Renowned Authors Patricia B McConnell and Cat Warren Convene at Bark! Fest to Discuss Crafting Canine Characters in Fiction

On Tuesday, September 15th, at 1 pm Pacific time (4 pm Eastern / 9 pm UK time), Bark! Fest hosted an illuminating virtual discussion titled "Writing Dogs and Fiction," featuring internationally acclaimed authors Patricia B McConnell, PhD, and Cat Warren. The event, co-hosted by Dr. Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson, brought together two influential voices in animal behavior and journalism to explore the intricate art of creating realistic and compelling canine characters within fictional narratives. Although the live event has concluded, a recording was made available to all registered participants, preserving the valuable insights shared by these experts.

The Significance of Bark! Fest and its Mission

Bark! Fest, a literary festival dedicated to animal lovers, serves as a crucial platform for conversations that delve into the multifaceted relationships between humans and animals. Organized by Companion Animal Psychology, a leading resource for evidence-based information on pet care and behavior, the festival aims to foster a deeper understanding of animal welfare, behavior, and the human-animal bond through the lens of literature. Events like "Writing Dogs and Fiction" underscore the festival’s commitment to showcasing authors who blend scientific knowledge with narrative prowess, thereby enriching public discourse around animal intelligence and emotional lives.

The festival’s virtual format allows for global participation, transcending geographical barriers and making expert discussions accessible to a wider audience of readers, writers, and animal enthusiasts. The hosts, Dr. Zazie Todd—a renowned companion animal psychologist and author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy and Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy—and Kristi Benson—a certified professional dog trainer and writer—are central to Bark! Fest’s mission. Their expertise ensures that the discussions remain grounded in scientific understanding while also exploring the artistic dimensions of animal storytelling.

Authors at the Forefront: Blending Science and Storytelling

The selection of Patricia B McConnell and Cat Warren for this discussion was particularly apt, given their distinguished careers and significant contributions to both non-fiction and fiction centered on dogs. Both authors bring a unique blend of scientific rigor and empathetic storytelling to their work, making them ideal figures to discuss the nuances of portraying dogs authentically in literature.

Patricia B McConnell: From Animal Behaviorist to Mystery Novelist

Dr. Patricia B McConnell, an internationally renowned applied animal behaviorist, has profoundly shaped contemporary understanding of canine communication and behavior. Her non-fiction works have sold over 1.2 million copies globally, establishing her as a leading voice in the field. Books such as The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend, and The Education of Will: A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog exemplify her compassionate approach to animal welfare, often intertwining personal narrative with scientific insights. The Education of Will, in particular, explores the profound healing journey of both humans and dogs recovering from trauma, resonating deeply with readers who understand the therapeutic power of the human-animal bond.

McConnell’s transition into fiction marks an exciting new chapter in her career. Her debut novel, Away to Me, is described as a suspenseful and immersive mystery set within the competitive world of sheepdog trials. The narrative begins with the shocking death of protagonist Maddie McGowan’s best friend, killed by a rifle shot during a trial. Maddie, a woman who has found her "second life" on a 40-acre sheep farm in rural Wisconsin, dedicates herself to training sheepdogs, including her spirited border collie, Jack. Her professional life also involves addressing a spectrum of canine behavioral issues, from aggression to phobias, drawing on her extensive expertise. Having overcome personal trauma herself, Maddie’s journey takes a perilous turn as she unravels the mystery surrounding her friend’s death.

The plot thickens with the arrival of an aggressively traumatized German shepherd at Maddie’s farm, rescued from the highway. As this dog begins to heal under Maddie’s care, her house is invaded, signaling a far more sinister plot. Her burgeoning romantic involvement with a young shelter worker further complicates matters, placing Maddie’s own life in jeopardy as she seeks answers. The novel is lauded for its vivid nature writing, drawing comparisons to the works of William Kent Krueger and Peter Heller, while maintaining the taut suspense characteristic of Louise Penny. McConnell’s ability to infuse a compelling mystery with authentic insights into dog behavior and rural life is a testament to her unique authorial voice.

McConnell’s career also includes a significant media presence. For 14 years, her nationally syndicated radio show, "Calling All Pets," reached audiences in over 110 cities, and her television show, "Petline," aired on Animal Planet for two and a half years. She holds a position as a former adjunct professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and contributed as a behavior columnist for The Bark magazine. Her current life on a Southern Wisconsin farm with her Border Collies and a flock of sheep provides a rich wellspring of inspiration for her writing.

Cat Warren: Unveiling the Extraordinary World of Scent Detection Dogs

Cat Warren, a retired professor from North Carolina State University, is widely recognized for her New York Times bestselling non-fiction work, What the Dog Knows: Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World. This beautifully crafted book delves into the extraordinary abilities of scent detection dogs, exploring the fascinating science behind their unparalleled olfactory senses. Warren’s narrative is particularly compelling as it interweaves scientific explanation with a deeply personal story: the transformation of her "impossible" German shepherd puppy, Solo, into a highly skilled human remains detection dog.

Warren recounts the challenges of adopting Solo, an unruly German shepherd whose boundless energy was both endearing and exasperating. Recognizing Solo’s inherent drive and need for purpose, Warren embarked on a journey to channel his energy into meaningful work. The book meticulously details Solo’s evolution from a troublesome pup to an expert cadaver dog, shedding light on the rigorous training, dedication, and unique bond required between handler and working dog. What the Dog Knows not only educates readers on the science of olfaction and canine cognition but also offers an intimate glimpse into the vital work performed by these specialized animals in law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations.

