Creating Realistic Companion Animals in Fiction with Mona Storm Sun, Feb 5, 2023 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Creating realistic companion animals in fiction.
Toothless, Ghost, Drogon and Hedwig. From the innocent Wilbur to the Rats of Nimh, animals have captivated our interest and let us explore topics from a unique perspective. Some of the most memorable characters in fiction are the animal sidekick. Think of the naughty, yet loveable, Stitch to the absolute horror that was Cujo.
Join Mona Storm for an afternoon exploring the unique bond we share with animals to create resonance in your fiction. We will focus on the unique ways humans seek emotional comfort and reassurance from companion animals and the roles they fill. I will show you how adding a simple animal character can add depth to your fiction using examples from media. Also covered, Zoonotic diseases and how they have shaped our current mythology, and how we can leverage that information to create deeper, richer worlds.
Do you need a loyal companion for your main character? Do you want to create a pet species that will blend seamlessly with your world? Do you want your monsters to have bite?
In this workshop Mona Storm will provide images and guidance on shaping animals to fit in your settings. This is a nuts-and-bolts style workshop. For existing animals, we will look at their traits and features and choose one best suited for your character. For sci-fi and fantasy creatures, we will go over the various external features of creatures on earth and adapt them to alternative uses.
About the Instructor Mona Storm
Mona Storm is a Professional Pet Groomer, specializing in exotics, with 15yrs experience. Teaching is a passion of hers, and she has taught students in Canada and internationally in the Middle East, where the pet industry is still in its growing stages. Her work has allowed her to attend continuing education seminars with some of the top animal behaviour specialists in North America. She was proud to compete Nationally in Toronto three times and to serve as a demonstrator with Chris Christensen Systems. The many hours of continuing education about the client/pet bond gives me a unique perspective on how humans relate to animals and how we as writers can add that to our own fiction.