diff --git a/evennia/utils/create.py b/evennia/utils/create.py
index 0ba36cefa..fe5aa4eaa 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/create.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/create.py
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ _GA = object.__getattribute__
 
 #
 # Game Object creation
-#
 
-def create_object(typeclass=None, key=None, location=None,
-                  home=None, permissions=None, locks=None,
-                  aliases=None, tags=None, destination=None, report_to=None, nohome=False):
+
+def create_object(typeclass=None, key=None, location=None, home=None,
+                  permissions=None, locks=None, aliases=None, tags=None,
+                  destination=None, report_to=None, nohome=False):
     """
 
     Create a new in-game object.
@@ -110,26 +110,24 @@ def create_object(typeclass=None, key=None, location=None,
 
     # create new instance
     new_object = typeclass(db_key=key, db_location=location,
-                              db_destination=destination, db_home=home,
-                              db_typeclass_path=typeclass.path)
+                           db_destination=destination, db_home=home,
+                           db_typeclass_path=typeclass.path)
     # store the call signature for the signal
-    new_object._createdict = {"key":key, "location":location, "destination":destination,
-                              "home":home, "typeclass":typeclass.path, "permissions":permissions,
-                              "locks":locks, "aliases":aliases, "tags": tags,
-                              "report_to":report_to, "nohome":nohome}
+    new_object._createdict = dict(key=key, location=location, destination=destination, home=home,
+                                  typeclass=typeclass.path, permissions=permissions, locks=locks,
+                                  aliases=aliases, tags=tags, report_to=report_to, nohome=nohome)
     # this will trigger the save signal which in turn calls the
     # at_first_save hook on the typeclass, where the _createdict can be
     # used.
     new_object.save()
     return new_object
 
-#alias for create_object
+# alias for create_object
 object = create_object
 
 
 #
 # Script creation
-#
 
 def create_script(typeclass=None, key=None, obj=None, player=None, locks=None,
                   interval=None, start_delay=None, repeats=None,
@@ -194,19 +192,16 @@ def create_script(typeclass=None, key=None, obj=None, player=None, locks=None,
     new_script = typeclass(**kwarg)
 
     # store the call signature for the signal
-    new_script._createdict = {"key":key, "obj":obj, "player":player,
-                              "locks":locks, "interval":interval,
-                              "start_delay":start_delay, "repeats":repeats,
-                              "persistent":persistent, "autostart":autostart,
-                              "report_to":report_to}
-
+    new_script._createdict = dict(key=key, obj=obj, player=player, locks=locks, interval=interval,
+                                  start_delay=start_delay, repeats=repeats, persistent=persistent,
+                                  autostart=autostart, report_to=report_to)
     # this will trigger the save signal which in turn calls the
     # at_first_save hook on the typeclass, where the _createdict
     # can be used.
     new_script.save()
     return new_script
 
-#alias
+# alias
 script = create_script
 
 
@@ -227,6 +222,7 @@ def create_help_entry(key, entrytext, category="General", locks=None, aliases=No
         entrytext (str): The body of te help entry
         category (str, optional): The help category of the entry.
         locks (str, optional): A lockstring to restrict access.
+        aliases (list of str): List of alternative (likely shorter) keynames.
 
     Returns:
         help (HelpEntry): A newly created help entry.
@@ -260,10 +256,8 @@ help_entry = create_help_entry
 
 #
 # Comm system methods
-#
 
-def create_message(senderobj, message, channels=None,
-                   receivers=None, locks=None, header=None):
+def create_message(senderobj, message, channels=None, receivers=None, locks=None, header=None):
     """
     Create a new communication Msg. Msgs represent a unit of
     database-persistent communication between entites.
@@ -325,7 +319,7 @@ def create_channel(key, aliases=None, desc=None,
         key (str): This must be unique.
 
     Kwargs:
-        aliases (list): List of alternative (likely shorter) keynames.
+        aliases (list of str): List of alternative (likely shorter) keynames.
         desc (str): A description of the channel, for use in listings.
         locks (str): Lockstring.
         keep_log (bool): Log channel throughput.
@@ -346,8 +340,7 @@ def create_channel(key, aliases=None, desc=None,
     new_channel = typeclass(db_key=key)
 
     # store call signature for the signal
-    new_channel._createdict = {"key":key, "aliases":aliases,
-            "desc":desc, "locks":locks, "keep_log":keep_log}
+    new_channel._createdict = dict(key=key, aliases=aliases, desc=desc, locks=locks, keep_log=keep_log)
 
     # this will trigger the save signal which in turn calls the
     # at_first_save hook on the typeclass, where the _createdict can be
@@ -358,11 +351,11 @@ def create_channel(key, aliases=None, desc=None,
 channel = create_channel
 
 
-
 #
 # Player creation methods
 #
 
+
 def create_player(key, email, password,
                   typeclass=None,
                   is_superuser=False,
@@ -426,8 +419,7 @@ def create_player(key, email, password,
                            is_staff=is_superuser, is_superuser=is_superuser,
                            last_login=now, date_joined=now)
     new_player.set_password(password)
-    new_player._createdict = {"locks":locks, "permissions":permissions,
-                              "report_to":report_to}
+    new_player._createdict = dict(locks=locks, permissions=permissions, report_to=report_to)
     # saving will trigger the signal that calls the
     # at_first_save hook on the typeclass, where the _createdict
     # can be used.