What are the points to remember when the pet is the narrator and is narrating the story of its owner?Single character POV vs. two POVs - how to decide?Is it a bad idea to vary the voice of the narrator in third person (limited omniscient)?I feel my protagonist is too “detached” from the main plot. What should I do?How to stage a scene conflict that is not about the scene's narrator?Is my method of Narration switching from objective to subjective too complicated?What are the basic elements of a crime investigation story?Told my plot is good but my writing style is weak. Please helpWhen are single-use POVs a bad idea?Can the prologue's POV be different from the POV of main story?Switching tense and point of view between the chapters

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What are the points to remember when the pet is the narrator and is narrating the story of its owner?


Single character POV vs. two POVs - how to decide?Is it a bad idea to vary the voice of the narrator in third person (limited omniscient)?I feel my protagonist is too “detached” from the main plot. What should I do?How to stage a scene conflict that is not about the scene's narrator?Is my method of Narration switching from objective to subjective too complicated?What are the basic elements of a crime investigation story?Told my plot is good but my writing style is weak. Please helpWhen are single-use POVs a bad idea?Can the prologue's POV be different from the POV of main story?Switching tense and point of view between the chapters













5















I'm working on a novel which is based on a true story. I first thought of writing from the heroine's POV, but later changed my mind and introduced a pet in the plot as the narrator of the story. Which means the story and the whole incident is told from the pet's POV (it being one of the eye witnesses). But while writing I'm often times overwhelmed with keeping up with the pet's antics alive in the story and concentrating on the plot. In a few scenes, I end up giving more importance to the pet's narration instead of the story line. For me both seem important, but I'm unable to keep up with both at the same time. Where am I going wrong?










share|improve this question









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    I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

    – Spectrosaurus
    yesterday











  • What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

    – hszmv
    yesterday











  • Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

    – user37485
    12 hours ago















5















I'm working on a novel which is based on a true story. I first thought of writing from the heroine's POV, but later changed my mind and introduced a pet in the plot as the narrator of the story. Which means the story and the whole incident is told from the pet's POV (it being one of the eye witnesses). But while writing I'm often times overwhelmed with keeping up with the pet's antics alive in the story and concentrating on the plot. In a few scenes, I end up giving more importance to the pet's narration instead of the story line. For me both seem important, but I'm unable to keep up with both at the same time. Where am I going wrong?










share|improve this question









New contributor




user37485 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 1





    I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

    – Spectrosaurus
    yesterday











  • What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

    – hszmv
    yesterday











  • Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

    – user37485
    12 hours ago













5












5








5








I'm working on a novel which is based on a true story. I first thought of writing from the heroine's POV, but later changed my mind and introduced a pet in the plot as the narrator of the story. Which means the story and the whole incident is told from the pet's POV (it being one of the eye witnesses). But while writing I'm often times overwhelmed with keeping up with the pet's antics alive in the story and concentrating on the plot. In a few scenes, I end up giving more importance to the pet's narration instead of the story line. For me both seem important, but I'm unable to keep up with both at the same time. Where am I going wrong?










share|improve this question









New contributor




user37485 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I'm working on a novel which is based on a true story. I first thought of writing from the heroine's POV, but later changed my mind and introduced a pet in the plot as the narrator of the story. Which means the story and the whole incident is told from the pet's POV (it being one of the eye witnesses). But while writing I'm often times overwhelmed with keeping up with the pet's antics alive in the story and concentrating on the plot. In a few scenes, I end up giving more importance to the pet's narration instead of the story line. For me both seem important, but I'm unable to keep up with both at the same time. Where am I going wrong?







novel plot narrative pov






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edited yesterday









Cyn

15.5k13273




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asked yesterday









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user37485 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






user37485 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 1





    I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

    – Spectrosaurus
    yesterday











  • What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

    – hszmv
    yesterday











  • Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

    – user37485
    12 hours ago












  • 1





    I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

    – Spectrosaurus
    yesterday











  • What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

    – hszmv
    yesterday











  • Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

    – user37485
    12 hours ago







1




1





I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

– Spectrosaurus
yesterday





I had to think of "A Night in the Lonesome October" by Roger Zelazny, which is written from the POV of the main character's dog. You might check that out. What he does there quite successfully is that he integrates the "antics" into the plot - the dog is doing typical dog things, but from his POV he is playing an important part in the story. (Well, not only from his POV actually.)

– Spectrosaurus
yesterday













What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

– hszmv
yesterday





What animal is the pet in question? A dog and a cat are going to have different areas of focus.

