People often make the mistake of asking where I get my story ideas. Well, here's the truth. The three fiends pictured below are responsible.
Johnathon Irving Cat (Johnny, to you) is the tabby in the corner. Do not let his cuteness fool you into thinking he is not currently plotting your death. He is, in fact, the incarnation of evil.
Keiko, the black one, is a Japanese ninja of death. She stalks her prey (the FiendMaster's fuzzy slippers) in complete silence and with absolute malevolence. She is the fiend of fiends. Where Johnny plots, Keiko acts. Kitty has claws. She uses them to tear out your fleshy bits when you're sleeping. Or writing. Or podcasting.
The brute in the upper corner is the 100lb Indie dog. Again, do not let the somber expression on his face fool you. He is neither pining for a bone or a walk. He is, instead, pining there is not a small child to chew on. He is the "muscle" in the FiendMaster's wicked coven. He has never met a bone he cannot consume, or a body he cannot hide. He is the ultimate bodyguard and hitter. At 100lbs, you should be very afraid.
They whisper to me in secret. They crowd my feet when they hear the tap tap of the keyboard. They jingle their collars when the FiendMaster tells his tales. They are the FiendMaster's companions. And they are every bit as evil as the FiendMaster himself.
