Megan Wong's Blog, page 12
April 3, 2018
Reader, Reading, Rolling the Cards
Tarot Cards
I got my deck a few years ago. Maybe four by now, it's hard to remember. They're called: Circle of Life Tarot and as you can see below, they are circles. It's kind of a curious card because of their shape. It makes it difficult to shuffle unlike a rectangular deck, instead I love to spread them out on the floor, like I'm stirring a great pot. Round and round until I feel it is right to stop or cards shoot out of the deck.
You have to ask a question with cards. You have to keep it in your mind like Harry Potter and the patronus charm. Focus your intent, ask and then look at the cards. First impressions are gold. Whatever comes first when looking at a card gives you a baseline reading. More experienced card readers will usually just look at the cards, but as I am an amateur, I'll look at the little booklet as well.
My favorite cards are the Major Arcana. They're the special, one of a kind theme, like "The Lovers", "Justice", "Death", or "The Stars". The Minor Arcana are alright, but thats where you have suits: Chalices, Pentacles, Wands, and Swords. The tarot decks are actually pretty variable depending on the artist that made them, because some of the names are in the other cards and some of them are not.
Circle of Life Tarot Deck, Lo Scarabeo (Torino, Italy)I wanted to make a post about tarot because I recently read a young writer's story that briefly mentioned it. Unfortunately I didn't get to speak to them about it, but it felt as if they were giving stereotypical views on the cards. However, the cards are meant to be understood through practice. The best way to teach someone is to shove them into the water and see if they drown, or in this less violent method, hand them a deck and make them do a reading.
Recent troubles and stressful events can make me question myself. Tarot helps me realign my thoughts and plan out future goals. Some things are not for everyone, but I'd recommend for you to step into the world of magic for a spell, even if it's just a shuffling of the cards.
I got my deck a few years ago. Maybe four by now, it's hard to remember. They're called: Circle of Life Tarot and as you can see below, they are circles. It's kind of a curious card because of their shape. It makes it difficult to shuffle unlike a rectangular deck, instead I love to spread them out on the floor, like I'm stirring a great pot. Round and round until I feel it is right to stop or cards shoot out of the deck.
You have to ask a question with cards. You have to keep it in your mind like Harry Potter and the patronus charm. Focus your intent, ask and then look at the cards. First impressions are gold. Whatever comes first when looking at a card gives you a baseline reading. More experienced card readers will usually just look at the cards, but as I am an amateur, I'll look at the little booklet as well.
My favorite cards are the Major Arcana. They're the special, one of a kind theme, like "The Lovers", "Justice", "Death", or "The Stars". The Minor Arcana are alright, but thats where you have suits: Chalices, Pentacles, Wands, and Swords. The tarot decks are actually pretty variable depending on the artist that made them, because some of the names are in the other cards and some of them are not.
Circle of Life Tarot Deck, Lo Scarabeo (Torino, Italy)I wanted to make a post about tarot because I recently read a young writer's story that briefly mentioned it. Unfortunately I didn't get to speak to them about it, but it felt as if they were giving stereotypical views on the cards. However, the cards are meant to be understood through practice. The best way to teach someone is to shove them into the water and see if they drown, or in this less violent method, hand them a deck and make them do a reading.Recent troubles and stressful events can make me question myself. Tarot helps me realign my thoughts and plan out future goals. Some things are not for everyone, but I'd recommend for you to step into the world of magic for a spell, even if it's just a shuffling of the cards.
March 27, 2018
Aliases/Pseudonyms/Noms de Plume
I have several when it comes to names-that-are-not-my-name, but I can't tell you all of them!
First one I'll share is"Veronique", self-picked for my French class in high school. We were given a list of names, I'm sure you're familiar, and then for the rest of the year we referred to each other with our French names. Definitely made it difficult to know anyone's real names, there was one guy who chose Mustafa and I honestly cannot remember what his real name was. So, for four years of French, I was Veronique (imagine an accent aigu on the first "e"). Ensuite, s'il vous plait!This one is a little strange and I still have no idea if this guy was messing with me. Let me take you back further, middle school (the terrible years of adolescence) where in a certain gym class - Tom (Fake name to protect the not-so-innocent namer) - this Tom fellow was playing ping pong with us and we were learning each other's names. He thought my name was "Philadelphia" - I don't know about you, but I think of the cream cheese first, then the city. Who would name their child Philadelphia? Although if you look at the current situation of celebrities and their babies, there are an awful lot of "unique" names being thrown around. Anyway, what a disaster and he still didn't know my name!Fast forward to the present, I'm actually still in this class, and the teacher thinks my name is "Mary". Can't fault her for the first letter, but we're still a ways from Megan. Now, you may be thinking or wondering why I don't correct her. "Come, Megan. You know your name is not Mary," you might say. Very true, I do know my name, but some people are difficult to correct. They just won't listen and now that it has been a few classes, I think it is ingrained in her memory. Ah well, it adds another pseudonym to this list.
