Gonzales is, well, himself, while the neighbourhood cats are characters developed on felines we briefly encountered.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Gonzales, of course! Although I love Snowy’s snooty character too.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
Zeus the Terrible Tabby was a vocal cat we met early in our time on Street 122. He was definitely the neighbourhood bully and tried to prevent other cats from eating.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
I think we definitely annoy Gonzales from time to time, especially when we have to give him eye drops or medicine. Maybe he tolerates us much of the time, but he misses us when we go away for a few days.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Gonzales: The Street Cat can definitely stand alone, but I also hope readers will be curious to learn how he coped and adapted to his new home. I’ll write the second book as a story in its own right, although he definitely grows as a character throughout the series. Some of his adventures haven’t even happened yet!
