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 . . . .
ReplyDeleteA pet gives insight into a character, I think.
DeleteYes, I notice when there's a pet. It would be hard not to when they are usually a key supporting, if non-verbal, character.
ReplyDeleteI probably prefer if there isn't a pet if it means there's more time devoted to the crime-solving in mystery novels. However, unless the pet talks or has some magic powers, I am generally okay with them existing in the book. They detract if they factor into a story with said talking or magic powers but otherwise they are the background color that fleshes out the personal side of a character.
Agreed. I’m not a fan of the critter solving the crime.
DeleteI always notice pets, and I can't wait to read about Dude (when does the book release?). I've had cats in all my books except the Cozy Capers series, where Belle the African gray parrot subs in with lots of comic relief. All the cats have been my actual critters, which is funny, because I don't put real people in the stories!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I would NEVER have pets harmed or even imperiled in my stories.
DeleteMay 26 is the DUDES release day:) Thanks for asking! I agree on no harm coming to the pets. Never.
DeleteI’m always excited when there is a critter sidekick, in fiction and in real life!
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteLove pets in books. Dogs are definitely my favorite. In my current read the receptionist has brought a fish tank into Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott’s outer office. The little mentions of it are fun.
ReplyDeletePS I did post a haiku to yesterday’s blog last evening, if anyone cares to go back and read it.
Hi Brenda, I am taking a gamble hoping you don't mind if I post your Haiku here today. It made me chuckle so I wanted to share it:
DeleteZero Zero Start
Forehand Backhand Oops! That’s out.
Pickleball with friends.
That’s fine.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Anonymous.
DeleteLove the haiku, Brenda! Fish would make for fun non invasive pets:)
DeleteOf course I love pets in books and in life, and can't wait to read this one Jenn!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy!
DeleteI love pets in books, if they are cared for, fed and walked and cleaned up, not just mentioned. If you have owned a pet, even a cat, you can tell if the author is clueless. Jenn, I loved your kitty, George, and how he was found and nursed in your terrific romance a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteYesterday's topic: Lisa in Nice, I just read about the wi fi shenanigans in your apartment and think it would be a hilarious or possibly menacing plot point in a story. There was such a slapstick element to the machinations of management...just LOL.
I agree about Lisa wi-fi shenanigans! Would love to see that in a book!
DeleteFeel free, any authors, to use it. Happily, we now have a hot spot to tide us over until (hopefully) a new service is installed to our building.
DeleteIt reminds me of a time my husband and I were staying in a hotel in England and kept having to take our keys down to the desk to get them recoded. After a few days, someone finally figured out to tell us that we needed to take both keys at the same time - apparently each time one of us went, the code was changed and the other’s card wouldn’t work.
OMG, is that what happened with our hotel keys? That is just bizarre. I have only had to keep re-coding our keys one time, but it was super annoying.
DeleteYes, the pet care is important. This is why I don’t have babies in my books! Too much work!
DeleteAs an animal lover, I have mixed feelings about pet characters in books and in shows/movies. Yes, I understand they are “pretend” and all, but my sensitive mind has a hard time not thinking worst-case-scenario and spends an inordinate amount of time wondering and worrying if the pet/animal will end up in a perilous situation and then I feel stressed when I am supposed to be escaping from stress while reading my book (ir watching a show). So…. I wish writers would all agree to only write animals into storylines strictly as pleasant and cute additions and that adding tension around them would be illegal (yes, illegal haha!). And there should be a declaration at the beginning of each book/movie that nothing perilous will happen with the animals. Only the murder victim haha.
ReplyDeleteYour proposal makes perfect sense to me! No stress pets!
DeleteI agree anon, I like when the dog/cat or animal is treated as a loved pet. Valerie Burns has visited JRW aas a guest. I've read all her books/series and I think she does a great job with pets in her cozy mysteries. You really feel they are part of the main characters life.
ReplyDeleteValerie Burns is a multi-pet owner herself, and she does a great job with the pets in her books.
DeleteLove Valerie Burns!
DeleteI love animals in books, especially cats as I am a cat woman. I just finished “The Twilight Garden” by Sara Nisha Adams which had cats, dogs, and foxes. (Which I also love) They were definitely part of the story. And Jenn, because I love Bonnie Jo Campbell, and her real life donkeys, and the ones I. Her books, I am really looking forward to “meeting” Maybelline in “If Summer Never Ends”!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzette. I think you'll get a kick out of her :-)
DeleteLove this question! It is my belief that a dog in the story - any story - makes it much better. And two dogs? Better yet. Cats and kittens are fine, natch. But a donkey? Whoa! Why not. I don't hear, see or read much about Great Danes, well except for His Largeness, Spot, in Todd Borg's Tahoe books. My granddaughter's friend had two GD and they each had their own couch! Now that is love.
ReplyDeleteTwo Great Danes!! Wow the food alone must cost a fortune!
DeleteHub has pestered me for a Great Dane for YEARS. This will likely be as close as he gets.
DeletePat D: Pets can certainly add all sorts of chaos and/or help to a story.
ReplyDeleteAs in life...lol.
DeleteI think the pet aspect depends upon how it is used in the book. If you're writing a thriller/spy novel, the animal would need to be more of a grounding point for the character vs an active participant unless it is a service animal, rescue dog, etc. and then that animal is usually more of a main character to me. For example, in Alex Kava's Ryder Creed books, I would be destroyed if Grace ever died. That dog is definitely vying for main character status.
ReplyDeleteMysteries, cozies, historical novels with period-appropriate pets fill in the personalities of the various characters for me. Fantasy/sci-fi depends on the premise of the book. Dragons can definitely be considered in the "pet" category if they are an integral part of the plot and the character's life. RomComs are naturals for pets as bonding or meeting vehicles.
