The inner working of Patricia's mind (AKA Blog) - Patricia Lynne, Independent Author

#AtoZChallenge – Z is for Zoanthropy

4/29/2014

I'm not sure where I found this word, but I like it.

Zoanthropy

a mental disorder in which one believes oneself to be an animal.

[1855–60; zo- + -anthropy < New Latin -anthrōpia]

Garret gathered Mona into his arms. His lips sought out hers and she moaned softly. They shed their clothing, letting passion guide them. Later, they lay in each other arms in front of the crackling fire. He stroked Mona’s ebony hair.

Should he reveal his secret? They had been courting for months, getting to know each other before tonight’s intimacy. But there was one thing holding Garret back: he wasn’t human. His zoanthropy had been the end of many relationships. Maybe Mona would be different.

Garret let out a shaky breath. Or she could be like all the others.

Find out more about the April A to Z blog challenge, and check out the other participants!

33 Comments

Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

4/29/2014 01:51:39 pm

Congrats on finishing A to Z. Whew! We did it!

Sophie Duncan link

4/29/2014 04:55:41 pm

That's a hefty secret to have not yet revealed - I can feel the tension oozing out of this piece.

It's been great reading your short stories this month - I hope to keep up with your blog and see you around on Google+ too :) If you ever want to do a guest post on my blog, you'd be more than welcome :)

Sophie
<a href="http://sophiesthoughtsandfunmbles.blogspot.co.uk/">Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles</a> - A to Z Ghosts
<a href="http://fantasyboysxxx.blogspot.co.uk/">Fantasy Boys XXX</a> - A to Z Drabblerotic

Madeline Mora-Summonte link

4/29/2014 11:41:25 pm

This word made me think of that TV show, "The Middle" - there's a kid on there who thinks he's a cat. Meows and everything.

Happy Z Day! :)

Larry Kollar link

4/29/2014 11:46:32 pm

Yup, that just might be a deal-breaker. Or maybe it depends on what kind of animal he is?

Wow, we made it through the challenge! (pant huff wheeze)

Colin link

4/30/2014 12:32:00 am

I tell ya, there's a lot to be said for getting to know one another really well before getting too involved... as Mona will, no doubt, soon discover!

Congrats for finishing the A-to-Z, Patricia. The flash fiction theme worked well for you. :)

Linda Covella link

4/30/2014 12:38:54 am

Love this word! What kind of animal does he think he is? Congrats on finishing the challenge. I've really enjoyed your little stories!

Michelle Wallace link

4/30/2014 01:42:22 am

Oooh... that sounds a bit ominous...
Congratulations on reaching the finish line, Patricia!
I enjoyed your fiction snippets!

C. Lee McKenzie link

4/30/2014 02:35:57 am

You did it! Z! And another great post, too. Now I'm wondering just what kind of animal he believes he is.

Ann link

4/30/2014 02:39:01 am

What a great post. I love the tension and atmosphere. Well done you for reaching the finishing line of the A-Z Challenge. I look forward to reading future posts. Congratulations again.

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

4/30/2014 03:36:18 am

I wonder if that disorder has spawned many would-be werewolves?
Congratulations on completing the Challenge!

Annikka Woods link

4/30/2014 03:48:38 am

You and your ability to pick obscure words that I've never heard of before. Interesting little story too. I can just see his tension. It would definitely be a hard secret to tell someone.

Elsie link

4/30/2014 04:36:35 am

Yay :) Congratulations on spinning some fabulous flash fiction and educating us all over the past month! Job well done :D

Crystal Collier link

4/30/2014 05:09:18 am

Yikes! I could see where that might be a deterrent. Oh man.

<a href="http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com">True Heroes from A to Z</a>

Courtney Turner link

4/30/2014 07:33:12 am

A fun and saucy finish to the A- Z Challenge. Congrats
http://www.mauijungalow.com

Mars link

4/30/2014 07:33:47 am

Congrats on getting to the end, have bookmarked so I can come back for a more leisurely read!

Mars

Arlee Bird link

4/30/2014 09:06:42 am

Makes for an interesting character trait.

Congratulations on making it to the end of the Challenge.

