Have you ever struggled to write about a fantasy culture that feels meaningfully different from your own?

Because of the societies we grow up in, we all have these inbuilt assumptions about the way things are.

However, the best worldbuilders know how to get outside of those assumptions, so that they can create unique, different, realistic, and immersive cultures.

My friend recently showed me a useful framework for doing this. In today's podcast, I talk about the six key dimensions of culture, and how you can use these to improve your worldbuilding.

Use the country comparison tool I mentioned: https://www.theculturefactor.com/country-comparison-tool

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are 10 big mindset differences between pro fantasy authors and amateur ones.

I’ve noticed these from talking with world-class writers like Joe Abercrombie, Christopher Ruocchio, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and dozens more — and from coaching over 220 emerging writers in my classes and programs.

Learning these 10 mindset differences has helped me publish 4 fantasy books, and an interactive fantasy novel — which all together have sold around 25,000 copies. And between my books and this YouTube channel, I’ve been a full-time creative for over two years now!

So while I’m certainly no mega NYT-bestselling author, I am lucky enough to be living out my creative dreams, and I can credit that to learning how to think and act like a pro — not an amateur. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to do the same.

Join my Fantasy Writers' Guild: jedherne.com/guild

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are seven levers that control the pacing of your fantasy novel. In today's episode, I discuss how these seven levers work, and how you can use them to create perfect pacing within your writing. Knowing how to get the right pace for your plot is a critical skill, so I think you'll find today's episode very useful.

Join the waitlist for Plotting Your Fantasy Novel: www.jedherne.com/plot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your title is usually the first impression readers have of your story. So if your title sucks, readers will forget about your book without a second thought. But if your title is great, your book will stand out from the crowd and readers will be desperate to know more.

After publishing four books and working with hundreds of writers in my programs, I've discovered five principles that consistently lead to great titles.

Today, I’ll be covering these principles, and then I'll be critiquing several titles from the members of my Fantasy Writer’s Guild, so that you can see these principles in action.

Join the Fantasy Writer's Guild: jedherne.com/guild

Watch my Siege of Treboulain video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgzMpZlS3UU

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most authors will tell you, “Ideas don't really matter. Any idea can be turned into a good story if you're skilled enough.” Personally, I think that’s bad advice. If you start with a weak idea, it puts flaws into your story right from the beginning, and you might only discover those flaws months later — while you’re in the middle of the first draft.

After working with hundreds of writers to help them develop their fantasy novels, I’ve seen that it’s way easier to write an incredible book when you start with a strong story concept. This makes you more excited to write … and makes readers more eager to pick up your book.

So in today's episode, I'll be sharing the seven key elements of a great fantasy story idea. Make sure you include these in your own work, and you'll find it much easier to write a great fantasy novel.

***

Join the waitlist for Plotting Your Fantasy Novel (my upcoming book): jedherne.com/plot

Listen to my 2 to Ramble episode about the Sun Eater series: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NrEhYZsqk5kaqAQSqLsqG?si=6eb7ae3fe4e14a8c

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a simple warm up and cool down routine that will help you quickly get into the flow of writing every day — along with helping you maintain long-term creativity and consistency. In this podcast, I break down the six steps behind this process. Knowing how to get into the 'writing state' every day is a big reason why I've been able to publish my fantasy novels. And from teaching this process to many of the writers I've worked with, I've seen so many writers improve their daily word counts and finish their novels faster than they ever imagined.

Want to get weekly accountability and my personal support to help you write your fantasy novel?

Apply to join the Fantasy Writer's Guild: jedherne.com/guild

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After reading hundreds of fantasy novels and publishing several of my own, I’ve found four key writing principles that consistently make a fantasy world feel truly immersive for readers. So if you want to write a world where readers truly feel like they are inside your setting, then you'll find today's video useful.

This podcast was originally a video. Click here if you want to watch the video.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s 12 big plot mistakes you might be making in your fantasy novel. After teaching over 200 fantasy writers in my programs, I’ve seen these issues so many times — and I’ve spent hundreds of hours helping writers fix them. That’s because even just one of these problems can destroy your entire story. And after publishing four books myself, I’ve certainly had to solve these issues in my own writing as well.

I also just recently finished the first draft of Plotting Your Fantasy Novel: a 150,000 word non-fiction book for writers.

So I'm kinda obsessed with the craft of plotting!

Today, I’ll show you exactly what these 12 plot mistakes are, and how to fix them — so that you can write a fantasy story that readers love.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.