How to Draw Inspiration From Myths and Legends
The first expensive book I can remember owning was a collection of world mythology. The pages were glossy, weighty, and every page had an elaborate illustration. The hardcover book felt hefty, and every time I turned a page, I did so with care. My other books had been mass market paperbacks or hand-me-downs, with well-loved covers and sun-yellowed pages.
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I read through that book, cover to cover, several times. Within were gods and monsters, tricksters and heroes, and adventures with every turn of a page. I went on to read other books of mythology. The Mabinogion, in particular, ended up being particularly formative for my writing. But I still fondly remember that first book of mythology. I must have lost it in a move at some point, because I have no idea where it ended up.
However, I never lost my fascination with myths and legends. And, considering the state of the publishing market, the average reader hasn’t either. You can find mythology-inspired fiction on nearly every bookshelf, whether it’s romance or fantasy or science fiction or literary fiction. We’ve been retelling the same tales, putting our own spin on them, for thousands of years. Several of my young adult books are inspired by Welsh folklore, and over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to use myths and legends in my writing.
DEFINE YOUR NARRATIVE
I believe the reason myths remain a popular narrative is because there is a universal element to them. The protagonists are often larger than life—they might be half-god, trying to escape a prophecy, or building a giant horse to ransack a city. But at the heart of every myth are human qualities: desire, fear, anger, and regret.
By distilling a myth down to those core emotions, writers can get at the most relatable elements of a story. Do you want to tell a story about finding one’s place in the world? About tragedy and regret? Or perhaps a great journey? Dig into what makes a myth so well-liked, and you can improve the relatability of your own writing.
LOOK BEYOND RETELLINGS
In Welsh mythology, the Cauldron of Rebirth is a magical cauldron that does exactly what it advertises: raises the dead. The risen dead could not speak, but they were a deadly army. I remember reading this tale when I was young, and my first thought was, “So they’re zombies, right?”
Years later, when I began outlining a Welsh-inspired tale of an undead uprising (The Bone Houses), I remembered that cauldron. It was the perfect plot point: a magical item that could kick off all of the events of the story. By borrowing ingredients from a famous Welsh myth, I deepened my connection to the folklore-inspired world.
Taking inspiration from myths and legends does not limit you to a simple retelling. You can use settings, plot points, or characters from mythology and include them in anything from a modern literary short story to a zombie horror novel. Lore, by Alexandra Bracken, Blood Scion, by Deborah Falaye, and the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan, are wonderful examples of authors using elements from mythology for modern stories. Your only limit is your own creativity!
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FIND THE HUMAN ELEMENT
Do you have a favorite myth? Think of it, right now. I’ll give you a moment.
Now, what did you think of? Perhaps it was Persephone or Loki or Medusa. But you’ll notice one thing about this list: It’s about the characters involved. Great myths stay with people because we get invested in the characters. Whether they’re a hero or a villain, triumphant or tragic, it’s always about the people. Readers want characters who are memorable and relatable.
At first glance, mythological heroes seem removed from us mere mortals. After all, what could we have in common with demi-gods and magic and prophecies? Quite a lot, actually.
Every mythological figure is driven by something: love, ambition, revenge, desire, hunger, loss, or loneliness. All of those emotions are incredibly human. Whether you are writing from the perspective of a famous mythological figure or creating your own character, determining their motivation will make them compelling to your readers.
FLIP THE PERSPECTIVE
Not all stories have to be about the heroes! If someone mentions The Odyssey, Beowulf, or Norse mythology, you probably first think of Odysseus, Beowulf, and Thor. But you are not limited to writing about the leading characters. By looking outside of the myth’s main characters, you can discover whole new stories. Circe, by Madeline Miller, Grendel, by John Gardner, and The Witch's Heart, by Genevieve Gornichec, are all great examples of taking those respective myths and flipping them on their head.
In my book The Drowned Woods, I pulled inspiration from the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod—a lost sunken kingdom off the western coast of Wales. There are several variations on the tale, but many of them mentioned that a young woman was responsible for the kingdom being drowned. Either through carelessness or malice, she sank the kingdom. But I wondered what the story would be like if it were told from her viewpoint. Would she still be a villainous figure? Or would she prove to be sympathetic?
HAVE FUN!
Many myths are deeply serious and carry heavy themes. Others… are not. One of my favorite tidbits of Welsh folklore is that corgis were believed to be steeds, spies, and messengers for the fairies. That inspired me to write Trefor, a magic-sniffing dog in The Drowned Woods. He proved to be an invaluable part of that book—and a fan favorite character.
Not all myths have to be serious! Sometimes they can be silly or funny. Look for tales and myths that amuse or intrigue you, and then play with them! Seek out the stories that entertain you. If you’re having fun, odds are that your readers will be having fun, too.
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