I have a fun return guest blogger today. She’s Jannine Corti Petska and she writes historical romance in unusual and very cool settings like Medieval Italy (although she has been known to write the occasional Western historical, too). I’m going to turn the blog over to Jannine, as she happens to be writing about one of my favorite subjects–dogs!
My Dogs Inspire My Characters
I’ve been a dog lover my entire life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have at least one or two (or three or four). So it’s not surprising that my dogs inspire how I write my characters.
It’s a proven fact that petting dogs (maybe cats, too, but I’ve never had a cat) help lower blood pressure. No matter what is going on in my life, good or bad, my dogs have been there for me, a valuable source of comfort. They’re non-judgmental and ask for little. And the unconditional love they have is something most humans don’t. So how do my dogs inspire me when my characters are mostly judgmental and demand (mainly in the first half of my books) to have their way?
When I began writing historical romances 30 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom who suffered from panic attacks. Just the thought of leaving the house triggered an attack. I was also agoraphobic. Looking back, I was somewhat of a recluse. When my husband was at work and my three daughters in school, dogs were my constant companions. And my sounding boards.
How’s that, you ask? Without being part of a writer’s group back then, I had no one to bounce ideas off of. So my dogs became not only my plotting friends but also great listeners—a captive audience. Occasionally when one lifted his head, I understood that as “You’ve got to be kidding!” So I rewrote the scene or came up with a new idea.
After years of writing, I realized my heroes and heroines are a lot like my dogs. Here are a few examples.
–Dogs give unconditional love. By the end of my story, my hero and heroine also give unconditional love to one another.
–Dogs mark their territory. My hero does this with the heroine, and without lifting his leg. His is more hands on.
–Dogs eat out of your hand. Before long, the heroine has the hero eating out of her hand, although real food is seldom involved.
–Dogs are loyal. My hero and heroine are very loyal to each other and do not stray. Okay, dogs do stray, but that’s only to mark their territory.
–Dogs lift my spirits when I’m down and see me through tough times. My hero and heroine do this throughout the entire story in subtle ways. Although, they don’t lick each other’s face.
–Dogs chase cats. My hero chases felines…the two-legged kind.
–Dogs lie on their backs to get their stomach scratched. No need to compare this one.
–Dogs sniff private parts. Let’s not go there either.
Dogs have so many other behaviors: gobbling their food: humping legs (we’ll leave this one alone, too); drinking from the toilet (hero hanging head over the toilet); biting and playing (you be the judge of this one); cocking their heads (I wonder if they can raise a single eyebrow too).
The list goes on and on. However, the single most trait dogs have that my hero or heroine do not (and never will—thank God for that!)—saying hello by peeing.
Do your pets have human characteristics? If you’re a writer, do you use them in your writing? If you’re not a writer, which human characteristics do you most see in your pet?
And here’s some info on Jannine’s latest books:
THE LILY AND THE FALCON, book 1 of the Italian medieval series
Bianca degli Albizzi is outraged when sworn enemy Cristiano de’ Medici asks for her hand in marriage. With her father’s blessing, she weds the handsome warrior to end the war between Florence’s two powerful families. But headstrong Bianca vows to teach her husband that loyalty cannot be bought…not even by seduction.
Cristiano, a well-known warrior with the wealth of a king, could have any woman he desires. But for the sake of peace he ends up with a defiant bride who awakens his deepest passion. Her vengeful scheming puts them both in peril, but is he prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the woman who has stolen his heart?
SURRENDER TO HONOR, book 2 of the Italian medieval series
Prima Ranieri seeks retribution for her family’s death and loss of home and land. Her plans go awry when the heir to the powerful Massaro family returns home. After only one glance, Prima’s attraction to him undermines her furor toward those she blames for her plight.
After a fifteen year absence, Antonio Massaro returns to Palermo to find a war raging between his family and the evil Falcone. His refusal to accept his rightful position as the head of the Honored Society carries serious consequences. The welfare of the people of Palermo is at stake. But one look at the beautiful woman Prima has become costs him his heart. She’s a deadly distraction…one that jeopardizes her life as well as his own.
Well, bathroom habits aside (I agree we’re better off not going there), I do begin to see some similarities. Thanks for the thought, Jannine!
Amazing, isn’t it?
It certainly is amazing, lol.
Thanks for stopping by.
You’re welcome, Miriam. Thanks for commenting.
What a fun post. I have five dogs and they have inspired characters in my stories – but usually of the canine sort. One drools a lot – I could probably use that for a male character, but I’m not sure that would help him attract the ladies. I totally agree with the unconditional love aspect. I also think dogs have a way of finding the joy in any situation. I think that’s something my human characters could use.
Yes, that capacity for joy is awesome, Ally.
Ally, I think it’s the unconditional love and companionship that endears dogs to us. And they’re cute! LOL
Thanks for commenting.
What a consept? Now that I think of it, I can see some comparison. We show our dogs in agility, and often the dog will ignore me – just like my husband when I remind him that the yard needs mowing, or now that he’s retired, he still needs to shave.
Terry, I love watching agility trials! Lots of very funny things can happen.
LOL, Terry, your husband is no different from others.
Thank you for reading the blog.
Fun & fab post! Love it. Thanks for writing.
Thanks for stopping by, Ruth!
You’re quite welcome, Ruth.
Thank you for being here.
Lovely blog :). Well I did think of my cats (and felines in general) when I creating my drunken faeries for one of my books. My faeries don’t look like cats (except their leader ;)) but the mindset is there. great blog!
That sounds pretty cool, Marie!
I can see that faeries and cats can intermingle. Both are a mystery to me, lol.
Thank you for stopping by, Marie.
Jannine: Thanks for the post.
post. Can’t say I ever used my dogs for character analysis, but you’re right about the unconditional love.
Phyllis: My dogs, past and present, are always a huge part of my life, just like my kids.
Thanks for commenting.
The book sounds very interesting. I don’t have a pet and I’m not a writer.
Jannine’s books take place during a very interesting period of history, don’t they bn?
BN: Italy is such a romantic country, whether 600 years ago or now. I hope you’ll read my Italian medievals.
Thank you for coming by and commenting.
I have so seen that “You’ve got to be kindding” look before. =)
Dogs have so many people characteristics, I never realized it until my husband and I got our Siberian Husky. He is so much fun to watch, you can just see what he is thinking, especially when you have food and he acts like an angel.
Very cute post.
Huskies are so beautiful, Lexi! Love them. I once had a dog who was a husky/collie mix. She was a total sweetie.
Lexi, it is amazing how much dogs and humans share many characteristics. Of course, dogs are like humans to me, lol. I may be biased!
Thanks for commenting.
They are in our families. Even though I have three kids, my husky will always be my first baby. =)
And Vanessa a husky collie mix would be perfect! Two great types of personalities.
I so enjoyed this blog, Jannine. My dogs ARE characters in some of my books. LOL! Right now I’m using a Maltese to “soften” my Arturian Queen who’s as alpha as my hero. Thanks for the wonderful post.
Great idea, Mary!
Glad you liked the post, Mary. Although I write primarily historicals, I do have a comtemporary where the heroine’s Rat Terrier is actually my female rattie. Everything the dog in the book does, my dog does.
Thanks for stopping by.
Vanessa: Thank you so much for having me as you guest. I enjoyed all the comments, and the friendly and receptive atmosphere.
What a fun post. And the photo of the pup and the boy is just gorgeous.
I love to write about dogs and this is the first time in more than twenty years that I’ve not had a dog sharing my home. Next year, perhaps.
Also, I love your book covers.
Thanks for stopping by, Robena!