Myth and Magic

Six ways to supercharge your writing in the New Year. How to deal with criticism, neg feedback + the dreaded 2-star review and getting back your confidence to write. Also, Amazon warrior women — did they actually exist? Is Wonder Woman based on fact?

Where is Christmas? Strange overlaps of religions in Bethlehem. Also, the true story of Cinderella

Why does fantasy fiction so often focus on a theoretical "Disneyfied" mediæval Europe? Also, what is the most magical castle in Europe? And the true story of Little Red Riding Hood

How to deal with insomnia as a writer. Also, the true story of Snow White. And what are snow trolls?

Fairy doors are in the news. Why? What is the fairy council called? What are spriggans? How could green spriggans be related to the legend of King Arthur's Green Knight? Also, keep your imagination healthy during NaNoWriMo — here are seven tips that will help you overcome creative block

This week a special show for NaNoWriMo authors: Five exciting ways you can over-deliver on your novel. Also, working on applied writing with cause & effect

In preparation for National Novel Writing Month we discuss building a basic structure for your new novel. And how to avoid using the orphan protagonist trope in fantasy fiction

This week the fantasy writer's podcast chats to Wisconsin based Jean Lee, author of the "Fallen Princeborn" series of young adult novels. Jean is a busy mother, so how does she find time to write? What can she tell us about magical portals?

Will goddess Freyja help you create new things in October? How does a storyteller write acoustically? How will acoustic writing help in the development of your novel? How does a novelist compare to a recording artist?

The staleness of the Dark Lord trope and why you should use the "banality of evil" theory to create a truly realistic antagonist for your next fantasy fiction project. Also, a handy list of dark-lord flaws and a list of traits associated with psychopaths.

What is a chronicle? What makes a good chronicler? How to write a chronicle and why you should be careful when choosing to write a dead chronicle. Also, what are cup and ring markings? And how are cup markings related to cosmic worlds? V isit the Badger Stone to study cup marks and think about cyclical time.

How did the Phoenician port of Leptis Magna come to be in a grassy garden in Surrey, England where it would become known as the Folly of Augustus? Also, Rathlin Island is in the news — but where is it? And why would Rathlin be a great location for your next fantasy fiction title?

What is Hecate's Supper? Why should we celebrate the triple-bodied goddess of boundaries on the liminal night of September 16th? Plus, twenty things people *hate* about fantasy fiction!

What is adult contemporary fantasy? Interview with Amanda Fleet, author of the Guardians of The Realm series

What is a clootie well? Where is Albion? And, in news, the Old Apple Tree is declared dead. Plus, are you writing fantasy fiction?

Who were the Fir Bolg and Fomorians? What are the 13 treasures of island Britain? Also, what are celestial skyfish? Are they an undiscovered species or perhaps lifeforms from another dimension?

Snailbeach, the Stiperstones, and the diafol. Also, ABCs such as the Beast of Exmoor; and why Catholic monks are associated with witch thimbles

This week:  Stonehenge sarsens from West Woods, near Marlborough. Plus, celestial trumpets and dhampir. Also, what are Clarke's three laws?

What is an elemental? Who was Paracelsus? How to be sure a witness had a truly phantasmal experience. Also, wulvers, and the beast of Bray Road.

What are nervimotional staples? And why, perhaps, aesthetics are worth considering when writing convincing characters. Also, how to create persuasive magic realism and visit the mystical Rollrights to see where the witch, Ursula Soothtell, turned a King and his men into stone.

How and why are dragon paths connected to tumuli? Who or what is goblinoid? Where do Tommyknockers originate? And what is a firedrake?

This week look at paracosms and the bardo and ask what an F.P.P. is and why having a fantasy prone personality will help you build convincing worlds for your readers. A lso study the locus amaneus and learn why you should incorporate this literary device into your project

What is a witch? Learn how to identify different types of witch. Where does the middle-English word wicche originate? What is wicca? Who or what is the horned god? Who or what is the earth mother? Who was Cernunnos?  

Where does fantasy begin? This week we examine the effect of liminality and ask, what is a recognition threshold? Also, when will crossover to an otherworld most likely occur? And what has this to do with rites of passage?

A definition of fantasy. Do you play with wonder & amazement? Here are useful game patterns that can help you write fantasy fiction. Do you employ experiential learning processes in your writing? What is constructive imagination? Are you still fanciful or are you becoming becoming aphantasic? Also, tips on how to be energetic in your thoughtgames. Plus, do you dare test your current project for no...