The Art of World Building: Creating Breakout Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds In Stories and Gaming EP 9: How to Create Animals
Mar 13, 2018
Discover the art of creating animals that serve unique purposes in your narratives. Uncover how these creatures can influence plot elements and character interactions. Learn to classify and invent distinctive species, enriching your world with their behaviors and symbolic meanings. Explore the balance between originality and familiarity in creature design, along with practical tips for integrating them seamlessly into your storytelling. Dive into the multifaceted roles animals play in both fantasy and science fiction!
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Invest Based On Setting Longevity
- Invent cautiously for settings you plan to reuse across many works.
- Be bolder when creating animals for one-off settings you won't reuse.
Invertebrates Dominate But Have Limited Uses
- Most animal diversity is in invertebrates, which are often small but abundant.
- Invertebrates usually won't serve as mounts, guards, or pack animals unless gigantic.
Leverage Amphibian Ecology Deliberately
- Use amphibian traits deliberately: water reproduction, damp skin, and nocturnality.
- Decide if they are poisonous, camouflaging, or ambush predators to inform scenes.