Lee
<a href="http://wrotebyrote.blogspot.com/">Wrote By Rote</a>
An A to Z Co-host blog

Julie Jordan Scott link

4/30/2014 09:30:57 am

Poor Garret. I hardly know him yet I'm concerned. :-/

Katie TheCyborgMom link

4/30/2014 09:55:28 am

what a great word! While I don't actually believe I'm an animal, if I had to chose one to be it would be a big fat domestic cat. Those cats sure do have life good :)
Thanks for visiting my blog today! This A to Z has been so much fun!
~Katie

Jocelyn Rish link

4/30/2014 10:12:01 am

Very creepy! Do you watch the NBC show Hannibal? It's excellent, but the reason I ask is that last week featured a character who believed he was an animal. It was pretty gruesome.

Congrats on making it to the end!

Stephanie Faris link

4/30/2014 11:36:28 am

Wait...so the word means someone believes he's an animal...but does it count if the person really does turn into an animal? Like a werewolf?

Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com

Djinnia

4/30/2014 02:28:26 pm

Wow! Congrats on all the epic words and the fantastic stories you've created.

So happy to have found your blog!

Tasha link

4/30/2014 05:49:21 pm

I imagine that would be a hard secret to reveal.
So many wonderful ficlets throughout April, thank you so much for sharing and for visiting my blog too. Congrats on making it to the end :).
Tasha
<a href="http://tashasthinkings.blogspot.co.uk/">Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)</a>
<a href="http://fantasyboysxxx.blogspot.co.uk/">FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)</a>

Vikki link

4/30/2014 06:19:17 pm

Congratulations! WE DID IT :)

Thanks for stopping by at mine during the challenge xx

Aditi link

4/30/2014 10:10:06 pm

Ooooo that can be scary!!

I am so glad I found you through A-Z! It has been a pleasure reading your stories. Hope to stay connected! Lv

Tina Downey link

4/30/2014 11:59:01 pm

Oh, good one. I read a great romance where the man turned into a wolf given a set of special circumstances. They got along just fine ;-)
Can't remember if I said it yesterday or not, but congrats on a strong finish and a great theme!
Tina @ <a href = "http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/">Life is Good</a>
A to Z Team @ <a href = "http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com">Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014</a>

mooderino link

5/1/2014 01:38:15 am

Well done on winning the challenge.

mood

Patricia Lynne link

5/1/2014 01:44:52 am

Thanks. ^_^ It was fun.

Patricia Lynne link

5/1/2014 01:44:20 am

@Sydney, I know! WOOT!

@Sophie, thanks. I'd like to take you up on that offer.

@Madeline, that sounds like it'd be an interesting episode.

@Larry, what? Are you saying a woman might not be impressed if he said he was a humming bird? LOL!

@Colin, thanks. It was a pleasure reading yours too.

@Linda, I'm not sure yet. I'll have to think about it.

@Michelle, are you wondering if he's for real or if it's all in his head?

@C.Lee, thanks!

@Ann, thanks. I think I'll probably continue to do these pieces. They are lots of fun.

@Ninja Captain Alex, probably has.

@Annikka, thanks. It's fun discovering and learning the words.

@Elsie, thanks!

@Crystal, yeah, it could be a relationship deal breaker.

@Courtney, thanks!

@Mars, thanks. I look forward to seeing you on the blog again.

@Arlee, thanks. It was a great challenge this year. =D

@Julie, then I did well for only 100 words. =D

@Katie, ha! Yeah, cats do seem to have it easy.

@Jocelyn, it's on Netflix but I haven't watched it. I'm a wuss and scare easily, so I've been hesitant.

@Stephanie, that's the mystery of the piece. Is he really a shifter or just believes he is? ;)

@Djinnia, thanks!

@Tasha, thanks and congrats to you too!

@Vikki, yup, we did!

@Aditi, thanks. It was fun reading your stories too.

@Tina, thanks!

Tui Snider link

5/1/2014 01:59:11 am

Well... if they get along, and if he's had all his shots... I say go for the romance!

Phew! We made it all the way to Z! I really enjoy your flash fiction pieces and all the great words you chose, too. :D