Tag Archives: animals

Stare into the Monster Maker (Day 2)

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Charles Yallowitz

These creatures have been ‘donated’ by C.S. Boyack: Jambphibians The new is rather confusing because these deep sea animals aren’t amphibians.  The name comes from them resembling bio-luminescent door jambs with two webbed legs.  Their size ranges from fitting in … Continue reading →

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Questions 3: Animal Transformations and You

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Charles Yallowitz

Welcome to another installment of Questions 3.  If you don’t know the rules, you can answer in the comments or on your own blog.  All I ask is that you link back here if you choose the later.  These questions … Continue reading →

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Monsters in Nature: Aren’t They Animals?

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Charles Yallowitz

One thing I’ve done in Windemere revolves around the monsters.  Griffins, dragons, perytons, goblins, and all manner of beasts roam the wilderness alongside those that we have in our world.  They’re part of the landscape even though we don’t have … Continue reading →

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So You Wanna Use a Pet in Fiction?

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Charles Yallowitz

Long ago, I remember playing a D&D game where our group had several pets.  There was a bear who ended up being killed by a goblin firing squad.  Two wolves that were killed because the player kept demanding we heal … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

What Can You Use Talking Animals For?

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Talking animals can have multiple uses depending on your story, genre, and target age. I mentioned a few days ago that some people see the inclusion of talking animals as a sign of immature tales.  This is not always the … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Talking Animals: Yay or Nay or Meh?

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

Anthropomorphism– the attribution of human form or behavior to an object, animal.  I.E.- Anything done by Disney. I think most of us grew up with something along these lines.  Whether it be a singing mouse, a trouble-making Wabbit, a lasagna-eating … Continue reading →

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The Superior Inferior

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Charles Yallowitz

Do cats believe They are the chosen Because their claws retract Do giraffes believe They are Earth’s center Because they have the longest necks Do spiders believe They are God’s favorite Because they can spin webs Why do humans believe … Continue reading →

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Some Notes on Spirit Animals

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Charles Yallowitz

I’m using the term spirit animal, but I’m going to use another definition near the end to pull in another topic.  Now, a spirit animal is a beast that falls into one of the following categories: Physical animal that is … Continue reading →

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So You’re Going to Give Your Character a Pet

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Charles Yallowitz

So, you want to use a pet in your story.  Good idea.  There’s a long tradition of helpful animal companions of both natural and magical varieties.  It all comes down to what you want you’re looking for.  Here are some … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

What Do You Look for in Literary Pets?

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Charles Yallowitz

I watch a few Harry Potter movies this weekend while editing since I’ve seen them enough that they’re background noise.  Something caught my attention this time.  The familiars are there, but rarely come into play outside of a few events.  … Continue reading →

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