In this episode, we're picking up on fantasy weapons and armour and exploring how writers can employ them in fight and battle scenes. We cover some good rules to follow when writing fight scenes, tips on making the most of battle scenes, ways to maintain clarity amid the chaos, and the importance of doing your research. For more tips and advice on writing battle scenes, check out the guides we referred to in the episode below: + How to write fight scenes &gt; <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/how-to-write-fight-scenes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/how-to-write-fight-scenes/</a>+ A guide to sieges for fantasy writers &gt; <a href="https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-siege" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-siege</a> To join our virtual party on Saturday 20th February to celebrate the launch of Call of the Guardian, head here &gt; <a href="https://fb.me/e/52VuZYect" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://fb.me/e/52VuZYect</a> *Audio Attribution Notes*All audio effect used with open attribution license.Sound Effects from Freesound.org:“Ambient battle noise: swords and shouting”, by Pfranzen, <a href="https://freesound.org/s/192072/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://freesound.org/s/192072/</a>“Unsheathing the sword”, by Ihitokage, <a href="https://freesound.org/s/395364/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://freesound.org/s/395364/</a>“Laugh 1 pun dad joke”, by Jayfrosting, <a href="https://freesound.org/s/333403/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://freesound.org/s/333403/</a>Music from YouTube Audio Library:“Chariots of War”, by Aakash Gandhi“Yonder Hill and Dale”, by Aaron Kenny“Lord Of The Dawn”, by Jesse Gallagher

Episode 12 - How To Write Fight and Battle Scenes

In this episode, Richie is talking all things conflict. What is conflict? Why is it important? How do you create it? And he discusses its close relationship with characterisation. To hammer home everything covered, we're finishing up with a writing exercise. And we're turning it into a competition. Submit your conflict-filled short stories to us and the winner will be published on the Of Metal and Magic Publishing website, plus they'll receive a bunch of free books! Closing date is Saturday 26th February, and submissions should be emailed to ofmetalandmagicpublishing@gmail.com. We'll announce the winner next month. Links mentioned in the episode: GiveawaysOMAM's LOTR giveaway - <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/announcing-our-first-giveaway/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/announcing-our-first-giveaway/</a>Richie Billing's sword &amp; sorcery giveaway - <a href="https://richiebilling.com/free-book-competitions-contests-and-giveaways/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/free-book-competitions-contests-and-giveaways/</a> LinksRichie's guide on conflict - <a href="https://richiebilling.com/2018/09/03/plotting-the-crucible/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/2018/09/03/plotting-the-crucible/</a> Background music and sound effects by BBilling

Episode 11.5 - How To Create Conflict

In our first episode of 2021, we're diving into fantasy armor and fantasy weapons. We examine why the medieval period is so popular in the fantasy genre. And we look at what that means for writers when it comes to including the likes of swords, bows and plated armor in stories. We explore medieval history, looking at the development of weapons and armor, discussing insights into their crafting, use and practical applications throughout time. And we discuss a few weapons that you may not have heard of before. As always, get in touch with your comments, queries and curses by clicking here (<a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/get-in-touch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/get-in-touch/</a>). To enter our current competitions, just enter your details here (<a href="https://mailchi.mp/555959f846a1/join-the-community" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mailchi.mp/555959f846a1/join-the-community</a>) And to check out Richie's guides mentioned in the episode, just click below: A Fantasy Writer's Guide to Armor (<a href="https://richiebilling.com/2017/09/19/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/2017/09/19/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor/</a>)Fantasy and Archery - A Guide (<a href="https://richiebilling.com/archery-and-fantasy-a-complete-guide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/archery-and-fantasy-a-complete-guide/</a>)A Fantasy Writer's Guide to Medieval Weapons (<a href="https://richiebilling.com/2020/09/16/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/2020/09/16/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponry/</a>)

Episode 11 - Fantasy Armor and Weapons

In our first-ever Christmas special, we welcome two guests to the Writers' Toolshed - EA Robins and Douglas WT Smith, two fantastic writers who make up the rest of the Of Metal and Magic Publishing Team. We reflect on what's been a challenging year for a lot of us, as well as our writing journeys up to this point. And we take a look at what 2021 holds, including the release of JM William's novel, Call Of The Guardian, and Richie Billing's debut epic fantasy, Pariah's Lament. We also discuss opportunities that OMAM Publishing will have for writers like you! As always, if you have any questions, queries or curses, please head over to <a href="ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/podcast</a>. And to get some free fantasy books to keep you entertained during the cold winter months, just head here &gt; <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/free-reads/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/free-reads/</a>

