Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

• How to Know When Horror Counts as Fantasy

  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 and explore what makes horror feel fantastical even without dragons or spells. Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord (https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2) and let us know what's on your mind. Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera Magazine. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here. Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• How to Avoid Chapters Where Characters Just Talk

  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 out the r/fantasywriters prompt we referenced right here. Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera Magazine. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here. Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• How to Reveal Backstories without Boring Flashbacks

  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, and how to make sure the past is always interfering with the present. Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera Magazine. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here. Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• How to Write Travel Montages

  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 a bad thing. Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here. Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• When to Give Up on Your Fantasy Novel and When to Start Over

  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 unfinished trilogy and his long journey rewriting The Pixar Theory. We unpack the guilt that comes with “giving up,” the difference between quitting and redirecting, and how to tell if your reluctance is just new-idea fever…or a sign you’ve outgrown the story. Producer Bridget chimes in with sciencey brain stuff and Drawfee quotes, and we explore how outlining, reframing, and cannibalizing your own work (in a good way!) can help you stay excited about writing. Have a question or topic you want me to get into for the show? Email us at [email protected] or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. You can read some of his original short fiction for free over on Cetera. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here. Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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