Reading Things and Writing Stuff : Fantasy Writing, Worldbuilding & The Art of Storycraft

In this episode… I dive into one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—tools in storytelling: moral reasoning . Specifically, how understanding why characters make decisions—not whether those decisions are “right” or “wrong”—can be the difference between a story that feels inevitable and one that feels contrived. I start with a frustration I know many readers share: when a character suddenly ma...

In this episode…I’m diving into one of my favorite—and most misunderstood—elements of storytelling: the secondary cast. Not background noise. Not disposable side characters. But the characters who matter, shape the story, and create emotional weight long after the page is turned. We start by defining what a secondary cast actually is, moving beyond surface-level archetypes like “mentor” or “sideki...

In this episode… I’m breaking down the second of the two essential role functions in storytelling: the antagonistic system. Not just “the villain,” but the full network of forces—characters, institutions, beliefs, and power structures—that push back against your protagonist and create meaningful conflict. We explore why strong antagonism is genre-dependent, how stakes scale from cozy to epic, and...

In this episode… I dive deep into one of the most essential—and most misunderstood—elements of storytelling: the protagonist . Specifically, what a character must do to carry a story, earn reader trust, and deliver a hero moment that actually lands. This episode breaks down the three critical role functions every protagonist must fulfill: challenger, driver, and hero . I explore why character is t...

In this episode…I’m diving into one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of worldbuilding: social structure. I know, it sounds boring. But the truth is, social systems are the glue that makes a story feel real. When everything fits together—values, power, family, government, belief—worlds stop feeling like a list of ideas and start feeling lived in. This chapter builds on everything we’...

In this episode… I’m diving into one of my absolute favorite parts of storytelling— magic systems . Hard magic, soft magic, hand-wavy mysticism, rule-heavy power structures… all of it. I talk about why I love magic and tech so much, how they shape the stories we tell, and how they can become some of the most memorable parts of a book. We walk through what actually separates a hard system from a so...

In this episode… I dive deep into one of my absolute favorite elements of storytelling: how religion, myth, and legend shape a fantasy world’s values, conflicts, and characters . When authors treat belief systems as living, evolving, culture-shaping forces—not uniform, unquestioned monoliths—their worlds instantly feel more grounded, nuanced, and emotionally resonant. I explore why meaningful worl...

In this episode, I break down how even small, intentional choices about geography and climate can make your sci-fi and fantasy worlds feel more grounded, immersive, and emotionally resonant. Whether your setting spans continents or takes place in a single city, the physical environment shapes culture, tone, and character psychology — even when it's not a major plot driver. I explore how subtle cli...

In this episode, I break down how applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to entire societies can make your sci-fi and fantasy worlds feel more authentic, cohesive, and full of natural conflict. I share how a world’s priorities shape culture, character motivation, and the pressure your protagonist pushes against — with clear examples from across the genre. What We Cover: How Maslow’s Hierarchy applie...