Fantasy Creatures with a Twist - Guest Post by Deep Magic

Fantasy Creatures with a Twist

The Deep Magic Team

Fantasy creatures! Most of us love them in a story. Dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns are popular go-to mythological creatures.But what spins on these popular fantasy creatures do we want to see in books and media?

Here are three creature ideas that might surprise you:#1: Phoenixes

Wall Street Journal bestselling author and founder of Deep Magic E-zine, Jeff Wheeler, recently took a trip to China. He was intrigued by the Chinese concept of the phoenix - they're nothing like the Harry Potter or Greek versions of the mythology!

"They are considered the most noble birds, a mix of various species, and as powerful as dragons. No birds that explode into ash only to be reborn. No healing tears. And I'm not talking about birds that would let you saddle them. They are way too powerful to be used as someone's ride." - Jeff Wheeler

This awesome Chinese mythological creature sparked Jeff's imagination and he developed a new majestic animal for his upcoming Grave Kingdom series!

#2: Unicorns

Wall Street Journalbestselling author and Deep Magic E-zine board member, Charlie N. Holmberg, has loved unicorns since childhood. And she is looking for less fluff and more fierce when it comes to seeing these creatures on the page.

"This will sound cliche and obvious, but I'm kind of into unicorns.

I know, everyone is into unicorns. But I don't mean the rainbow-caricature fluffy ponies decorating every little girl's birthday party. I mean actual rugged, spied-between-the-trees, armed-horses unicorns. I grew up on the movie "The Last Unicorn," and one of the most vivid moments of that movie to me is when you look out into the sea and see unicorns in the froth on the waves. I had a photo on my wall as a kid of this dark blue unicorn, muscled and regal, against the night sky. Its horn wasn't cute, it was menacing. Dangerous. I think we need to see more of those unicorns. Powerful creatures, even frightening. If you've ever stood next to a horse, it is alarming how big they are. Now imagine a giant sword jutting out of their foreheads.That thing ain't dancing at no birthday party, I promise you that!" - Charlie N. Holmberg

#3: Dragons

Deep Magic E-zine Board member and author of The Lilac Plague, Kristin J. Dawson, would like to see a variation on the massive dragon trope. Something more along the lines of the How to Train Your Dragon (the books, not the movie), or Dragonsong (Pern), where the dragons are closer to the size of a cat.

"Who wouldn't want a pet dragon that could sit on your shoulder, or fly alongside you? They could be useful, friendly, and sit on your toes and keep them warm while you read." -Kristin J. Dawson

When we see authors like J.K. Rowling take popular creatures and spin them into something fresh and exciting, it inspires other authors to do the same. So keep imagining and thinking "what if!"