I write paranormal/dark fantasy.
However, I’m also a science teacher/scientist at heart. At the risk of sounding cliche, I think that makes my writing unique. I try to ground my fantastical beings in some manner of realism. Heck, I taught human anatomy for over a decade, and I’m an amateur paleontologist by hobby. I’ve got loads of material to draw from, and it makes the characters/critters even more fun to write. I think it helps me to give myself constraints. It helps me be more creative.
Here’s an example.
In the Melusine’s Endgame universe, sea serpents are a thing. Forget the stories of scary critters that go out of their way to nuke boats. While large (well over 200 feet in length for an adult), they are shy and usually won’t come within twenty or so miles of the shoreline. If they approach a boat, it’s out of curiosity. They also prefer deeper water, though might venture closer to the surface at night or during storms. A boat is more likely to be damaged by accidentally running into one than being attacked. They will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths.
My sea serpents have an unusual appearance. In terms of body shape, they are very serpentine, with a thick body reminiscent of an anaconda. Unlike most modern snakes, their jawbones do not separate effectively, so they are limited to swallowing what will fit in their mouths. They are venomous, and are ambush predators, similar to modern sea snakes. What sets them apart is the presence of feathery dermal denticles all over the body from head to tail. From a distance, they almost look furry, but if one could get close enough to touch a sea serpent, the denticles would feel more like fine wire. The colors run the gamut from pale gray all the way to black.
I model the overall appearance on an extinct shark called Listracanthus. Sadly, the one good body fossil that has ever been located crumbled to dust not long before it was found. Supposedly the paleontologist who saw this specimen was able to write down a description, but didn’t get the chance to take pictures. He described an eel-like animal covered in those strange denticles. Here’s the wrinkle in the story, though. Similar denticles have been found associated with another early shark, but with an entirely different body plan. So, we don’t know exactly what Listracanthus looked like, but it’s a safe bet it was a strange critter. Hopefully a good, complete specimen eventually turns up. I’ve got two Listracanthus specimens in my museum, one a single denticle, and the other a massive plate that has several dozen. Here is how artist Ray Troll envisioned Listracanthus. It’s the eel-looking one.
The person who sold me the plate said there might be more inside. It’s shale, and decently foliated, and I’ve located a spot that is already partially split. Do I dare try to open it up? I might at some point, but I’d be scared that I would fracture it beyond repair. But hey, no risk, no reward, right? Worst case scenario, it breaks. Middle ground, the plate’s fine, but nothing’s inside. Best case is that I have a partial or full Listracanthus staring me in the face, which means I will be taking a load of photos immediately and sending them to the Field Museum.
Hilary