Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're responding to an email from a listener who wants to know how they can incorporate humor and levity in their dark fantasy novel. They specifically reference Terry Pratchett, so I take a close look at how this works and why it seems far more effortless than it actually is. Check out my latest short story, out now in the anthology "If I Die Before I Wake Vol. 10: Tales of Cryptid Chaos" in hardcover and paperback (https://us.amazon.com/If-Die-Before-Wake-Cryptid-ebook/dp/B0G34VBT41) 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re digging into a question a lot of fantasy writers are quietly wrestling with: has modern fantasy been reshaped by short attention spans? Using Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness as a jumping‑off point, Jon talks about why “hook them on page one” isn’t a universal law, how slow and challenging books earn their payoff, and why contemporary craft advice often confuses market pressures with actual storytelling quality. Check out my latest short story, out now in the anthology "If I Die Before I Wake Vol. 10: Tales of Cryptid Chaos" in hardcover and paperback (https://us.amazon.com/If-Die-Before-Wake-Cryptid-ebook/dp/B0G34VBT41) 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're answering a pretty thorny question. When it comes to young adult and adult fantasy, what are the real differences? There are a lot of rules and exceptions to the rules, so it can be a little tricky figuring out how to market your book to the right readers, and plenty of writers are wondering about the ever-elusive "New Adult" category and whether or not it even exists. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a listener email about how writers can unfold a character’s past without overwhelming the reader. Jon breaks down when to use flashbacks effectively, plus how you can handle offscreen POVs. And we reference authors like Robin Hobb to engage with emotional revelations, George R.R. Martin’s approach to one-off POV chapters, and how to make sure the past is always interfering with the present. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a listener email about one of the trickiest parts of writing epic fantasy: the dreaded travel montage. How do you keep the story moving when your characters are literally just…moving? Jon dives into the dos and don’ts of long journeys, how to use travel to reveal character, and when description on its own is actually a bad thing. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt listener email about knowing when to walk away from a draft and when to double down. If you’ve ever felt stuck between revising an old novel that no longer excites you and chasing that shiny new story idea, then this episode can help you out. Jon reflects on his own publishing history, including a beloved but unfinished trilogy and his long journey rewriting The Pixar Theory. We unpack the guilt that comes with “giving up,” the difference between quitting and redirecting, and how to tell if your reluctance is just new-idea fever…or a sign you’ve outgrown the story. Producer Bridget chimes in with sciencey brain stuff and Drawfee quotes, and we explore how outlining, reframing, and cannibalizing your own work (in a good way!) can help you stay excited about writing. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re looking at what fantasy writers can learn from James Gunn’s Superman. Yes, really. Turns out, this big-hearted, punch-heavy superhero flick has a lot to teach us about crafting godlike characters, writing vulnerability, and making your emotional arcs land harder than a Kryptonian haymaker. In this episode, we break down 10 storytelling lessons hiding under the cape, like how to ground overpowered characters in real emotional stakes and why your worldbuilding should serve your story (not the other way around). Plus, how you can use humor to raise tension instead of killing it. So whether you’re writing a chosen-one saga or a magical kitchen sink drama, there’s something here for you, especially if your protagonist is a little too good at everything. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener wrestling with the cosmic chaos of time magic. They're drafting a novel with temporal twists (bending, looping, and slowing time within a magical system) and they’re spiraling a bit. Can you blame them? Time magic is infamous for breaking stories, confusing readers, and creating paradoxes so convoluted they collapse your plot like a flan in a cupboard. In this episode, we unpack how to write time magic without losing your readers (or your sanity). We define the major types of time magic, from prophecy to chronomancy, and break down the dangers of paradoxes, the reset-button problem, and why the emotional cost of time magic matters more than how technically “tight” your system is. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener looking to break into the world of editing. Put simply, how do you do it without getting overwhelmed, underpaid, or lost in the weeds? In this episode, we break down what editing actually means (developmental vs. line editing vs. critique), how to start editing for others and yourself, and why editing is more than catching typos. It’s about evolving a story on the sentence and soul level. Whether you’re looking to shift careers or simply trying to sharpen your revision skills, this episode is your practical (and slightly chaotic) roadmap to becoming the kind of editor authors actually thank in the acknowledgments. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener deep in the weeds of writing their dark, grimdark high fantasy series. It’s got all the makings of a brutal, layered epic: tangled character histories, world-shifting subplots, and the ever-haunting question...how do you keep hope alive in a story designed to crush it? In this episode, I break down the key challenges of writing dark fantasy without losing your readers to despair. We talk about how to weave deep character history into the page without lore dumps, why subplots shouldn’t hijack your story’s spine, and how to make hope feel like a hard-won prize. