Your Alien Species Creation Process

[Enforcer Productions]

I was just thinking about my personal process of creating an alien species, and was wondering what other people's process would be. And as the guy starting this thread, I'll go first.

When I make an alien species, I use two methods when figuring out the basic idea.

1. Their purpose in my story: When I use this method, I try to figure out what role they'll play in my universe, economically or otherwise, and build from there.

2. The planet they live on: This is the method I use when I have a certain planet in mind, which I use to try to come up with environmental adaptations for that specific planet.

Whichever method I use, it gives me a base to develop from. Even details about their culture are made with this in mind.

 

[Biskit]

I approach it the same way I write the story. I'm a dedicated pantser, so I make it up as I go along.

 

[scarpelius]

I recently used Terran zoology to portray an alien species in a project I am working on.

 

[Joshua Jones]

I have the same basic process as the OP, although I have to say that my WiP features exactly zero aliens. There is a non-human sentient group, but they are part of an organic construct for terraforming planets which has gone...somewhat off plan.