Get your copy of "A Study of Shattered Spells"!

https://www.amazon.com/Study-Shattered-Spells-Josiah-DeGraaf-ebook/dp/B0FH2QFB25?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.d3CylOzLyDXq_gELHrAr8Q.f8HeYmCyOzLuFRZVpScolLLFAGTZDyH6Bd4LQ_gl6YM&dib_tag=AUTHOR

How do you craft stories that embrace both the shadows and the hope without tipping too far into despair—or feeling overly saccharine? In this episode of Zero to Hero, we sit down with Josiah DeGraaf, author and writing mentor, to unpack the art of balancing darkness and light in fiction.

Together, we explore:

• Why darker themes can deepen emotional resonance

• How to weave hope into even the bleakest settings

• Common pitfalls writers face when handling tone

• Practical strategies to keep readers invested through contrast

Whether you’re writing epic fantasy, gritty sci-fi, or heartfelt drama, this conversation will equip you with tools to create stories that hurt, heal, and linger in your reader’s imagination.