Writing Monsters: How to Craft Believably Terrifying Creatures to Enhance Your Horror, Fantasy, an d Science Fiction

Monsters are more than things that go bump in the night...

Monsters are lurking in the woods, beneath the waves, and within our favorite books, films, and games--and there are good reasons why they appear so often. Monsters are manifestations of our fears and symbols of our society--not to mention they're a lot of fun--but each should serve a purpose and enhance the themes and tension in your fiction.

In Writing Monsters, best-selling author Philip Athans uses classic examples from books, films, and the world around us to explore what makes monsters memorable--and terrifying. You'll learn what monsters can (and should) represent in your story and how to create monsters from the ground up.

Writing Monsters includes:

   • In-depth discussions of where monsters come from, what they symbolize, and how to best portray them in fiction
   • Informative overviews of famous monsters, archetypes, and legendary creatures
   • A Monster Creation Form to help you create your monster from scratch
   • An annotated version of H.P. Lovecraft's chilling story "The Unnamable"
Whether you write fantasy, science fiction, or horror, your vampires, ghouls, aliens, and trolls need to be both compelling and meaningful. With Writing Monsters, you can craft creatures that will wreak havoc in your stories and haunt your readers' imaginations--and nightmares.

• The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction: 6 Steps to Writing and Publishing Your Bestseller!
• Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 1)
• The fantasy fiction formula
• Write Characters Your Readers Won't Forget (Toolkits for Emerging Writers Book 1)
• On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association
• Writing Fantasy Heroes: Powerful Advice from the Pros (Rogue Blades Presents Book 1)
• Write Worlds Your Readers Won't Forget (Toolkits for Emerging Writers Book 2)
• On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears
• Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror: Speculative Genre Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers (Now Write! Series Book 5)
• Creating Life (The Art of World Building Book 1)