The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

In this episode, we take a look at the jobs and occupations we often see in the fantasy genre.From bards to blacksmiths, a lot of these roles take inspiration from those carried out by people in the medieval period.So to enlighten us on the subject, history whizz Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast joins me for an in-depth chat on the subject.Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesRESOURCESThe Life Of A Medival Lord - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lordThe Pesky Peasantry Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/lives-of-medieval-peasantsJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSAidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In part three of our series on creating lifelike characters, we welcome political psychologist, Abby, back to the Toolshed for a discussion on moral psychology.We discuss human morality, specifically looking at what makes people tick, how people justify their actions, and how we decide what’s right and what’s wrong. If you're looking for writing advice on creating villains of all types—from the morally grey to the downright evil—as well as heroes driven by moral motivations, then this episode is for you.Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesRESOURCESA guide to character development - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-developmentHow to carry out character plotting - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-plottingWhat is characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterizationFantasy name generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generatorJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSAbby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby / Latest ep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_O1reY3qcSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In this episode, we discuss the incredible influence that Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) has had on the fantasy genre. From inspiring people to write their own stories to influencing and developing fantasy tropes, DnD's contribution cannot be denied. And Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows podcast are here to explain it all. Has Dungeons and Dragons inspired your own writing? If so, write in and tell us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com.HOW TO EDIT A NOVEL WORKSHOPSign up for free here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-edit-a-novel-a-free-creative-writing-workshop-tickets-317623208567To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESHow To Avoid Fantasy Tropes and Cliches - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-avoid-fantasy-tropes-clichesOverused Cliches In Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/poll-overused-character-tropes-in-fantasyJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

You can find all manner of weapons in the fantasy genre. From giant swords to magical axes, writers have conjured all manner of deadly devices over the years. In this episode, we take a look at the inspiration for fantasy weapons, exploring their medieval roots. We discuss the practicalities of using weapons--how heavy are swords and how to pierce plate armour--to the reasons why they were designed. You'll be sure to find lots of inspiration for your own writing along the way.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesRESOURCESFantasy Weapons Guide - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponryFantasy Armor Guide - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armorCheck out our fantasy name generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSAidan Mattis of The Lore Lodge Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

We're continuing our series on creating lifelike characters with a look at sociology. I welcome sociologist and fantasy lover Dr Enn Burke to the Toolshed to teach us how sociological factors can help shape our characters.You can also find the latest calls for submissions, an update on my lists of fantasy publishers, and our community announcements.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESDownload the list of fantasy novel publishers - https://bit.ly/list-of-publishersView the list of fantasy novel publishers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-publishersCheck out my list of fantasy short story magazines - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-magazinesWhat Is Characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterizationJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSEnn Burke of Ripped From The Headlines - rippedheadlinespod.comSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In this edition, I'm joined by our oracle of medieval history, Aidan Mattis, for a chat about the food and cuisines of the Middle Ages—something I think is definitely skipped by writers.Folklorists Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson also join me for an in-depth chat about fairytales—what are they, what can we learn from them, and how to write your own.You can also find a bunch of calls for submissions and all of the latest writing news, such as the takeover of Smashwords by Draft2Digital.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESThe Life Of A Medieval Lord - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lordThe Knight Of Chivalry - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/knight-of-chivalryHow To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-mapThe Different Subgenres Of Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-many-sub-genres-of-fantasyJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In this episode, we dive into the process of creating lifelike characters by examining psychology—what makes people who they are? What drives them and why? Political psychologist and YouTuber Abby explains all in our illuminating discussion that's bound to inspire some ideas for your fantasy characters.I also sharea very simple yet very effective method of creating suspense. And there are some interesting calls for submissions, as well as a mixed bag of news, but things I think you need to know about.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedIf you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESTools Writes Can Use To Build Suspense - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/tools-writers-can-use-to-build-suspenseA Guide To Writing Prose - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-prose-writingFantasy Names Generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/humanForeshadowing In A Story - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-foreshadowing-in-a-story-definition-examplesJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSAbby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbbySounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In our first episode of the new year, I explore evolution and worldbuilding in the fantasy genre with author and YouTuber, Rachel Emma Shaw. We look at how playing around with this particular element can lead to original and exciting ideas.Lucy Atkinson and Janina Arndt from The Fey Fellowes Podcast also join me for a chat about Greek Mythology and how writers can find inspiration in exploring it.And I share the results of my little short story experiment which you can try too.As always, you can listen on every major streaming platform. And if you listen on Spotify, I'd be ever so grateful if you could kindly give the show a rating. It's a new feature and your honest opinion would mean a lot.Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESHow To Build A Fantasy World - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guideWOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/A Guide To StoryOrigin - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/5-reasons-why-every-writer-should-use-storyoriginJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422eRachel Emma Shaw - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

In this episode, we're donning our helmets and hefting our axes and shields before diving headfirst into battle with a look at medieval warfare. We'll tell you everything you need to know about making your fantasy battles as realistic and gritty as possible, as well as giving you a few neat ideas to use. We're also looking at folklore, one of the main inspirations for the fantasy genre. We share our favourite folkloric tales and discuss how you can use these as inspiration for your own fantasy stories and worldbuilding. And we've also got the latest calls for submissions, community announcements, and some very interesting news on creating book covers using artificial intelligence. Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedLearn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcastRESOURCESA Guide To Writing Fight and Battle Scenes - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/how-to-write-fight-scenesFantasy Writing Classes - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesWOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshedOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422eAidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxLearn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/