Three is the charm, isn't it? I've got several others, but not as many stories associated. (Marilyn, Morgan, other names of the female persuasion beginning with "M"). Still this gives you a hint and I suppose proves one point that I can be many people. Apparently, my face fits a lot of names - I'm still trying to figure out if this is good or not. Alas, I fear there will be no end to the mistaken names that get placed upon me, such is life, and I intend to keep on living.
Do you have any aliases? OR What are some of your favorite names?Comment below, I'd love to hear them!
First one I'll share is"Veronique", self-picked for my French class in high school. We were given a list of names, I'm sure you're familiar, and then for the rest of the year we referred to each other with our French names. Definitely made it difficult to know anyone's real names, there was one guy who chose Mustafa and I honestly cannot remember what his real name was. So, for four years of French, I was Veronique (imagine an accent aigu on the first "e"). Ensuite, s'il vous plait!This one is a little strange and I still have no idea if this guy was messing with me. Let me take you back further, middle school (the terrible years of adolescence) where in a certain gym class - Tom (Fake name to protect the not-so-innocent namer) - this Tom fellow was playing ping pong with us and we were learning each other's names. He thought my name was "Philadelphia" - I don't know about you, but I think of the cream cheese first, then the city. Who would name their child Philadelphia? Although if you look at the current situation of celebrities and their babies, there are an awful lot of "unique" names being thrown around. Anyway, what a disaster and he still didn't know my name!Fast forward to the present, I'm actually still in this class, and the teacher thinks my name is "Mary". Can't fault her for the first letter, but we're still a ways from Megan. Now, you may be thinking or wondering why I don't correct her. "Come, Megan. You know your name is not Mary," you might say. Very true, I do know my name, but some people are difficult to correct. They just won't listen and now that it has been a few classes, I think it is ingrained in her memory. Ah well, it adds another pseudonym to this list.
Three is the charm, isn't it? I've got several others, but not as many stories associated. (Marilyn, Morgan, other names of the female persuasion beginning with "M"). Still this gives you a hint and I suppose proves one point that I can be many people. Apparently, my face fits a lot of names - I'm still trying to figure out if this is good or not. Alas, I fear there will be no end to the mistaken names that get placed upon me, such is life, and I intend to keep on living.
Do you have any aliases? OR What are some of your favorite names?Comment below, I'd love to hear them!
March 20, 2018
Why We Read/Why We Write
For Readers:"We read stories because we want to escape the present moment and dive into something so interesting that it captures our attention and makes us feel alive."
I am alive in that character. The one that I am reading. I experience what they experience; I am privy to their thoughts and reasons. Their actions are ones that I feel in my body; their pain is mine, their sorrow is mine, their joy is mine.
_________________________________________________________________________________
For Writers:
"We write because we have words bursting from our chests and storylines flowing in our veins. We write to feel alive."
Choose the right story -"When you try to force a story, it slips away and you lose interest -- that story is not for you. Choose the stories that make your head sing with joy and that enraptures your heart so that you can see it to the end."
In case you didn't notice the theme, but for me at least, as a writer and reader, I do both to feel alive and hopeful, entertained, moved, etc... Books are windows to our subconscious and keys to our emotions.
I am alive in that character. The one that I am reading. I experience what they experience; I am privy to their thoughts and reasons. Their actions are ones that I feel in my body; their pain is mine, their sorrow is mine, their joy is mine.
_________________________________________________________________________________
For Writers:
"We write because we have words bursting from our chests and storylines flowing in our veins. We write to feel alive."
Choose the right story -"When you try to force a story, it slips away and you lose interest -- that story is not for you. Choose the stories that make your head sing with joy and that enraptures your heart so that you can see it to the end."
In case you didn't notice the theme, but for me at least, as a writer and reader, I do both to feel alive and hopeful, entertained, moved, etc... Books are windows to our subconscious and keys to our emotions.
March 13, 2018
I Choose You! (Finding the Perfect Prey for Interviews)
Have you ever had to interview someone?
