Hi all, I'm interested in creating a new creature, and was wondering how to go about it, as I've never done it before. The story I have in mind is set in modern-day earth, but I haven't quite decided whether the creatures are from another world/universe yet, or whether they developed on earth itself. But where do you begin? Are there books I should buy, websites I should look at, etc.? I'm just a little lost, and Google hasn't brought up anything decent. Any thoughts?
I would advise you to look at nature, and follow it's example. What type of place do your creatures come from? What is their environment like? What does their physiology demand for their survival? Strength and weakness? Just don't give them two legs, two arms and a head please!
personally, i didnt look at sites when i created the Ěeouc, it still isnt a fully fledged creature, but write a name (like i did with the Ěeouc) into your MS and go back when editing to give it a bit more personality (if you can call it that) as a vague guide ive called an Ěeouc somewhere between an Orc, a Wraith and an Elf. but as i say, i haven fleshed anything out as of yet
Check out Wayne D Barlowe's stuff. According to James Cameron he makes, "the trippiest aliens out there".
Take a person and give them animal features. BAM! New fantasy race. I think the most inhuman alien I've seen in a book was the sentient hydrogen cloud from "The Black Cloud". So you have to beat that to be the new best.
Thanks for the link - I've already been inspired. Nice idea. I'll just search "weird earth creatures" on Google images. And thanks for all the other replies. I've found a website that might be of some use. We'll see. Thanks again.
