Writing about animal characters or writing from an animal's perspective is very difficult, but it can create thrilling scenes for your readers. Animal stories engage readers because they are often an escape from reality and a journey to a new world. If you are writing about animal characters, there is a lot you have to consider from the genre of your story to the lifestyles of the animals. Even though writing about animals may sound daunting, it is very similar to writing from the human experience. To help you write realistic animal characters, here are six important aspects to keep in mind.
Consider Your Genre
Identifying the genre of your book is critical when writing animal characters. Your animal characters don't have to fit into the stereotype of a genre, but understanding the genre of your story is very helpful. If you know the genre of your story, then it is easier to pick characters that are realistic for your plot and will fit into the novel. Once you have defined the genre and subgenres of your story, you can consider the special abilities and characteristics your character will have based on the genre. As mentioned, you don't have to stick with the exact mold of characters from a genre, but it is essential that your animal characters feel authentic in your story. Plus, determining the genre of your story will ensure that readers' expectations are met.
Choose how "Human" the Animals are
It is key that you define how "human" the animals are. Deciding how natural the animal characters will be will greatly influence your story. Once you determine the genre of your story, it will be simpler to choose the ratio of animal to human for your characters. For example, in realistic fiction stories, the animals probably won't wear clothes or eat with utensils, but this may be true in fantasy stories. While planning your characters, make sure to determine if they will embody human traits or remain natural. Ask yourself: do the animals wear clothes? Do they live in a human world? What is their everyday life?
Give the Animals Personality
Relating to the previous point, even if the animals are feral you should treat them, exactly as you would human characters. Meaning your animal characters should have flaws and quirks, along with a unique personality. Animals have unique personalities, which means they have their own distinct traits. Giving your animal characters unique personalities, goals, and traits helps to deepen the story. For example, one animal character may be extremely destructive. and impossible to train, while another animal is highly intelligent and used to spy on enemies. It’s essential to your novel that you understand all parts of your animal characters so they appear "real" and so you can write their reactions in different scenes. Plus, giving your animal characters special personalities will ensure that readers have an emotional connection with the animal.
Use Animals to Develop Human Characters
If your story has characters that aren't animals, then it is important to use animals to develop these characters. Even though your animal characters should have their own goals, that doesn't mean they can't help develop the other characters. The animal characters shouldn't live in the shadows of the human characters, instead, use your animal characters to reveal information about the human characters. Demonstrating how different characters interact with the animals can display plenty about their character. For example, perhaps the human character is extremely timid. Or maybe they are aggressive because they are fearful? Using the animal characters to showcase aspects of the human characters is a great way to subtly give information to the reader.
Determine Their Purpose
There are many reasons for including animal characters in your story and it is important that you determine why you are including the animal. In general, the three main purposes of animal characters are as companions, hunters, and protectors. Animal characters whose role is to be companions is a common theme in literature. It is okay if your animal character doesn't have any purpose besides being there for the main character. For these animal characters, their whole jobs are to provide love and company for the main character in their everyday life. It is unlikely that animal characters who are meant to be companions will be the ones attacking in a war or finding food for the main character. If your animal's purpose is to be a companion for the MC, make sure they also have quirks and personality traits. Another, role your animal character may have is being a hunter. The animal might hunt for food for the main character or they might hunt for knowledge, but either way, their purpose is to serve their owner. Lastly, your animal character may serve to protect your character (especially if you are writing fantasy or Sci-fi). If your animal’s purpose is to help your human characters in fights or battles, make sure you explain the logistics to the reader. You don't have to explain every aspect of the relationship between the animal and human characters, but the story should have some historical context for how animals began to protect their handlers.
Research
If your story has animal characters, you should consider doing some research. You need to know enough about the type of animals in your story to create an authentic and convincing world. Even if your book is fictional, your animal characters should feel realistic and believable in the world you create. For example, you probably shouldn't place a shark living on land. If you do test the limits on reality, make sure you give context for the reader, as mentioned above. Overall, make sure you understand the diets, environments, and traits of the animals in your story. Knowing the characteristics of the particular animals in your story will also engage readers and draw them into your story.
Stories centered around animals are extremely entertaining and amusing for readers and writers alike! When written correctly animal characters are fun and engaging. Animal characters let readers take a pause from reality. Writing about animal characters will take some time, but with these six tips, your animal characters are sure to come to life!
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