Writing about dragons seems easy, though the task can be deceptively difficult. When writing about dragons, you have to keep in mind many aspects of the life of your character including the dragon's appearance and method of communication. Fantastical dragon stories engage readers because they are often an escape from reality and a journey to a new world. Even though writing about dragons may sound daunting and even frightening, it is very similar to writing from the human experience. To help you write entertaining dragon characters, here are five important tips to keep in mind.
Challenge Stereotypes
There are many stereotypes about dragons in literature. Some examples of these stereotypes are that dragons are obsessed with treasure, dragons have sharp teeth, dragons are green and scaly, and dragons breathe fire. But, dragons are fantastical and no one has ever seen them, so the dragons in your novel can be anything you want them to be. You don't need to conform to the idea of what a dragon is, instead your dragons should have unique and entertaining traits! Your dragon characters can have fur and they can be vulnerable, they don't need to fulfill the image of a dragon. As you create your characters, make sure that you include interesting traits and challenge the stereotypes of what a dragon is.
Think About Their Appearance
Relating to the previous point, there is no one way to make your dragons look, so all of your dragon characters should have individualized appearances. Your dragons should have some characteristics that make them recognizable as dragons, but they should all be different looking. You should tinker with the physical appearances of your dragons so that each dragon has their own appearance and personality. Think about their size, skin color, skin texture, teeth, eyes, and shapes. For more tips on how to write the physical appearances of your characters, press the button below.
Give Them Personality
As aforementioned make sure that your dragons have character and personality. Even though the dragons are fictional you should craft them, exactly as you would human characters. Meaning your dragon characters should have flaws and quirks, along with a unique personality. Dragons have unique personalities, which means they have their own distinct traits. Giving your dragon characters unique personalities, goals, and traits helps to deepen the story. For example, one dragon character may be extremely destructive. and impossible to train, while another dragon is highly intelligent and used to spy on enemies. It’s essential to your novel that you understand all parts of your characters so they appear "real" and so you can write their reactions in different scenes. Plus, giving your dragon characters special personalities will ensure that readers have an emotional connection with the dragon.
Decide how "Human" the Dragons are
When writing about beings that are not humans, it is essential that you define how "human" the dragons are. Deciding how natural the dragon characters will be will greatly influence your story. Once you determine the genre of your story, it will be simpler to choose the ratio of dragon to human for your characters. For example, in realistic fiction stories, dragons are probably only found in stories and fables, but in fantasy stories, dragons probably roam the skies and live freely. While planning your characters, make sure to determine if they will embody dragon traits or remain natural. Ask yourself: do the dragons wear clothes? Do they live in a dragon-esque world? What is their everyday life like? Do they eat certain types of food?
Consider Communication
As you outline your story, consider the communication methods between your dragons. Deciding how your dragons communicate will make your story unique and distinctive. Identifying how your dragons speak will also help you add more imagery and describe the dragons to your readers. Think about the sounds your dragons make when they are communicating. Ask yourself these questions when defining how your characters speak: do they speak in a fictional language? Do they speak English? Do they speak in a particular sound (clicks, roars, etc)? Do they growl? Do they speak in movements?
Stories centered around dragons are extremely entertaining and amusing for readers and writers alike! When written correctly dragon characters are fun and engaging. Dragon characters let readers take a pause from reality. Writing about dragon characters will take some time, but with these five tips, your dragon characters are sure to come to life! For general tips on writing animal characters, continue to the post below.
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