As a part of my pursuit of a Masters in Creative Technologies, I embarked on the creation of an illustrated book, drawing inspiration from the styles seen in Wayne Barlowe's "Expedition" and Dougal Dixon's "After Man." The narrative unfolded as a tale of a man exploring an alien world, meticulously documenting its unique wildlife.

The challenge presented was to envision 10 creatures that could thrive in the harsh environment of a fire world. While conventional wisdom might dictate creating creatures akin to lizards, given their adaptability to hot climates, I was moved by the unconventional approach showcased in the works that inspired me. Thus, my creations transcended norms, drawing from diverse sources such as fish, lizards, felines, cattle, birds, and even parasites. The rich tapestry of creatures featured in this work emerged from extensive research into the speculative biology genre, coupled with exploration of evolution and wildlife encyclopedias.

This project marked a significant shift in my understanding of what it means to be a writer. Narrating the story from the first-person perspective of Jovanny Gamble, a character from another illustrated project on this platform, provided a unique challenge. Notably, the planet Jovanny explores belongs to the "Columns of Creation" creative universe, representing my initial attempt at interconnecting two fictional works.

Beyond this, I faced the additional challenge of adopting a pseudo-scientific voice. Delving into various works of fiction, including J.K. Rowling's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," enabled me to strike a delicate balance between the scientific tones of Barlowe and Dixon and the more fable/mythological elements present in Rowling's work. This endeavor broadened my creative horizons, exemplifying my ability to navigate diverse narrative styles and tones within the realm of speculative fiction.