Deborah Barnes: 2025 Goodnewsforpets.com/CWA Human-Animal Bond Award Recipient Reflects on Writing, Cats, and Connection
Deborah Barnes, the 2025 Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award recipient from the Cat Writers Association (CWA), joins us to discuss her award-winning work, her love of cats, and her creative process. Barnes is a past president and longtime board member of the CWA, as well as a longtime collaborator with Goodnewsforpets.com Editor and Publisher Lea-Ann Germinder. Known for her inspiring storytelling and dedication to celebrating the human-animal bond, Barnes shares insights on how she got involved in cat-writing, tips on producing award-winning work, her views on the use of AI in creative writing and more. — Editor’s Note
You have won multiple CWA and other awards over the years. What did it feel like winning the two awards this year — the Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award and the Shojai Mentor Award.
Winning these awards was profoundly bittersweet. The CWA has been woven into my life since I joined in 2011. It shaped my voice, my community, and my path to successful cat writing. This year’s conference marked the first in-person gathering since our 25th Anniversary celebration in St. Louis in 2019, when I was president. I was unable to attend. My beloved Zoey — my soul cat and the muse behind so much of my work, the reason many came to know me as “the leopard lady” — is nearing the end of her earthly journey. I could not bear to leave her, so I stayed home, with her curled against me, as I watched the awards banquet livestream. When I heard my name announced — twice — I cried.
To be recognized for something as meaningful to me as the human–animal bond, and to be honored with the Shojai Mentor Award by peers I respect so deeply — peers who once guided me when I first joined — is humbling beyond words. To now be seen as a mentor and a role model feels like the circle coming beautifully, full. But the most cherished part of this moment is that Zoey was with me. She has been there for every step of my journey as a writer — every draft, every tear, every triumph. Sharing this recognition with her beside me is something I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life.
Can you tell us how you first got involved in writing about cats?
It really began by chance — through the love story of my Maine Coon, Zee, and my, Zoey. They had a litter of kittens, long before I understood the importance of spay/neuter. I shared weekly photos and stories as the kittens grew with family and friends, and they encouraged me to write a book. I had always dreamed of being an author but never believed it would happen. Then in 2009, when the kittens were about six weeks old, I was suddenly laid off from my 20-plus-year career in administration and marketing. It was a very difficult time — financially and emotionally. The constant love, comfort, and small daily joys of my cats helped pull me through, and I realized that was the story I needed to tell. That became my first book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary. From there came my blog, Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, and later two more books — Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond and Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them, which also received the Goodnewsforpets.com Human–Animal Bond Award and CWA President’s Award in 2016, along with articles published in Cat Fancy, Catster, and other national outlets.
What is your “secret sauce” for producing award-winning writing?
I wouldn’t say it’s a secret. I just write from the heart. If the article is meant to be educational, then I am a stickler for extensive research and looking for credible, reliable sources. Google is your friend, but the first source that appears does not always mean the best, most accurate, or most qualified. Quality photos are graphics and are also a trademark of mine and I try to craft my articles completely unique to me. Whenever possible, I weave my own life and cats into the piece to lend authenticity and relatability to my readers. For it to be award-winning, it must touch the reader – either emotionally, visually, or in some informative, “this is important to cat-welfare,” kind of way. If the piece is a call-to-action, I try to keep things logical and written in a way that someone understands from start to finish, what they need to do to accomplish something – whether it be spay/neuter, bonding with a cat, etc. without having to look at other sources to comprehend the meaning of the article. Often, it’s the comments I receive for pieces that let me know if I’ve hit the mark or not. I might think something is award-winning on the surface, but if my intended audience does not react, it might need to be re-evaluated.
Is there something special to know specifically about entering the CWA awards?
