Animal Instincts

"Like the owl, I want to be paid in mice and falling stars, take my midnights in the middle of the day." - Lance Larsen from the poem, "Chancellor of Shadows"

Consider the above description and how to develop a character based on animal instincts. Make a list of animal traits for your persona.

Take a look at some of the stories in this site for Aesop's Fables:http://aesopfables.com/

Other possibilities to try on yourself for development:

If you had donkey skills, how would you show stubborn? Or, are you a beast of burden?

With fox instincts, what does sneaky sound like?

Lion strengths include ferocity. Are you also a kitten at times?

A Black Phoebe is a workaholic, flying dawn to dusk capturing one insect after another. Does that apply to you?

Rabbits and Roadrunners are speedy. Are they as calculating as a tortoise?

Does a hummingbird's attention span define focus?

Elephants never forget. What do they do with their memories?

How would you combine several animal characteristics into one character?

Creative Write: Develop three lines to begin your character sketch. Find ways to mix and match.