Cats. The writer's life. And anything that inspires me, including myths and legends, life lessons, travel, and coffee. Enjoy!
PLEASE NOTE: Tamara cannot answer any medical questions about any pets or animals. This is not only due to legal reasons (since she might not be licensed in the location where you live) and time limitations, but also for very practical reasons: Since Tamara can't see, diagnose, or treat your pet over the internet, the best possible care for your four-legged friend is through seeing a veterinarian near you. All written, spoken, or otherwise conveyed information is for general information and/or entertainment purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice for people or for pets. By reading or otherwise consuming any information from the author, you accept these terms.
I understand that, for many parts of the world, a vegetarian diet just isn’t the norm, and I don’t expect them to change that just because tourists and expats come there. However, when I did find some restaurants that offered a variety of good vegetarian dishes, I really appreciated it. It made it much easier for me during my travels, and I tried some really delicious foods! Here's my list of places I'd recommend...
There are plenty of beautiful things to see in Langkawi, but be sure not to skip the 3D art museum. It's a ton of fun!
PLEASE NOTE: Tamara cannot answer any medical questions about any pets or animals. This is not only due to legal reasons (since she might not be licensed in the location where you live) and time limitations, but also for very practical reasons: Since Tamara can't see, diagnose, or treat your pet over the internet, the best possible care for your four-legged friend is through seeing a veterinarian near you. All written, spoken, or otherwise conveyed information is for general information and/or entertainment purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice for people or for pets. By reading or otherwise consuming any information from the author, you accept these terms.
Meet Little Girl: The wild child
Oct 18, 2019 by Tamara Spell
You've met the other four cats. Now, meet Little Girl, the aloof and unpredictable feline who inspired the character of Pixie the Wondercat.
Two Twitter opportunities for writers
Sep 27, 2019 by Tamara Spell
Writers: did you know you can learn what agents are looking for -- and even pitch your book! -- directly on Twitter? There are official days and rules for this. But wow, it makes me wish I had started using Twitter years ago! Here are two recurring opportunities I just discovered...
Why use a pen name?
Sep 22, 2019 by Tamara Spell
Why do authors use pen names? Here are some of the reasons why... and, how I chose one for myself.
Meet June: The friendly guy who never learned to “speak cat”
Sep 03, 2019 by Tamara Spell
June is super friendly and tries his best to make friends with his fellow felines, even though he doesn't always seem to understand their cat signals. And, he's the inspiration for Gus, the Wondercat who loves mythology and sunshine spots — and of course, breakfast!
Why join a critique group?
Aug 30, 2019 by Tamara Spell
As a writer, how valuable is a critique group? And, what sort of feedback do you get? Here's my recent experience with a group near my new home...
Meet Cowboy: Little cat, big attitude… and the best friend a person could ask for
Aug 07, 2019 by Tamara Spell
Cowboy is, in fact, a female. As the only senior cat in the group, she's grumpy and doesn't like to share her space. But she's got a heart of gold and is totally loyal to her person.
Meet Luna: Unconditional love wrapped up in a bundle of fluff
Jul 09, 2019 by Tamara Spell
Next in the Wondercats bunch is Luna, the inspiration for the character Snowball. Luna's superpower is unconditional love, which disarms even the toughest of opponents, and can warm your heart on even the most difficult of days.
Meet Holly: The real-life hero cat that inspired Hazel
Jul 01, 2019 by Tamara Spell
Holly was a hero even without superpowers. Here's the story of how we found each other overseas... and how she saved the life of a young kitten.
Legends of DIA part 3: Underground tunnels and secret societies
Jun 30, 2019 by Tamara Spell
The odd stories and conspiracy theories of Denver International Airport don't end with just a demon horse and watchful gargoyles... In fact, there's a whole network of underground tunnels, a mysterious plaque linked to the Freemasons, and rumors of lizard people.
Notre Denver: The good-luck gargoyles of DIA
Oct 11, 2018 by Tamara Spell
A shout out to the twin gargoyles who watch over and protect travelers from lost luggage.
Why I return to the same places I've traveled to before
Jul 27, 2018 by Tamara Spell
When it comes to traveling, it's tempting to try to cram in as many sites and destinations as possible into our limited vacation time. But I would argue that there's a lot to be discovered by returning to a place you've been to before, traveling slower and soaking up the vibe and daily life of your chosen destination, and experiencing more than you did the first time around.
Legends of DIA Part 1: Blucifer
Jul 05, 2018 by Tamara Spell
Airport travel usually isn't very interesting- just bustling through crowds and trying to find a quiet spot among thousands of people. However, the Denver International Airport is a fascinating place if you stop to take a look around or research some of its many conspiracy theories. As a writer, I find this incredibly interesting, and I'm going to share some of the stories here. I'll start with the most well-known of all: Blucifer, the Blue Mustang.
Why I Meditate
Apr 14, 2017 by Tamara Spell
I don't believe it’s possible to really get rid of all negative or worrying thoughts. However, I do know, from personal experience, that it’s possible to take their power away and to avoid their damaging effects. It’s a lifelong practice, but the results are worth the effort. For me, the practice of meditation has made a huge difference.
Vegetarian Restaurants
Feb 10, 2017 by Tamara Spell
Monsters on Display in Cebu
Jan 23, 2017 by Tamara Spell
The monster collection at the Cebu Airport in the Philippines includes: Kapre, Tikbalang, Duwende, and, last but not least, Manananggal.
Why don't we have this much fun at US airports?
Why don't we have this much fun at US airports?
Holly and Luna's Big Adventure (as told by Holly)
Jan 04, 2017 by Tamara Spell
Traveling with pets can be challenging for both the humans and the animals involved, but I'm glad I was able to bring my two cats home from the Middle East, and have them in the cabin with me the whole trip. Here's Holly's story of her big travel adventure...
The Animals of Langkawi
Jul 08, 2016 by Tamara Spell
Langkawi, Malaysia is a beautiful place to visit, with tropical beaches, green mountains, and one of the longest cable car rides in the world. But the real highlight for me was the wildlife. Here's a tip for when you travel there: Skip the more expensive rooms over the water, and instead opt for a rainforest chalet, where you can watch monkeys, flying lemurs, and other animals from your balcony.
The Elephants of Pinnawala
Jul 01, 2016 by Tamara Spell
In Pinnawala, Sri Lanka, there is a rescue facility for injured and orphaned elephants. You can visit the orphanage, but you can also hang out by the river to see them when they walk here for their daily bath.
Funny Signs
Jun 23, 2016 by Tamara Spell
It's good to keep a sense of humor while traveling. These are some of the funniest signs I've run into so far. My favorite right now: "No vomiting in the Skydome"
3D Art in Langkawi
May 06, 2016 by Tamara Spell
