The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed - Fantasy Writing Craft Advice & Author Interviews

In this episode, I welcome three members from our writing community, Isa, Josh and Jonny, for a chat about our community writing groups. Not so long ago, Josh approached me about setting up some writing groups through our Discord community. These small groups of around 5 or 6 people meet regularly and are matched by genre, time zone and how regularly you can meet. We have about 6 or 7 groups running at present and you can join one too. Just click below to join our Discord community and head to #writing-groups. In this episode, we discuss the benefits being in a group has given us. We explain how they work, how to join one, and how to approach editing and taking feedback.JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY (DISCORD)https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSJonny Altair - Twitter - @JonnyLeeAltairIsa Ottoni - https://www.instagram.com/isa.ottoni.writes/Josh Parker - Ontheedgebusiness.wordpress.comSounds and editing by 3D Sound Studio (ASMR Specialists) - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxNEW RESOURCESWorldbuilding tips and advice - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingSensory language examples - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/sensory-language-examples Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to build a compelling fantasy magic system from scratch, using real examples like Dungeons & Dragons and witchcraft to inspire your worldbuilding.Creating a magic system that feels original, balanced, and believable is one of the biggest challenges in fantasy writing.In this episode, I’m joined by Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows Podcast to explore how some of the most influential magic systems have developed—and how you can use them to inspire your own.We break down both the theory and practical side of magic system design, including:What makes a strong and believable magic systemLessons from Dungeons & Dragons and real-world witchcraft traditionsHow magic systems evolve over timeBalancing rules, limitations, and creativityCommon mistakes when designing magic systemsPractical steps to create your own from scratchIf you want to build a magic system that enhances your story rather than overwhelms it, this episode will give you the structure, insight, and inspiration to do it right.OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcastJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

Learn the difference between hard and soft magic systems, with examples and practical advice to help you choose the right approach for your fantasy story.Magic systems are a core part of fantasy worldbuilding—but should yours be hard, soft, or something in between?In this episode, I’m joined by Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows Podcast to break down the two major types of magic systems and how writers can use them effectively.We explore the theory, examples, and creative possibilities behind magic system design, including:What hard and soft magic systems are (and key differences)Examples of each—and what makes them workThe strengths and limitations of both approachesHow to choose the right system for your storyBlending hard and soft magic for unique resultsCommon mistakes writers make with magic systemsWhether you prefer structured rules or mysterious forces, this episode will help you understand how to use magic more effectively in your writing—and create systems that enhance your story rather than hold it back.OUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcastJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

Learn the fantasy writing process from acclaimed author Juliet E. McKenna, including character creation, worldbuilding, and insights into modern publishing.What can writers learn from over 20 years in the fantasy publishing world?In this episode, I’m joined by legendary fantasy author Juliet E. McKenna to explore her approach to storytelling, her writing process, and the lessons she’s learned across a long and successful career.We dive into both craft and industry insight, including:Juliet E. McKenna’s fantasy writing process from idea to finished novelWriting The Cleaving and reimagining Arthurian legend from a female perspectiveTechniques for character creation, worldbuilding, and themeApproaches to plotting and structuring fantasy storiesHow the publishing industry has changed over the past two decadesPractical advice for writers looking to improve and growThis is a thoughtful, experience-rich conversation packed with insights from a seasoned professional.If you want to better understand the fantasy writing process—and learn from an author with decades of experience—this episode delivers clear, actionable guidance.OUR GUESTJuliet E. McKenna - https://www.julietemckenna.com/ | Buy The Cleaving - https://amzn.to/3FWVCgdJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

Learn the fantasy writing process from Amish Tripathi, including how to weave mythology, philosophy, and compelling characters into powerful stories.What can writers learn from one of the world’s bestselling fantasy authors?In this episode, I’m joined by Amish Tripathi, often described as “India’s J.R.R. Tolkien,” to explore his approach to storytelling, mythology, and the fantasy writing process.We dive into both craft and deeper thematic writing, including:Amish Tripathi’s fantasy writing process from idea to finished bookHow to incorporate mythology and philosophy into your storiesWriting about complex and challenging themesCreating memorable, impactful charactersBalancing entertainment with deeper meaning in fictionLessons from one of the fastest-selling authors in modern publishingThis is an open, insightful conversation packed with practical advice and deeper reflections on storytelling.If you want to elevate your writing and understand how to blend powerful ideas with compelling narrative, this episode offers a masterclass in fantasy storytelling.OUR GUESTAmish Tripathi - https://www.authoramish.com/ | The War Of Lanka - https://amzn.to/3TaCyQWJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