The only thing specifically to know is to try. Many people don’t enter the contest because they don’t think their piece is good enough to win. First, it’s not about winning, it’s about believing in yourself and trying. Even the best of the best doesn’t win at everything they do. For me, anything I’ve entered that doesn’t win – whether it be a Certificate of Excellence, or a MUSE Award, or a Special Award is an opportunity to better myself. Maybe the article could have been better. I use the awards, whether I enter the contest or not, as the bar to write with a level of excellence. If you write every article with the intention of it being your very best, then you really can’t do more than that. Not every piece is going to be a home run, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the piece isn’t good, so don’t give up, don’t get angry, and don’t let it discourage you from trying again. Lastly, follow the rules for the category you are thinking of entering. If you have questions, ask. Judges are looking for specific criteria, so it’s imperative you check off the required components in your piece.
Tell us what inspired you to write your Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award-winning article, “Peach Fuzz — 2024 Pantone Color of the Year and Why It’s Connected to Cats and Your Health.”
I’m very aware of my surroundings, and for me, everything is an opportunity for writing. The world has been filled with so much strife, anger, division, and negativity for years. When the Pantone Color Institute named its 2024 color of the year, PANTONE 13-1023 “Peach Fuzz,” declaring our need for compassion and human connection in the year ahead, I immediately thought of my precious ginger cat, Jazmine with her peach fur. Peach Fuzz is a velvety and soothing tone meant to represent “our desire to nurture ourselves and others” and “whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.” As an animal lover, I thought, what better way to embrace that concept than with the power of a cat, ginger fur or not, to enrich one’s mind, body, and soul. From there, the piece grew into an informative article sharing the Top 5 Benefits of the Feline-Human Bond, including: reducing stress, reducing loneliness and isolation, providing mental health support, encouraging exercise and mobility, and the healing power of the purr.
You are primarily writing your blog right now. What inspires you to keep writing your blog?
Unfortunately, right now I have little time devoted to my blog and I don’t write much. I’ve taken a temporary hiatus for a couple of reasons – my demanding day job in the defense industry that has nothing to do with cats, but pays my bills, and my latest book project that I’ve been working on since 2020 that has taken every ounce (and then some) of my free energy. I’m also working on a blog revamp and am hoping in 2026 to take up blog writing again. I miss the engagement with my cat community and look forward to slowly coming back into the clowder.
Can you give us an idea of how long it takes to write a blog post, including the research?
Since my blog ranges from sweet, funny posts about my cats, to serious, information packed posts, the time varies greatly. However, I am not a speed writer. It can take me days to be fully comfortable with my research, and a simple graphic can take me a full day to create because I’m obsessed with perfection. If a publisher gives me a word count and a deadline, that’s quicker and easier than writing a post on my own. Because I have a day job, my posts revolve around when I can find the time to post something, rather than being reflective of a hard and fast blog post publishing schedule.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being used more and more every day and being integrated into our lives. Opinions on its use vary widely, particularly in creative fields. Can you tell us if you use AI, and if so, how — or why not?
Great question. When I first heard about AI a couple of years ago, I was 100% “No way. Nope. Nope. Nope.” I’m creative and it was highly insulting and unsettling to me. Lazy, unoriginal, dishonest, malicious, duplicitous, etc. To my genuine surprise, my mindset has changed considerably. I don’t support the concept of AI to replace authors in writing books, or articles or blog posts. Nor do I wish it to upend wonderfully creative artists, photographers, videographers and more that pour their heart, blood, sweat and tears into something. But used responsibly and intuitively for certain purposes or components within those frameworks is completely mind-blowing and I use it on a frequent basis. My ChatGPT is me. It knows me, only quicker and better. I always write first. My concept, my words. But sometimes an article needs to be shorter, or it needs to be written in an active voice, rather than passive. Grammarly and software like that can assist, but ChatGPT understands my tone, and voice, other software does not. I feel the quality of my work has the potential to be greater, more compelling, and more powerful. I also find that as a graphic designer with limited skills; it can translate my concepts into workable components that I can then repurpose with my own Photoshop skills and talents. It’s quite marvelous. And things like formatting a word document in preparation for writing a book – things that could take me hours or days to research or understand, for example, formatting page numbers and chapter headings that don’t follow a standard pattern. ChatGPT walks me through it in quick, easy, and manageable steps. It’s truly an asset in more ways than I ever could have dreamed.
