Thread by @Joannechocolat

I'm not sure how well I can do this one, but I'll certainly give it a try. I guess I'll just riff on the idea for awhile, and see what comes. Follow #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/purserhallard/status/1559141912455569409

1. There are many different ways and reasons for writing animal characters. So first, consider why you're writing an animal, rather than a human being. What role do they play? What purpose do they serve? #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

2. Some people use animals as part of their characterization. Humans reveal different aspects of themselves via their interactions with animals. Are they nervous of animals? Cruel? Do they have a phobia? Do they Insta every cat that passes? #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

3. Some use animals as projections of a human's hidden character. (@PhilipPullman does this very well, and so does @Catrionaward.) This way, you get to visualize part of the inner workings of a central character via a powerful animal image. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

4. Animal imagery is very common in fiction, and can create a shorthand to visual description (eg "He was a bull of a man"; "she was a slim, feline woman". Try to avoid these cliches, though!) #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

5. If you're not trying to use metaphor here, but trying to create an actual, fully-rounded, animal character, then there are a few things to consider. One: do your research. Not all animals are the same. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

6. Even if you're writing an animal with some deliberately human characteristics (Richard Adams' Watership Down is a wonderful example of this), it really helps to be authentic: to know the details of your chosen animal's behaviour and needs. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

7. Some authors have used animals as a thinly-disguised race/slavery metaphor. Really, I wouldn't. Seriously, big nope. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

8. In the same way, some authors play up the cuteness of some animals and write them as furry children. Your choice, of course, but I wouldn't do that, either. Unless, of course, you're writing an actual children's book. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

9. Some children identify very strongly with animals; more so than with their peers. Introducing an animal character in your book could be a way of providing insight, understanding, empathy. (Note that not all children are the same either, though.) #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

10. An animal character can be a different way of looking at otherness, marginalization, physicality or neurological differences. @aptshadow is a master of this. You should totally read his books BEAR HEAD and DOGS OF WAR. #TenThingsAboutAnimalCharacters

I hope that gave you some ideas: if you enjoy these occasional threads, then maybe you'd like to check out my book, TEN THINGS ABOUT WRITING. amazon.co.uk/Ten-Things-Abo…