When people think of shark biologists, they often picture someone in a wetsuit, swimming alongside sleek predators, braving the ocean's depths to study these enigmatic creatures. When people think of fantasy writers, they envision someone tucked behind a desk, crafting worlds and characters that exist only in the imagination. On the surface, these two careers might seem worlds apart—one rooted in scientific exploration and the other in creative storytelling. But for me, my journey as a shark biologist has profoundly shaped my identity as a fantasy writer, and the two passions are more intertwined than most would think.
The ocean is a place of wonder, a realm of endless discovery, and sharks have been my gateway to understanding the beauty and complexity of the natural world. They’ve also been my most outstanding teachers, inspiring not only my love for science but also my ability to craft compelling fantasy worlds. Let me take you on a journey into how studying sharks—those strange, varied, almost otherworldly creatures—has made me a better fantasy writer.
Sharks: The Dr. Seuss Creatures of the Ocean
When I first fell in love with sharks, it wasn’t just because they were powerful or mysterious; it was because they were so wonderfully strange. They might as well have been characters from a Dr. Seuss book. Think about it: the goblin shark with its elongated snout and retractable jaws, like something out of a sci-fi movie. The mega-mouth shark, which looks like it swallowed a cartoon vacuum cleaner. The cookie-cutter shark is a tiny predator that leaves perfect circles in its prey, as if carving out bite-sized snacks. My favorite is the nurse shark, a gentle, bottom-dwelling species with a name that evokes care and calmness rather than predation.
Sharks are as varied as they are fascinating. They come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, each uniquely adapted to its environment. This diversity taught me that the real and imagined world is full of surprises. When I sit down to create a fantasy world, I think about the goblin shark’s bizarre anatomy or the nurse shark’s peaceful demeanor. These creatures remind me that generic dragons or elves do not just populate the best fantasy worlds, but by beings with quirks, contradictions, and unexpected traits. The more unusual and specific, the better.
For example, when I design a fantastical species or race, I think about how they might develop in their environment. Would they develop bioluminescent skin like deep-sea sharks to navigate their dark world? Would they have unique hunting strategies like the thresher shark’s whip-like tail? Sharks have shown me that there’s no limit to the imagination with biology, and that’s a lesson I carry into every story I write.
The “How” and “Why” of Everything
One of the most valuable skills I’ve gained as a shark biologist is the ability to ask endless, curious, probing questions. Why does the goblin shark have that weird snout? How does the cookie-cutter shark carve out perfect circles without getting caught? Why are nurse sharks so docile compared to their more aggressive relatives? The process of asking “how” and “why” has been central to my work as a scientist, and it’s a mindset that has deeply influenced my writing.
When building a fantasy world, it’s easy to get caught up in the “what”—the surface-level details like what a kingdom looks like or what a magical creature can do. But as a shark biologist, I’ve learned that the “how” and “why” make a world genuinely immersive. How does this magical kingdom sustain itself? Why do these creatures have wings instead of fins? How does the ecosystem of this world function?
For example, I created a race of amphibious humanoids in one of my fantasy stories who live in underwater cities. Instead of just saying, “They live underwater,” I dug deeper. I thought about how they might have evolved to breathe air and water, their diet, and how their society would be structured around the ocean’s tides. This level of detail made the world feel more real and helped me connect more deeply with the characters and their struggles.
Science is all about seeking answers, and fantasy writing is no different. The more questions I ask about my worlds and characters, the richer and more believable they become. Sharks taught me to keep asking questions and fueled my curiosity, which drives my scientific and creative work.
Embracing the Unknown
One of the most humbling aspects of studying sharks is realizing how much we still don’t know about them. Despite centuries of research, there are still mysteries about their behavior, migration patterns, and basic biology. This sense of the unknown can frustrate, but it’s also exhilarating. It’s a reminder that the world is vast, complex, and full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
As a fantasy writer, I’ve learned to embrace the unknown in my storytelling. Not every question needs an answer, and not every mystery needs to be solved. Sometimes, the most interesting stories are the ones that leave room for wonder and speculation. Just as the ocean guards secrets we may never fully uncover, a captivating fantasy world should pulse with mystery—concealing hidden histories, weaving ancient magic, and harboring creatures that defy explanation.
In one of my stories, I introduced a mythical sea creature that no one had ever seen but that everyone feared. Instead of describing the creature, I focused on the legends and rumors surrounding it. This allowed readers to imagine the creature for themselves, making it even more terrifying and intriguing. My experience as a shark biologist taught me that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that leave a little to the imagination.
The Power of Observation
Studying sharks requires keen observation skills. Whether it’s watching how a nurse shark moves along the ocean floor or noting the feeding habits of a hammerhead, paying attention to the most minor details is crucial. This skill has been invaluable in my writing. When creating a fantasy world, it’s the little details that make it come alive—the way a character fidgets when they’re nervous, the sound of wind rustling through alien trees, the texture of a dragon’s scales.
Observation also extends to understanding human behavior. As a biologist, I’ve spent countless hours working with people—fellow researchers, fishermen, conservationists—and observing how they interact with each other and with the natural world. This has given me insight into the complexities of human relationships, which I bring to my characters and their interactions. Every shark has a personality and quirks, and so does every character I write.
Conservation and Conflict
Advocating for conservation is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a shark biologist. People often misunderstand and vilify sharks, so I work to shift public perception and fight to protect these incredible creatures. This has taught me a lot about conflict—how to navigate disagreements, build alliances, and fight for what I believe in.
In my fantasy writing, conflict is at the heart of every story. Whether it’s a battle between kingdoms or an internal struggle within a character, the lessons I’ve learned from conservation work have helped me write more nuanced and interesting conflicts. I’ve also drawn inspiration from sharks' challenges—overfishing, habitat destruction, climate change—and woven similar themes into my stories. Just as sharks are fighting for survival in a changing world, so too are many of my characters.
A Deep Connection to Nature
Above all, being a shark biologist has given me a deep appreciation for the natural world. The ocean is a place of beauty, danger, and endless wonder; sharks are its ambassadors. This connection to nature has profoundly influenced my fantasy writing. The landscapes and ecosystems I’ve encountered in my work—vast oceans, towering coral reefs, and shadowy kelp forests—often shape my worlds.
Nature is the ultimate source of inspiration, and sharks have shown me that the real world is just as magical as any fantasy realm. Drawing on my biologist experiences, I strive to create worlds that feel alive, vibrant, and full of wonder.
Conclusion
Being a shark biologist has shaped me in ways I never imagined. It has taught me to marvel at the strange and unusual, to ask questions and seek answers, and to embrace the unknown. It has given me the tools to create rich, immersive worlds and complex, compelling characters. Most importantly, it has reminded me that science and storytelling are two sides of the same coin—both driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for discovery.
So the next time you see a shark, whether a fearsome great white or a gentle nurse shark, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and strangeness. You might just find a spark of inspiration for your own story. After all, the ocean is full of tales waiting to be told, and sharks are some of its greatest storytellers.