My guest today on Who Are The Cat Writers’ Association is Sherri “Nina” Neefe, a retired title insurance manager who discovered her real passion when she became Nina to her four grandchildren. 

Relocating with her husband from San Diego to Northern California, they settled in and adopted two adorable kittens from their local Animal Shelter. Simon is a Blue Point Siamese, and Mulan is a Flame Point, and the two of them quickly became the catalyst for Nina’s Cat Tales.

Nina enjoys camping, gardening, movies, biking and being the family “archivist” creating photobook and YouTube video memories for her entire clan. Her love of “kitties and kiddies” and the true story of Mulan’s frightening “escape” inspired her first children’s book, “Mulan’s Big Adventure.”

Tell us a bit about your writing, Nina.

I write whimsical cat picture books in lyrical Seussian rhyme. They are mainly for children, but cat and animal lovers of all ages can enjoy them! My books are different than traditional children’s books because my illustrations are real pet photos which are digitally transformed to fit the story.

How do cats inspire your creativity?

My cats ARE my total inspiration for my journey as a children’s book author. That’s how I accidentally began writing—when our new little kitten, Mulan, “escaped” and was missing for three grueling nights… I told the story of “Mulan’s Big Adventure” to my four grandchildren one evening as a bedtime story. They were mesmerized and emotional with the ups and downs of the true tale, so I thought I’d put it together into a storybook for them with photographs of the cats. When family and friends saw the book, they wanted copies and said I should publish it, so I did!

1. Did you grow up with cats?

I never had a cat until I was 42 years old! Growing up, my parents were dog people. For some reason, I thought I hated cats because I was allergic to them. My daughter is the one who brought cats into my life when she was a teenager. She begged me to let her get a kitten. After weeks of begging, sulking, and peer pressure from everyone around me, I gave in—on the condition that she kept the cat in her room (since I was allergic). The first night she brought little Calvin home, she asked me to babysit him while she went out for a bit with friends. Of course, I was hooked from that day one. Now I’m the CAT LADY in the family LOL!

2. What is your earliest memory of being around cats?

Some friends had cats, but I always had to avoid them because they made me sneeze.

3. What crosses your mind when someone tells you they don’t like cats?

I say, “So did I until I got one!!!”

4. What do your cats think of you?

Our sweet and petite little female, Mulan, thinks I am a recliner chair 🙂    Simon thinks I’m his best friend and he demands my attention ALL of the time!

5. If you were a cat, what would you be like?

I would love to be massaged, but I would definitely cherish my alone time. Cat naps would be cat-tastical!

6. If you were a cat, what breed would you be?

Probably Siamese since I’m part Asian!

Nina can be found on social media @NinasCatTales.

WEBSITE  https://www.ninascattales.com

FACEBOOK  https://www.facebook.com/NinasCatTales

INSTAGRAM  https://www.instagram.com/ninascattales/

TWITTER: @ninas_cat_tales https://twitter.com/ninascattales

LINKED IN:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrineefe/

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/rsneefe/ninas-cat-tales/

AMAZON AUTHOR Profile https://www.amazon.com/Nina-Neefe/e/B088P8TYDG/

GOODREADS Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20414203.Nina_Neefe

YOUTUBE CAT TALES  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQG6KRRZy2fHXP9OKhgoCAtcr68hDU1