"For the short time the scene was on I stared at it, fascinated. There was our mysterious rubbish-heap plant grown to a height of seven feet or more. There was no mistaking it - and it was walking!"
- The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
Writer's create worlds, whether they are recreations of the real world, fantasy worlds never seen, or supposed worlds beyond our planet in other galaxies. And in each world there are creatures of intelligence and instinct whose stories breathe life onto our pages. Some are human and some are far from humanity.
I recently read Return to Exile by E.J. Patten and his ability to create unique creatures in a world similar but different to the one we live in today is an awesome accomplishment. But what I liked even more from a writer's perspective is how he used the creatures to tell his story. The creatures are the fabric, the lifeblood of his narrative. From their names - Shadow Wargs to Echos - to the roles they play - villains to main characters - Patten uses them to propel his story to new and dizzying heights.
But first he has to have a reason for their existence in his world. A niche that they fill - an ecosystem they are a part of. In Patten's world, there are monsters and monster hunters. One without the other would leave his world in chaos.
Your challenge for this week is as follows:
In no more than 100 words begin a story by introducing us to a creature that lives in the world that your story inhabits. Give us a sense of what the creatures is and what its place is both in the world and in your narrative (is it protagonist? antagonist? secondary character?). Send it our way and we'll put up the best on March 16th.
- Posted by Joe Lunievicz
I keep forgetting to get this book. I need to get on that.
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