Ever wondered how authors built such engrossing worlds? How they fabricate such phantasmal creatures? Well, you are about to find out.
My name is Michael Wallett, and as I'm sure you are aware, I am a writer and have been for the past five years. In that time, I have learned a great many things about writing and writers, these things, I will now share with you.
Creatures
Do you like a Minotaur? Or perhaps you are preferable to a vampire(depending on your blood type)? Maybe you are a werewolf person. Or you might even be someone who prefers the obscure Ghillie Dhu.
With every other worldly creature, there is a writer behind them, from J.R.R Tolkien to Bram Stoker. Authors and audiences alike are endlessly fascinated by such visceral horrors as vampires, zombies and monsters such as Frankenstein's monster, but just as much, we are intrigued and in love with the fantastic ones, such as elves, dwarves and griffins. These creatures and otherworldly people are an integral part of any good work of literature, they are what intrigues and astounds the reader, pulling them from their comfortable living room into a dangerous and ever changing fictitious world. But how does one go about making such monstrosities and mythical beasts? Well, the answer is simpler than you may think.
Research
That's the big secret, ladies, gentlemen and abnormal entities. It's all just research, and a sprinkle of imagination. There are countless web pages and books detailing the many surreal beasts of the world, both imagined and real. The ever healing axolotl, the strange duck billed platypus, the gallant centaur, the dreaded nuckleavee. All these creatures are detailed somewhere, all you must do is read them and imagine them in your world, your mind is your only limit after all. Among my favourite books is The Book of Beasties. This book, made as a Scottish bestiary is chock full of obscure and intriguing legendary Scottish beasts and myths; the well known unicorn; the Dunvegan Fairy; the blue men; the heather pixies. All fascinating and detailed. This book is an example of many books out there that can be used to discover and incorporate creatures of all shapes and sizes into your book.
Create
While incorporating already existent mythical creatures is easy and fun, no good author doesn't feel the urge to create and well, create you shall. Creating a brand new mythical creature or myth may require more work but it is ultimately more rewarding in the end, to feel that sensation of having something that came from nothing else but your own mind. Creating a new creature can be done by incorporating aspects of an already made one, such as a basilisk or dragon, alternatively you could create it using your own mind. However, it is prudent to research some living creatures as it'll make you ask some important questions: what does it eat? Where does it live? How does it interact with humans? What kind of biology does it possess?
Never give up
Whether you wish to make a bestselling movie, a long running series or an epic novel, creatures are important. What would Lovecraft's works be without the monsters? Or Alice in Wonderland without the strange creatures that surround her? Remember that your mind is your only limit, everything else is at your fingertips.