Let me start by saying this book completely shifted how I approach writing about animals. As someone who's passionate about animal rights, I've always struggled with finding the right balance between storytelling and ethical representation. 'Writing for Animals' solved that dilemma for me.

The collection of essays opened my eyes to subtle language choices I never considered problematic before. That whole 'big bad wolf' trope? Gone from my vocabulary now. The book made me realize how deeply ingrained speciesist language is in our culture, and gives practical alternatives that maintain narrative flow while being respectful.

What surprised me most was how applicable these lessons were across genres. Whether you're writing children's books (like I do), fantasy novels, or even horror (the Cujo analysis was mind-blowing), there are thoughtful approaches here that don't compromise your story's integrity.

The section on perspective-taking was particularly powerful. After reading John Yunker's deer letters, I attempted writing from a wolf's perspective myself - an exercise that fundamentally changed how I develop non-human characters now.

My only critique? I wish it were longer! Some topics like Beth Lyons' fantasy advocacy left me wanting more depth. But that's a testament to how engaging and valuable the content is.

For any writer including animals in their work - whether as main characters or metaphors - this isn't just helpful, it's essential reading. It's made me more conscious of every word choice while somehow making my animal characters more authentic and compelling.