Dragons (and Wyverns) in Fantasy Fiction

Long before G.R.R. Martin’s take on dragons fanned the flames of controversy (Are they wyverns? Are they dragons? Do we need to know?), the inner workings of these fire-breathing creatures were already sparking flaming-hot debates.

Dragons are a staple of fantasy, but they also represent the genre’s rather finicky nature: they cannot be too over the top, as then the audience will stop suspending their disbelief. But equally, they cannot be too grounded either, because their very existence is impossible.

In this blog post, two fantasy writers and a fantasy editor share their tips about and passion for dragons!

First up, here’s what Maxime Duranté, the novelist behind the Pangar world and Those Who Serve series (which features griffins AND dragons!) has to say:

Three questions about dragons to ask yourself when drafting

I think dragons present unique challenges that can be expanded upon to create interesting story opportunities. Here are a few questions you may ask yourself if you decide to include them in your story:

What are the dragons' sources of energy?

Are dragons magical creatures that can feed off a mana crystal, or do they actually have to hunt? The logistics of dragon food are rarely shown in fiction, yet it is painfully apparent that a living creature the size of a Boeing 747—that’s an eight-year-old specimen in House of the Dragon, by the way—would need a dedicated supply line of whatever it eats. While this isn’t too much of an issue when talking about the movements of vast armies that the dragon accompanies, it might be more difficult to sustain a huge individual over extended periods of time. This is precisely why apex predators, such as sharks and alligators, tend to remain motionless until prey comes by. Keeping this issue in mind allows for a wider array of storyworld solutions to keep dragon sizes in check, take down a seemingly unbeatable dragon, or find uses for smaller dragons outside of pitched battles or sieges.

How do they breathe fire?

Again, this can either be “solved” magically or biologically. In any case, knowing how your dragons breathe fire means you also know when they cannot. The latter part is essential when you wish to engage the audience, because it can build dramatic tension. The same way people count how many bullets a revolver has shot, they could be counting down the number of fire jets your dragons have left during a fight. How many seconds worth of inflammable liquid can they store in their bodies? How do they replenish their “ammunition”? Can they control the duration of their fiery breath? Many writers design amazing magic systems, yet they forget that all these parameters can be tweaked in the exact same way.

How can they be controlled, or better yet, tamed?

Dragons are usually depicted as willing to serve whoever rides them in the story. Of course, this begs the questions—why, and how? Why, because there has to be a motivation for such a mighty beast to bow to a rider. How, because it is not very likely that a creature this big will react to a traditional saddle and riding-net combination. Telepathic links are often used to explain the bond between dragons and riders; they also provide a convenient explanation for navigation purposes. There are, of course, other ways to solve this issue, and even a magical link could need some sort of relay, in the form of a gemstone, for instance—something that can be damaged and destroyed in combat. Depending on the chosen method, dragons could be incapacitated, disoriented, or even set loose on their former masters.

Five tips about dragons to consider when revising your novel

Now it’s time for an editor's perspective. Here are five tips from Aimée Hill of AJ Editorial Services:

1. Dragons exist in real mythology all over the world. Readers may arrive at your novel with preexisting notions of what dragons look like and their abilities. Be sure that you know whether you are working with these presumptions or against them.

2. Following on from that, while dragons aren't the first pitfall that comes to mind when you think of authenticity reading, this is still something to consider. Particularly if your dragon lore is pulling direct from an existing mythology, be sure that you are being respectful and accurate about the cultures you might be representing.

3. Dragons come in all shapes and sizes. Consider the shape and size of your dragon (or of each of them) before you get to scene writing. In the sky, two riders on dragons with teeny wings may be able to hear each other. But those on dragons with six-foot wing spans may not. Inside, picture the difference between a big, excited Labrador with a sweeping tail and a tiny little Jack Russell in a small living room. One will cause more chaos than the other.

4. What abilities do your dragons have? It is pretty safe to assume they can fly. But any other powers should be well considered. It is very easy to have a power crop up as a sort of deus ex machina if you don't introduce it properly ahead of time.

5. How long do your dragons live for? If you're the kind of writer who has considered the history and lore of your world going back long before the time your characters are living through, dragon lifespan might be a consideration. This is especially true if your dragons are at all sentient. If your plot hinges on some ancient secret, your five-thousand-year-old dragon will have some explaining to do if they don't already know it.

   
   

What about the wyvern versus dragon question?

I asked indie author Jon Cronshaw of Wyvern Books for his take on the matter:

Traditionally, wyverns are two-legged dragons that often have a poisonous barb at the end of their tail. They don't breathe fire, unlike dragons. I prefer wyverns in my book because I wanted a dragon-like creature but with a difference. In my world, wyverns manipulate minds and emotions, and they come in all shapes and sizes. They rely more on their wit than brute strength. And they never breathe fire.

Oh, and if you’re looking for a fantasy book with wyverns and dragons, then check out Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night.

And to finish. . .

We hope you found these tips useful. If you have any more worldbuilding questions about dragons, just get in touch! You can also check out Maxime’s, Aimée’s, and Jon’s work here:

Maxime Duranté works in tandem with his co-author Marion Roudaut to craft an epic fantasy setting across several media: on their platform, www.pangar.fr, they combine traditional storytelling and extensive encyclopedic material with the visual novel format.

Aimée Hill is a fantasy fiction editor who lives in the worlds of your novels. She also works as a commissioning editor for the independent fantasy publisher Asteria Press. 

Jon Cronshaw is a best-selling author of fantasy and speculative fiction. He crafts nobledark worlds of adventure and escapism where flawed heroes follow their own moral compass. https://joncronshaw.com/