How to unlock your fantasy writing potential

One of the hardest things about writing a fantasy novel (or any novel) is starting. Where do you even begin? And how do you know if you're even ready? Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I talk all about overcoming those creative blocks that can mess up our writing process. Especially if you'…

How to write love interests who aren't one-dimensional

If you're writing a fantasy romance — or maybe just a fantasy with some romance — then at some point you're probably going to wonder if your love interest is compelling enough. Readers typically bemoan one-dimensional love interests who don't really have their own character arcs. When they're just …

How to make your fantasy map feel true-to-life

Most fantasy stories benefit from a great map. But is it really ok to draw upon real-world geography as inspiration? Well, yeah! There are certainly some do's and don'ts when it comes to mirroring real locations, but it usually comes down to when and how you start thinking about your setting as a l…

How to find original ideas with Kate Brauning

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 g…

How to make your inciting incident make sense

Your inciting incident is going to be one of the most crucial moments in your entire story. No pressure, of course. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt from a fantasy writer who's having trouble making logical and emotional sense out of their inciting incident. Plu…

How to create fantastical worlds that aren't overwhelming

We all want our stories to be fantastical and original. But when does a novel have "too many things?" Balancing fantastical elements with simple, efficient storytelling is a serious challenge, but that's where this podcast comes in. Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I dig into a prompt from …

How to hook readers in the first scene with Craig Hanks

Special guest Craig Hanks (host of The Legendarium Podcast) joins me today as our first official guest here on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians to talk all about hooking readers with your first scene. We critique the first 240 words of a dark fantasy excerpt, which focuses on the concept of possessi…

How to develop smart themes without even trying

First of all, what even are themes? In this episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, Jon Negroni takes a look at the intricacies of themes and how we should look at them as authors. He starts by reacting to a recent comment from one of our listeners and then discusses the role of themes as oppose…

How to craft a believable fantasy setting with nuance

In today's episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, Jon Negroni discusses the intricacies of crafting compelling in-world societies, focusing on the role of historical context and the nuances of belief systems within fantasy settings. Jon also encourages writers to explore their ideas deeply and …

How to make your worldbuilding more efficient and meaningful

Balancing effective worldbuilding with efficient plot progression can be a true challenge when writing fantasy. You want your readers to immerse themselves in the world you've created, but when is the right time to even come up with all the lore? Before you start drafting? During? After? Never?  O…