Myth and Magic

Fantasy author Birdy Rivers lives with two baby dragons (listen to the podcast to find out more!!) Birdy offers some helpful advice on world-building and suggests the best way to modernize a classic fairy tale...

This week the show is about the great problem of magic — it cannot heal nature. Magic has limits. But I think I found a solution...

How big was Gollum? How we can learn from Tolkien's ability to create monsters? Also, this is Litha's time. And what is a bugbear?

How to install a 4-part scare plan into your novel to make the story really terrifying! Plus, how to make your book pleasurable to read: Here's a helpful list of joyfulation ingredients

What is reality? Can we transcend reality?

Interview with Somerset based British fantasy writer Sophy Layzell, the author of the YA dystopian novel "Measure of Days" and a theatre director, graphic artist and mum.  Her next book "Upon All Men" is coming soon!

What is the point of mythological creatures? Why do humans dream-up things that scare them? Plus ten folk monsters you may not have met before. Also, what every experienced author has learned the hard way (good advice!)

The Canadian environmentalist & fantasy novelist talks about narrative responsibility and writing in the Anthropocene era. She addresses the main challenges facing writers and emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of place in fiction. She explains how to write metaphors and gives tips for writing action scenes. Nina also explains how courage & inspiration will help an author overcome fear...

The mysterious mystique of the Maypole dance, the coronation of a May Queen, cutting the hawthorn wands, the May Day festivities and how all these ancient rites intertwine in a celebration and solemnization for the Goddess of Flowers.

Interview with Charles Sterling: The hardworking epic fantasy author chats about lazy fantasies and about writing a chapter a day to complete a book in a month —he also suggests offering free tea & biscuits to readers, so they visit a site more often — check the interview now on Myth & Magic

Warm-up exercises for a writing mind + how elves can help us understand the objective reality of what we cannot see

A useful list of s cientific and pseudoscientific terms for parapsychological powers & abilities.   An alpha-list of quasi-technical terminology for magical competencies. Also in this show: therianthropy and furry fandom plus the rise of the otherkin

Building belief: the nature of belief and how to establish unshakeable belief in your plots, in your characters and even in your author brand

Useful tips on audiobook narration + helpful advice on choreographing sword fighting scenes with Krista Wallace. Krista is an actor & vocalist (from Coquitlam, British Columbia) — and a successful author & storyteller. She narrates all her own work. More recently, she became an avid podcaster. Check out Neil's exciting interview with Krista here...

How to create unique exotic senses for your fantasy characters. Plus, the supernaturalism of ceramics... what are demon bowls?

Give your project a Nowruz spring-clean shake up! Six ways to revive a novel. Also, do your characters eat fear? How to use the hormonal cascade to convey a real sense of fear in characters. Also, discover genomic storytelling. Plus, how the syntony of recital will help give your story vitality.

What is the fluxus and how can authors use the principles of fluxus to revitalize their writing? Four tips to help you breathe new life into your project. Also, what is the dark triad and how can it help you write compelling megalomaniacs. Use the triad to describe truly cogent & utterly reprehensible evildoers!

What makes a good quest? What is transelemence? Can ghosts be seen in mirrors? Do mirrors act as portals to other dimensions? The definition of scyring. Also, tips on collecting magical items during heroic quests.

Manage your expectations as an author ; What do you want from an authoring life? Where are you in the antholoxia? Are you the struggler? The dabbler? The disorientated?  Here's how to get the best out of your potential

Is this dystopia right now? Are we living through a dystopian period? Here's a list of the essentials of dystopia . Also, where is your when? In what (historical) period should you set your fantasy? And, what is a Ceffyl Dŵr?

Who was the real Valentine? What do wolves have to do with Valentine's Day?   What are Februa? And, what is the essential ingredient of fantasy? Poppins Paradox explored...

How insanely inventive can your monsters be? Be like Bosch in your monster creation and think surreal. Also, w hat is the curse of exoticism? How can you make your fantasy cogent & relevant without resorting to exoticism?  

In search of the phoenix. Also, what does your protagonist worship? Why is documenting worship important for character development? 

Are you playing the glad game? How the Pollyanna principle might help you develop a more authentic character. Plus: committing yourself to authorship in the New Year. Also, what is a wryneck? What has it got to do with bad luck?

Who is January? Is sacrifice about giving? How sacrifice can help your writing. Also, what is it like to be old? And how to use magical thinking in your novel