Animals Make Great Secondary Characters
I’ve tried writing a book without animals of any kind. So far, I’ve failed; quite miserably actually.
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| AYVA |
Despite my best efforts, creatures of some sort creep in.
I’ve used lots of dogs: dachshunds, boarhounds, spaniels, a one-eyed sheepdog, and other animals too: a three-legged cat, horses, a bad-tempered bull, blind mule, chickens, and an owl with deformed feet named Sophie, to mention a few.
I even named a dachshund, Kiki, in The Earl’s Enticement after a beloved pet that died from being poisoned by a chicken jerky treat two years ago.
Wagers Gone Awry (Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper, Book 1) has an incorrigible Welsh Corgi named Freddy, and in Heartbreak and Honor, boarhounds abound. Yvette in Highlander’s Hope has spaniels she adores, and Flynn from Triumph and Treasure has a a horse named Kane as well as dogs named Moll and Lasses. Can you guess what kind of plantation he owned?
I have a bunch of pets myself; too many to mention and not be considered a bit odd. I even write with a mini-dachshund on my lap. Occasionally, she inspires my prose. For instance, Ayva was having a rather gassy day, and before I knew it, I’d written a scene in which my hero’s dog succeeded in embarrassing him with her unfortunate digestive troubles, much to the amusement of the heroine
In Wagers Gone Awry, Freddy lifts his leg on the Earl of Ravensdale’s boot. That was inspired by my son’s dog, Fido, pooping on my son’s girlfriends foot because the dog was jealous.
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| Midnight |
I adore pets in stories (not just my own). Animals add a depth of reality and connectedness to books, and they can have wonderfully fun personalities.
The way a character interacts and responds to animals tells readers much about that person, and naming a pet character is one of my favorite things to do. I’m thinking of a fat cat named Sir Pounce, a pair of King Charles Spaniels named Moll and Lasses (Think molasses. Their master owns sugar plantations) and a Dalmatian named Sir Freckleton.
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| Naunnie, Fido, Ayva, Tito, Pookie |
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| Ayva |
I had a professor once who claimed a story wasn’t complete unless it contained an animal of some sort. I’m not sure I agree with him, because I’ve read lots of great books that don’t mention a single animal. On the other hand, some of my favorite tales, ones that stick in mind for a long time are stories that have featured an animal, even as a secondary character.
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| Sir Boo |
Animals bring love, devotion, sacrifice, and humor to the pages, and I’ve fallen in love with many characters when I read how they interact with their pets. I’ve also wanted to smack a few people upside the head for being unkind to animals in books. I can think of one book I threw across the room.
Have you read any adult books where an animal especially touched your heart? Have you ever considered why?
Oops, i think I deleted my own comment! Darned trackball thingie. Anyway, I love stories with animals. I’m reading a story now where the hero is a vet. Lovely yummy fellow. men. Kittens. Your blog cracked me up. Tooting puppies. 🙂
Hey, I try to make my stories as authentic as possible!