What do you want to see inhabit my fantasy world?

[Queen of Ravindan]

Maybe use a creature that hasn't been used a lot or is rarely found in other stories, like Giants or Enormous bears that are as tall as trees! Good Luck on your book!!!

[Brickninja]

As I said on Flickr, try to make it original and give it types of creatures that aren't seen too much in books. So my input is Gryffons, some kind of giant subterranean creature, and SEA MONSTERS. Sea monsters sea monsters sea monsters. Oh did I mention sea monsters? Huge, terrifyingly massive sea monsters. Creatures of size that scares you to think about. I'm thinking maybe around the size of or a little bit bigger than the kraken from Pirates of the Caribbean. I have a fascination with aquatic life, I don't know why. I'm imagining ships that have some kind of huge ballista with giant harpoons, like a medieval minigun turret to defend against these things. Also, creepy monsters on land that would have a special class of trooper in the royal army to fight it, like a special monster hunter class with huge spears and axes and stuff. Also, their could be a special tribe of mountain/cliff dweller people who tamed and rode the Gryffons. And also, Corinthian helmets! These most noble of creatures are made of metal and beautify, protect, and awesomeify the heads of the royal soldiers! I hope this helps, Ieuan! Oh and by the way, add huge sea monsters

[GyustSil]

As Brickninja said, originalty is the most important thing. You could maybe both use uncommon creatures and create some of your own

[Rifiröfi]

A werewolf. Enough said

[mpoh98]

A werewolf. Enough said

Haha of course.

How far are you in this Erathor, just out of curiosity? I am looking forward to the finished project!

Also, maybe you could find inspiration from Book 1 of Ranger's Apprentice.

[Sir Erathor]

Thanks for all the ideas guys! I've decided to include fantasy creatures (not many of them, mind you), but they will mostly be considered outlaws. As for the actual writing of the book, I'm beginning to edit the plot again, but I'm much further in than I was before. One last question: the main character, Erathor (duh!) - should I make him 16/17 in the first book or 20/21? I know you don't really know the plot, but I want to hear your opinions. BTW, he's the son of a lord.

[Brickninja]

Definitely 20/21. It would be too cliche to have yet another teenager. I think the whole "young hero" thing is WAY overplayed.

[GyustSil]

I guess that 16/17 is good for the development of the character, what is called the "Hero Journey", where the character develops along the history, and this is very aplicable to a teenager, as he is not a grown man yet. But I have to agree with @Brickninja that this is definetly cliche

[mpoh98]

Yeah, it is definitely overused, but I would say 16/17. If you want your hero to mature and grow, 16/17 is a good age, by the time he is 20/21, he would have already learned a lot. So even though it is cliche, I would say 16/17 if you want character development.

[Sir Erathor]

Sorry for the late reply guys, but thanks for the feedback! I will make Erathor 16/17, but I promise you it is NOT a book full of clichés! Erathor's 'quest', which is a very loose term indeed, does not make him a hero, or anything like that, but it will help influence his future decisions and develop his character. As for fantasy creatures, there aren't many, but there ARE lots of rumours/myths floating round, which the reader can make up their own mind about.

Any more tips/bits of advice for me?

[Sir Erathor]

As I said on Flickr, try to make it original and give it types of creatures that aren't seen too much in books. So my input is Gryffons, some kind of giant subterranean creature, and SEA MONSTERS. Sea monsters sea monsters sea monsters. Oh did I mention sea monsters? Huge, terrifyingly massive sea monsters. Creatures of size that scares you to think about. I'm thinking maybe around the size of or a little bit bigger than the kraken from Pirates of the Caribbean. I have a fascination with aquatic life, I don't know why. I'm imagining ships that have some kind of huge ballista with giant harpoons, like a medieval minigun turret to defend against these things. Also, creepy monsters on land that would have a special class of trooper in the royal army to fight it, like a special monster hunter class with huge spears and axes and stuff. Also, their could be a special tribe of mountain/cliff dweller people who tamed and rode the Gryffons. And also, Corinthian helmets! These most noble of creatures are made of metal and beautify, protect, and awesomeify the heads of the royal soldiers! I hope this helps, Ieuan! Oh and by the way, add huge sea monsters

There ARE griffin riders in my book, that much was decided a long time ago! Nobody really sees them, however...

[StephenB]

You must definitely include some sort of elf like race!

[Sir Erathor]

You must definitely include some sort of elf like race!

I considered that, and I still don't know what to do that isn't a huge cliché! Any ideas?

[mpoh98]

Hmmm. I would say make up some creatures! Use your imagination! I think you have a lot of great ideas, I would love to see a surprise creature or something in the book.

[Sir Erathor]

Hmmm. I would say make up some creatures! Use your imagination! I think you have a lot of great ideas, I would love to see a surprise creature or something in the book.

Yeah, that's what I've been doing, I just wanted to ask you guys too.