Great myths and legends?

You don't want to rewrite mythology! If you are going to write fantasy, you need to be original! If you want to write a fantasy which is unique but base it upon a Greek legend, for instance, select a character or characters who appeal to you, then elaborate upon their story in an unusual and intriguing way. If romance attracts you, particularly tragic romance since the tales of Greek mythology almost always end tragically, you could consider some of the star-crossed lovers. You really need to read the stories yourself before attempting to adapt them for your fantasy; try an anthology of world mythology. When you write, research is requisite unless you are strictly writing fantasy unrelated to anything which has been previously written. I have written two fantasy novels of Atlantis, creating them from my own imagination rather than from reading much of what had been already recorded, since I think that I "receive" a stream-of-consciousness memoir and want my stories to be uniquely mine.

well first of all i'd look at were your story is set and if that's irelevant try to find a myth that fits with wat's going on in your story other then that very general legends that have many versions are fun to use because u can mix mash and match your faveorite parts with stuff of your own creation and also for enriching plots ne myth or legend you could later use for symbolism is great for making a story much deeper sorry i can't give you any specific myth's but id no what kind of plot your story has

In 1975 in upstate NewYork a cave was found by two guys riding their dune buggies in the mountains, upon entering the cave they found armament and gear from the civil war. The guys went and told the smithsonian science institute, they responded with all kinds of gadgets and electronic gizmos. Upon arriving to the caves entrance it had disappeared, here is the catch...George washington encamped at the foot hills of this particular mountain and posted two of his best sentries to gaurd this armory- being as if the british came up the hudson river made it past west point and past bannermans island arsenal, this armory would be indespensible. well, legend has it these sentries were experts in camoflauge and tactics for their day and they were never relieved of duty----- the cave has never been found again.......well only my buddy and I were the only ones looking for it in the mid eighties, I believe I may know where it lyes today- where the mountain folds together- is the only place we didn't look..........hmmmm, makes one think.

Maybe you could try going through Bulfinch's Mythology, and use some of the Greek and Roman myths to enrich your book.

Best of luck!

: )

Japanese, celtic, welsh, norse, chinese greek and roman are all good mythologys but most of whats in roman mythology is taken from greek. I am also writing a few books based on certain mythologys and i enjoy i wish you the same enjoyment.

why not look into some great American folklore like the jersey devil there is hundreds of years of folk lore about this mythical creature,or the elusive Windigo as written about by president Theodore Roosevelt

with all respect to the guy above try the lesser known localised legends such as jackinirons in yorkshire. the knockers, the bwca etc

Celtic/Welsh mythology in medieval time is hot right now. I would look into it.