Conventional wisdom says to never read the comments, but today on a special Thanksgiving episode of the podcast, we're breaking the rules in ways only the fantasy genre can. That's right, we've gotten a fair number of comments and feedback on the show recently, so to give our wonderful producers a break, I'm responding to a list of questions, observations, accusations, and what some might even consider a compliment or two from our wonderful little community of authors and friends.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people think that they don't need outlines. Or that their outline should be this massively intricate, chapter-by-chapter blueprint that has to be all figured out before you start writing a single word. Well, it turns out that the "right outline" is going to be a little different for every kind of writer. But even those who pride themselves on purely "discovery" writing, can benefit greatly from an outline that works for their unique creative process. 

So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I finally give a whole dang presentation on the essentials of outline-building and how it can enhance your writing process in ways you may not really expect. Outlines should be flexible frameworks for writers to explore their story's core elements. Not just a brainstorming session where you feel like you have to have all the answers to your story in a single sitting. I cover the basics in crafting a compelling premise, pinpointing character motivation, and finding the right balance between drafting and planning, no matter where you're at with your story.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your first few sentences are the most crucial words of your entire story. So today on the show, I’m doing something a little different: critiquing an opening page from a writer seeking feedback on their high fantasy novel. I talk about the need for interiority (a character's internal thoughts and voice) when providing much-needed context and framing for the first scene. I discuss how "show, don't tell" is more of an opportunity than a hard-and-fast rule. And, of course, I let you know when in the first page I would've stopped reading...if I wasn't critiquing.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the first critique prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your main character is "overpowered," that's not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to make sure you find weaknesses that complement both the character and the story they're driving. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt asking for feedback on a particularly overpowered protagonist. I use plenty of familiar examples of "op" characters done well and discuss the beauty of adding "contradictions" to powerful characters in order to make them more compelling and intriguing to readers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's be real. A lot of authors (especially men like me) tend to fall short when writing female characters, let alone protagonists. There are all kinds of stereotypes, cliches, and blindspots that we're told to avoid. But at a certain point, it can all start to feel like we're fulfilling a checklist. When really, our goal should be to write complex characters that resonate with readers across the gender spectrum.

So today on a special extended episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I don't just give my own advice on writing female protagonists. I bring in some other perspectives too, including an extra prompt and of course some notes from one of our very own producers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here, as well as the second prompt here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your novel is a novel, not a movie or TV show. And that's not a bad thing! We can do a ton with novels that won't work nearly as well in a screenplay and vice versa. So if you find yourself struggling to make your writing more "cinematic," or for it to follow a visual scene in your head, this might be the episode for you.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our special guest today is Brenna English-Loeb, a literary agent for Transatlantic Literary Agency and the founder of BEL Tower Editorial, a developmental editing business where she helps authors craft rich, compelling stories across multiple genres, including of course fantasy.

Brenna English-Loeb was kind enough to answer a bunch of questions from our community and beyond, like how to know when it's time to do a developmental edit, if TikTok is "ruining" books, and how to set your query up for success. She also gives helpful advice on book titles, magic systems, dealing with criticism, and examples of genres/pitches she would like to see more of from fantasy authors.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. 

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just say no to prologues. Right? Well, usually, yes. But there's a reason a lot of the most famous fantasy novels of all time just so happen to have (you guessed it) prologues. Even though a prologue or prelude or "chapter 0" is most likely unnecessary and maybe even detrimental to your own novel, it's smart to understand how they can sometimes work well in the best case scenario.

So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at an advice prompt from an author with a rather unique story framing device at the beginning that we think needs a little work. I discuss prologues, of course, but also the importance of starting your novel in the right place and assuring the reader that you have the story under control when it comes to POV, exposition, and more.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I critique a magic system from an author who worries their idea might put them in a corner down the road. I get into the differences between hard and soft magic systems, some positive indicators that you're developing a good one, and ultimately how to make sure the rules and creative support and enhance your story and character.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the hardest things about writing a fantasy novel (or any novel) is starting. Where do you even begin? And how do you know if you're even ready?

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I talk all about overcoming those creative blocks that can mess up our writing process. Especially if you're just trying to get started. I take a look at an advice prompt from an aspiring writer who feels like they've done all the prep work they can, but now when it comes to sitting down and doing the thing, they can't quite find the words. If that sounds like something you've gone through either currently or in the past, then this advice is for you, too.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to [email protected] or join our Discord. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.