– hszmv
yesterday













Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

– user37485
12 hours ago





Umm..the pet is neither a cat nor a dog, but actually a squirrel ;)

– user37485
12 hours ago










3 Answers
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oldest

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5














I would suggest the main points to bear in mind are the mindset of the species as oppposed to our own. Of course, being human one cannot know the thoughts of animals.



Dogs are more of a we species than we are. If the pet is a dog, the humans would be either pack members and leaders or members of other packs and potentially threats. Territory is another thing that is important to dogs and they will protect as much as they can lay claim to regardless of the actual size of the territory they are supposed to defend.



Dogs rely on smell and hearing much more than sight. Humans will be identified by scent from a distance.



There was an experiment in the UK where a dog owner was sent to town to spend an undetermined amount of time there before returning and an observer watched her dog. The dog’s behaviour was noted and recorded. The owner returned and was asked when they had decided to return. The dog, as soon as the owner chose to go home, became excited.



Cats are more difficult. A cat might choose to help a human and can be fiercely loyal, but they are more of a me or us species. Cats will bring their kill to us - why? Is it to prove they are good hunters? Is it to share the bounty since we, clawless and helpless, cannot hunt?



I might add a tinge of pity to the cat’s outlook on humans. Poor furless things too helpless to catch a mouse and too dull witted to accept a gift when given.






share|improve this answer






























    3














    As usual, I have an example from Worm! In the Interlude for Arc 4 (main chapters are from the heroine's 1st-person POV, interludes each have a different character in tight-third), Rachel's dog Brutus tells the tale: https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-4-shell/4-x-interlude/



    The actual story is that Rachel goes to break up a dog-fighting ring and frees all of the dogs, without telling any of her teammates. This comes into play later, as basically the Gang With Dogfighting then perceives this as an Attack From Rachel's Gang.



    But Brutus? He doesn't quite get all of that.




    Master and man talk for a while, and Brutus waits because Brutus is good boy. Not paying attention to what they’re saying because of smells. Bad smells. Sounds of dogs yelping and barking from inside the door. Then Master says “Stay” and man starts touching Brutus. Touches like vet touches, not like Master scratching.




    Brutus doesn't use our grammar, but his own is consistent. He knows certain things, he tries to guess other things based on the bits he knows (Master/Rachel is angry? He growls to emphasize her anger - hopes it's ok.)




    Master is kneeling beside cages and dogs inside smell like blood and poo. But dogs aren’t angry, aren’t moving. Brutus nuzzles master with nose and lies down beside Master and Master wraps her arms around Brutus’ neck. Master hugs Brutus tight for very long time.



    Cars that make howling sounds start to come from far away and Brutus makes little barks like Master taught him. Master gets up and takes Brutus into the car and gets in other door and the car starts moving.




    There is a focus on specifics - "cars that make howling sounds" not "police sirens." Things are focused on scent first. "Master" always has his attention, no matter what else is going on. (Oh, this chapter makes a little more sense if you realize this is a super-powers universe, and Rachel's power is that she can make dogs grow REALLY big temporarily.)



    I had to read it more than once to get that it was more than Brutus Goes Walkies, that there was plot-focused stuff there, but if your entire book is from this POV, or this POV is frequently used, then the reader should fall into it. (Interludes in Worm are always a little challenging, since we don't know the PO usually.)



    I definitely recommend reading other pet-narrated works, to note their strategies. Bunnicula comes to mind.






    share|improve this answer























    • Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

      – user37485
      12 hours ago


















    2














    No need for antics? Other ways to illustrate the nature of the narrator.



    Do the pets antics need to play a role in the story? Having the pet as the narrator wasn't your first thought so I'm assuming the antics are not super important. Don't get sidetracked from your plot unless you now do want antics for some reason (i.e. don't have antics for the sake of antics, or to make the animal narrator more realistic - there are other ways to illustrate "catness" or "dogness").



    What if your cat/dog is super old/lazy, not a lot of antics going on but a lot of observation. You could also just have them as a narrator without explaining the antics - I can narrate from the point of view of a cat without having to interupt myself all the time to talk about watching birds etc. If you want to remind the reader of the nature of the narrator just say something like




    "Sarah left the room to answer the knock at the door. I hopped down from the window sill and followed, but at a distance. I was never one to like visitors..."




