Saving this publication as it absolutely nails everything I love about writing monsters and the many different ways authors have brought them to life. Truly inspiring stuff and well worth the read
"A monster is all the more terrifying if we can get a sense of its will, its hunger, its purpose." This really resonated with me. I've recently read a few dragon-slaying and giant-slaying folktales where the dragon or giant becomes threatening only once provoked--they engage in battle because they are protecting their territory or a treasured item. Thanks for the interesting read!
Finally had time to read this one. What a great piece of writing. Thank you for publishing it.
I’ve had a fascination with dinos since I was wee, and I totally agree that they are much more terrifying in stories where they come across as thinking beings vs cut and paste monsters. I’ve not read Jurassic Park in years, but it’s interesting to see how straightforward the copy is – but how well it works.
Thanks, Craig. Yeah, I was a bit shocked at re-reading JP. The prose is really basic (plus, he uses tons of exclamations, italics, etc.). Then you realise how cleverly it all fits together as a suspense piece and how it wouldn’t have worked if it were more fancy.
I'm late to this fantastic read, but need to share how relevant parts of it are! I live literally five minutes away from the park where an Iguanadon was found, the supposed inspiration for Doyle's work. And I distinctly remember reading Bradbury's take on dinos for GCSE English. His descriptions, or the echoes of how good they are, stuck with me but I didn't know the writer and couldn't remember the plot anymore. So glad you brought that story back to my life
Speaking of dinosaurs, there was a blog series I read that broke down the history of tropes in paleoart that you might be interested in, specifically addressing what it calls the "alien prehistoric world" trope. There's been whole paradigm shifts in paleoart around how dinosaurs are characterized and how drama is balanced with science. I think several of the images in this article are directly addressed. The question of what personality to give the monsters troubles the scientific side of art, too.
Thanks! That's a great read! I know paleoart has this whole thing going on. A mate of mine is a dino-artist and says it's like Star Wars fans arguing over the prequels. :D Dinosaur subculture is fascinating, especially how it ties into our whole relationship with time and mythical monsters. There's a good book about it called Dinomania by Boris Sax.
I’m so glad I followed you. This was great
Haha! Thanks, James!
Saving this publication as it absolutely nails everything I love about writing monsters and the many different ways authors have brought them to life. Truly inspiring stuff and well worth the read
Cheers, Ethan! : )
FYI, that January 1949 Amazing cover was painted by J. Allen St. John.
Thanks so much, Sara. Have added that now. :D
:)
"A monster is all the more terrifying if we can get a sense of its will, its hunger, its purpose." This really resonated with me. I've recently read a few dragon-slaying and giant-slaying folktales where the dragon or giant becomes threatening only once provoked--they engage in battle because they are protecting their territory or a treasured item. Thanks for the interesting read!
You’re very welcome, Steph! Thanks for reading. :)
Finally had time to read this one. What a great piece of writing. Thank you for publishing it.
I’ve had a fascination with dinos since I was wee, and I totally agree that they are much more terrifying in stories where they come across as thinking beings vs cut and paste monsters. I’ve not read Jurassic Park in years, but it’s interesting to see how straightforward the copy is – but how well it works.
Thanks, Craig. Yeah, I was a bit shocked at re-reading JP. The prose is really basic (plus, he uses tons of exclamations, italics, etc.). Then you realise how cleverly it all fits together as a suspense piece and how it wouldn’t have worked if it were more fancy.
I'm late to this fantastic read, but need to share how relevant parts of it are! I live literally five minutes away from the park where an Iguanadon was found, the supposed inspiration for Doyle's work. And I distinctly remember reading Bradbury's take on dinos for GCSE English. His descriptions, or the echoes of how good they are, stuck with me but I didn't know the writer and couldn't remember the plot anymore. So glad you brought that story back to my life
No worries, Harvey. Glad you enjoyed. I used to live not far from Crystal Palace. Fell in love with the concrete dinos there when I was a kid.
You use pokemon references in a well considered and exhaustively researched piece. I tip my hat to you sir, and happy to subscribe.
Haha! Thanks, Zachary. Truth be told, I'm a bit old for Pokemon and did have to double-check what I was on about. :D
Well, it landed. Thanks again!
I want to be like you when I grow up (never mind the beard)! Awesome articles!
Haha! That's very kind of you, Paolo. And thank you so much for the healing potion. Super-generous of you! Thank you! Have a great weekend
Great article!
Speaking of dinosaurs, there was a blog series I read that broke down the history of tropes in paleoart that you might be interested in, specifically addressing what it calls the "alien prehistoric world" trope. There's been whole paradigm shifts in paleoart around how dinosaurs are characterized and how drama is balanced with science. I think several of the images in this article are directly addressed. The question of what personality to give the monsters troubles the scientific side of art, too.
https://www.manospondylus.com/2019/10/the-alien-prehistoric-world-trope-part.html
Thanks! That's a great read! I know paleoart has this whole thing going on. A mate of mine is a dino-artist and says it's like Star Wars fans arguing over the prequels. :D Dinosaur subculture is fascinating, especially how it ties into our whole relationship with time and mythical monsters. There's a good book about it called Dinomania by Boris Sax.