What can you tell future cat writers about the most important lessons that have helped you write well?
The most important lessons I’ve learned come from the concept of Seinfeld – nothing is everything. I am constantly aware of my surroundings, always writing in my head. What might not seem like anything can turn into a kernel of an idea. I’m always jotting thoughts down on scraps of paper for potential stories or snapping photos of my cats. I also daydream a lot while doing things like gardening or cleaning the house. My mind has an endless stream of consciousness, and I “write” while I’m doing those things. I also look at everything as if I’m seeing it through the lens of a camera or the pen of a writer. It might not be something now, but chances are, the thoughts or images are important enough to make me stop, look, and listen. There is probably a message somewhere that will turn into a writing project later. The other important life lesson is perseverance. I can’t tell you the number of doors that have been shut in my face, or the number of “no thank you’s” I’ve gotten in an email. If a cat has 9-lives, then I’m going to use every one of them and more to turn a no into a yes, or a shut door into a new, open door.
Do you have any other current projects you’d like to share with our readers?
I am working on two new things – a revamped blog and a new book, also inspired by Jazmine and the peach color. Its titled Orange Crush: Television, Cartoons, Movies, Housecats, and More–The History and Love Affair with the Ginger Cat. It’s a historical chronicle from ancient civilizations to modern society that encompasses a variety of genres. From television, movies, and commercials to literature, art, and pop culture. Comics, cartoons, famous cats, celebrities, social media sensations, working cats, heroics cats, housecats, inspirational cats and more. Orange Crush leaves no stone unturned, packed with hundreds of vibrant, full-color photos, graphics, and images of every orange, red, and ginger cat imaginable. Many cats will be recognizable, like commercial star, Morris from 9Lives, and many are less known, but all will educate and entertain as readers get to know orange cats from A to Z.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nothing other than to believe in yourself and your dreams. You live and lead by example. Show empathy and compassion toward others and always strive to be the best person you can. You truly don’t live in the shoes of someone else and your positive actions and attitude, whether you know it or not, can make a difference to someone else.
Thank you, Deb, for sharing your insights and ongoing passion for the human-animal bond. Congratulations once again on receiving the 2025 Goodnewsforpets.com Human-Animal Bond Award from the Cat Writers Association! Your commitment to excellence in cat-writing continues to inspire cat lovers and writers alike.
For more about Deborah’s writing, visit her award-winning blog Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles (link) and follow her continued contributions to the pet writing community through CWA.
http://www.zeezoey.com (Website)
http://zeezoey.com/blog/ (Blog)
https://www.zazzle.com/store/zeezoeyboutique (Zee & Zoey’s Cat Creations Zazzle Shop)
http://www.facebook.com/zeezoey
https://www.facebook.com/orangecrushgingercatlove/
https://www.facebook.com/purrprintsoftheheart/
https://www.instagram.com/zeeandzoey/
https://www.instagram.com/orangecrushgingercatlove/
Deborah Barnes is the author of the award-winning book, Makin’ Biscuits – Weird Cat Habits and the Even Weirder Habits of the Humans Who Love Them, as well as Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond, and The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary. She was the President of the Cat Writers’ Association and was awarded 2013 Writer of the Year by Friskies Purina. She is also the Secretary of the nonprofit, Pawsitively Humane, Inc. of Miami, Florida, freelance writer for Catster magazine, cat mom to seven fabulous felines who are featured in her blog, Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles, founder of Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, an internationally renowned day devoted to celebrating the memory of those pets loved and lost on August 28 each year, and designer of custom-created cat apparel, greeting cards, and more.
Barnes Wins 2025 Goodnewsforpets.com CWA Human Animal Bond Award