It’s been a few weeks now that The Secret of Lockwood Manor (my 2nd book in The Grumpy Ghost series) has been out, and I’ve gotten some nice emails from readers telling me how much they’ve enjoyed the book, especially Daisy. Thank you! I love Daisy too! ❤️ Writing about a ghost dachshund named Daisy while my very real, very alive dog Darwin supervised from his favorite spot by my desk has given me some interesting insights on writing with pets.
First off, let’s talk about the similarities between real pets and fictional ghost pets: they both have absolutely no respect for your writing schedule. 😅 😂
Darwin has a sixth sense for when I’m hitting my stride. Mid-sentence, right when the perfect words are flowing? That’s when he decides my feet need immediate attention or that it’s the perfect time for a dramatic sigh and flop right next to my chair. But that’s nothing compared to what happens when afternoon thunderstorms roll in. The first rumble of thunder and Darwin transforms from “calm writing companion” to “17-pound trembling shadow who must be as close to me as physically possible.” I’ve lost count of how many brilliant paragraphs were interrupted by a panicked dog trying to crawl under my desk or, more impressively, attempting to become one with my lap (poor baby!)
Daisy, on the other hand, has this annoying habit of appearing in scenes where she definitely isn’t supposed to be. I’ll be writing a tense moment between Anna and Richard, and suddenly there’s this ghostly wiener dog demanding attention. Daisy just appears in my head, fully formed and ready to steal every scene.
Real pets need food, water, and constant validation. Ghost pets, apparently, need constant character development. 😅 😂
Darwin’s pretty straightforward – he wants his dinner at 4 PM sharp, and he’ll sit by his bowl giving me those soulful eyes until I comply. Though if it’s raining, forget the schedule entirely. ⚡ 🌧️ Afternoon storms mean Darwin is too busy trying to merge with my leg to care about food.
Daisy? She wanted a backstory. She wants motivation. She wants me to figure out why a Victorian-era dachshund is hanging around a manor house looking adorable and mysterious. Do you know how hard it is to research the life expectancy of 1890s dachshunds? Because I do now.
Their attention-seeking behaviors are remarkably similar, though. Darwin will try to lure away from the keyboard mid-sentence, usually right after I’ve written something brilliant that I immediately forget while I give him the reassurance he’s seeking. But honestly, I prefer gentle nose bumps to his storm-phobia meltdowns.
Then there’s Daisy. There I’ll be, crafting some carefully plotted romantic tension, and she’ll basically wag her way into the middle of it because, apparently, ghost dogs have opinions about chemistry between living people and dead detectives.
But here’s the weird part: both Darwin and Daisy made the writing better, just in completely different ways.
Darwin’s interruptions force me to take breaks, which often lead to those “aha!” moments when I’m refilling his water bowl or reassuring him through a thunderstorm. And Daisy? Well, she’s ended up becoming one of my favorite characters. Her mysterious little personality adds layers to the series I never planned. Sometimes the best writing happens when you stop trying to control everything – whether that’s accepting that your dog is going to be a furry writing partner or letting your fictional ghost dog lead you down unexpected plot paths.
One thing they definitely have in common: they both think they’re the main character. Darwin believes every story I write should be about dogs, preferably dogs who get constant attention and never have to deal with scary weather. Daisy seems convinced that ghost dogs are obviously the most interesting part of any paranormal mystery. And you know what? They’re both kind of right.
So if you’re a writer with pets, embrace the chaos. And if you’re writing ghost pets, be prepared for them to have just as many opinions as the real ones – they’re just quieter about expressing them.
P.S. – Yes, I realize I just compared my real dog to a fictional ghost dog. This is what happens when you spend too much time writing paranormal cozy mysteries. Send help. Or dog treats. 🦴 😂
