Writing what you know can only extend so far, especially in the world of speculative fiction. It’s right there in the name! As authors tackling new universes and dimensions, our protagonists are frequently removed from the human experience. From animals to mystical creatures and even the occasional inanimate object, there is no point of view that’s off-limits for writers of horror, science fiction, or fantasy. And it’s a good thing because writing nonhuman characters provides us with opportunities to explore distinctly human truths in a space free of preconceptions and other noise.
At their heart, most stories are human stories, no matter the species or classification of the protagonist. But writing from the point of view of a troll, rabbit, or robot presents a unique set of challenges, especially since those creatures aren’t able to relay their own life experiences on the page. So how do writers tackle nonhuman points of view in an effective, convincing way?
The Needs of the Many
Considering the resource needs, habitats, and social workings of your creatures makes for more immersive world-building. It’s science! Physiology and sociology, specifically.
Nonhuman characters have physical traits, base needs, and their own ways of interacting with each other and the world around them. These primal
