Creature Features

[Juliet]

No, not monsters, but ordinary creatures, commonly called "animals." I relate to them, so I always include them in my stories. Sometimes they are extras. Sometimes they are major characters, although I've never written from an animal POV. I'm a historical novelist, so I'm usually writing about a time when people lived far more closely with animals than they do now, so they've got to be there.

Do you like animals as characters in fiction, or not? Do you write them? Ever find yourself forced to do more study before you undertake to introduce your non-human characters?

Fantasy fiction is, because it has deep roots in world mythology, full of talking dragons, etc. Personally, I love dragons, from The Reluctant Dragon of my childhood to majestic, lazy, brutal Smaug of "The Hobbit." They are definitely part of this discussion. ;)

How do you feel about these non-human characters? Like them? Love them? Hate them? Have a favorite?

[Paul]

The most notable are probably the rabbits in Watership Down. Adams did a remarkable job of portraying the world from a leporine point of view, seldom resorting to anthropomorphism.

[Malin]

I remember I read a book about rabbits fleeing from one place to another when I was younger and enjoyed it very much. Nowadays I think it's quite rude to the animals to give them human minds (which is necessary it seems to make them characters of a book). Though, for YA and children's books I think it's a fun idea.

Sentient horses, dragons and other mythical animals are quite different (in my mind at least).

[Victor]

You must mean Watership Down - a lovely book.

[Malin]

Ah, yes, that's the one. I read it in Swedish, and remembered the title wrong so couldn't find it. The Swedish title (approx. "The Long Flight") was so far from the English that I didn't think the book Paul meant was the same.

[Kendall]

Easy: Tribbles, from "The Trouble with Tribbles"

[Dawn]

I have no problem with animals in any role in literature. My favorite book of all time is "The Wind in the Willows" and I regularly read Brian Jacques 'Redwall' books. And a childhood favorite, "Ben and Me" starring Benjamin Franklin and a mouse.....

In fantasy, there are all kinds of natural animals given 'starring' roles, along with extra abilities -- Mercedes Lackey's 'Valdemar' books come to mind. And didn't Roger Zelazny have a wonderful cat in one of his books? Something, something 'Lonesome October'....

So, yeah, I guess you have to say that I love them :) Most of the books I read tend to have animals in them -- at least in supporting roles, but usually more.

[Laurie]

I'm all for animals being characters in stories, if it's done right. I have a friend, Jami Davenport, who does a very subtle horse's pov that weaves perfectly into a story. Animals have always had stories to tell (Jonathan Livingston Seagull as an example) and I for one, love having them in stories, where in starring or supporting roles. And thank you for the reminder about Watership Down. It's been years since I've read this and it's past time to pull it off my shelf for another read. Great topic!

[Karen]

I read fantasy and lots of creatures are elven or fairies and have a good place in fiction as humans do.
I like stories from a pets point of view. I even wrote one. I am just not sure what to do with it yet.

[Arthur]

I guess the animal shaped our lives and we shape theirs for them in ways we know they will like as much as we do.

[[deleted user]]

I think non human supporting characters are an excellent and ancient concept of storytelling. Myth is full of such examples...gods or other creatures--think Calypso or Circe or Aphrodite...animals also have a voice in story. I would read them as a supporting character, even a main character. Imagine Marley and Me from Marley's POV. "The ocean was warm and all that running around just moved me to poop in the water. I don't see what John was so upset about..." Hilarious!

[Christine]

Animals make fine characters. As children, my father told us his original "Goofus the Gopher" tales. He had a lot of adventures in Cottontail Glen. They were great!

[Lavada]

Our cat and dog are so much a part of our lives that it is natural for me to enjoy a story that includes them. Abby could have her own book herself. She's such a character. Everyone knows her, she makes sure of it.