Myth and Magic

Look at seven fantasy plot-lines and discuss the plotter approach to compare it with the pantser approach. Decide which plot you will use for your next writing project. Begin a study into classical Rome by asking: who was there before the Romans arrived? Also, consider the possibility that we still live in "Roman times." And compare the Romans with The Borg from Star Trek!

This special New Year edition has tips for starting your own fantasy fiction project — I provide you with thematic suggestions to get you started. What is your big idea? Also, I look into Hogmanay, find out who Enki was and discover the ancient origins of January.

Is Father Christmas a deep folk memory of the ancient Yulefather? Are Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Saint Nicholas of Myra, and Sir Christmas all memories of this same pagan character? How do reindeer figure in the Christmas tradition? What is Yule? What is a Yule Goat? When is the Night of Mothers? Who is Zwarte Piet? Who is Krampus? Where do the Christkindl celebrations originate? And what's so magical about mistletoe? Also in this show: news on the Cottingley Fairies photos. And what is a psychopomp?

Visit Dozymary pool in Cornwall and discover why The Enchantress, Coventina, Vagdavercustis, Ceridwen, Viviane / Nimue and even Saint Brigid of Kildare might all be the same character: The Lady of the Lake.

Discover why Harry is a warlock and not, strictly speaking, a wizard. Delve into the earliest origins of Wōden Wizard mythology before examining the definition of a warlock and touch upon witch trials in early-modern Scotland. Take a look at Daemonologie. Think about the Roman roads of Britannia and how they probably influenced the Kingsroad (and other straight roads) in fiction. Also, as a fantasy writer, think about Chekhov's Gun. Wildflower of the week: The Wake Robin.

What is the definition of a wizard? Here we examine the origin of Merlin the wizard and see how he is curiously connected with all later wizards — both imaginary and real — from Faust to Nostradamus, to Doctor John Dee and Sir Edward Kelley — and onto Gandalf, Dumbledore, The Doctor (Who) and even Obi-Wan Kenobi. Also in this episode we look at The Staffordshire Hoard and learn how this discovery might explain dragon gold.

This week we look at how boundaries between our earthly world and the netherworld become blurred during the liminal period of Hallowe'en and during Diwali. we also discover the origin of Jack o' Lantern and look at Yalis. Magical plant: Neeps.

Take a closer look at the life of Roald Dahl to see how his lifetime experiences probably helped to shape his fictional worlds. Also study, in some detail, the historical differences between a Duchy, a County and a Shire — to learn how these administrative terms began, so you can use them confidently in your own fantasy fiction title.

Think about keywords for your Gothic fiction project. Go on a pilgrimage to Whitby, North Yorkshire where the very first person to write in the English language - the Anglo-Saxon poet Cædmon - once sat upon the clifftop to create his song. There's exciting news about Andrzej Sapkowski's series: The Witcher Saga. And we define what it is to be Bohemian. We take a closer look at Bogles or Boggarts. The wildflower of the week is Hops.

Prepare for a trip to Whitby by learning about the origins of vampires. Think about the season of Asgard Fall and find out why Pirates tend to speak with a zummerzet or mummerset accent. Look at Conkers dropped from a Horse Chestnut tree, also known as Buckeye.