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Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

InBetweenDrafts 68 Episodes Sep 21, 2026

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians is a podcast for aspiring fantasy writers, including beginners who may feel like barbarians to the craft. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock, it offers guidance and inspiration to help develop stories and explore exciting new worlds. Episodes likely discuss writing techniques, worldbuilding, and creative approaches for fantasy fiction.

Episodes

“Just Finish the First Draft” Is Usually Bad Writing Advice
“Just Finish the First Draft” Is Usually Bad Writing Advice Sep 21, 2026 2273 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, Jon talks about the frustrating gap between recognizing that your work could be better and actually knowing how to improve it. He breaks revision down from the scene level to the paragraph and sentence levels, explains why developing an “ear for story” differs from polishing prose, and makes the case for learning storytelling while you draf
The Problem With “TV Brain Prose”
The Problem With “TV Brain Prose” Sep 4, 2026 1966 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we unpack what happens when you approach a novel like a TV show that hasn’t been filmed yet. Jon digs into “TV brain prose,” a common problem among aspiring fiction writers whose scenes rely on camera-like description, character blocking, visual information, and dialogue that sounds better with an imaginary actor performing it. Here's
How to Hook Readers in the First Page of Your Fantasy Novel
How to Hook Readers in the First Page of Your Fantasy Novel Jan 29, 2026 1545 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re breaking down a first‑page excerpt from the fantasy writing subreddit and asking a deceptively simple question: what actually makes an opening work? Jon reacts in real time to a dark fantasy opening, unpacking why beautifully written prose can still fall flat without momentum, stakes, or a clear scene engine. And how to avoid starting your novel
How to Write Humorous Dark Fantasy (Like Terry Pratchett!)
How to Write Humorous Dark Fantasy (Like Terry Pratchett!) Jan 16, 2026 1002 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're responding to an email from a listener who wants to know how they can incorporate humor and levity in their dark fantasy novel. They specifically reference Terry Pratchett, so I take a close look at how this works and why it seems far more effortless than it actually is. Check out my latest short story, out now in the anthology "If I Die Before I Wake
How to Write Fantasy in the Age of Short Attention Spans
How to Write Fantasy in the Age of Short Attention Spans Jan 5, 2026 1654 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re digging into a question a lot of fantasy writers are quietly wrestling with: has modern fantasy been reshaped by short attention spans? Using Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness as a jumping‑off point, Jon talks about why “hook them on page one” isn’t a universal law, how slow and challenging books earn their pa
How to Know if Your Fantasy is Young Adult, Adult, or New Adult
How to Know if Your Fantasy is Young Adult, Adult, or New Adult Dec 23, 2025 1714 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're answering a pretty thorny question. When it comes to young adult and adult fantasy, what are the real differences? There are a lot of rules and exceptions to the rules, so it can be a little tricky figuring out how to market your book to the right readers, and plenty of writers are wondering about the ever-elusive "New Adult" category and whether or n
How to Know When Horror Counts as Fantasy
How to Know When Horror Counts as Fantasy Nov 22, 2025 1170 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a spooky-good question! Does horror count as fantasy? Jon dives into how genres overlap, why dark fantasy works best when it steals from horror’s toolset, and how to write sinister bargains, magical villains, and terrifying atmospheres that feel both otherworldly and grounded. Plus, we unpack a listener’s chilling prologue
How to Avoid Chapters Where Characters Just Talk
How to Avoid Chapters Where Characters Just Talk Nov 13, 2025 1530 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a hot-button question from the fantasy writing subreddit: is it bad if most of your novel is just people talking? Jon digs into why dialogue-heavy scenes can tank your pacing, when they actually work, and how to build a more dynamic scene structure that doesn’t feel like filler between the “cool stuff.” You can check
How to Reveal Backstories without Boring Flashbacks
How to Reveal Backstories without Boring Flashbacks Sep 22, 2025 1252 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a listener email about how writers can unfold a character’s past without overwhelming the reader. Jon breaks down when to use flashbacks effectively, plus how you can handle offscreen POVs. And we reference authors like Robin Hobb to engage with emotional revelations, George R.R. Martin’s approach to one-off POV chapters, an
How to Write Travel Montages
How to Write Travel Montages Aug 15, 2025 1182 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a listener email about one of the trickiest parts of writing epic fantasy: the dreaded travel montage. How do you keep the story moving when your characters are literally just…moving? Jon dives into the dos and don’ts of long journeys, how to use travel to reveal character, and when description on its own is actually
When to Give Up on Your Fantasy Novel and When to Start Over
When to Give Up on Your Fantasy Novel and When to Start Over Aug 4, 2025 1402 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt listener email about knowing when to walk away from a draft and when to double down. If you’ve ever felt stuck between revising an old novel that no longer excites you and chasing that shiny new story idea, then this episode can help you out. Jon reflects on his own publishing history, including a beloved but unfinish
10 Things Fantasy Writers Can Learn From James Gunn's 'Superman'
10 Things Fantasy Writers Can Learn From James Gunn's 'Superman' Jul 15, 2025 1683 Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re looking at what fantasy writers can learn from James Gunn’s Superman. Yes, really. Turns out, this big-hearted, punch-heavy superhero flick has a lot to teach us about crafting godlike characters, writing vulnerability, and making your emotional arcs land harder than a Kryptonian haymaker. In this episode, we break down 10 storytelling les

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