Something happened that I can take directly to write in my book! an encounter that will allow me to expand and add to my fantastical world! It all starts with armadillos. Walking at night with my dog has been amazing for stress relief and weight loss. These also can also lead to some interesting encounters with creatures that are typically hidden away during the day. On this night I ran in to quite a few creatures that sparked some interesting ideas for my book.
This brings me to the armadillos. These fascinating little mammals are known for their unique armor-like shells, which are made up of overlapping plates of skin and bone. They are primarily nocturnal, so spotting them during the day is a rare occurrence. The damage that they have done to the ground and the fences in the area is always the talk of the neighborhood. I don't begrudge them for doing it, because I know they are just living the way that small critters live.
But Armadillos are just the beginning. Walking at night has also allowed me to see other creatures that I might not have encountered otherwise. Bats, for example, are a common sight in the night sky. Watching them dart and swoop through the air is truly mesmerizing. I would love to create a bat house to bring a few more to the area. They are fun to watch and the ones near me also eat bugs. If I had to have something flying around, I definitely don't want it to be mosquitos!
And then there are the bigger creatures that roam the woods at night. Deer are a common sight, and I've had the pleasure of seeing them up close as they graze in the moonlight. Large owls are also frequent visitors, and their hoots and calls are hauntingly beautiful. Which is what brings me to the experience that translates to my book. The haunting call of the owl mixed with the light crunch of the deer's hooves, all happening just outside of my range of vision. My skin tightens in to goosepimples just thinking of it. That's what I want to create in a couple moments of the book. Moments that translate in high stakes. That I create an expectation of danger and then follow it with a worthwhile creature, character, or challenge.
The creatures that I want to create will be heavily influenced from my walks. Taking the animals I meet, editing them slightly, and then placing them in a fantasy world. Using the armadillos as an example. I want to mix them with their current appeal, an armored body, wiggling body and mix them with something larger. Having a medium sized dog (45-65lbs.) armadillo would be very alarming. Given their nature they wouldn't be aggressive, but their propensity to dig and burrow could cause major damage in populous areas. Their armored bodies protecting them from most predator's, which gives me the chance to create monsters that will be able to call these massive armadillos prey.
Hopefully I don't come fact to face with anything like that! Walking at night does come with its own set of risks. It's important to be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. But with the right precautions, it can be a wonderful way to connect with nature and experience the world in a whole new way. Overall, my nighttime walks have allowed me to appreciate the natural world in a new way. From armadillos to deer and everything in between, there is always something new and exciting to discover when you take a walk after dark. If you're looking for a unique way to explore the world around you, I highly recommend taking a nighttime stroll and seeing what kind of creatures you might encounter along the way! Whos knows, you might even find something for your book!
