Monsters vs. Caitlin

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Copied over from mah blog, because I'm trying to get a wide sampling of opinions:

I need monsters! More specifically, your opinions on monsters. Because I am starting an entirely new proposal and I need an entirely new crop of things that lurk under your bed/outside your window/sitting on your nightstand watching you sleep like Edward Cullen. I am interested in the opinion of readers far and wide.

What monsters would you like to see more of in speculative fiction? (Angels count. Personally, I find the concept behind angels indescribably creepy. So do humans with monster abilities such as damphir and sorcerers.)

What monsters are tired (and yes, we all know the market is full of vampires, but they still sell, so I’m putting a moratorium on this answer.)

Optional bonus internet cookie* answer: What monster would you like to see me, specifically, tackle?

I await your monstrous answers…

And I do!



*Disclaimer: The cookie is a lie.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Mermaids. I've always found them slightly horrifying.

Also, gnomes. Like evil garden gnomes. Wow, I should walk away from the computer now. But there you have it!
March 29, 2009 at 1:58 AM
Thom said…
If you are looking at the Universal Monsters, there's plenty of vampires and werewolves, hordes of zombies, lots of Frankenstein books, and there's even a few mummy books, but there isn't a decent Creature From The Black Lagoon book that I know of.

I'm just saying.

Mythology/Folklore-wise, it might be fun to play with mythological beings who don't originate from Western Europe. I've seen a few Russian, Voodoo, Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese influences in genre books, but the world could always use more.

You could go way off in unexplored territory. Maybe do a Brazilian setting with Curupira Tree Spirits and Headless Mules, hat kind of thing.
March 29, 2009 at 2:15 AM
Gareth said…
Im not sure whats tired as numerous authors come back with something new to make that particular monster new in a different light.

If your looking for something different theres all sorts of things that can feed into the human mind. I have one friend thats petrified of the Bog Monster. (Its when she uses the Loo at night, she has to run when she flushes in case the "monster" comes to get her.) Whilst this might be a normal thing for a child she is in her 30's and it still frightens her now.

Essentially anything that can link into the human primordial fight or flight response would count. So perhaps looking into the old myths and utilising that. Every area has a good ghost story or two that really will help set you up. Link into that and with the mythos surrounding it you'll get something with a history for you to expound upon.
March 29, 2009 at 4:55 AM
Anonymous said…
I have always wanted to see an author tackle The Old Hag. This is an interesting phenomenon found throughout the world. Have you ever had one of those dreams where you feel wide awake but you cannot move and *something* is holding you down? That is the old hag. In Newfoundland tradition you would generally see a witch sitting on your chest. David Hufford wrote a book studying the phenomenon called The Terror that Comes in the Night. It is fascinating to see how many different cultures have a similar experience but have fashioned it so as to fit within their own folklore.
March 29, 2009 at 5:08 AM
Zita said…
Like Tom said, the Creature from the Black Lagoon in really under utilized. This is true for a lot of the water-based monsters, which makes sense, since most plot-lines occur on land :-) However, there are a few Nessie-like creatures in lakes around the world that you don't here about because of their more famous cousin, like Ogopogo in BC. Here's a link to a book by John Kirk called "In the Domain of Lake Monsters" that you might find useful :-) (http://www.amazon.ca/Domain-Lake-Monsters-Search-Denizens/dp/1552630102/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238338982&sr=1-1)
March 29, 2009 at 8:03 AM
Anonymous said…
Politicians. Enough said, right? Who isn’t afraid of those mindless zombified minions of Corporate America? Republican and Democrats are all the same, they just beat different war drums. Hey, make them gangs…the Licans and the Crats. I’m scared already.

I can see it now, opening scene. Representative Haney approaches a wide eyed elderly couple, “Hi. I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

“Aaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhh!”

Wait. Bureaucrats! Even scarier!

Or, gargoles if you don't like gov'ment types.
March 29, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Toni L. said…
How about Harpies or Rocs or maybe a Phoenix that has gone bad. All of those have not got much use especially in an Urban Fantasy.

Toni
March 29, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Karen said…
I was going to say gargoyles, but someone beat me to it.

I'm fascinated by the nephilim, the offspring of humans and angels.
March 29, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Anonymous said…
Thom,

Paul Di Filipo wrote an excellent Creature FTBL novel a few years back:

http://www.amazon.com/Creature-Black-Lagoon-Universal-Monsters/dp/1595820337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238436480&sr=1-1

Jeff P
March 30, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Anonymous said…
Grues, naturally.

Failing those, a lot of the really nasty creatures, like Baba Yaga, the rusalkas, golems, and, perhaps, some of DEATH.
March 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Anonymous said…
Read up on Norse Mythology,I am pretty sure you'll find some inspiration from there. I mean Loki, son of giants, had offspring with another giant, and his off springs were a wolf, a serpent, and goddess of death -- not very innocent creatures; they lean to the more monster side of things. Just basing monsters on their lore could incorporate all the goodies of urban fantasy.
March 30, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Jess Nevins said…
Can never have enough Baba Yaga, right?

I love rats, but they do creep most people out, and a Rat King would do so even more.

Oh, and fruitbats! Vicious things, they create entire worlds and then destroy them.
March 30, 2009 at 8:45 PM
GB said…
I third the "Creature from the Black Lagoon."

Always feared/thought he was cool. Does he eat fish?
Does he date fish?
Which parts are fish and which are man?
How did he evolve? And is he a "he?"
How long can he survive onland?
Would he go after one of those new snake lures I saw on the infomercial?

So much to investigate.
March 31, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Daelith said…
I've always been creeped out by the picture of Baba Yaga on Vampire Wars. Looks like it has nails for teeth.

I like the suggestions of using some of the mythological creatures. Always nice to give them light.
Partial to dragons myself.
March 31, 2009 at 9:49 AM
stephii said…
Baba Yaga and that Chicken Leg Hut still creep me to this day. So does the Hag. I say go with a witch/enchantress/hag theme. What's scarier than an angry, ugly, old woman?
March 31, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Gypsy Thornton said…
(In case you missed my tweet) Rusalka/rusalki - gorgeous creepy Russian water/river spirits that seduce their victims before drowning them.

Since C.J. Cherryh's interesting trilogy I haven't found anyone exploring the potential of this monster! Such potential!

If not Rusalki then mermaids could use some exploring of their monstrous side. :)

Looking forward to seeing what you decide on (or get pounced on by to force you into writing).
March 31, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Davida Dean said…
Half breed suburban mom - but father was a flesh eating fae - which is more scary - her morning SUV communits, latte in hand, yelling at her demon spawn in car seats OR her midnight flights to feed on the flesh of unsuspecting men who should be at home at night instead of out.
April 2, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Davida Dean said…
I take it back - my suggestion that is...I read your blog on April 2nd and that idea flashed into my head so I shared it. Fast forward to today - I am vaccumming the floor and a full story line based off of the comment I gave above suddently comes to me. Main characters, filled with additude, the plot, all of it. Bamm I know the story. So now I gotta write it. Not sure how to start...but this is something I got to do.
April 11, 2009 at 6:59 PM
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