Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into one of the most intriguing challenges in fantasy storytelling: crafting trials and competitions that are dangerous, high-stakes, and compelling—without relying on combat!

Inspired by an author prompt, we brainstorm creative ways to test a character’s worthiness for the "throne" beyond the typical sword fights and archery contests. From uncovering court conspiracies to brokering high-risk negotiations, we explore how fantasy trials can emphasize intelligence, diplomacy, and even necromantic abilities.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. 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.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we&rsquo;re diving into one of the most intriguing challenges in fantasy storytelling: crafting trials and competitions that are dangerous, high-stakes, and compelling&mdash;without relying on combat!
Inspired by an author prompt, we brainstorm creative ways to test a character&rsquo;s worthiness for the "throne" beyond the typical sword fights and archery contests. From uncovering court conspiracies to brokering high-risk negotiations, we explore how fantasy trials can emphasize intelligence, diplomacy, and even necromantic abilities.
Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a> and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1ix6m8e/tests_or_competitions_for_marriage_candidates/">right here.</a>
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians&lsquo; host is&nbsp;<a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of&nbsp;The Pixar Theory,&nbsp;Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.
Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</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 Write Dangerous Trials and Competitions Without Combat

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a spooky-good question! Does horror count as fantasy? Jon dives into how genres overlap, why dark fantasy works best when it steals from horror’s toolset, and how to write sinister bargains, magical villains, and terrifying atmospheres that feel both otherworldly and grounded. Plus, we unpack a listener’s chilling prologue and explore what makes horror feel fantastical even without dragons or spells.

Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord (https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2) and let us know what's on your mind.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera Magazine. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we&rsquo;re answering a spooky-good question! Does horror count as fantasy? Jon dives into how genres overlap, why dark fantasy works best when it steals from horror&rsquo;s toolset, and how to write sinister bargains, magical villains, and terrifying atmospheres that feel both otherworldly and grounded. Plus, we unpack a listener&rsquo;s chilling prologue and explore what makes horror feel fantastical even without dragons or spells.
Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com&nbsp;or&nbsp;join our Discord (<a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2)">https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2)</a> and let us know what's on your mind.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians&lsquo; host is&nbsp;<a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of&nbsp;The Pixar Theory,&nbsp;Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on <a href="https://ceteramagazine.com">Cetera Magazine</a>. 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>.
Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a>

How to Know When Horror Counts as Fantasy

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a hot-button question from the fantasy writing subreddit: is it bad if most of your novel is just people talking? Jon digs into why dialogue-heavy scenes can tank your pacing, when they actually work, and how to build a more dynamic scene structure that doesn’t feel like filler between the “cool stuff.”

You can check out the r/fantasywriters prompt we referenced right here.

Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera Magazine. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we&rsquo;re answering a hot-button question from the fantasy writing subreddit: is it bad if most of your novel is just people talking? Jon digs into why dialogue-heavy scenes can tank your pacing, when they actually work, and how to build a more dynamic scene structure that doesn&rsquo;t feel like filler between the &ldquo;cool stuff.&rdquo;
You can check out the r/fantasywriters prompt we referenced right <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1olywcy/a_massive_chunk_of_my_word_count_is_people_just/">here</a>.
Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a> and let us know what's on your mind.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians&lsquo; host is&nbsp;<a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, author of&nbsp;The Pixar Theory,&nbsp;Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on <a href="https://ceteramagazine.com">Cetera Magazine</a>. 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>.
Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a>

How to Avoid Chapters Where Characters Just Talk

Pete Campbell takes the wheel and crashes straight into an existential pileup in one of Mad Men’s sharpest, saddest hours. On this episode of Mad Men Men, Jon Negroni, Will Ashton, and Mike Overhulse unpack Season 5, Episode 5, “Signal 30,” directed by John Slattery and co-written by Matthew Weiner and Frank Pierson (Dog Day Afternoon). We break down Pete’s slow-motion unraveling, the infamous office fight, and what Ken’s sci-fi side hustle really says about corporate life.

In case you’re new here, Mad Men Men recaps Mad Men through the perspectives of three different types of viewers: a first-timer, a first-time rewatcher, and someone who thought the best way to deal with their feelings about Don Draper was to start a podcast.

EXTRA CREDITS

Matthew Weiner created Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is “Mad Men Men” by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show’s opening theme “A Beautiful Mine” by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include Jon Negroni (Podcast Editor of InBetweenDrafts), Will Ashton (cohost of the Cinemaholics podcast), and Michael Overhulse (a guy who’s addicted to working at startups).

We’ll be back soon to discuss Season 5 Episode 6, titled “Far Away Places.” Subscribe to Mad Men Men on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever else podcasts are, ahem, advertised.

Pete Campbell takes the wheel and crashes straight into an existential pileup in one of Mad Men&rsquo;s sharpest, saddest hours. On this episode of Mad Men Men, Jon Negroni, Will Ashton, and Mike Overhulse unpack Season 5, Episode 5, &ldquo;Signal 30,&rdquo; directed by John Slattery and co-written by Matthew Weiner and Frank Pierson (Dog Day Afternoon). We break down Pete&rsquo;s slow-motion unraveling, the infamous office fight, and what Ken&rsquo;s sci-fi side hustle really says about corporate life.
In case you&rsquo;re new here, Mad Men Men recaps Mad Men through the perspectives of three different types of viewers: a first-timer, a first-time rewatcher, and someone who thought the best way to deal with their feelings about Don Draper was to start a podcast.
EXTRA CREDITS
Matthew Weiner created&nbsp;Mad Men, which aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. The show stars Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Robert Morse, and many more. Our intro music is &ldquo;Mad Men Men&rdquo; by Tom Davidson, which is an original remix of the show&rsquo;s opening theme &ldquo;A Beautiful Mine&rdquo; by RJD2. Podcast illustration is by Jon Negroni. Our podcast hosts include <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>&nbsp;(Podcast Editor of&nbsp;InBetweenDrafts),&nbsp;<a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/iamwillashton/">Will Ashton</a>&nbsp;(cohost of the&nbsp;Cinemaholics&nbsp;podcast), and&nbsp;<a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/moverhulse/">Michael Overhulse</a>&nbsp;(a guy who&rsquo;s addicted to working at startups).
We&rsquo;ll be back soon to discuss Season 5 Episode 6, titled &ldquo;Far Away Places.&rdquo; Subscribe to Mad Men Men&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mad-men-men/id1631961565">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4Fz9ohgwzqZDWS1PTDSI4F">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvNjJhOTUxMTAtMDQ5My00MDg2LWJmOGUtYTcwOTAxNmNmMDY1LzVhMGY2MTljLTY1NjktNGQwMS1iNDcxLWFlYzIwMDEzNTdmNC9iYTE0YmFkNS1hNmVmLTRkZDMtYTY2MS1hZWMyMDAxNjE1MjkvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>, or wherever else podcasts are, ahem, advertised.

How to Write Dangerous Trials and Competitions Without Combat

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

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