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Post by luckyfanpup101 on Feb 26, 2011 20:03:33 GMT -5
This is something that's really starting to get on my nerves. My mother and my aunt are constantly telling me to use people instead of animals in my stories, claiming that adults cannot relate to the characters. Here's a prime example of what I'm talking about. I was applying for a college just the other day. When I put down my e-mail address (beigeraccoon@yahoo.com), my mother ordered me to change it. When I said no, she inquired if I had another account I could use. When I told her that I didn't, she requested that I use hers instead. Using animals as characters is what I'm most comfortable with and there are plenty of adult animal lovers (in a platonic sense, not sexual) who enjoy reading stories in which the main character is an animal. In my mind, if you develop a character well enough, like I attempt to do, and your reader can relate to the character and develop an emotional connection with that character, regardless of whether or not they are a human, then who cares whether or not they're human? As you all know, I am trying to get my novel "Founders' Island" published. My mother suggests that I change the characters from animals to humans since she feels that no publisher on earth would publish a novel that is targeted towards adults that features animals as characters. To this, I disagree. Many cartoons targeted towards adult feature some episodes in which the main characters are in fact animals (for example, the memorable South Park Christmas episode "Woodland Critter Christmas"). Any thoughts, questions, or opinions?
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Post by Nemo on Feb 26, 2011 20:08:12 GMT -5
Well you could also point her towards the book 'Felidae' which is a book with cats as the main characters, but it is targeted to adults.
But I say, do what you're comfortable with.
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Post by RaceFanX on Feb 26, 2011 23:29:08 GMT -5
She has a point about emails. It's best to have a professional sounding one when applying for jobs or doing business.
Much adult fiction features humans as the main characters but granted not all does ("The Art of Racing in the Rain" has a dog narrating [with a human supporting cast], albeit one who can't wait to die because he thinks he'll get reincarnated as a human). I think human characters in an adult novel are probably more likely but there are always ways around it (is there a company that mostly sells to furries?).
If the book isn't heavily sexual or violent you could just try to sell it as a youth or teen novel instead. Books toward younger audiences with animal characters are more common. No matter what though know that most novels never get published because of the thousands of submissions publishers get and the very few books they release, you might want to look at getting an agent or something if you are serious.
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Post by luckyfanpup101 on Feb 28, 2011 8:42:14 GMT -5
She has a point about emails. It's best to have a professional sounding one when applying for jobs or doing business. Much adult fiction features humans as the main characters but granted not all does ("The Art of Racing in the Rain" has a dog narrating [with a human supporting cast], albeit one who can't wait to die because he thinks he'll get reincarnated as a human). I think human characters in an adult novel are probably more likely but there are always ways around it (is there a company that mostly sells to furries?). If the book isn't heavily sexual or violent you could just try to sell it as a youth or teen novel instead. Books toward younger audiences with animal characters are more common. No matter what though know that most novels never get published because of the thousands of submissions publishers get and the very few books they release, you might want to look at getting an agent or something if you are serious. Good advice there, RaceFanX. I am serious about getting my novel published since it will be what I will be doing for a living.
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Post by Kit on Feb 28, 2011 10:59:18 GMT -5
Well you could also point her towards the book 'Felidae' which is a book with cats as the main characters, but it is targeted to adults. But I say, do what you're comfortable with. I'm sorry for not having any sound advice for you luckyfanpup101, I just wanted to stop by and say Holy hell, someone else but me knows of Felidae? O.O Someone who's not German?!
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Post by Nemo on Feb 28, 2011 14:32:30 GMT -5
Well you could also point her towards the book 'Felidae' which is a book with cats as the main characters, but it is targeted to adults. But I say, do what you're comfortable with. I'm sorry for not having any sound advice for you luckyfanpup101, I just wanted to stop by and say Holy hell, someone else but me knows of Felidae? O.O Someone who's not German?! Hehe surprised Kit? x3
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Post by Riptastik on Feb 28, 2011 15:18:49 GMT -5
I also know of Felidae! Quite interesting Id have to say.
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Post by Kit on Feb 28, 2011 15:23:21 GMT -5
I knew there was a reason I liked you two! =)
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Post by Nemo on Feb 28, 2011 15:27:40 GMT -5
Hehe <w<
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