An Attempt to Profile KittyCat, the Writer

Writing their own profiles is difficult for speakers and writers when their audience is described as “general.” Before they begin to write or give a presentation, they define their audience.
             
Even KittyCat does that. Originally he and his friend Snook wrote letters, one page or less, either on, or enclosed, in a card to Matthew, a child who had a medical problem. I think KittyCat envisioned the young boy’s mother handing the unopened envelope to him, and then once opened, mother and son would read the letter together. Now, with minor changes, KittyCat posts copies of those letters to my blog. He also writes new material. Maybe he imagines other children sitting alone in their rooms who would delight in receiving a short note tucked inside a card that’s addressed especially to them. 

During that time period, while supposedly catnapping, KittyCat was also eavesdropping on a critique group with the intent to organize snippets he gathered into a book and publish it. It is a gift book for writers, written primarily in light verse. In A Cat in the Corner: Conversations Overheard at a Writers’ Group, KittyCat managed to write primarily in the voice of human adults. It was easy enough, I suppose, because that’s who he mimicked throughout the book. In his asides, readers can catch glimpses of KittyCat’s true persona—


Well, now what? The thing is, a rule for profile writers is to stress the positive. A cardinal rule for writers of nonfiction is to tell the truth. KittyCat’s profile? Well, he’s a cat. He would add “a handsome tuxedo cat.” For character insight, you’ll just have to draw your own conclusions from his blogs. In his favor, he is warm-hearted toward children. If you want to copy one of his blogs to read to a child, I'm certain he'd grant permission (with limitations regarding attributions) if you ask him.

© 2011, Bernice Simpson