I've done many for the yearbook and it's always a nerve-wracking experience. First off, I'm an introvert and quiet, so talking to strangers is not really my cup of tea. I go to events and then I sit there for, I don't know, five to ten minutes just staring at the crowd, trying to find the perfect person to start the process. The first one is not usually good, but it's a warm up, a test run of the night so that I can feel more comfortable just walking up to strangers.
And how do I pick this perfect prey?
With some small deductions, I usually look at who they are in relation to the crowd. Are they standing alone, are they looking at their phone? How far in do I have to go to reach them? What are they wearing (this can give me details like their college of study)? I like to pick the loners, the ones that are there, but at the moment have no one to talk to, they're not busy, they're just there, so I stroll on up and throw some half-garbled question while recording it on my phone.
Oh, I always ask beforehand if people don't mind being recorded, and for the most part, I think I take them by surprise so they don't think about it and mumble out a "sure, go ahead" before their mind can catch up with their mouth. It usually doesn't last a minute, a few seconds, a couple of questions, and I'm turning off the recorder and thanking them for their time. Then, I'm off to find my next prey.
Ask the "hard-hitting" questions, by that I mean, don't let them get away with a "yes" or "no" answer. Make them give you a statement, otherwise it's not worth talking to them anyway. People will say some amazing things on their feet, you just have to guide them in the right direction, not a manipulation, just a probe so that they're not throwing in lots of "Um" and "I guess" and "Yeah, sure."
Interviews also catch people in speech patterns, especially if you record it, you can listen to where they pause, how their words are ordered, stuff like that. It's good practice and although it's not natural dialogue, it still gives you a taste, so when you're working on dialogue for characters, learn the stumbles, the unnatural bits of conversation and just give the reader the good, entertaining parts.
I can't remember where I first learned it, but essentially dialogue is writing unrealistic conversations realistically. By that I mean, make it sound plausible, but interesting, where each line of dialogue has purpose and follows along with the story.
I've done many for the yearbook and it's always a nerve-wracking experience. First off, I'm an introvert and quiet, so talking to strangers is not really my cup of tea. I go to events and then I sit there for, I don't know, five to ten minutes just staring at the crowd, trying to find the perfect person to start the process. The first one is not usually good, but it's a warm up, a test run of the night so that I can feel more comfortable just walking up to strangers.
And how do I pick this perfect prey?
With some small deductions, I usually look at who they are in relation to the crowd. Are they standing alone, are they looking at their phone? How far in do I have to go to reach them? What are they wearing (this can give me details like their college of study)? I like to pick the loners, the ones that are there, but at the moment have no one to talk to, they're not busy, they're just there, so I stroll on up and throw some half-garbled question while recording it on my phone.
Oh, I always ask beforehand if people don't mind being recorded, and for the most part, I think I take them by surprise so they don't think about it and mumble out a "sure, go ahead" before their mind can catch up with their mouth. It usually doesn't last a minute, a few seconds, a couple of questions, and I'm turning off the recorder and thanking them for their time. Then, I'm off to find my next prey.
Ask the "hard-hitting" questions, by that I mean, don't let them get away with a "yes" or "no" answer. Make them give you a statement, otherwise it's not worth talking to them anyway. People will say some amazing things on their feet, you just have to guide them in the right direction, not a manipulation, just a probe so that they're not throwing in lots of "Um" and "I guess" and "Yeah, sure."
Interviews also catch people in speech patterns, especially if you record it, you can listen to where they pause, how their words are ordered, stuff like that. It's good practice and although it's not natural dialogue, it still gives you a taste, so when you're working on dialogue for characters, learn the stumbles, the unnatural bits of conversation and just give the reader the good, entertaining parts.
I can't remember where I first learned it, but essentially dialogue is writing unrealistic conversations realistically. By that I mean, make it sound plausible, but interesting, where each line of dialogue has purpose and follows along with the story.
March 6, 2018
Scent Sensations
Olfaction, our ability to smell things, whether good or bad, it's useful and plays an important role in our lives. It is also one of the underrated sensory perceptions used in writing. Most writers know how to do visual descriptions, we're around visual stimuli all the time, but when it comes to the delicate sensibilities of our noses, sometimes writers fall short. I fall short, in some ways I forget that characters even have noses. What's an angel supposed to smell like anyway?
What is amazing and fascinating to learn about, are all the ways that our sense of smell has an unconscious role in how we relate to others. I'm about to get a little scientific here and throw in some of the ideas I've learned from biological psychology, but as I said, it's fascinating.