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to Carl Duncan’s video, “5 Signs You Wrote an Unlikable Character” through the lens of writing unforgettable characters in fantasy (and we're only addressing 3 of them so you can check out the other two and support his channel!) Whether you’re crafting morally gray heroes, tragic villains, or chaotic-neutral scene-stealers, we’re breaking down what likability really means in a genre built on prophecy, politics, and peril. Here's a link to Carl's full video, where you can also subscribe to his channel. Want your question about fantasy writing featured on the show? Email your advice prompt to 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re pulling off a full breakdown of how to write a fantasy heist (Victorian steampunk edition). One of our listeners wrote in with a killer manuscript concept: a disgraced engineer, a team of rogues, and a sentient magical vault that reshapes itself to trap them inside. It’s Six of Crows meets The Prestige, with a twist of Dishonored and Howl’s Moving Castle. In this episode, I walk through the core structure of a fantasy heist using six-act story theory, exploring how to build tension through character secrets, break-in mechanics, and emotional payoff. We dive into worldbuilding tricks (like turning your setting into an antagonist), the importance of controlled surprise, and why the best heists feel like pressure cookers that test every belief your characters hold. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something a little unorthodox: I’m diving into what The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion—yes, the 2006 RPG recently remastered—can teach us about writing unforgettable fantasy novels. From its cult-favorite guild quests to the eerie Oblivion Gates, this game isn’t just a nostalgic masterpiece. It’s a creative writing course disguised as a game. We break down why Oblivion’s worldbuilding still holds up, how its implied history and lived-in lore set the gold standard for immersive storytelling, and what every fantasy author can learn from its layered factions like the Dark Brotherhood and Mages Guild. I unpack how Oblivion builds stakes through specificity, uses cozy peace to sharpen chaos, and lets its clunky weirdness become a strength instead of a flaw. 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something different: I'm breaking down the opening lines of my own fantasy short story, “Songs for the Dead and Drowning”, to show exactly what goes into crafting voice, world, and mood from line one. From interiority to pacing to metaphor as worldbuilding, this is a deep dive into how fantasy prose can do the heavy lifting without getting heavy-handed. We unpack why opening lines don’t need to scream for attention, how subtle choices build tension and character, and what it means to balance clarity with intrigue. I walk through the themes, structure, and sentence-level decisions that shape the story’s hook, and yes, I also critique my own writing with full transparency (and occasional self-roasting). 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt question from a fantasy author: how do you write a slow-burn romance in fantasy that keeps readers hooked instead of tuning out? If your lovers can’t be together (yet), how do you keep the tension crackling without stalling the plot? We dig into the alchemy of slow burns: what makes them work, what makes them drag, and why pacing isn’t the same as being slow. From Kaguya-sama: Love is War to The Witcher, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Green Bone Saga, we unpack how romantic subtext, emotional intimacy, and narrative function turn subtle glances into story gold. Plus, we break down the do’s and don’ts of relationship development, how to avoid “convenient chemistry,” and why your romance should mess with your world, not float beside it. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to video from popular YouTuber Alyssa Matesic about the worst writing advice on the internet, but my commentary will be through the lens of the fantasy genre. From “Show Don’t Tell” to “Write Every Day,” we’re unpacking why common writing rules don’t always hold up in fantasy, and how to apply (or ignore) them without compromising your world, your story, or your voice. Here's a link to Alyssa's full video, where you can also subscribe to her channel! Want your question about fantasy writing featured on the show? Email your advice prompt to 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. 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into the timeless question at the heart of all epic fantasy: how do you create your own mythology? Inspired by a Reddit post from Lexi, a creative writing student working on her thesis in mythopoeia, we’re unpacking why myths are the soul of a fantasy world...and how to build one that feels ancient, sacred, and real. We break down the three big approaches to writing myth: inventing your own, remixing existing ones (like Greek or Norse), and using real-world mythology with minimal tweaks. From Tolkien’s Elvish creation songs to the spiritual remixing in The Poppy War, we explore what makes a myth resonate and what makes it fall flat. Plus, we talk about how to research respectfully, how to preserve a myth’s spiritual essence even when you break the rules, and why myth has to be more than just a bunch of backstory. Whether you’re building gods from scratch or honoring a living tradition, this is the episode to help you myth-make like a legend. 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. Check out my new short story "Upon a Dream," which was published this past week in the Briar & Thorn issue of The Fairy Tale Magazine! Available to read online 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a deceptively simple question from a listener: how do you write an immortal character? If your hero can’t die, what’s left to fear...and how do you keep their story from feeling, well, lifeless? We’re digging into the listener's character Equia, her mysterious soul-stripping backstory, and the deeper issue behind the question: what does immortality mean to a character, and what does it cost? From gods freezing time to cursed divine gifts, we break down classic (and subversive) examples from Pirates of the Caribbean, Invincible, Interview with the Vampire, Castlevania, and Logan. And we explore why immortality often fails when it becomes a cheat code instead of a challenge. Plus, we unpack how emotional truth gives immortal characters staying power, how to dirty up a too-clean origin story, and what really makes a power feel earned. Whether your hero lives forever or wishes they didn’t, this is the episode to help you build it right. Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. Check out my new short story "Upon a Dream," which was published this past week in the Briar & Thorn issue of The Fairy Tale Magazine! Available to read online 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 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.