    Without me telling you what animal this is, you know this is a cat speaking - sitting on the window still, and with the general reservedness common to most cats.






    share|improve this answer

























    • Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

      – user37485
      12 hours ago










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    3 Answers
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    3 Answers
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    active

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    5














    I would suggest the main points to bear in mind are the mindset of the species as oppposed to our own. Of course, being human one cannot know the thoughts of animals.



    Dogs are more of a we species than we are. If the pet is a dog, the humans would be either pack members and leaders or members of other packs and potentially threats. Territory is another thing that is important to dogs and they will protect as much as they can lay claim to regardless of the actual size of the territory they are supposed to defend.



    Dogs rely on smell and hearing much more than sight. Humans will be identified by scent from a distance.



    There was an experiment in the UK where a dog owner was sent to town to spend an undetermined amount of time there before returning and an observer watched her dog. The dog’s behaviour was noted and recorded. The owner returned and was asked when they had decided to return. The dog, as soon as the owner chose to go home, became excited.



    Cats are more difficult. A cat might choose to help a human and can be fiercely loyal, but they are more of a me or us species. Cats will bring their kill to us - why? Is it to prove they are good hunters? Is it to share the bounty since we, clawless and helpless, cannot hunt?



    I might add a tinge of pity to the cat’s outlook on humans. Poor furless things too helpless to catch a mouse and too dull witted to accept a gift when given.






    share|improve this answer



























      5














      I would suggest the main points to bear in mind are the mindset of the species as oppposed to our own. Of course, being human one cannot know the thoughts of animals.



      Dogs are more of a we species than we are. If the pet is a dog, the humans would be either pack members and leaders or members of other packs and potentially threats. Territory is another thing that is important to dogs and they will protect as much as they can lay claim to regardless of the actual size of the territory they are supposed to defend.



      Dogs rely on smell and hearing much more than sight. Humans will be identified by scent from a distance.



      There was an experiment in the UK where a dog owner was sent to town to spend an undetermined amount of time there before returning and an observer watched her dog. The dog’s behaviour was noted and recorded. The owner returned and was asked when they had decided to return. The dog, as soon as the owner chose to go home, became excited.



      Cats are more difficult. A cat might choose to help a human and can be fiercely loyal, but they are more of a me or us species. Cats will bring their kill to us - why? Is it to prove they are good hunters? Is it to share the bounty since we, clawless and helpless, cannot hunt?



      I might add a tinge of pity to the cat’s outlook on humans. Poor furless things too helpless to catch a mouse and too dull witted to accept a gift when given.






      share|improve this answer

























        5












        5








        5







        I would suggest the main points to bear in mind are the mindset of the species as oppposed to our own. Of course, being human one cannot know the thoughts of animals.



        Dogs are more of a we species than we are. If the pet is a dog, the humans would be either pack members and leaders or members of other packs and potentially threats. Territory is another thing that is important to dogs and they will protect as much as they can lay claim to regardless of the actual size of the territory they are supposed to defend.



        Dogs rely on smell and hearing much more than sight. Humans will be identified by scent from a distance.



        There was an experiment in the UK where a dog owner was sent to town to spend an undetermined amount of time there before returning and an observer watched her dog. The dog’s behaviour was noted and recorded. The owner returned and was asked when they had decided to return. The dog, as soon as the owner chose to go home, became excited.



        Cats are more difficult. A cat might choose to help a human and can be fiercely loyal, but they are more of a me or us species. Cats will bring their kill to us - why? Is it to prove they are good hunters? Is it to share the bounty since we, clawless and helpless, cannot hunt?



        I might add a tinge of pity to the cat’s outlook on humans. Poor furless things too helpless to catch a mouse and too dull witted to accept a gift when given.






        share|improve this answer













        I would suggest the main points to bear in mind are the mindset of the species as oppposed to our own. Of course, being human one cannot know the thoughts of animals.



        Dogs are more of a we species than we are. If the pet is a dog, the humans would be either pack members and leaders or members of other packs and potentially threats. Territory is another thing that is important to dogs and they will protect as much as they can lay claim to regardless of the actual size of the territory they are supposed to defend.



        Dogs rely on smell and hearing much more than sight. Humans will be identified by scent from a distance.



        There was an experiment in the UK where a dog owner was sent to town to spend an undetermined amount of time there before returning and an observer watched her dog. The dog’s behaviour was noted and recorded. The owner returned and was asked when they had decided to return. The dog, as soon as the owner chose to go home, became excited.