Did you know that we use our sense of smell when selecting partners? It's an evolutionary advantage to have someone with a different immune system than you because, when you procreate, your offspring will receive a wider selection of immunological genes and have a greater chance of survival. Ah science, it disgusts and surprises us, the t-shirt study explains this in particular, those poor women who had to smell those shirts, a moment for them and their noses.
So, there is an immunological function, what else...
Another interesting difference is how when a male smell a sweaty woman, he feels aroused, and when it is the other way around a woman releases cortisol (stress-chemical). I'm sure there are plenty of explanations for this and reasoning behind it, but I won't go that way, this time.
Pheromones are another interesting part, and in some ways they are a vestigial sense for us, but in other ways we still use it. Apparently are vomeronasal organ is very tiny and has no receptors. However, some of our working olfactory receptors respond to pheromones anyway. Women who live in close proximity and are around each other may sync up during their menstrual cycles; you know when those little trashcans get full in the bathroom and everyone takes forever when you just want to pee. There may be other pheromones released by other animals that we can detect, but there is still a lot of research that needs to be done to conclude anything.
How does this relate to writing? As mentioned above, smell is underutilized, so open your nostrils and take a sniff. Fill your writing with smelly scents.
What is amazing and fascinating to learn about, are all the ways that our sense of smell has an unconscious role in how we relate to others. I'm about to get a little scientific here and throw in some of the ideas I've learned from biological psychology, but as I said, it's fascinating.
Did you know that we use our sense of smell when selecting partners? It's an evolutionary advantage to have someone with a different immune system than you because, when you procreate, your offspring will receive a wider selection of immunological genes and have a greater chance of survival. Ah science, it disgusts and surprises us, the t-shirt study explains this in particular, those poor women who had to smell those shirts, a moment for them and their noses.
So, there is an immunological function, what else...
Another interesting difference is how when a male smell a sweaty woman, he feels aroused, and when it is the other way around a woman releases cortisol (stress-chemical). I'm sure there are plenty of explanations for this and reasoning behind it, but I won't go that way, this time.
Pheromones are another interesting part, and in some ways they are a vestigial sense for us, but in other ways we still use it. Apparently are vomeronasal organ is very tiny and has no receptors. However, some of our working olfactory receptors respond to pheromones anyway. Women who live in close proximity and are around each other may sync up during their menstrual cycles; you know when those little trashcans get full in the bathroom and everyone takes forever when you just want to pee. There may be other pheromones released by other animals that we can detect, but there is still a lot of research that needs to be done to conclude anything.
How does this relate to writing? As mentioned above, smell is underutilized, so open your nostrils and take a sniff. Fill your writing with smelly scents.
February 27, 2018
A "Knowing" Look
I have this minor "problem" where I'll start smiling in class after a teacher has asked a question, then they call on me, thinking that I know the answer. I don't, not usually, and so I'm afraid my smile is a bit misleading. They think, I'm saying, haha I know the answer and I'm not going to say anything unless you make me. When really, I'm just laughing as we all squirm in discomfort waiting for someone else to answer. Sometimes the questions make me smile too. It kind of depends on the day.
A public notice to everyone (especially teachers). Just because someone is smiling does not mean they are omniscient, perhaps they're just having a really good day and they're just happy. Honestly, my first summer at State, I had this philosophy class where I'd always be smiling because the topics and discussion were just so much fun to engage in. Then the professor would make some comment about, oh look whose smiling again. It became this running thing in the class and there were only about four weeks anyway, but whatever, people will interpret your expressions how they see fit.
To tie this into writing, when you have a character courting a peculiar expression or doing specific actions - make sure it lines up with your intentions. You don't want someone smiling gleefully while they're at a funeral, unless they really don't like the dead guy, so it depends on what you're trying to do, just make it successful.
A public notice to everyone (especially teachers). Just because someone is smiling does not mean they are omniscient, perhaps they're just having a really good day and they're just happy. Honestly, my first summer at State, I had this philosophy class where I'd always be smiling because the topics and discussion were just so much fun to engage in. Then the professor would make some comment about, oh look whose smiling again. It became this running thing in the class and there were only about four weeks anyway, but whatever, people will interpret your expressions how they see fit.
To tie this into writing, when you have a character courting a peculiar expression or doing specific actions - make sure it lines up with your intentions. You don't want someone smiling gleefully while they're at a funeral, unless they really don't like the dead guy, so it depends on what you're trying to do, just make it successful.
