How to Write a Myth

How to Write a Myth:   World-building is one of the most important and complex aspects of writing fiction. It’s the home for your story, the place where your characters live, die, lose, and win. One way to enrich the world of your story is to create mythology. Even if you aren’t writing fantasy, mythology can benefit your story. Consider creating urban myths for your fictional town or a dark past for your haunted house. Myths permeate every culture and without them, your fictional ones risk feeling hollow. This article will help you get started constructing your own mythology for your story’s world. What is a Myth?  At its core, a myth is a story. Steeped in tradition and passed down through generations, myths are stories that help us make sense of our world. They can teach us a lesson, explain phenomena, and entertain us. Dictionary.com defines “myth” as a “widely held, but false belief”. The important parts of that definition are “widely held” and “belief”. A myth is more than just a popular story; it is often tied to religion or spirituality. Gods and other supernatural beings star in mythology and while many discount myths as fiction, there are just as many who believe in them.  Keep this in mind as you develop the myths for your story’s world. Think about which of your characters will believe and who will doubt. Do they believe the myths as just an ancient tale or does it shape their behaviour? Is it part of their religion or background? Your myths should function as more than fun stories your characters talk about. They should serve a purpose in your world.   Types of Myths There are many types of myths, but in this article, I will be focusing on three basic types: creation,...
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