How to Train a Sidekick Editor: Dawn Embers 
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
When it comes to fantasy and science fiction stories, the sidekick doesn't always have to be human or the same species as the main character. Animals might be used for travel, attacks, magic or other actions that might require some level of training. What does that look like? |
How to train a ________. (fill in the blank)
Dragon is the answer if asked about a set of movies by Dreamworks where a boy viking ends up training a dragon, and in some way he gets trained as well, which is very unlike what he was expected to do. Kill the dragon was more the norm, same with expectations from knights. But then there are stories where the damsel would rather stay with the dragon instead of going with some brutal, sword wielding man in a tin suit. Then there is the movie Shrek, where donkey distracts the dragon while Shrek makes the attempt to save the princess. Different approaches with the dragon situation.
Dragons aren't the only option for the possible title or story that includes some element of training as part of the tale. Animals, whether of the fantastical type or not, have many different uses within the different worlds we might create. Horses are commonplace, for example, used to help with travel but some can also move up to the point of companionship. In Mulan, her horse is a character in many ways and provides comic relief moments when interacting with her "guardian" dragon.
While some might already know what to do or how to interact with the main character, other friends or even against bad guys, there also may be the need for training or teaching in order to be more useful.
What does that training look like? How does someone train a dragon or a unicorn in order for them to be capable of doing certain tasks or responding in a desired way during a given situation? Is the training something that happens on page? Did it happen behind the scenes?
The training might look somewhat like how a human might train. Obstacle courses set up, incentives provided (the carrot hanging from a string at the end of a stick to hold in front to keep someone moving), practice sessions or even magic might be involved. Different options exist, which means that doing a little research on how an animal is trained for different tasks could be useful. One could even use something like horse training as a background in order to develop how to train a unicorn or a dragon.
Another option that comes to mind is the familiar, often an animal that is connected with a witch or other magic wielding character. Sometimes, in those stories, the familiar is helping to train the witch as they come into their abilities or learn how to use magic. It can go the other way around too. Just imagine a set in his ways mage trying to train a cat on how to be a familiar.
Well, one might not be able to train a cat. lol
Kidding. I know many different animals can be trained and that is going to be my final point here. While the general concensus or nature of an animal or character might fit a certain mold, that doesn't mean all of them are going to behave that way. Cats don't like water, for example, but there are videos of some cats who like to swim. Dogs tend to play fetch but I have a cat who plays fetch sometimes, falls for the fake through and she enjoys resting the tip of her tail in bath water. Then again, my cat also licks walls occasionally, so I already know she is odd. Still, it's safe to say that while a species or type of animal might not act a certain way, usually, or they might not be someone that likes to be trained, that doesn't mean an individual doesn't have the option. What fits that individual character is what makes the story.
Even if it doesn't make it into the main story or novel, try writing a scene or little section about how a character trains their sidekick or close animal-type companion. Perhaps that will help develop them more and even give a little feedback for worldbuilding. Have fun and if they do well, give the dragon a carrot.  |
| | | Painting (ASR) Cramp entry: A painted landscape that changes overnight. 985 words |
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How does your character train their sidekick or animal companion?
No comments but here is a story that was submitted to the newsletters a few months ago:
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Fantasy: July 08, 2026 Issue [#13835]