We're absolutely thrilled to bring you a very special interview with bestselling author and former FBI special agent, Joe Navarro.Joe is a world-leading expert on body language. In his career, he conducted over 13,000 interviews and oozes a passion for the subject that you can't help but admire. Body language plays such a huge role in storytelling, from written fiction to that found on-screen. But it can be underused and ill-understood. To help us better our understanding and appreciation, there's no better person to ask than Joe.In this deeply insightful interview, packed with examples, Joe provides vital guidance and advice for writers to help master this form of communication that's arguably more important than dialogue. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSJoe Navarro - https://www.jnforensics.com/ | Buy The Dictionary Of Body Language - https://amzn.to/3Y2VNMZSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxUPDATED - How To Write A Flashback Scene - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-write-a-flashbackNEW - Books On Worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/books-on-worldbuildingNEW - How To Plot A Story - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/how-to-plot-a-story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've had a lot of specialists on the podcast in recent months but it occurred to me that I've never really reflected on my own experiences as a lawyer and how that can be applied to writing.When I got to pondering I realised I draw upon these experiences an awful lot. And it was then I began to appreciate just how much scope there is to inject your stories and worlds with conflict.So in this episode, I reflect upon my time working as an accident and injury lawyer. I discuss the impact that injuries can have on a person, from minor ones to major ones, and how you can utilise these ill-used details in your stories, both from a character creation perspective and a worldbuilding one. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm always keen to chat with book bloggers to get an insight into the latest trends in reading. Fantasy romances, for example, are particularly in demand right now. But as well as that, I'm always keen to chat with reviewers to learn more about their experiences. Above all, I want to know how I, and other writers like you, can forge better partnerships with them.I was delighted then to chat with Blaise Ancona from Under The Radar SFF Books about these very things. Blaise runs both a podcast and a website devoted to highlighting fantasy and sci-fi novels that haven't got the credit they deserve.What began as a lockdown hobby has grown into something quite remarkable. We talk about how it happened and his experiences as a book blogger. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSBlaise Ancona of Under The Radar SFF Books - https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/ | https://twitter.com/undertheradarb2Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn the fantasy writing process from idea to publication, with practical insights on drafting, editing, and improving your writing from a bestselling author.What does a successful fantasy writing process actually look like—from first idea to finished, published novel?In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Stephen Aryan, whose novels with major publishers like Orbit and Angry Robot have established him as one of the leading voices in modern fantasy.We take an open and honest look at the full writing journey, covering both craft and career, including:How to develop ideas into compelling fantasy storiesThe reality of drafting and refining a novelEditing techniques that elevate your writingCreating memorable characters and immersive worldsWorking with literary agents and navigating publishingLessons from writing multiple fantasy novels at a professional levelThis conversation goes beyond surface-level advice, offering real insight into how a working author approaches the craft and business of writing.If you want to understand the fantasy writing process in depth—and improve your own approach—this episode delivers clear, practical guidance you can apply straight away.THE JUDAS BLOSSOMhttps://angryrobotbooks.com/books/judas-blossom/OUR GUESTStephen Aryan - https://stephen-aryan.com/ | Stephen's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZlaVQ9rks4GaN-x3Jkos0AJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

In the final episode of 2023, we welcome Vickie Lan to the Toolshed, host of the Speculative Sandbox Podcast.Vickie is a specialist in deconstructing fantasy tropes. Her show sees her joined by top authors to discuss everything from The Chosen One to beardy wizard mentor figures. In our chat, we cover the epic fantasy quest—its classic features and how you can spin them. We also discuss tropes around resurrections and mentor figures, as well as tropes generally.And Vickie shares some fantastic examples of books and writers who have spun things to create something brilliant and original.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSVickie Lan - https://vickielan.com/podcast | https://www.instagram.com/speculativesandboxSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxOTHER RESOURCESCharacter PlottingAvoiding Tropes And Cliches When Writing FantasyHow To Write A Battle Scene In A BookMen Writing Women Characters - Things To Watch Out ForExamples Of Sensory LanguageFree Worldbuilding Template And Guide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.