How To Write The Future

“A well crafted religion can really add depth to your world building and create some incredible conflicts and tensions that can move your story forward.” In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host Beth Barany discusses creating original religions in fiction, emphasizing the importance of core beliefs, rituals, and the impact of religion on characters and society. She encourages writers...

“If I could go back in time and tell 22-year-old me not to go into TV, but instead to center on what your heart was, the writing, and the creating stories, and creating characters and people. Do that instead.” — Aspry Jones In this episode of the How To Write the Future podcast, host Beth Barany talks to sci-fi fantasy author Aspry Jones, about his writing journey from TV and comics to fantasy, in...

“Even if I didn't have this entire podcast structure, which thank God I actually do, so I can actually focus on something during my travels.“ — Devin Blair In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany talks to Devin Blair, the creator of the sci-fi podcast Chemical Rocketeers. Together they discuss Devin’s current adventures in Afghanistan and why traveling is everything to hi...

“I'm always really fascinated by what gets trimmed off the edges. And because there's gold in there sometimes. And why would a creative professional choose to include this, but not that?” -- Jasper Ezekiel  In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany chats with speculative fiction writer Jasper Ezekiel, and talks about what parts of our story worlds we include in our fictio...

“The really cool thing about character groups is if you're making worlds, let's talk about the situations where worlds are in demand in genre, and that would be fantasy. If you're making a world like that, it's good to get a whole bunch of different character groups.” — Ezra Barany In this episode of How To Write the Future podcast, titled “Fantasy Character Groups Made Simple...

“As a storyteller, WHAT IF is fabulous. What if it was like this? What if it was like that? What if I did this? What if I put it this way?“ In “ How to Ask Powerful Questions to Unlock Your Creativity (and Your Life)” podcast host Beth Barany, explains the power of asking questions that include effective questions for creativity and how they can help with the world building for your story. She als...

“Women have had an impact in world history throughout the ages. We just haven't been told those stories. So one of my missions in life is to bring these stories to life, both through fiction and through nonfiction.” Dive into “How Ancient Female Warriors Shape Our Future”, an episode for How To Write The Future podcast, where host Beth Barany shares stories of female warriors throughout histo...

“Did you ever wonder who invented Kevlar, the coffee filter, the car heater, or liquid paper? Would you be surprised to find out that they're all invented by a woman?”  In this podcast episode, titled “Women in Science: From Ancient Times to Modern Breakthroughs,” host Beth Barany shares 3 books, great learning resources to uncover the history of women in science. Beth spotlights inspiring wo...

“I think it's really important that we read books and reread authors who aren't similar to us, who are very different from us culturally come from different backgrounds, different parts of the world.” In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany explains in detail why you need to read the “Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor,” plus why she believes readers need to explore books...

“So I highly recommend Elizabeth Moon, if you like military ship captains who are these strong, interesting women. I also really adored her fantasy.” In this episode, titled “Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction” host Beth Barany shines a spotlight on one of her favorite science fiction and fantasy authors and shares her favorite works by Moon, including "Onc...

“ I would say I live in this space with my Janey McCallister Space Station Mystery series. I think a lot about the sweet spot between current technology and future speculation.” In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and award-winning science fiction author, Beth Barany, discusses how science fiction and fantasy can inspire social change and presents eight potential topics for futur...

Science Explainer: That is a term that has come out in the last bit of years to explain someone or to describe somebody who shares about science to the general public. In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares more of her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 2)” and the types of science they share including orbital mechanics and ex...

“As you may have noticed, these are all women science explainers and scientists, because I really want to highlight women doing science.” In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 1)” and the types of science they share including physical experiments and educational demonstrations.  Sa...

“Because It's grounded on a very simple principle. Story, well told, well crafted, well structured, will have a pattern of ebb and flow. The ebb is where the tension builds up, and the flow is where it releases.” -- Leon Conrad  In this episode of How to Write The Future podcast, host, Beth Barany talks to award winning author and tutor Leon Conrad where they discuss story structure, storytel...

“I really enjoy leaning on real world history to write my stories.” -- Lewis Jorstad In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany chats with bestselling author and editor Lewis Jorstad about how to incorporate real-world elements into your speculative fiction stories. They discuss drawing from historical events and share practical advice about crafting compelling fiction that feels...

 ”What if we could travel to a different galaxy? And then that's what the book is about. What if there were superheroes in the world? What if women ruled the world? Those types of things— It's the what if question and the answers.” — Kristin Noland In this episode, How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany, talks to developmental and line editor Kristin Noland about the definitio...

"Once or twice a year, I like to do an episode about upcoming events that you can participate in. And this is especially helpful if you're looking for inspiration about how to think about the future, whether you're a science fiction writer, you just want to get ideas, or you're somebody who cares about the future and wants to come at it from a creative perspective." In the...

“All I have to say, I know it can take a long time. And I really respect that it takes time to be ready to take the next step.“ In the first episode of 2025, How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany shares creative writing resources to help writers kick start their 2025 by focusing on their craft. From free downloadable workbooks, virtual courses, and supportive groups to even being perso...

"From planning your writing life to exploring tropes, storytelling, and world-building, these episodes showcase the diverse topics we've covered this past year to help you write positive futures." In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany shares clips from the “ Top 6 Most Popular Episodes in 2024.” From delving into the how, when, and why to use tropes with USA T...

“I want you to really deepen into what this experience could be like. What would it be like to hold the book in your hands?” This episode is last part of a 9-part mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses her method to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In this final episode of this 9-part mini-series, "You...

“There's a lot of ways to launch a book. And you get to decide what is the way that feels the best for you.” This episode is part of a mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses the method she developed to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In “ Launch and publish your novel (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap...

“ It helped me see that marketing is really about you offering your gift, your book, which is your gift.“ In " Trust-Your-Heart Marketing (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap, Step 6) " podcast host Beth Barany explores how sharing your story can create meaningful change, provides tools to help clarify your values, and examines the emotional impact you want to have on readers. This episode...

“We write for ourselves, And we revise for our readers.” In “ Take 2-95! Revise for your readers. Writing is rewriting. (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap, Step 5)" How To Write The Future podcast host, Beth Barany focuses on the art and craft of revising and editing your novel and shares key tips on how to approach your messy first draft, from word choice to pacing, and gives advice on the i...

“Give yourself an opportunity to be perfectly imperfect.” This episode is part of a mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses the method she developed to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In “ Take 1. Write Your Messy First Draft. (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap, Step 4)" How To Write The Future podcast...

“Get to know your characters and really understand how they perceive the world. So that you can write the book in their voice.” In this latest episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany continues to guide listeners through her Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap as she explores step 3 and discusses the different types of writers, core elements of story development, and why you want to get...