February 24, 2018
Villanelle: Do You Know the Power of a Smile?
Let the lift of your lips stay a whileBountiful lips born wide.Do you know the power of a smile?
A thirsty man may travel a hundred milesFor it, many men have died.Let the lift of your lips stay a while.
For some, the use of it is another wile,some have used it as they lied.Do you know the power of a smile?
Such uses it may have in subterfuge or guileSuch uses as to hideLet the lift of your lips stay a while
Better than a thousand diamonds in a pileLaws of currency cannot abideDo you know the power of a smile?
Strong enough to make winning love less of a trialIt is a movement worth being triedLet the lift of your lips stay a while,Do you know the power of a smile?
A thirsty man may travel a hundred milesFor it, many men have died.Let the lift of your lips stay a while.
For some, the use of it is another wile,some have used it as they lied.Do you know the power of a smile?
Such uses it may have in subterfuge or guileSuch uses as to hideLet the lift of your lips stay a while
Better than a thousand diamonds in a pileLaws of currency cannot abideDo you know the power of a smile?
Strong enough to make winning love less of a trialIt is a movement worth being triedLet the lift of your lips stay a while,Do you know the power of a smile?
February 20, 2018
Fighting to the Finish
I have a special emotional-stress reliever technique that is a tried and true remedy for me when I'm feeling very low. How low? You might ask. Somewhere between back-breaking limbo stick low and crawling under miles of barbed wire.
So, when I get to that particular state, I run. Simple as that, or not so simple, sometimes painful or not particularly delightful. The rain actually helps too. Wet and cold, the perfect combination to snap you out of the low zone. A funny thing about runners is that there is this hidden dialogue that happens when they come across each other. Sometimes people may say something, but usually it's just a nod, (and maybe, a smile), this means: I see you. Look what we're both doing, aren't we great. I understand your pain or 'yeah, we're both a bit nuts, but it's okay, we decided to do this'. There is a lot going on in that gesture. A lot wrapped up in one and yet it forms this bond, for one moment, you feel as if someone understands you.
Now, when it comes to running in the rain, I'll admit, very (very) few people actually do that, so I don't usually get to have my 'nod conversation' but I do get a good release. Every thought except 'Ah, it's so cold, and my chest is burning' leaves your head, so it clears it all out. You're left with nothing, but your inner self trying to support and undermine you at the same time.
Let's be real, or I'll be honest - I am not a competitive runner, I'm recreational - so when I say run, I'm not talking about ten miles and sprints around the track, I'm talking maybe a twenty minute easy pace jaunt around the lake and back.
So, when I'm running, there is a part that is saying 'you're doing great, kid. Good work, you're taking care of your health' and then there is that other part saying, 'go ahead and stop. You did enough. It's alright and wouldn't it be easier just to walk up this hill'. I'm fighting an internal battle here, but usually the encouraging side wins out for at least ten minutes, then the other part kicks in and it becomes an uphill battle (sometimes literally).
It works though, I'm tired, exhausted, sometimes shaking, but my head clears, I'm all out of emotions and a weight lifts itself. Then, I indulge with a hot shower.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but I'll be honest, I think most people are aware of that fact. The sky will be cloudy. It will rain like there is no tomorrow and you're going to step in a puddle and then want to yell at the sky for how unfair it all is. Just keep...swimming, or jumping, spinning, twirling, leaping, walking, running, skipping, dancing, whatever it is you need to do. Just keep moving. Keep being alive.
So, when I get to that particular state, I run. Simple as that, or not so simple, sometimes painful or not particularly delightful. The rain actually helps too. Wet and cold, the perfect combination to snap you out of the low zone. A funny thing about runners is that there is this hidden dialogue that happens when they come across each other. Sometimes people may say something, but usually it's just a nod, (and maybe, a smile), this means: I see you. Look what we're both doing, aren't we great. I understand your pain or 'yeah, we're both a bit nuts, but it's okay, we decided to do this'. There is a lot going on in that gesture. A lot wrapped up in one and yet it forms this bond, for one moment, you feel as if someone understands you.
Now, when it comes to running in the rain, I'll admit, very (very) few people actually do that, so I don't usually get to have my 'nod conversation' but I do get a good release. Every thought except 'Ah, it's so cold, and my chest is burning' leaves your head, so it clears it all out. You're left with nothing, but your inner self trying to support and undermine you at the same time.