        Cats are more difficult. A cat might choose to help a human and can be fiercely loyal, but they are more of a me or us species. Cats will bring their kill to us - why? Is it to prove they are good hunters? Is it to share the bounty since we, clawless and helpless, cannot hunt?



        I might add a tinge of pity to the cat’s outlook on humans. Poor furless things too helpless to catch a mouse and too dull witted to accept a gift when given.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered yesterday









        RasdashanRasdashan

        8,6311155




        8,6311155





















            3














            As usual, I have an example from Worm! In the Interlude for Arc 4 (main chapters are from the heroine's 1st-person POV, interludes each have a different character in tight-third), Rachel's dog Brutus tells the tale: https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-4-shell/4-x-interlude/



            The actual story is that Rachel goes to break up a dog-fighting ring and frees all of the dogs, without telling any of her teammates. This comes into play later, as basically the Gang With Dogfighting then perceives this as an Attack From Rachel's Gang.



            But Brutus? He doesn't quite get all of that.




            Master and man talk for a while, and Brutus waits because Brutus is good boy. Not paying attention to what they’re saying because of smells. Bad smells. Sounds of dogs yelping and barking from inside the door. Then Master says “Stay” and man starts touching Brutus. Touches like vet touches, not like Master scratching.




            Brutus doesn't use our grammar, but his own is consistent. He knows certain things, he tries to guess other things based on the bits he knows (Master/Rachel is angry? He growls to emphasize her anger - hopes it's ok.)




            Master is kneeling beside cages and dogs inside smell like blood and poo. But dogs aren’t angry, aren’t moving. Brutus nuzzles master with nose and lies down beside Master and Master wraps her arms around Brutus’ neck. Master hugs Brutus tight for very long time.



            Cars that make howling sounds start to come from far away and Brutus makes little barks like Master taught him. Master gets up and takes Brutus into the car and gets in other door and the car starts moving.




            There is a focus on specifics - "cars that make howling sounds" not "police sirens." Things are focused on scent first. "Master" always has his attention, no matter what else is going on. (Oh, this chapter makes a little more sense if you realize this is a super-powers universe, and Rachel's power is that she can make dogs grow REALLY big temporarily.)



            I had to read it more than once to get that it was more than Brutus Goes Walkies, that there was plot-focused stuff there, but if your entire book is from this POV, or this POV is frequently used, then the reader should fall into it. (Interludes in Worm are always a little challenging, since we don't know the PO usually.)



            I definitely recommend reading other pet-narrated works, to note their strategies. Bunnicula comes to mind.






            share|improve this answer























            • Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago















            3














            As usual, I have an example from Worm! In the Interlude for Arc 4 (main chapters are from the heroine's 1st-person POV, interludes each have a different character in tight-third), Rachel's dog Brutus tells the tale: https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-4-shell/4-x-interlude/



            The actual story is that Rachel goes to break up a dog-fighting ring and frees all of the dogs, without telling any of her teammates. This comes into play later, as basically the Gang With Dogfighting then perceives this as an Attack From Rachel's Gang.



            But Brutus? He doesn't quite get all of that.




            Master and man talk for a while, and Brutus waits because Brutus is good boy. Not paying attention to what they’re saying because of smells. Bad smells. Sounds of dogs yelping and barking from inside the door. Then Master says “Stay” and man starts touching Brutus. Touches like vet touches, not like Master scratching.




            Brutus doesn't use our grammar, but his own is consistent. He knows certain things, he tries to guess other things based on the bits he knows (Master/Rachel is angry? He growls to emphasize her anger - hopes it's ok.)




            Master is kneeling beside cages and dogs inside smell like blood and poo. But dogs aren’t angry, aren’t moving. Brutus nuzzles master with nose and lies down beside Master and Master wraps her arms around Brutus’ neck. Master hugs Brutus tight for very long time.



            Cars that make howling sounds start to come from far away and Brutus makes little barks like Master taught him. Master gets up and takes Brutus into the car and gets in other door and the car starts moving.




            There is a focus on specifics - "cars that make howling sounds" not "police sirens." Things are focused on scent first. "Master" always has his attention, no matter what else is going on. (Oh, this chapter makes a little more sense if you realize this is a super-powers universe, and Rachel's power is that she can make dogs grow REALLY big temporarily.)



            I had to read it more than once to get that it was more than Brutus Goes Walkies, that there was plot-focused stuff there, but if your entire book is from this POV, or this POV is frequently used, then the reader should fall into it. (Interludes in Worm are always a little challenging, since we don't know the PO usually.)



