Well… this is vexing

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For the past few hours I have stared at the blank page, or searched the Internet for inspiration, but I am stalled.

I had all these great notes in my outline for the backstory of an alien world visited by my characters. A tale of its social decline and lapse back into an agrarian age, etc. There was just one thing I forgot to plan ahead of time:

What the damn aliens who live there look like. All day I’ve been stuck on this, and I’m stumped.

They need to be vaguely humanoid, but everything’s been done in Star Trek. There are no more animals left to anthropomorphize, it seems. And who cares about yet another distinctive bump in their foreheads? I feel as if I’ve already used up my quotient of cool alien details in the Destiny trilogy with the Caeliar and the brief walk-on by the Kindir.

In my own books I’ve already done the hawk/eagle-based species known as the Tezwans. No mileage to be found in felinoids, caninoids, lupinoids, etc. Bipedal rabbits, anyone?

I can’t believe that this is what has derailed my entire process….

7 Responses to “Well… this is vexing”

  1. Joel

    Have you seen the British scifi comedy Red Dwarf? In that, there is a humanoid species who are the evolved descendents of a pet cat, they are vain, selfish and the main character, Cat, has a collection of over a hundred fine suits and outfits for any occaison.

  2. David Mack

    Yes, I know the series quite well. Alas, it still doesn’t help me. But I’ve chosen to cop out on this one and just do something lame and move on with the story…

  3. Lee

    Hey David

    Just wonted to encourage you to keep working on your new novel we have not heard from you in a while. So I guess that things are now moving a long on the new book. (I know my ideas were no good but hope it gave you a good laugh) Still looking forward to your book THE CALLING. Keep banging on the key board!!!

  4. David Mack

    ^ Don’t worry, I solved the dilemma that sparked this post, and the work continues. Thanks for the good wishes.

  5. Sci

    On the off chance that you might find this useful….

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/24/barreleye-fish-with-trans_n_169502.html

    A fish with a transparent skull and eyes located inside of it.

    • David Mack

      That’s pretty wild! I’m going to keep that in mind the next time I need something strange, whether in the sea or in space…

      Thanks for the link.

  6. Sci

    No prob. Hope it helps ya!

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