I read across most genres and can't think of any that provide a negative value to the story. I'm looking forward to meeting Dude and I love that he has his own bookmark! -- Victoria
Thank you, Victoria. Dude is definitely all about comic relief.
DeleteI never intended to put pets into my books, and yet, there's Diva, my Great Pyrenees puppy front and center on the cover. She is based on my own dog and oh how I loved that girl. She was so smart and I gave the Diva in my book all her traits and quirks. I don't like super-human pets or talking/thinking pets. But pets (both dogs and cats) are pretty smart and intuitive animals. I think they can add a lot to a story. (I did like the Dragons in Game of Thrones--very loyal!)
ReplyDeleteLove Great Pyrennes!!!
DeleteIn addition to Dragons in Game of Thrones there are the very strange creatures/pets in Harry Potter!
DeleteYes to pets of any kind. As for talking pets, I especially like those in the Sister Jane mysteries by Rita Mae Brown. Everyone has an opinion--the owls, the dogs, the foxes, the horses--for me, a fun read every time.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Sneaky Pie and Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker!
DeleteRita Nae Brown delivers it so well!
DeleteOh, my: odd person out this morning. Having been shoved into a stone fire place, cracking my head by friendly, but way bigger than 4 year old me boxer and when I was 11 being chased by a pair of not very friendly black labs who stole my lunch, no warm or friendly dog feelings. Just “read over” the dog parts of the story “as in oh, dog”, no special warmth or assessment of owner’s character. Fairly neutral about cats, birds, and other pet critters. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Elisabeth! I was bitten as a child and totally understand. I am still leery around dogs until I know them.
DeleteI love pets in books except when they talk and think. I cannot abide that sort and will not even consider reading the book. Animals are so special to have in books. House critters, forest critters, water critters. No matter. Love them all. Those that the character can cuddle up with, those that help the character survive are special helpers in a plot, shows the human side of even the worst characters. Love dogs especially and I can see an aquarium adding to a story since I’ve had them in my home, too. But, the animal cannot suffer physically or die. I will never read an author again if it happens. David Rosenfelt has a Golden in his series that he fully admits is likely 30 years old and that’s just fine with him. And me.
ReplyDeleteI love Rosenfelt’s series! I was going to mention his books, and then you beat me to it!
DeleteDebRo
I love it when critters live well beyond (Evanovich's Rex the hamster) possible years.
DeleteLove seeing pets in novels, Jenn. I think animals add dimension to the stories.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteI sure love finding pets as well as animals in books. They definitely add a lot of value to the story.
ReplyDeleteI think so, too.
DeleteNeutral about pets being included in books.
ReplyDeleteFanatical love and concern for mythical animals is rather strange.
Books with talking animals, why not. This is “fiction”! The author should include whatever they feel makes a good story.
Those of you with anxiety about fictional pets should seek therapy for your anxiety.
I love animals so I’m happy to have them included in books, especially as a character. (I find it interesting that a couple of commenters said they are fine with animals in books, “as long as they don’t talk or think.” I understand the not talking comment, but not thinking? Of course they think. They are sentient beings.) I love Valerie Burns’ books with Baby, the 200 lb. English mastiff. And I read Krista Davis’ Paws and Claws mysteries specifically for the cats and dogs! — Pat S
ReplyDeletePat, thanks for that reminder that animals are sentient beings. My landlady has a German Shepherd and made the mistake of saying to me, "He's just a dog" in such a deprecating manner that before I could stop myself I was saying - "No, he's a sentient being and should be treated as such." Thankfully, we agreed to disagree, but that really rankles me when folks regard pets as disposable things. -- Victoria
DeleteI can't imagine believing that they don't think. I have a Schnauzer who regularly jailbreaks and I know he plans it.
DeletePat S
DeleteI'm so glad you mentioned Valerie Burns' mystery books with Baby the 200 lb mastiff!! He is a hoot!
She also has another mystery series with a character Samantha Washington and her small poodles Snickers and Oreo.
I remember you asking for input regarding the cover some months? ago. Glad Dude made the cut! Looking forward to reading The Summer Share. As my 24-year relationship just ended, I'm looking for a romcom with a happy ending x
ReplyDeleteHugs. That is a lot of years together. Hope you're doing okay.
DeleteI love pets featured in books. They really add something special to the storyline and the characters in the story.
ReplyDeleteI feel like they help the characters be fully realized.
DeleteI love critters in books, and you have two of my favorites, Jenn, dogs and donkeys. Add in some goats and Highland coo cows, and it's a happy animal party for me. The bookmark is adorable. Any book would be proud to be marked by Dude.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thank you, Kathy.
DeleteLove Dude!! My first dog post-childhood was a Great Dane--they are such goofy sweethearts. As for animals in books, bring 'em on, talking or non-talking. Some of my favorites of the talking variety are Ben Aaronovitch's talking foxes in his Rivers of London novels. They are a hoot.
ReplyDeleteI would expect nothing less from foxes.
DeleteDude is SO cute! Can I borrow him for a weekend?
ReplyDeleteMy husband always had a dog. His favorite Duffy, the Saint Bernard. Unfortunately, I have not read many books that include pets of any sort. Yet, I have enjoyed several TV shows with dogs and also horses.
DeleteComment above about Duffy is also from me!
DeleteAbsolutely. He's all yours.
DeleteI love stories that have animals in them. As a cat parent, characters that have pets are relatable. It entertaining when the animals create situations for their parents.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I've met most of the people in my neighborhood by walking my dogs and rescuing kittens with them.
DeleteJenn, I remember you wrote about feeding and providing shelters for stray cats. It was such a heartwarming story.
ReplyDelete