What if the character is an animal?

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Caroline wrote: "My next novel will be based on the racetrack, and I want to express the animals' emotions and thoughts; just as though they are another character in the book.

I will be introducing the narrative as the animal's reaction; however, in relations to the actual thoughts how best do I show this? Should I italicize this, separate this by ellipse or simply treat it as any other statement?"

The original post is being removed due to the link. But, it is a good question.

In the end, it is up to you how to express the animals' emotions and thoughts. Italics can work.

There is a horse in my current work in progress and he does play a key roll later in the book. Several actually. I do not "get into his head" by showing his thoughts, but I do show his physical reaction to what is going on around him and have his owner interpret his reactions.

If your book is fantasy at all, even borderline, you could even have the horses speaking to one another.

[Gail]

Haha, Dwayne. Like Mr. Ed...loved that show:) I have the same as you, my canine is a main character with quite a personality and includes the owner's dialogue with him (although not reversed).

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Gail wrote: "Haha, Dwayne. Like Mr. Ed...loved that show:) I have the same as you, my canine is a main character with quite a personality and includes the owner's dialogue with him (although not reversed)."

No, no, no! We're writers! We talk about books, not TV! ANIMAL FARM!!!

No, I'm just messing with you. I like Mr. Ed, too.

[David]

Animals are easy. The narrator in my WIP is a pumpkin.

[Gail]

David wrote: "Animals are easy. The narrator in my WIP is a pumpkin."

Okay, David, that tops the animals:)

[Tomas, Wandering dreamer]

Dwayne wrote: "If your book is fantasy at all, even borderline, you could even have the horses speaking to one another."

Now that you mention this, I have a crazy idea: dragonrider fantasy from the dragon's point of view.

[Caroline]

Well, I see that my idea is not totally crazy...Oh Thank God! I have gone back and started inserting dialog from the horses.

At the very least, this will be different!

[Gail]

You might check out Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mysteries. The animals in those books are treated as characters. Mrs. Murphy is a cat, Tee-Tucker is a corgi, etc. I believe the first book is titles Rest in Pieces