Always Quote by Lynn Coady
“Never use dogs to symbolize anything. That is ridiculous. Always ensure that any dogs are just dogs; i.e., characters in the story who happen to be dogs.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Writing, Lynn Coady, 2015
The author warns against overusing dogs as symbols, urging writers to treat them as ordinary characters.
In simple terms: Dogs should be just dogs.
Key Takeaway
Avoid symbolic shortcuts with animals.
Themes
writing
symbolism
authenticity
Mood
candid
critical
Type
literary
advice
When to use this quote
- novels
- short stories
- screenplays
- teaching writing
Key Concepts
character development
literary technique
realism
Questions to Reflect On
- When do you rely on animal symbolism?
- How can you keep animal characters realistic?
A Different Perspective
Readers may still read symbolism into dogs.