            I definitely recommend reading other pet-narrated works, to note their strategies. Bunnicula comes to mind.






            share|improve this answer























            • Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago













            3












            3








            3







            As usual, I have an example from Worm! In the Interlude for Arc 4 (main chapters are from the heroine's 1st-person POV, interludes each have a different character in tight-third), Rachel's dog Brutus tells the tale: https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-4-shell/4-x-interlude/



            The actual story is that Rachel goes to break up a dog-fighting ring and frees all of the dogs, without telling any of her teammates. This comes into play later, as basically the Gang With Dogfighting then perceives this as an Attack From Rachel's Gang.



            But Brutus? He doesn't quite get all of that.




            Master and man talk for a while, and Brutus waits because Brutus is good boy. Not paying attention to what they’re saying because of smells. Bad smells. Sounds of dogs yelping and barking from inside the door. Then Master says “Stay” and man starts touching Brutus. Touches like vet touches, not like Master scratching.




            Brutus doesn't use our grammar, but his own is consistent. He knows certain things, he tries to guess other things based on the bits he knows (Master/Rachel is angry? He growls to emphasize her anger - hopes it's ok.)




            Master is kneeling beside cages and dogs inside smell like blood and poo. But dogs aren’t angry, aren’t moving. Brutus nuzzles master with nose and lies down beside Master and Master wraps her arms around Brutus’ neck. Master hugs Brutus tight for very long time.



            Cars that make howling sounds start to come from far away and Brutus makes little barks like Master taught him. Master gets up and takes Brutus into the car and gets in other door and the car starts moving.




            There is a focus on specifics - "cars that make howling sounds" not "police sirens." Things are focused on scent first. "Master" always has his attention, no matter what else is going on. (Oh, this chapter makes a little more sense if you realize this is a super-powers universe, and Rachel's power is that she can make dogs grow REALLY big temporarily.)



            I had to read it more than once to get that it was more than Brutus Goes Walkies, that there was plot-focused stuff there, but if your entire book is from this POV, or this POV is frequently used, then the reader should fall into it. (Interludes in Worm are always a little challenging, since we don't know the PO usually.)



            I definitely recommend reading other pet-narrated works, to note their strategies. Bunnicula comes to mind.






            share|improve this answer













            As usual, I have an example from Worm! In the Interlude for Arc 4 (main chapters are from the heroine's 1st-person POV, interludes each have a different character in tight-third), Rachel's dog Brutus tells the tale: https://parahumans.wordpress.com/category/stories-arcs-1-10/arc-4-shell/4-x-interlude/



            The actual story is that Rachel goes to break up a dog-fighting ring and frees all of the dogs, without telling any of her teammates. This comes into play later, as basically the Gang With Dogfighting then perceives this as an Attack From Rachel's Gang.



            But Brutus? He doesn't quite get all of that.




            Master and man talk for a while, and Brutus waits because Brutus is good boy. Not paying attention to what they’re saying because of smells. Bad smells. Sounds of dogs yelping and barking from inside the door. Then Master says “Stay” and man starts touching Brutus. Touches like vet touches, not like Master scratching.




            Brutus doesn't use our grammar, but his own is consistent. He knows certain things, he tries to guess other things based on the bits he knows (Master/Rachel is angry? He growls to emphasize her anger - hopes it's ok.)




            Master is kneeling beside cages and dogs inside smell like blood and poo. But dogs aren’t angry, aren’t moving. Brutus nuzzles master with nose and lies down beside Master and Master wraps her arms around Brutus’ neck. Master hugs Brutus tight for very long time.



            Cars that make howling sounds start to come from far away and Brutus makes little barks like Master taught him. Master gets up and takes Brutus into the car and gets in other door and the car starts moving.




            There is a focus on specifics - "cars that make howling sounds" not "police sirens." Things are focused on scent first. "Master" always has his attention, no matter what else is going on. (Oh, this chapter makes a little more sense if you realize this is a super-powers universe, and Rachel's power is that she can make dogs grow REALLY big temporarily.)



            I had to read it more than once to get that it was more than Brutus Goes Walkies, that there was plot-focused stuff there, but if your entire book is from this POV, or this POV is frequently used, then the reader should fall into it. (Interludes in Worm are always a little challenging, since we don't know the PO usually.)



