I think it is generally known that writers…or any artists, really…are affected by the times they grow up on and the “big issues” that shape their culture. Politics, racial issues, the economy, religion, terrorism. Characters, plots and themes all tend to be driven by these overt or subconscious influences on an author’s psyche.
To prove the point, the folks over it io9 have put together a graph that correlates the various monster movies and novels that have come out with the natural disasters, plagues, wars, etc. of the century. Atom bombs create humongous critters. HIV/AIDS may have sparked the fascination with vampires and zombies. And how many big destructo films have been placed in NYC so far, with an obvious hat tip to the 9/11 event? Can you look at your own writing and see an event or theme that inspired you to create a monster, villain, or otherwise deadly premise?
http://io9.com/384871/do-giant-disasters-provide-inspiration-for-giant-monster-movies
The graph is probably a bit small in the post, but you can click through to see the full size blowup and article.
I see that smile.