Questioons About Mermaids

[Abriella]

So I am writing a fantasy involving mermaids and was hoping someone could maybe help me out with some ideas...

1. I am wanting to get creative with their appearance (such as unusual hair, eye or skin color, the possibility of gills, full scaled bodies, webbed hands or variations of tails and fins.).

2. What apparel or accessories, if any, they might use...

3. What tools and everyday things they might use and own?

4. What do they eat and what kind of places would they live?

5. Are mermaids immortal and can they change into humans on will?

6. Why are merfolk afraid or forbidden to interact with humans?

7. What are some good reasons someone might want to capture one?

8. What are some precious or sacred items mermaids might have that the outside world might want?

I apologize, I know this is a lot but if you are interested in brainstorming with me I would love to hear your ideas and please feel free to go as in depth into any of these subjects as possible! I am hoping something can help me spark some really good ideas!!!

P.s. I would like to make this as realistic as possible so please don't troll or give really cheesy ideas. I am looking for in depth thougts on these subjects

[Mermaid Enhydrina]

You might want to check out this thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?5504-The-Mer-Writers-Thread&highlight=writer

Other than that, I'd say just look at different kinds mermaid art and stuff like that to get inspiration.

[Raayvhen]

Omg. There's literally hundreds of threads on this forum discussing all your questions.

[deepblue]

Whenever this line of questions is asked, I have to wonder, why is this person writing about a subject they don't know anything about? But I only wonder, I don't actually need an answer. Your best bet is to research mermaids on your own. And yes, check the Mer Writer's thread linked in the first reply- but we talk more about writing there than the kind of thing you are asking.

[Seatan]

Whenever this line of questions is asked, I have to wonder, why is this person writing about a subject they don't know anything about? But I only wonder, I don't actually need an answer. Your best bet is to research mermaids on your own. And yes, check the Mer Writer's thread linked in the first reply- but we talk more about writing there than the kind of thing you are asking.

Guys, she was just asking for some ideas. It's not like she is trying to write a book set in seventeenth century Europe and hasn't bothered to hit a library. Mermaids are fantasy, all made up. She wanted to know if anyone is interested in brainstorming with her on ideas for her own made up version of mermaids. It's certainly not harmful and people can chime in if they wish. No need to knock her down.

[deepblue]

The fact that they're fantasy is exactly why I replied as I did. Not knocking the OP down at all.

People can feel free to brainstorm all they want, no one is stopping that.

But it looks less like brainstorming and more like asking for someone to tell them what to write. Good luck though, Abriella (http://mernetwork.com/index/member.php?4817-Abriella).

[Raayvhen]

But it looks less like brainstorming and more like asking for someone to tell them what to write.My thoughts exactly.

[Abriella]

Thank you everyone who has replied, I appreciate your time :) I apologize if this was the wrong way to ask, I have actually done a bit of research and read several folktales and myths on mermaids but was hoping to get some unique and differing opinions on the matter... I was not looking for someone to write the story for me or trying to ask you what I should write, just wondering if anyone else on here has pondered the same things and would like to share their ideas and maybe help me put an intriguing and unique spin on such things. I know not everyone works this way but I am someone whose imagination is best sparked by asking detailed questions and then being able to collaborate and contemplate on them with others.

I did read through the link provided earlier and appreciate it but as already stated it is mainly speaking of writing but not actually going over any such questions that I had so if anyone else has a link that may have more information I would be grateful as I can't seem to find any of the hundreds of threads stated to discus these things?

[Raayvhen]

You just have to dig! I randomly searched about your food question and habitat question and found all these! Also? There's a whole category for tops and accessories.

Food: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1587-Herbivorous-And-Omnivorous-Merfolk-Which-Would-You-Be&highlight=Mermaids+eat
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?6639-Mermaids-and-Seafood&highlight=Mermaids
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2429-Mermaid-eating-seafood&highlight=Habitat


Habitat: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2134-Where-Would-You-Live&highlight=Habitat
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?4257-An-underwater-home&highlight=Habitat


Tops/clothing http://mernetwork.com/index/forumdisplay.php?28-Tops-and-Clothing


Accessories http://mernetwork.com/index/forumdisplay.php?29-Accessories

[Abriella]

Thank you! I will look into all of these!