My theme for February is love and friendship. So what’s the relationship between the four characters in this photo? Yes, I think the horses are characters. Here’s where my inspiration took me:
“You can pet them.” I held out my hand and patted Bailey on the forelock.
My cousin didn’t move, like he’d become part of the rock we were sitting on. “I don’t want to.”
I gritted my teeth. I’d showed Aiden everything, absolutely everything, he could do on the farm, and he didn’t want to do anything. But Mom said I had to be nice.
“They won’t bite.” I bet all city kids think horses bite.
Aiden slid off the rock and ran back toward the house.
“And he’s gonna be here all summer,” I told Bailey and his mom, Smudge. “What am I supposed to do with him?”
From here, I can take the story two directions. Which do you prefer?
Smudge tossed her head like she didn’t know either while Bailey nuzzled me.
or
“Well, if you let us say something to him,” said Smudge, “maybe we could help.”
For another character writing prompt, click here.
“Well, if you let us say something to him,” said Smudge, “maybe we could help.”
I’ve never written a fantasy. But it’d be interesting working with human and animal characters.
I’ll be one of the first to read your book, JP!🤗
Oooh fun, and if you go the direction of the horses responding, it could become an area of contention between the cousins (maybe Aiden overhears the narrator talking to someone, but he can’t figure out who), and the narrator and horses have to be super careful to not let Aiden know they communicate in English, but still be super nice to make Aiden feel at home on the farm. And maybe it could all lead to moment when the horses must talk to Aiden…
I love it! Like the narrator is in trouble and the horses know it, and the only person they can tell is Aiden. This has so many possibilities!