Lemmon Society Magazine •Issue 003•
April 2026 - Issue 003
From the Editor
Jessica Lemmon is a #1 Bestselling Author and Founder of The Lemmon Society.
Welcome to Issue 003 of Lemmon Society Magazine!
This month, we are proud to welcome our very first contributing author! Terri Martin is sharp and witty, and her contribution about cats and writers reminded me of a time when I learned a lot of lessons from a certain feline in my life.
A tried-and-true dog lover now, it might surprise you to learn that there have been a few cats in my life. The one on the cover reminded me of my sweet Merlin, a gorgeous smoke-point Himalayan that I loved with all my heart…until he had to be re-homed because of a family member’s allergies. 🤧
I also thought back to the cat I owned at ten years old, my beautiful Calico. She guided me through the tribulations of my parents’ divorce, listened when I talked, and followed me into the woods whenever I would go out adventuring.
What I love about Terri’s article is the endearing observations and the light, fun, humorous ways of positioning her point with her cat, Cookie, as the protagonist. Whether you have a cat or a dog, you probably agree that they are the lead in the story and we are merely their human servants.
I have always learned life lessons from the animals that have come and go over the years. This piece is a wonderful example about how, as writers, we can each take a page out of our pets’ books, and learn to rest and trust and be in the flow of life. In the moment—in the present, ever the observer.
Happy reading,
Jessica Lemmon
Editor, Lemmon Society Magazine
Each month, Lemmon Society Magazine for Writer shares the full-length cover story highlighting what’s unfolding inside a membership of the same name. Be sure to check out the invitation to join us at the bottom of this page.
Book Rec of the Month:
Brody Crane is trying to finish is novel about the common man by eschewing his billionaire status and moving to the suburbs. When a sexy handywoman crashes into his periphery, however, he finds that his problems go way beyond writer’s block…
Cover Story by Terri Martin:
Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Cats
Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Cats
Yesterday my cat, Cookie, spent twenty minutes staring out the window at a bird grooming itself in a nearby tree. When it finally flew away, she stretched, walked off, and went to sleep as if the whole thing had gone exactly according to plan. Watching her, I realized she understands a few things most writers struggle to learn.
Cats move through the world with absolute confidence while the rest of us often second-guess everything. Yet cats seem to have mastered several principles many writers struggle with daily—things about creativity and life that most of us spend a lifetime trying to learn.
Lesson 1: Boundaries
Cats walk away when they’re done. They don’t explain or apologize.
Writers agonize over every word while creating (as they should), and often struggle to disengage once the work is finished. Afterward, they may scrutinize low sales, bad reviews, or mean comments—even though those reactions often say more about the person on the other end of the screen than about the work itself.
At times we overcommit, answer every message, and berate ourselves for being distracted. But creative work requires protected time. Cats understand this inherently and would never interrupt their own nap to answer an email or personalize others’ nonsense.
Lesson 2: Rest Is Part of the Work
Cats bask in the sun, play, eat grass, and sleep twelve-to-sixteen hours a day without a second thought.
Writers often feel guilty when they aren’t producing. We forget that creativity needs:
Mental space
Incubation time
Distance from the project
Rest is not laziness. It’s creative maintenance.
Lesson 3: Patience
Cats can sit perfectly still while watching a bird outside the window. They learn through observation rather than inserting themselves into every situation right away. They hide, stalk, and pounce on opportunities when the timing is right. They don’t punish themselves when they miss. They walk away peacefully and wait for the next opportunity.
Writing requires the same kind of patience when:
Drafting
Revising
Querying
Waiting for responses
Reminding yourself that rejection is not necessarily a reflection of your work.
Progress in writing often happens slowly and quietly. A cat never complains that the bird hasn’t arrived yet. It simply trusts that another bird will eventually appear at the windowsill.
Lesson 4: Confidence Without Applause
Cats don’t seek approval.
They don’t check:
Likes
Comments
Reviews
They simply exist with the quiet assumption that they are magnificent, and everyone worships them.
Writers often look outward for validation.
We check sales numbers, reviews, comments, and whether anyone noticed what we made. Cats would find this baffling. Cookie did not sit on the windowsill wondering whether the bird appreciated her presence.
She simply assumes her greatness is self-evident.
Writers might benefit from a little of that attitude (cattitude?). The real work is creating something honest and putting it into the world. Sales, applause, and recognition are largely outside of our control anyway.
Create the work first. Recognition comes later—or sometimes not at all. And that’s okay, because the process teaches us to appreciate our own voice and the gifts we bring to the page. The work itself becomes the reward.
Lesson 5: Selective Attention
Cats decide what deserves their energy.
They ignore:
Nonsense
Noise
People they don’t like
Writers could benefit from the same discipline by ignoring:
Unnecessary criticism
Comparison
Online noise
Writers search endlessly for productivity systems and motivational strategies. Cats solved most of those problems long ago.
When the bird finally flew away, Cookie wandered off, perfectly satisfied with the effort she’d made. In her mind, she’d earned her nap.
Writers would do well to adopt the same philosophy. The secret to creativity isn’t working harder. It’s approaching the work with the quiet confidence of a cat—knowing when to sleep, when to pounce, and when to ignore the world entirely.
♡
[Terri Martin has been a professional tarot reader, tarot teacher, and spiritual advisor since 2012—and a cat enthusiast since birth. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Florida International University and lives in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, under the watchful supervision of her feline overlord, Cookie. When she’s not reading tarot, Terri can usually be found writing, studying symbolism, or contemplating life’s mysteries with a cup of coffee nearby. Learn more about Terri here: https://linktr.ee/readeroncall]
Come write with me!
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Only inside. Let’s write.
There’s a difference between wanting to write a novel and becoming the woman who does. Each month inside The Lemmon Society, you’ll build a consistent writing habit, strengthen your storytelling, and move from ideas to completed drafts. Through live calls, community connection and accountability, you gain momentum, clarity, and confidence. Don't go it alone, storyteller.
A peek at what’s coming this month for members
Story Notes
Behind-the-scenes insights into building characters, scenes, and unforgettable stories from the books we read and the shows we watch.
Creative Inspiration
Whether we are writing letters, practicing poetry, or pulling a tarot card or two, this space is designed to keep our creativity flowing.
Pep Talks
Short audio recordings by Jessica for writers. If your motivation dips or doubt creeps in, this is the perfect pick-me-up.
Live Calls
Our live Zoom conversations are about writing and author life, where Jessica encourages Q&A time.