The book was long-listed for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, underscoring its significant contribution to science communication. Recognizing its broad appeal, Warren also penned What the Dog Knows for Young Readers, making the complex subject accessible to a younger demographic. Currently, Warren continues to research and write about scent detection dogs and their applications in various fields, including archaeology, from her home in Durham, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, David, a German shepherd named Rev, and a Boykin spaniel named Brio.

The Art of Making Canine Characters "Leap Off the Page"

The core of the Bark! Fest discussion revolved around the intricate process of "writing (and re-writing) that makes canine characters leap off the page." For authors venturing into fiction with dogs as central figures, the challenge lies in striking a balance between creating engaging, emotionally resonant characters and maintaining biological and behavioral authenticity.

Challenges and Strategies in Canine Character Development:

1. Avoiding Anthropomorphism: A significant pitfall in writing animal characters is imbuing them with overly human thoughts, emotions, and motivations. While dogs possess complex emotional lives, attributing human-like internal monologues or complex reasoning often detracts from their unique canine nature. McConnell and Warren, with their deep understanding of animal behavior, likely emphasized depicting canine reactions and decision-making through a lens informed by ethology and cognitive science. This means focusing on observable behaviors, sensory experiences (especially olfaction for dogs), and the dynamics of their interactions within their species and with humans.
2. Realism vs. Narrative Arc: Creating a realistic dog character does not mean sacrificing narrative drive. The authors would have discussed how to integrate accurate behavioral traits—such as breed-specific tendencies, individual personalities shaped by genetics and experience, and responses to environmental stimuli—into a compelling plot. For instance, Solo’s "boundless energy" was a realistic trait that became a central element of his narrative in What the Dog Knows, propelling him toward a working career. Similarly, Maddie’s border collie, Jack, in Away to Me, is not just a pet but an active participant in her life and profession, whose actions and abilities are integral to the story’s setting and unfolding events.
3. The Dog as a Character, Not a Prop: In well-written fiction, dogs are not merely decorative elements or plot devices. They are integral to the story’s emotional core, influencing human characters, driving conflict, and offering unique perspectives. McConnell’s Away to Me places dogs at the heart of the mystery and Maddie’s personal journey, making their behavior and relationships central to understanding the human drama. Warren’s non-fiction, while not fiction, masterfully showcases Solo as a character whose development and capabilities are the focal point, illustrating how even in factual narratives, an animal’s individuality can be vividly portrayed.
4. Sensory Worlds: Dogs perceive the world primarily through scent, hearing, and touch, differing significantly from human visual dominance. Authors like McConnell and Warren are uniquely positioned to translate this canine sensory experience into evocative prose. Discussing how to convey a dog’s olfactory "vision" or its nuanced interpretation of sounds can greatly enhance a character’s authenticity and immerse the reader more deeply into the canine perspective.
5. The Human-Canine Bond: The profound and often complex relationship between humans and dogs is a recurring theme in both authors’ works. In fiction, this bond can be a source of solace, conflict, loyalty, and mutual growth. The discussion likely touched upon how to portray this relationship with honesty, acknowledging both its joys and its challenges, without romanticizing or oversimplifying it.

Broader Implications and Impact

The conversation between Patricia B McConnell and Cat Warren at Bark! Fest highlights several significant trends in contemporary literature and society:

• Growing Interest in Animal-Centric Narratives: There is an increasing public appetite for stories that feature animals prominently, reflecting a societal shift towards greater awareness and appreciation of animal lives. This extends beyond traditional pet stories to include complex narratives that explore animal behavior, conservation, and welfare issues.
• The Blurring of Genre Lines: Both authors exemplify how the boundaries between science, memoir, and fiction are becoming increasingly permeable. McConnell, a scientist, writes a mystery novel, while Warren, a journalist and academic, weaves personal narrative with scientific exploration. This interdisciplinary approach enriches storytelling and expands the potential for engaging a diverse readership.
• Education Through Entertainment: By crafting compelling narratives, these authors educate readers about animal behavior, psychology, and welfare in an accessible and engaging manner. Their work fosters empathy and encourages a more informed understanding of dogs, potentially influencing responsible pet ownership and advocacy.
• The Power of Realistic Portrayal: In an era where misinformation can easily spread, particularly regarding animal training and care, the commitment of authors like McConnell and Warren to scientific accuracy in their portrayals is crucial. Realistic canine characters not only make for better fiction but also contribute to a more accurate public perception of dogs’ capabilities and needs.
• Supporting Authors and Literary Platforms: Events like Bark! Fest, and the encouragement to support authors by purchasing their books, play a vital role in sustaining the literary ecosystem for animal-related content. The availability of books through various channels, including Amazon, Bookshop, and local libraries, ensures broad access to these important works.

Conclusion

The "Writing Dogs and Fiction" event at Bark! Fest, featuring Patricia B McConnell and Cat Warren, offered an invaluable opportunity for deep engagement with the craft of storytelling through a canine lens. By bringing together two authors whose work seamlessly integrates scientific understanding with narrative artistry, the festival underscored the importance of authentic and insightful portrayals of dogs in literature. Their discussion undoubtedly provided aspiring writers with practical guidance and inspired readers to appreciate the depth and complexity of canine characters that truly "leap off the page." The legacy of such conversations lies in their capacity to not only entertain but also to educate and foster a more profound connection between humans and the animal world they share.

Readers interested in exploring the works of these authors are encouraged to seek out their books, including Patricia B McConnell’s Away to Me, The Education of Will, and The Other End of the Leash, and Cat Warren’s What the Dog Knows (also available in a Young Reader’s Edition). These titles are available wherever books are sold, including online retailers and local libraries.

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