Critter Stories

For Tuesday, you need to partner up and come up with a good critter idea. Here is something I learned from one of my former teachers at KU. Learn it. Use it.

Newswriting
By Rick Musser
KU teacher

Critter stories are everywhere.
There's something about an animal that appeals to both editors and readers.
The stories can be as serious and sad as clubbing baby seals or as goofy and funny as a dog that water skis.
Critter stories have three parts to be successful. The critter, the curve, and the cute stuff.
These are unabashed features. They need do nothing but entertain, touch the emotions. The one caveat is overwriting when critters get mixed up with animal rights or environmental groups. These groups are built around the almost inexplicable human trait that would save calves sent for slaughter or a rare snail while babies die from crack poisoning in the womb. It, of course, is the same trait that makes critter stories a genre.
Your assignment is to come up with a critter story based on the time tested formula of critter, curve and cuteness.
It must be no more than 15 inches and feature one of God's creatures as the main character.


The critter. Critters can be exotic or they can be everyday dogs and cats. The more exotic and the critter the more that part alone will carry the story. Exotic pets, exotic animal famrs, rare or scary animals all make good features. Alligator farmers, killer bees, and kids who keep 15-foot pythons all fall under the critter category.

The curve. Something about the critter you write about has to be odd or interesting. The curive is less important with exotic critters. When it comes to dogs or cats, they better do something outlandish--like paint modern art pictures.

The cute. The critter story is the one time when your teacher won't gag on cuteness. It's part of the genre. Ham it up. Have fun writing. Do something outrageous, if you must.