Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener deep in the weeds of writing their dark, grimdark high fantasy series. It’s got all the makings of a brutal, layered epic: tangled character histories, world-shifting subplots, and the ever-haunting question...how do you keep hope alive in a story designed to crush it?

In this episode, I break down the key challenges of writing dark f...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to Carl Duncan’s video, “5 Signs You Wrote an Unlikable Character” through the lens of writing unforgettable characters in fantasy (and we're only addressing 3 of them so you can check out the other two and support his channel!) Whether you’re crafting morally gray heroes, tragic villains, or chaotic-neutral scene-stealers, we’re breaking do...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re pulling off a full breakdown of how to write a fantasy heist (Victorian steampunk edition). One of our listeners wrote in with a killer manuscript concept: a disgraced engineer, a team of rogues, and a sentient magical vault that reshapes itself to trap them inside. It’s Six of Crows meets The Prestige, with a twist of Dishonored and Howl’s Moving Castle.

In this...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something a little unorthodox: I’m diving into what The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion—yes, the 2006 RPG recently remastered—can teach us about writing unforgettable fantasy novels. From its cult-favorite guild quests to the eerie Oblivion Gates, this game isn’t just a nostalgic masterpiece. It’s a creative writing course disguised as a game.

We br...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something different: I'm breaking down the opening lines of my own fantasy short story, “Songs for the Dead and Drowning”, to show exactly what goes into crafting voice, world, and mood from line one. From interiority to pacing to metaphor as worldbuilding, this is a deep dive into how fantasy prose can do the heavy lifting without getting heavy-handed.

We unpac...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt question from a fantasy author: how do you write a slow-burn romance in fantasy that keeps readers hooked instead of tuning out? If your lovers can’t be together (yet), how do you keep the tension crackling without stalling the plot?

We dig into the alchemy of slow burns: what makes them work, what makes them drag, and why pacing isn’t the same a...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to video from popular YouTuber Alyssa Matesic about the worst writing advice on the internet, but my commentary will be through the lens of the fantasy genre. From “Show Don’t Tell” to “Write Every Day,” we’re unpacking why common writing rules don’t always hold up in fantasy, and how to apply (or ignore) them without compromisin...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into the timeless question at the heart of all epic fantasy: how do you create your own mythology? Inspired by a Reddit post from Lexi, a creative writing student working on her thesis in mythopoeia, we’re unpacking why myths are the soul of a fantasy world...and how to build one that feels ancient, sacred, and real.

We break down the three big approaches to writing ...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a deceptively simple question from a listener: how do you write an immortal character? If your hero can’t die, what’s left to fear...and how do you keep their story from feeling, well, lifeless?

We’re digging into the listener's character Equia, her mysterious soul-stripping backstory, and the deeper issue behind the question: what does immortality mea...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a classic worldbuilding dilemma: how do you preserve tension in a fantasy story when healing magic exists? If your adventuring party includes a healer, does that automatically destroy your stakes? Or is there a way to keep danger real when wounds can be patched with a flick of the wrist?

We’re breaking down the big issue behind “overpowered” healing, w...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a big question from a new writer: do you need to read a ton of books before you can write one? If you’ve been worldbuilding and dreaming up stories but haven’t read much outside of anime and games, is it even worth starting?

We’re breaking down the real relationship between reading and writing, why it’s okay to start before you feel “ready,...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving deep into one of the most controversial ways to open your fantasy novel: the dream sequence. A listener asks whether they should open with a dream as a prologue or kick off Chapter 1 with it—and we’re breaking down how both could work but why you may want to reconsider...

We’re also unpacking why readers often hate dream openings and dream sequences in ge...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into the brutal art of the prologue—how to do it right, how to do it wrong, and why so many fantasy authors start their books in the worst possible place. We’re putting a fellow author's submitted prologue under the microscope, dissecting its opening scene with the precision of a literary agent on their third cup of coffee. What works? What flops? And most impo...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling the age-old question: Should you write for the market or write what you love? A listener asks if quirky, unconventional story ideas can actually find an audience, or if sticking to what’s popular is the only way to succeed. We’re breaking down the balance between originality and marketability, why chasing trends is a losing game, and how fresh twists on famil...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re taking a hard look at hierarchies in fantasy worldbuilding. An author asks whether they should invent a brand-new ranking system instead of using the classic prince/princess structure—but is reinventing the wheel always the best move? We’re breaking down First Book Syndrome (why new writers try too hard to be original), the right way to brainstorm worldbuilding, and h...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re sharpening our axes and hacking into one of the most powerful storytelling tools: third-person close narration. A listener writes in asking how to wield third close effectively in epic fantasy, What makes it such a strong choice? How do you avoid common pitfalls? And how do you keep the immersion deep without slipping into first-person territory...

Email your own advice prompt to...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into one of the most intriguing challenges in fantasy storytelling: crafting trials and competitions that are dangerous, high-stakes, and compelling—without relying on combat!

Inspired by an author prompt, we brainstorm creative ways to test a character’s worthiness for the "throne" beyond the typical sword fights and archery contests. From uncovering court con...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into another first-page critique, breaking down what makes an opening scene compelling, immersive, and effective. Particularly when you're using first-person narration!

We dig into the first page of a YA fantasy novel from an author looking for feedback on their voice. And then I take a look at what’s working, what could be tightened up, and how the author can refine...

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a crucial question for fantasy writers: How long is too long for a chapter?

We start by digging into whether long chapters are a turnoff for readers or if length doesn’t matter as long as the content is engaging. With epic fantasy novels often stretching the boundaries of chapter length, we explor...