Episode 10.5 - Christmas Special 

In this episode, we're wading into the deep and murky waters of author and book marketing. We tackle every writer's least favourite job—marketing. And in this particular episode, we're dealing with setting yourself up for success—building a website and the debate around doing so, putting content on your website, SEO and blogging, creating and growing a mailing list, and making money from your writing, so you can spend more time doing the thing you love! We'll return to marketing in later episodes, so if you have any questions at all, <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/get-in-touch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">please get in touch by clicking here.</a> Links mentioned in the episode:Of Metal and Magic Publishing - don't forget to join our reading group to get a free book, Ancient Heritage! &gt; <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/</a> Richie's Privacy Policy &gt; <a href="https://richiebilling.com/privacy-policy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://richiebilling.com/privacy-policy/</a>

Episode 10 - Author and Book Marketing - Part 1

In this instalment, we're departing from our fantasy focus and getting down and dirty with dialogue—one of the key components of any great story. We tackle the do's and don't's of dialogue, ways you can write effective dialogue, saidisms, and answer the most common formatting questions, such as should you use speech marks or not. As always, we want to hear from you! <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drop us an email by clicking here. </a>

Episode 9.5 - Writing Good Dialogue

In our ninth episode, we're taking a look at TIME magazine's recently published list of the top 100 fantasy books of all time. <a href="https://time.com/collection/100-best-fantasy-books" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to see the list.</a> We take a look at the books on the list, discuss our favourite books, some of our least favourite, the influence some books have had on the genre, and the direction that fantasy is moving toward in the years to come. As always, we'd love to hear from you. What are your favourite fantasy books? Do you agree with the list, or perhaps you disagree? <a href="https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Write to us and tell us by clicking here.</a>

Episode 9 - The Best Fantasy Books Of All Time

In this episode, JM speaks to the team behind Transmundane Press about the magic of anthologies

Anthology: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music. In this not-so-mini episode, JM interviews the editors of Transmundane Press, who have made a name for themselves by publishing sci-fi and fantasy anthologies. Their current project is ON TIME, which JM was fortunate enough to get a story in. Here we discuss the appeal of the anthology, the benefit of writing and reading short stories, and the editors provide their tips for submitting your work to anthology calls. You can find Transmundane here: <a href="https://transmundanepressblog.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.transmundanepress.com/</a> And you can read one of JM's flash fiction pieces on the Transmundane blog, here: <a href="https://transmundanepressblog.wordpress.com/2020/08/15/the-sun-flight-by-jm-williams/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://transmundanepressblog.wordpre...</a>

Episode 8.5 - Talking Anthologies with Transmundane Press

An in-depth discussion on fantasy magic systems, religion in fantasy and the best ways of revealing details

Magic systems play an important role in fantasy. Many people associate wizards, witches, magical weapons, creatures and worlds with the genre. In this episode, we look at what magic systems are and how you can build them and utilise them in your own stories. We look at ways to introduce the background detail for your magic system, the extent to which it's necessary to do so, and also explore magic's relationship with religion, the latter also playing a major role in many fantasy systems. We look at a range of examples of different magic systems found in fantasy too, and debate whether your story needs one at all. What are your thoughts on magic systems? Drop us an email or a comment. And if you enjoyed this episode, why not follow and subscribe for more?

Episode 8 - Magic Systems in Fantasy

Dedicated to all things writing, fantasy fiction and helping you build your writing career!

The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed&nbsp;is dedicated to all things writing, fantasy fiction, and building your author platform, all with the aim of helping you become a better writer. Expect general writing tips, techniques, guides, methods, ideas and plenty of fantasy-specific writing tips and techniques, such as on world-building, fantasy tropes and naming characters. Hosted by Richie Billing (<a href="https://richiebilling.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-font-serif">https://richiebilling.com</a>) and JM Williams (<a href="https://jmwilliams.home.blog/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-font-serif">https://jmwilliams.home.blog</a>). Write to us at any time with questions or queries: <a href="mailto:thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-font-serif">thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com</a>.

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