Talking Animals beyond Middle Grade
Some of the most loved stories that children read and forever remember involve a talking animal.
- Little Red Riding Hood
- The Three Little Pigs
- The Tortoise and the Hare
- Puss in Boots
- …and many more
Though, during most part of my life, there was a stigma
attached to talking-animal novels whereby they would be cast into
the Middle Grade age bracket of novel writing. Now, don’t get me
wrong, writing for MG is a great market. It is growing. But, it
is not the one for me.
My first novel, The Last Strider, is about a cat who must
overcome his fears of causing destruction and bringing about a
greater danger that has been foretold. The novel will cover a
vast range of topics including death, torture, destiny and
retribution. Oh and the cat can talk. Sudden alarm-bells. Does
this now mean I have to write for the MG market?
- First draft of the novel was 148k — Yikes!
- Current draft is 68k … perfect for the newbie in a Young Adult market.
- But… if I tailored it for a MG… I might have to reduce the word count to between 35-50k.
And all because I have a talking animal.
Well, yes, that is the harsh truth. And many Literary
Agents, no doubt, will drop my Synopsis into the Slush Pile-of-Doom
when they see my 68k. Of course, there may be some that have a
quick look, but in a majority will sling it.
Can I justify not writing for the MG market. Yes. Read
again the one-liner about the book. Note; does the context give
an indication of Little Red Riding Hood, a Disney inspired novel
where the animals are cute? No. In fact, I best tell you that the
cats are part of a world dominated by humans at war with raging,
barbaric beasts. Yes, this is no Hansel and Gretal
tea-party.
The Last Strider creates an endearing character (and his
friends) who will suffer physically and mentally. The cats share
human qualities, and in that they will have to answer emotive
questions within themselves. Just because they are cats, you will
not see them doing just cat-like things. Heck – I believe that
the reader might forget they are cats because their journey could
be coupled to that of a youngling.
Young Adults (and Adults) are more interested in an animal
when it combines a form realism that they can relate to. If it is
convincing and contains a plot that justifies the need of the
talking animal, then go for it. The underlying theme can be the
springboard from a MG to a YA.
It is a given that I have a hard sell to convince an agent
to take interest, but then again, if I focus on writing a good
novel and pitch it right, then opportunities could happen. Belief
and focus.
There are novels out there, from the past, and new that
contain a talking animal and have been written for the YA/Adult
market. Here are some;
- Watership Down: A Novel by Richard Adams
- Tailchaser’s Song by Tad Williams
- The Wild Road by Gabriel King
- Piper at the Gate by Mary Stanton
- Silverhair (Mammoth Trilogy) by Stephen Baxter
- Fire Bringer by David Clement-Davies
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh/Newbery Summer by Robert C. O’Brien
- The Plague Dogs: A Novel by Richard Adams
- Ratha’s Creature (The Named) by Clare Bell
- Duncton Wood by William Horwood
- The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
Please do comment if you have a view on YA novels with
talking animals.
Do They belong in Middle Grade?
Or done right, can they earn their place in a YA
market?
And please forward to any literary agents who may want to
comment on the MG/YA fine line regarding this.
Comments
Subscribe
Visitor counter
Blog Roll Centre
Blog Hints
12 Comments
Having said that, I do carry a strong opinion on the originality of a concept and it's characters. Flick, do you remember that conversation we had about my character's age at FOW? Any major changes suggested for the main character of your project feels like a stab in the gut. But, as you had then said, a little modification can bring about the change that might be the equilibrium point for audience and the story.
Talking animals are not that popular in Young-Adult because the 'tag' you are presenting is not attractive to our young audience. Tags like 'Talking animal,' makes youngsters turn the page, which is exactly the point agents press upon. And that is because of a simple fact that basic concept, the true depth of the story is hidden behind an unattractive 'tag.' If I were you I would change the tag to something more attractive. Give away your 'talking animal' only as much as you have to, and otherwise focus on the theme of your story. Once they are into the story (agents or audience) they will, just as you said, wouldn't mind if it's a cat or not. They might land up opening their mind to a new sight for more novels belonging to that genre.
Good luck with the conquest!
I wish people would judge a book by its contents, but unfortunately, labels such as 'talking animals' may not help - I know my 11-12 year old pupils still love a good talking animal book, but you'd be pressed to find the older ones admitting to it. The teen / YA market is often driven by what is perceived as 'cool' as opposed to it just being a stonking good story, and if it doesn't tick the 'cool' box straight off, they won't read it (honestly, I am dismayed and alarmed by the sheer number of my kids who literally judge a book by its cover, to the point where they won't read one version of a book because they cover is 'crap', but will read exactly the same novel when it is released with a different, 'cooler' cover!! It's ridiculous). Make your main character a girl or boy trapped inside an animal's body and you might win them over, though...
Aonghus - I am quite incensed that that agent wouldn't consider a book because 'talking animals creep him out'. It's not about what he wants - it's about what the audience wants! So what if they creep him out? That might be a bit of a naive attitude, but nothing gets my goat more than talent being scuppered because the person who holds the keys has a personal issue with something...
Yes, a definite uphill struggle, but initial MS Critique from Writers Workshop was very uplifting. The feedback was great re: the cats and the voice I had installed, especially with their reason for having that ability, let alone communicating with humans.
But... nothing is a given.
I'll keep plugging away, but am also putting my heart into a separate novel with no animals whatsoever. So if one fails, there are others to perk me up.
PS... the tag is not the tag...just one I posted for here. In fact, similar to your character age change Iti, I have lowered one main character from 16 to 14... mainly because I may have to focus the writing of this to an upper MG. Lower YA market.
Indeed you may have written one.
I have always been a animal lover (ex RSPCA/ISPCA and all that) but I wouldn't touch a 'talking animal' book with someone else's barge pole and niether would my 13 year old daughter. Sorry. I wish you the best of luck.
:)
It's the story that matters not the species in my opinion.
Like I said, tastes change. 'Black Beauty' was originally written to give readers some idea as to how animals were mistreated at the time, but I'm guessing most modern readers don't need an animal to be imbued with human characteristics in order to appreciate that animals experience pain and misery just like we do. It might even obscure the issues the writer is trying to raise.
To cite an analogy. I've always had a problem with Roman Patricians having public school accents (in films) because I feel this stereotype actually interferes with our ability to understand Roman cultere rather than illuminates it.
I put words into the mouths of many of my animals, so I can hardly complain - but what irks me, is a human voice with animal fur - i.e. it doesn't sound like the pov of the animal at all and the animal is just a gimmick. If I don't believe in the animal - it's like not believing in any other character - my attention wanders and I begin to sigh.
It's all in the writing, surely?
Perhaps it wasn't that agent's cup of tea. Fair enough; there are plenty of others.
Click here to sign up now.