Why aren't there any werehorses?

[pjthompson]

All kinds of creatures go were, but when you see a run like Barbaro's and the joy he takes in running, I can't think of any creature I'd rather be.

Comments

[pjthompson]

Yeah, I'd have to say them being a predator is significant. I guess in story-terms it leads to an easy means of conflict--that is, a readily-identifiable means of conflict. It takes more imagination to use something non-predatory, I think. Or maybe just a different kind of imagination.

[cathemery.livejournal.com]

Different imagination, yes. Because why is it going to be important that MickySam can turn into a horse? How many times in one novel can MickySam's ability to turn into a horse and run really fast, or eat grass to save on rations, save the day without losing the reader? There's no real angst in "I turned into a horse and ran around the pasture really fast!" as there is in "I turned into a wolf and ate the neighbor's pet!"

It might work for a children's story, too.