Week 3 of my writing pilgrimage is coming to a close. This week, I did a lot of thinking and writing about my compassion for animals, and my sense of responsibility to them. So Great Stuff for Writers Day # 3 will focus on resources writers can use if they want to express their own love for animals: Some writing prompts, a couple good writing-advice articles, and a delightful book. Enjoy!
Cherished: 21 Writers on Animals They Have LOVED and LOST, edited by Barbara Abercrombie. Novelist Linzi Glass writes about growing up a Jewish girl whose “savior” was a marmalade cat named Yoyo. Memoirist Monica Holloway tells about a dog with a Texas-shaped birthmark on her belly and ears like “fuzzy tortilla chips.” Movie critic Joe Morgenstern writes about his childhood cocker spaniel Fluff. There is even an essay here about a half-dog half-coyote by novelist and Guggenheim fellow Carolyn See.
This collection of charming essays about companion animals manages to be touching without being sappy—a testament to the high quality of the writing. I can’t imagine any animal lover who wouldn’t enjoy this volume, but its focus on writers makes it especially fitting for those of us who live through words.
How to Write Animal-Friendly Articles. “If you care a lot about animals, writing articles to help them can be one of the most rewarding things you do,” writes journalist Barbara Rosen. In this excellent article, she tells you exactly how to get started, with tips on markets to aim for, types of articles that help animals, style tips, and do’s and don’ts.
Tips on Writing Animal Stories. EHow contributor Christopher Carol focuses on fiction writing in this short blog post. His advice is basic, but sound, and especially useful if you want to create an animal narrator or character.
Creative Writing Prompts for Animal Lovers. A few simple but interesting prompts for writerswho love animals, by poet and animal advocate Melissa Donovan.
Interview with Michele Farbman. Would you love to write about animals for a living? Read this interview by someone who does. Michele Farbman is an editor and writer for the ASPCA. In this interview for kids, she talks about her work.
Have a nice weekend everyone, and I’ll see you on Monday for Week 4 of my writing pilgrimage.
Interview with Michele Farbman. Would you love to write about animals for a living? Read this interview by someone who does. Michele Farbman is an editor and writer for the ASPCA. In this interview for kids, she talks about her work.
Have a nice weekend everyone, and I’ll see you on Monday for Week 4 of my writing pilgrimage.