Let's be real, or I'll be honest - I am not a competitive runner, I'm recreational - so when I say run, I'm not talking about ten miles and sprints around the track, I'm talking maybe a twenty minute easy pace jaunt around the lake and back.
So, when I'm running, there is a part that is saying 'you're doing great, kid. Good work, you're taking care of your health' and then there is that other part saying, 'go ahead and stop. You did enough. It's alright and wouldn't it be easier just to walk up this hill'. I'm fighting an internal battle here, but usually the encouraging side wins out for at least ten minutes, then the other part kicks in and it becomes an uphill battle (sometimes literally).
It works though, I'm tired, exhausted, sometimes shaking, but my head clears, I'm all out of emotions and a weight lifts itself. Then, I indulge with a hot shower.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but I'll be honest, I think most people are aware of that fact. The sky will be cloudy. It will rain like there is no tomorrow and you're going to step in a puddle and then want to yell at the sky for how unfair it all is. Just keep...swimming, or jumping, spinning, twirling, leaping, walking, running, skipping, dancing, whatever it is you need to do. Just keep moving. Keep being alive.
February 13, 2018
Curious questions and Critiques
< Life Blurb >I felt so happy and excited that I just had to mention briefly that I went contra dancing on Sunday. If you've never been, this is definitely a must do (at least once), and maybe once you do it you'll want to keep going. Basically, at the beginning of each dance you have a partner, someone who will be with you the whole time that the music is playing. Everyone's in a long line of partners and you almost always end up in a set of four people that dance together and then move in opposite directions "down" the line. I love contra so much, because every time I go, I'm laughing and smiling and just feeling so good that I always want to come back the next month (Oh yeah, that's the other thing, it only happens once a month where I'm at, so it's a nice break from the monotony of school). Even when my feet hurt or I'm so dizzy that the world is spinning, it makes me feel amazing.
Now onto the writing post:
Have you read it?
If you have then this is the post for you.
Comment about good, bad, so-so, heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, face-planting, mind-swirling moments. Or ask me questions about the world-building or characteristics of different groups.
I'm new to the business, but I've been writing for years, and the one thing I've learned is you can always improve.
So, thoughts? I'd love to know
Now onto the writing post:
Have you read it?
If you have then this is the post for you.
Comment about good, bad, so-so, heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching, face-planting, mind-swirling moments. Or ask me questions about the world-building or characteristics of different groups.
I'm new to the business, but I've been writing for years, and the one thing I've learned is you can always improve.
So, thoughts? I'd love to know
February 6, 2018
My Baby!
Okay so not really my baby, but I am so proud of this one.
Several posts ago, I shared the Whipling, a bird creature of my own creation.
Now that Island Whispers is out, I want to share another one of my creatures:the Liducorn
I drafted a lot of different ideas for a predatory monster and it took a while to find the right combination. The liducorn is a beast with two curling ram's horns, a lion's head with protruding fangs and a beard down its throat. It has a hard shell wrapped around its body, and lion legs, paws and claws. To top off the design it has a dragon-like tail with sharp spiny ridges, it can swing the tail with bone-breaking strength. I hope you all enjoy the book and the scenes with the liducorn - it is definitely one of my favorite creatures.
Final design of the liducorn after much trial and error. Here I mark the different traits listed above.
This is just a close up of that its paws and mouth would look like, I just really wanted to try making it look life-like with fur and texture.
I had considered making the liducorn have a goat's head, but after further deliberation, I decided that a more feral creature would have a lion's head and thus would be meat-eating. A goat seemed too friendly for the monster I wanted to create.
Several posts ago, I shared the Whipling, a bird creature of my own creation.
Now that Island Whispers is out, I want to share another one of my creatures:the Liducorn
I drafted a lot of different ideas for a predatory monster and it took a while to find the right combination. The liducorn is a beast with two curling ram's horns, a lion's head with protruding fangs and a beard down its throat. It has a hard shell wrapped around its body, and lion legs, paws and claws. To top off the design it has a dragon-like tail with sharp spiny ridges, it can swing the tail with bone-breaking strength. I hope you all enjoy the book and the scenes with the liducorn - it is definitely one of my favorite creatures.
Final design of the liducorn after much trial and error. Here I mark the different traits listed above.
This is just a close up of that its paws and mouth would look like, I just really wanted to try making it look life-like with fur and texture.
I had considered making the liducorn have a goat's head, but after further deliberation, I decided that a more feral creature would have a lion's head and thus would be meat-eating. A goat seemed too friendly for the monster I wanted to create.
