• Welcome!
  • About
  • Short Stories
  • Book Reviews
  • Blog
  • Contact me

Megan Turner

~ Fiction Writer

Megan Turner

Monthly Archives: January 2014

Writing About Our Pets: Giving Voice to “A Man’s Best Friend”

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by meganrturner in Fiction Writing, Publishing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

animal, cats, dog, dogs, pets, Publishing, Writing

What is it about pets that inspires both readers and writers alike? No matter the writing style or premise, it seems if one is writing about a dog or cat, that story will be published. It’s an interesting phenomenon and one that I have not fully examined before. In some cases, I am appalled by the sort of non-serious fluff that is often published solely because it involves a dog. In other cases, writers have provided us with heartfelt stories that somehow get at the core of why we write.

Some of the more touching classics—Charlotte’s Web, Old Yeller—describe the connection between a pet and his owner. At the same time, these novels remind us that animal life is more fragile than our own, as we often outlive our pets.

One of the first novels I ever attempted (when I was about ten years old) was about a talking dog. I hoped then to voice some of the emotions that most believe pets must feel. Of course, the literary community discouraged this topic—until The Art of Racing in the Rain was written.

In some cases, it seems writing about a pet means exploiting them. I often cringe at books that show dogs dressed in tutus or cats with larger than life, bugged eyes. But, I also find myself wondering why I, like others, are drawn to books about animals. One of the most disturbing stories I ever read, “Ball” by Tara Ison, published in Bestial Noise, explored an obsessive, unhealthy relationship between a woman and her dog.

Still, when I think of the unspoken bond I’ve had with some of my dogs and my current cat, I know there is something compelling that connects me to them. I find myself moved when I try to put into words how and why these animals have been important in my life. Perhaps, the old adage, a dog (or cat) is a “man’s best friend” is correct. Our pets are there for us when our human relationships fail. When I am upset or disturbed, my cat is one of the first to know. At the same time, pets’ lives are short, and so perhaps we write in order to immortalize them. We give words to an unclear connection. Through our stories about cats and dogs, we also reach out to other readers who somehow know and already understand this connection.

One of the pets that currently inspires me.

One of the pets that currently inspires me

Recent Posts

  • Interview with Bird’s Thumb
  • Reading at Corkscrew Wine Bar
  • Trains, Planes, and Writer Deadlines
  • How I Wrote This Story: “Backyard Dogs”
  • Writing About Our Pets: Giving Voice to “A Man’s Best Friend”

Archives

  • June 2017
  • December 2016
  • October 2014
  • May 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013

Categories

  • Copyediting
  • Fiction Writing
  • Introversion
  • Literary Readings
  • MFA Writing
  • Publishing
  • Travel
  • Writing Practices

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Megan Turner
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Megan Turner
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...