Abigail Fredrickson

Now, anyone who enjoys fantasy is aware; there are a MILLION different types of fantasy out there.  You have to be specific if you want to find what you’re looking for.  There is, however, a specific type that is the first to come to mind whenever someone mentions the fantasy genre.

That type is the one with fantastical beasts, perilous adventures, fictional races, with magic of any sort weaving itself throughout the world the story tells.  The one that belongs to the land of fairy tales and epics akin to the Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings.  It’s the land of fairies and unicorns that every little girl longs to visit, the land where young boys dream of vanquishing dragons and other wrathful beasts.

It’s one where the wildest imaginations of childhood (and even adulthood) come to life.  One of the marks of this world are the countless mythical and fantastical creatures that roam the lands.  Of course, the types and amount vary depending on the author’s choice, but more often than not there will be some.  As for myself, I find it difficult to create any sort of mythical universe where dragons never existed.  I always catch them sneaking their way in, and they refuse to leave!

There is a question though…How can one write about wondrous beasts and races that exist only in imagination without making them seem out of place, or too wondrous for this world?  Granted, there are some that simply carry that sensation with them, no matter the world they end up in.  But how can you keep them from feeling fake without taking away from their wonder?

Take a unicorn, or a pegasus.  As surreal as it is to have a horse with a magical horn, or one that can fly, they are, at their core, simply that.  A horse.  A truly majestic one, but a horse nonetheless.  Now, whether or not they can talk or have a higher cognitive ability than a real horse, try to treat them that way.  Make sure to ground them using typical horse behaviors.  Nuzzling someone they’re affectionate with.  Huffing and pawing at the ground in frustration.  Little details to make them feel just a bit less surreal even as they’re taking flight or healing a fatal wound.

Essentially, think back to the origin of these creatures.  What animals inspired them?  What behaviors do they exhibit?  If they’re a humanoid race rather than animals, keep that in mind as well.  Something can be majestic and real at the same time.

If the creature or race is a common one in your fictional universe, another way to make them feel grounded is simply to have all the other people in the story interact with them like it’s an everyday thing.  Show that they are a natural part of this world.  You don’t have to make an interjection about something or someone ‘being there from the beginning of time’ (unless of course, you’re going for an epic storytelling way of going about your writing).  Sometimes it’s as simple as letting another character interact with them as if they do it every day, because they do.

A human trading with an elf or dwarf who comes into the shop every day and asking about their family, or commenting on the weather, perhaps even bantering a little.

A young girl nudging aside or clambering over a lounging griffin because he’s right in the middle of the pathway.  (“Again, Astraeus?  You really can’t do this anywhere else?”)

Don’t be afraid to inject a bit of humor into a fantastical being.  Nymphs and dryads may be incredibly graceful, but they can grow exasperated with someone else or share little jokes between themselves.  A giant may be able to crush a person with a single step, but they may also have a booming laugh as contagious as a plague.

In truth, it’s much like writing people.  Even if some feel larger than life, that doesn’t mean you can’t take the serious, battle-hardened warrior and have them be absolutely befuddled by a farmer’s humble and genuine demeanor.

Another way to ground them into the story may be to simply describe how they look.  Now, you could insert a giant paragraph in there, but I wouldn’t unless the character is witnessing one for the first time and is literally taking it all in.  In that case I would even see how well you can describe the creature without using its name.  For example, instead of simply saying ‘it was a dragon’, describe a shimmering wall of golden red scales, a twisting reptilian body, burning slitted eyes, and clouds of smoke forming with every breath.  Play with your imagination, and your readers’ too!

Or you could simply insert something here or there.  Much like slowly describing a person throughout the story, don’t give every detail of their appearance all at once.  Only drop little tidbits of their appearance when it’s relevant.  For a pegasus, you might only mention the color of its eyes when a character is gazing into them, or when it glances at the character.  You may specify the shade of its mane or wings only once the wind picks up or they’re mid flight.

All this to say it is possible to have a larger than life being in your story while keeping them grounded to the story.  It is possible to make something fantastical feel real and natural (at least for the world they exist in).  And not only is it possible, it’s good to do so.  It lets readers connect with them instead of feeling alienated, as though there’s a wall separating them.  Don’t shy away from it.

What are some fantasy creatures and races you’ve written about before?  Which ones are your favorites?  Are there any tricks you use while writing them?  Please share your experiences, I’d love to hear them!

Oh, and before I leave you, for those of you in America, happy Thanksgiving!!!