Special guest Kate Brauning (creator of the Breakthrough Writers' Bootcamp) joins me today to answer a particularly dicey question about original ideas. What if your concept for a new fantasy story has already been done before? Kate and I discuss the current landscape of publishing in the fantasy genre and how to break through the noise with your novel. We also get into strategies for finding success with original ideas, starting with honing your premise. Then we answer a listener question about navigating your media influences and embracing comparisons to your work.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Special guest Kate Brauning (creator of the <a href="https://www.breakthroughwriters.com/">Breakthrough Writers' Bootcamp</a>) joins me today to answer a particularly dicey question about original ideas. What if your concept for a new fantasy story has already been done before? Kate and I discuss the current landscape of publishing in the fantasy genre and how to break through the noise with your novel. We also get into strategies for finding success with original ideas, starting with honing your premise. Then we answer a listener question about navigating your media influences and embracing comparisons to your work.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1g72n6w/what_if_your_idea_has_already_been_done_before/">right here</a>.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

Whether you're a beginner fantasy writer or maybe even a barbarian, Fantasy Writing for Barbarians can help take your story to some exciting new worlds. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock.

Whether you're a beginner fantasy writer or maybe even a barbarian, Fantasy Writing for Barbarians can help take your story to some exciting new worlds. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

InBetweenDrafts is a new destination for the endlessly curious. Founded by the former editors at The Young Folks, we cover the latest news and entertainment across film, books, television, games, music, and more.

InBetweenDrafts is a new destination for the endlessly curious. Founded by the former editors at The Young Folks, we cover the latest news and entertainment across film, books, television, games, music, and more.

InBetweenDrafts

How to find original ideas with Kate Brauning

If your main character is "overpowered," that's not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to make sure you find weaknesses that complement both the character and the story they're driving. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt asking for feedback on a particularly overpowered protagonist. I use plenty of familiar examples of "op" characters done well and discuss the beauty of adding "contradictions" to powerful characters in order to make them more compelling and intriguing to readers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here, as well as the second prompt here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

If your main character is "overpowered," that's not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to make sure you find weaknesses that complement both the character and the story they're driving. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt asking for feedback on a particularly overpowered protagonist. I use plenty of familiar examples of "op" characters done well and discuss the beauty of adding "contradictions" to powerful characters in order to make them more compelling and intriguing to readers.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gvs62a/feedback_for_my_character_idea_science_fiction/">right here</a>, as well as the second prompt <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqzc1s/they_make_it_look_harder_than_it_really_is/">here</a>.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

How to write overpowered protagonists

Let's be real. A lot of authors (especially men like me) tend to fall short when writing female characters, let alone protagonists. There are all kinds of stereotypes, cliches, and blindspots that we're told to avoid. But at a certain point, it can all start to feel like we're fulfilling a checklist. When really, our goal should be to write complex characters that resonate with readers across the gender spectrum.

So today on a special extended episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I don't just give my own advice on writing female protagonists. I bring in some other perspectives too, including an extra prompt and of course some notes from one of our very own producers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here, as well as the second prompt here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Let's be real. A lot of authors (especially men like me) tend to fall short when writing female characters, let alone protagonists. There are all kinds of stereotypes, cliches, and blindspots that we're told to avoid. But at a certain point, it can all start to feel like we're fulfilling a checklist. When really, our goal should be to write complex characters that resonate with readers across the gender spectrum.
So today on a special extended episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I don't just give my own advice on writing female protagonists. I bring in some other perspectives too, including an extra prompt and of course some notes from one of our very own producers.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqxs8a/what_do_you_want_more_or_less_of_in_female/">right here</a>, as well as the second prompt <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqzc1s/they_make_it_look_harder_than_it_really_is/">here</a>.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

How to write female protagonists

This week, Jon Negroni and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Loki in the Underworld.” One Piece 1131 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can either email us (rookiepirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord, where we have a special channel devoted to all things One Piece spoilers. 

Extra Credits:

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1131 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

This week, <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a> and <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/hymastravis/">Travis Hymas</a> discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Loki in the Underworld.” One Piece 1131 is currently available to read for free on <a href="https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/one-piece?locale=en">Viz</a>.
We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can either email us (rookiepirateradio@gmail.com) or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>, where we have a special channel devoted to all things One Piece spoilers. 
Extra Credits:
Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime &amp; Manga editor of <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/our-origin-story/">InBetweenDrafts</a>, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1131 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

How to find original ideas with Kate Brauning

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

In 1 playlist(s)

InBetweenDrafts

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips