I absolutely love writing children’s fantasy stories! Over the past few years, I’ve discovered how much fun it is to create magical worlds, unforgettable characters, and mysterious places filled with wonder. But my excitement for fantasy began with one of my favourite series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. These books, with their blend of Greek mythology and modern-day adventures, inspired me so much that I decided to write my own story, Benedict Bagshaw and The Arborels.
Why Percy Jackson is So Amazing
When Rick Riordan wrote Percy Jackson, he took the fascinating world of Greek myths, full of gods, monsters, and heroes, and placed it in today’s world. This unique idea inspired so many readers (including me!) to fall in love with fantasy stories. Percy Jackson didn’t feel like just another book. It felt like a friend guiding me into a magical world, and it showed me how powerful storytelling can be.
Percy Jackson is more than just an exciting adventure; it’s a story filled with bravery, friendship, and real-life lessons. As I worked on my book, I kept thinking about what made Percy Jackson so special. I wanted Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels to bring the same excitement and wonder to readers.
Let’s dive into some of the biggest ways Percy Jackson helped me create Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels. Maybe you’ll even get some ideas if you’re thinking of writing your own story!
1. Mixing Magic with Everyday Life
One thing that blew me away in Percy Jackson’s world was how Rick Riordan took ancient Greek myths and made them part of our everyday lives. Imagine gods and mythical creatures showing up in the real world! This made everything feel exciting and close to home.
Finding Magic in Nature
For my book, I wanted to bring magic into a familiar place, too. Instead of focusing on gods and myths, Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels is set in a mysterious forest where nature itself is alive with magic. This enchanted forest, called the Forest of Egalon, has trees that speak, plants that are alive, and woodland creatures with magical powers. By creating a magical forest, I hoped to make readers feel as if the trees and animals they see every day might be full of secrets, just like Percy Jackson’s world.
The Big Idea
Percy Jackson taught me that you can create a magical world that feels close to home. By choosing a familiar place, like a forest, I hope readers feel both amazed and connected to the magic in Benedict’s world.
2. Writing Relatable Characters with Real Problems
Percy Jackson is a kid with real problems. He faces bullies, has trouble in school, and worries about family, things that many of us can relate to. That’s part of what makes Percy such a great hero. He isn’t perfect, but he grows and learns along the way.
Creating Benedict Bagshaw
In Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels, Benedict is also a kid dealing with real-life challenges, like feeling uncertain about himself and wondering where he fits in. But in the Forest of Egalon, he starts discovering his strengths, facing fears, and learning to believe in himself. Just like Percy, Benedict isn’t some superhuman hero, he’s a kid learning to overcome challenges. And that’s what makes him so relatable.
What I Learned
Readers need characters they can look up to and relate to. I wanted Benedict’s journey to be exciting but also realistic, so kids could see themselves in him and find their own courage along with him.
3. Keeping the Adventure Going with Surprises and Suspense
Have you ever stayed up late reading because you couldn’t wait to see what happened next? Percy Jackson is full of these moments, with cliffhangers and surprising twists that make you want to keep reading.
Adventure in Every Chapter
In Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels, I tried to bring that same sense of adventure to every chapter. Benedict and his friends face new challenges and mysteries around every corner. Whether they’re figuring out ancient secrets or facing magical creatures in the Forest, there’s always something exciting happening.
The Goal
By adding lots of suspense and adventure, I wanted readers to feel that thrill of “What happens next?” every time they turn the page, just like with Percy Jackson.
4. Creating a Unique Kind of Magic
One of the coolest parts of Percy Jackson is how characters have special powers based on their divine parentage. It gives each character a unique magic that feels fresh and exciting. This inspired me to create a magic system that’s connected to nature.
The Magic of Nature
In Benedict Bagshaw and The Arborels, characters have abilities that tie them to nature. Benedict, for example, can communicate with ancient trees and understand the language of the forest. This nature-based magic not only makes the world feel more alive but also encourages readers to see nature as something worth protecting and appreciating.
A Different Kind of Magic
This type of magic isn’t about casting spells, it’s about respecting and understanding the natural world. I wanted to create a unique magic system that would make readers think differently about the world around them.
5. Focusing on Friendship, Family, and Self-Discovery
Percy Jackson’s story isn’t just about fighting monsters; it’s also about loyalty, friendship, and finding out who you really are. These themes make the story feel personal and meaningful.
Friendship and Growth in The Arborels
In Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels, Benedict and his friends learn to rely on each other and value their unique strengths. Each character has a special role in the group, like being able to decipher ancient symbols or courageously facing magical creatures. Through their adventures, they grow closer, discovering that their differences make them stronger.
Why This Matters
Themes like friendship and self-discovery are important because they remind us that being brave and working together can help us overcome anything. Just as Percy Jackson learns about himself, Benedict learns to believe in himself and his friends.
6. Being Original While Drawing Inspiration
Although Percy Jackson inspired my story, I wanted Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels to be its own unique tale. From a forest filled with magical creatures to a magic system based on nature, I made sure my story had its own fresh ideas.
Making It My Own
It’s okay to be inspired by great stories like Percy Jackson. But I learned that it’s also important to create something original that feels unique. Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels combines elements of adventure, nature, and magic in ways that I hope will give readers a fresh perspective and a new world to explore.
Conclusion: A New Adventure Awaits!
Percy Jackson opened up a world of magic, mythology, and adventure for readers everywhere. By mixing real-life challenges with fantasy, Rick Riordan created a story that feels both exciting and real. Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels continues this legacy by bringing fantasy into a magical forest, where nature itself is alive and filled with wonder.
For readers and future writers alike, Benedict Bagshaw and the Arborels shows that stories have the power to connect us with ourselves and the world around us. If you love fantasy, adventure, and stories about friendship and bravery, I hope my book will inspire you just as Percy Jackson inspired me.
So, are you ready to dive into a world of mystery and magic? Grab a book, start writing, and remember, fantasy is closer than you think. Just take a look around and imagine the magic hidden in everyday places!