Knowing what genre your book fits into, be it science fiction, mystery, drama, etc., is an important consideration when creating an animal character for your story. Although characters don't have to fit the exact mold of that genre, it may seem misplaced or odd if, for example, your animal is a fish who lives in outer space.  Brainstorm what special characteristics your character may have, based on the genre. For example, if the story is science fiction with a lot of fight scenes, your animal should have paws in order to hold their weapon. A snake would, therefore, not be a sensible choice, but a dog or a cat could work well. For historical fiction you may even want to research the types of animals, which were popular or present during that time. If you are writing about the Jurassic Period, a dinosaur may make sense, but if your story is set in the Stone Age, suddenly, T-Rex seems out of place, unless of course he's a time-traveling dinosaur! As important as it is to consider the genre of your story, it's equally important to understand the audience. What may work for one audience, say adults, may not be appropriate for others, such as children. Your audience should play a role in determining potential designs and details. Keep it fairly simple for children. You don't need to feature a character who super nuanced unless you're appealing to an adult audience as well. While you never want to copy or plagiarize the work of others, it can be helpful to read the work of others and try to think about whether or not that character works. This will ultimately help you when creating your character.  Try stories like The Jungle Book, Watership Down, Charlotte's Web, The Tale of Despereaux, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Bunnicula, or your favorite story featuring animals. When reading the story, ask yourself: Does this character work? Does he seem real to me? Why or why not? Whether your animal character will be the hero or the sidekick, it's important to determine his/her role in your story. In doing so, you'll be able to better define and shape the animal moving forward.  Think of the characteristics which define an animal in this particular role. For example, if they are the sidekick, but are always saving the day for the hero, think of how this will shape their persona. Consider whether your animal character will be living amongst other animals (Warrior Cats, for example) or if they will be working alongside humans (think, Black Beauty). If, for example, your character is living independent of humans, they may be able to walk and talk and take on other human-like characteristics. However, if they exist in a human's world, their role would differ dramatically, as they may still have animal characteristics and wouldn't be able to talk or wear clothes, unless they are Stuart Little!
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One-sentence summary -- Consider the genre. Understand your audience. Read other stories featuring animal characters. Determine the role of your character.

Q: One of the easiest ways to hurt your muscles is to jump right into your exercise. Whether you're jogging up a hill, bursting into a sprint, or heading straight to the court, you need to stretch. Your muscles need time to literally get warm, which allows them to elongate and contract without tearing. Try the following warm-up before stretching.  Jog lightly for 10-15 minutes. Jump, skip, shuffle, or high-step for 5-10 minutes to activate specific muscles. Swing your arms in small circles at your sides, gradually getting larger. Do 10-20 lunges, push-ups. While everyone has heard how important stretching is, there is actually some debate about its effectiveness in preventing muscles soreness. That said, light stretching after a warm-up will elongate your muscle fibers and increase flexibility. Hold each stretch for about 10-15 seconds.  Stop stretching if you feel pain–stretching should never hurt. Focus on the muscles you are going to work out. If you’re going to run, stretch your quads and hamstring. If you’re lifting then stretch your arms, shoulders, and back. While this is a disputed topic amongst sports scientists, some studies have shown the glutamine and protein supplements can aid in muscle regeneration that prevents soreness. Pick them up at your local health store or online and have one 20-30 minutes before working out. Always drink plenty of water with supplements. Omega-3s are a natural anti-inflammatory agent, reducing swelling and damage around your muscles. Some good sources include:  Salmon Flax and chia seeds Avocados Walnuts Even professional body-builders get muscle soreness. While it is uncomfortable, it will go away within 2-3 days. The more frequently you work out the less likely it is that you will get sore. Most muscle soreness occurs because of:  Changes in workout intensity. Starting to work out after long periods on inactivity. New exercises or working new muscle groups.
A: Warm up for your activity slowly. Stretch, but not too much. Try pre-workout supplements like glutamine and protein. Eat foods rich in omega-3s. Know that muscle soreness is natural.

Article: Unfold the pattern and lay it out on a flat surface. Retrieve your instruction book and turn to the cutting layout guide for your pattern. Use the cutting diagram to help you identify the pieces you will need for your garment. The pattern pieces diagram may also be useful. Set your iron on low. Once the iron is preheated, iron the pattern. This will get rid of any wrinkle and folds in the paper. Carefully cut out each of the pieces at the correct size from the piece of pattern paper. Patterns contain various symbols. After cutting the pieces, familiarize yourself with the symbols printed on the pattern:  Single, heavy line: this is a cutting line. Double parallel lines: these lines are used to lengthen or shorten a garment. Triangles: triangular notches indicate where one piece will join with another piece. Dots: these empty or filled circles indicate where seams start and stop. Prior to cutting the pattern, you must properly prepare the fabric. Wash, dry, and iron the fabric. Fold your fabric as instructed in the pattern. Lay out your washed and ironed fabric on a flat surface—the wrong side of the fabric should face up unless specified otherwise. Always double check to make sure your fabric is machine washable. Flip the instructions open to the cutting diagram for your garment. Place and pin the pieces onto the fabric as described and shown in the cutting diagram. Before cutting, make sure your pieces are properly aligned with the grainline of the fabric. Retrieve a pair of sewing scissors. Carefully cut out the pattern. Rotate the fabric as needed.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Locate the pattern pieces required for your garment. Iron the pattern and cut out the size you need. Identify the symbols on the pattern pieces. Prep your fabric. Arrange the pieces on your fabric. Cut the pattern.