JENN McKINLAY: I know we've talked about this before but as my asst is about to launch DUDEsday (every Tuesday in May and June on my Insta/FB), having critters in fiction is on my mind.
What is DUDEsday? It's a chance to win this sweet bookmark of Dude (you can see him carrying a stick on the book's cover). Right now, you can jump the DUDEsday line by leaving a comment on this blogpost to be entered to win this Dude bookmark. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's blog. Good Luck!
Who is Dude? He's the Harlequin Great Dane sidekick of Hannah the female main character of The Summer Share. Not gonna lie, I feel like Dude steals the book just like the donkey Maybellene takes the spotlight in the book I just turned in entitled If Summer Never Ends. Why do I have a Great Dane and a donkey in my romcoms? Because I love animals, obvi, but also because I think they add comic relief and give insight into my main character's ability to care for others and be vulnerable.
Looking back, I realize there have been critters in all of my books just as in my life. Currently, I live in a house with 2 dogs, 5 cats, and several feral yard cats that we share the care of with our neighbors. That's A LOT of critters.
I have noticed that many of the books I've read recently do not have critters, although I've been reading a lot of fantasy so sometimes the critter equivalent is a sentient houseplant or a dragon, there's a fairly wide spectrum there. I can't say that I'd reject a book with no furry sidekicks, but I definitely enjoy a book a little bit more when they appear.
How about you, Reds and Readers? Do you notice when there's a pet? Do you have a preference, pet or not pet? Do you think they add value or detract from the story?
I love finding animals in a story, especially when they play an integral part in whatever is happening. I think those furry critters add to the story; I'm always happy to meet a character's pet . . . .
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