Current Project: Whiskers and Wine
Status: Story Dreaming
I've got lots going on today, like Wavy had yesterday, so this is going to be a quick post. And to steal from Wavy, I'm presenting you with an exercise! I like writing exercises.
I've never had point of view problems, first or third, makes no difference. I love writing them all. However, when it comes to tailoring point of view for a specific character, it may take me a few tries to get it right. I need to have a good feeling for the character whose voice I'm using.
In my ambitious women's fiction project, my heroine, aside from being an aspiring pole dancer, makes her living as a cat behaviorist. She's owned by 5 cats. I want to write a few scenes from a cat's point of view. This is a light-hearted story, so there are moments of humor, but nothing slapstick stupid. So I won't be going into lolcatz speak. But the voice of the cat(s) will be arrogant, bratty, and childlike, which is how I perceive my own kitties.
Your assignment, should you be so inclined, is to write something -- anything -- from your pet's point of view. Cat, dog, bird, fish, ferret, makes no difference. And if you don't have a pet, borrow a friend's. Or use the squirrel that hangs out in the tree in your yard. How about a bee or a fly? Just slip into alien skin and see what comes out.
I almost used an exorcise from my book CAFFEINE FOR THE CREATIVE MIND, but the 250 exercises in there are mostly on the eccentric side. But, if you'd rather not write from an alien perspective, how about coming up with a happy meal toy for an adult? That should get your synapses snappin'. :) Have fun!
7 comments:
LOL, Karen! Since I do animal communication, I suppose it wouldn't be fair to actually repeat some of the conversations I've had with my doggies. Besides the fact that's privileged communication. :)
Just suffice it to say they have many different personalities, just as people do. A friend also loaned me a book written by a man who communicated with many different animals, including a fly. That was interesting--even for me!
I write from my pets' perspective all the time on my blog. I love doing it.
From our cat:
Yes, the small human has an itty-bitty-teeny-tiny scratch. Let's all go fuss and sputter and offer disgusting bits of sloppy food. You can all just ignore the poor trampled feline over here. Did you you not see the small human using me as a body pillow? And a pony? And a soccer ball?
I visualize our cat as a cranky, crafty old man who really does have a benevolent streak buried somewhere under all that fur.
Genene, that's great you do animal communication. It makes me think of Ceser Milan. I love his show Dog Whisperer.
Wavy, LOL! Your cat voice is awesome! That is SO cute! And what a patient kitty to put up with being cat-handled by a toddler. My youngest cat puts up with being the dog's plaything sometimes, though she's really just nudging the cat with her nose.
I think Wavy should write an entire book as a cat.
A few years ago, I wrote a book that included passages in a dog's first person POV along with the third person POV of the two main characters. I loved doing it. I had to use my mother's terrier to get the right spunky take on the world attitude. Our lab just seemed to anxious to please humans for the role.
So, in fairness to our beloved Annie Rose (the lab), I offer the following:
Look at them trying to get old slink-close to-the ground-and-catch-innocent-little-birds to sit in their laps. It's disgusting. Meanwhile, hello, over here, what am I, a mountain goat? I'll get in your lap and you won't even have to ask twice! Why in the world does anyone put up with a cat when they have a dog? I just don't get it.
Tink's POV-
I run, I roll, I get in their face but do they listen? Noooo... What's a dog got to do to get a treat around here! Sure she says I'm getting fat, but hey- look at her trying to stuff those hams into those pants. I don't see her layin' off the chocolate. Give me a treat! Give me a Treat!
Too funny, Alice. My MC has 5 cats, but I'll just pick one as the, uh, mouthpiece. Looking at my own well-balanced felines, who all adore each other for the most part, each one is very different. I might use the voice of Ted, short for Teddy Bear, who's 30 pounds of gray and white fluff. He's sweet and friendly, his purring can rattle the walls, but if you're another cat or a dog, you don't want to mess with Ted. I call him the nanny cat because he helps me keep Kinsey (the dog) in line.
Yeah, that's right pup. I'm lookin' at you and if you come any closer-- Okay, that's it! HISSSSSS!! GrrrooOOOWllll. Take that! (three hard slaps to the dog's face). The dog's ears go back and she cowers, then creeps to a corner and lays down with her head between her paws. Now THAT's what I'm talkin' about. Pay attention, sister. You know who's boss around her. Push my buttons and I push back. (tail straight in the air, he turns his back to the cowering dog and stalks away, his paws making heavy thumps across the carpet.)
Hahaha, Paty! I can just hear Tink, kind of hyper and bouncy. Very cute. :)
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