            I definitely recommend reading other pet-narrated works, to note their strategies. Bunnicula comes to mind.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered yesterday









            AprilApril

            1,980634




            1,980634












            • Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago

















            • Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago
















            Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

            – user37485
            12 hours ago





            Wow! You sure had a lot of examples and works for me to add to my research :) Thank you so much for answering my question. I'll keep your points (& Brutus) in mind before I sit down to write again:)

            – user37485
            12 hours ago











            2














            No need for antics? Other ways to illustrate the nature of the narrator.



            Do the pets antics need to play a role in the story? Having the pet as the narrator wasn't your first thought so I'm assuming the antics are not super important. Don't get sidetracked from your plot unless you now do want antics for some reason (i.e. don't have antics for the sake of antics, or to make the animal narrator more realistic - there are other ways to illustrate "catness" or "dogness").



            What if your cat/dog is super old/lazy, not a lot of antics going on but a lot of observation. You could also just have them as a narrator without explaining the antics - I can narrate from the point of view of a cat without having to interupt myself all the time to talk about watching birds etc. If you want to remind the reader of the nature of the narrator just say something like




            "Sarah left the room to answer the knock at the door. I hopped down from the window sill and followed, but at a distance. I was never one to like visitors..."




            Without me telling you what animal this is, you know this is a cat speaking - sitting on the window still, and with the general reservedness common to most cats.






            share|improve this answer

























            • Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago















            2














            No need for antics? Other ways to illustrate the nature of the narrator.



            Do the pets antics need to play a role in the story? Having the pet as the narrator wasn't your first thought so I'm assuming the antics are not super important. Don't get sidetracked from your plot unless you now do want antics for some reason (i.e. don't have antics for the sake of antics, or to make the animal narrator more realistic - there are other ways to illustrate "catness" or "dogness").



            What if your cat/dog is super old/lazy, not a lot of antics going on but a lot of observation. You could also just have them as a narrator without explaining the antics - I can narrate from the point of view of a cat without having to interupt myself all the time to talk about watching birds etc. If you want to remind the reader of the nature of the narrator just say something like




            "Sarah left the room to answer the knock at the door. I hopped down from the window sill and followed, but at a distance. I was never one to like visitors..."




            Without me telling you what animal this is, you know this is a cat speaking - sitting on the window still, and with the general reservedness common to most cats.






            share|improve this answer

























            • Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago













            2












            2








            2







            No need for antics? Other ways to illustrate the nature of the narrator.



            Do the pets antics need to play a role in the story? Having the pet as the narrator wasn't your first thought so I'm assuming the antics are not super important. Don't get sidetracked from your plot unless you now do want antics for some reason (i.e. don't have antics for the sake of antics, or to make the animal narrator more realistic - there are other ways to illustrate "catness" or "dogness").



            What if your cat/dog is super old/lazy, not a lot of antics going on but a lot of observation. You could also just have them as a narrator without explaining the antics - I can narrate from the point of view of a cat without having to interupt myself all the time to talk about watching birds etc. If you want to remind the reader of the nature of the narrator just say something like




            "Sarah left the room to answer the knock at the door. I hopped down from the window sill and followed, but at a distance. I was never one to like visitors..."




            Without me telling you what animal this is, you know this is a cat speaking - sitting on the window still, and with the general reservedness common to most cats.






            share|improve this answer















            No need for antics? Other ways to illustrate the nature of the narrator.



            Do the pets antics need to play a role in the story? Having the pet as the narrator wasn't your first thought so I'm assuming the antics are not super important. Don't get sidetracked from your plot unless you now do want antics for some reason (i.e. don't have antics for the sake of antics, or to make the animal narrator more realistic - there are other ways to illustrate "catness" or "dogness").



            What if your cat/dog is super old/lazy, not a lot of antics going on but a lot of observation. You could also just have them as a narrator without explaining the antics - I can narrate from the point of view of a cat without having to interupt myself all the time to talk about watching birds etc. If you want to remind the reader of the nature of the narrator just say something like




            "Sarah left the room to answer the knock at the door. I hopped down from the window sill and followed, but at a distance. I was never one to like visitors..."




            Without me telling you what animal this is, you know this is a cat speaking - sitting on the window still, and with the general reservedness common to most cats.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 20 hours ago

























            answered yesterday









            B.KenobiB.Kenobi

            813




            813












            • Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago

















            • Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

              – user37485
              12 hours ago
















            Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

            – user37485
            12 hours ago





            Thanks! Your answer just cleared a lot of stuff in my mind :)

            – user37485
            12 hours ago










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