This is a story idea I'm currently working on. It will be all about animals that can talk and no humans. I'm planning on making it into a series of mysteries. It might be a lot to bite off for a beginner but I'm actually taking the time to plan this one out in advance instead of just jumping in like normal so maybe there's hope for it. Anyway, this is what I have come up with so far. Any thoughts? Thistledown Meadows (main town) Possible Names for Other Places Cloverdale Primrose Valley Heather Ridge Sunshine Falls Foxglove Hollow Details Village of animals Houses are made out of brick, wood, stone, or small river stones Nearby silver mine closed down because of mysterious accidents and now said to be haunted Wandering Flock of Gypsy Magpies Fabrics used for clothes-cotton, linen Village Buildings Bakery Cafe Mine Courthouse Blacksmith Schoolhouse Sheriff's Office Village Garden Village Animals Mice Moles Rabbits Shrews Hedgehogs Badgers Foxes Chipmunks Raccoons Squirrel Groundhogs Occasional bear, wolf, and wild cat Specific Animals Sheriff-Hedgehog Deputy-Squirrel Town Crier-Blue Jay Mayor-Owl Mine Owner-Mole Traveling Peddler-Porcupine Judge-Fox Blacksmith-Badger Teacher-Chipmunk Carpenter-Beaver (comes from Sunshine Falls) Mason-Mole Mystery Ideas Haunted Silver Mine Ways to Support Town Raise Vegetables Raise Fruit Maintain Hives for Honey Raise Herbs Trade Products in Cloverdale Mine Silver
I like it. I can imagine some beautiful illustrations based off some of the animals and buildings. Thistledown Meadows is such a cool name too. I hope you succeed at bringing this world to life
I think it sounds very interesting. The Redwall series by Brian Jacques was my absolute favourite book collection (they are children's books rather than YA, though there are some quite violent parts) and I loved all the woodland creatures, most of whic revolved around battles between "good" creatures: mice, shrews, owls, moles, badgers, and the "evil" rats, ferrets, foxes, Ravens, etc. I don't know if you've heard of it, but it might be useful to look at and read if you haven't. The setting sounds very interesting with plenty of potential for further development. That might come easier once you nail down the plot, as depending on the direction of the plot, some details will need further thinking, while others won't be all that relevant. Do you have any ideas for the plot yet? So how does the fox and the owl eat their mealsand still live peacefully then?
Thank you. I liked the name but almost discarded it cause I thought it might be too long. It's been growing on me and I'm glad I kept it. My sister-in-law is good at drawing so I'm considering asking her if she'll help me by illustrating them.
I have read Redwall. We have all but five (I think) of them and I really like them. I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time not copying all their feasts and food ideas for my stories. And I love Mole-speak and have been told I'm quite fluent in it. As for the owl and fox the only thing I've come up with so far is fish, which would work for the badger too. But I might have to change that. It's still very much a work in progress.
Dracon, I think I may have solved the problem. Foxes can eat fish, fruit, berries, vegetables, and seeds. So no problem there. And the Screech Owl eats mainly insects and can eat fish too.
