As soon as folks hear I'm a writer, little antennae pop up. People ask, "Just what is it you write?"

While not an unfair question, it's a toughie to answer. How can I categorize my eclectic meanderings with a pen?

I've arranged my freelance writing life so I focus on things I enjoy. Let's see ... I spend many work hours blogging about animals. Volunteer rescue work and the antics of my family's collection of cats and dogs. Puppy dog kisses and kitties purring on my desk. Besides that, I chalk up quite a few short-story sales. I adore light fiction and my specialty is romance. I also create silly greeting card text, including kitty-themed cards. First-person essays are another market I soak up. I add my words to the inspirational messages of Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort books.

Not long ago, a stranger at a cafe offered me a bit of career advice for free. Seated a couple of tables away, he leaned my way and asked what I write.

Who wants to hear intricate details about what this writer does once she parks herself at her desk? "Oh, a little of this, a little of that," I told him, hoping it would suffice.

It didn't.

Since I could see he was expecting a better account, I blubbered something about uplifting essays, true confessions, a Cat Lady blog and friendship cards.
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"I see," replied the stranger. "So you write about love."

Voila! Thank you, thank you.

Nowadays, anytime someone inquires what I do for a living, my answer is ready to pounce.
"I write about love."