You’ve finally got that story published, and readers love it. But now they have questions. So many questions. Should you answer them? How should you do it? What about interacting with fans through social media? If you’re a fan, what should you expect from creators … read more »
The definition of a hero changes over time. What kind of heroes did you like when you were a kid? What kind of heroes do you like now? How are they different? That’s what we’re talking about this week. We reveal the darkest secrets of … read more »
A good reveal can be the high point of a story, but a bad reveal can ruin everything. The reveal is a delicate art, and that’s what we’re talking about today. We each discuss some of our favorite and least favorite reveals, in the hopes … read more »
A few weeks ago we talked about how space opera has held up in the face of advancing technology and a changing culture. This week we’re giving cyberpunk the same treatment. Because cyberpunk is almost always near future, it’s particularly vulnerable to the passage of … read more »
Golden rings with writing that appears in the flame, bags that are bigger on the inside, and glowy screwdrivers that supposedly work on sound waves. This week, we’re talking about magic items. Specifically, magic items that aren’t weapons or armor. Mostly. We discuss what role … read more »
In the ancient days of 2013, Chris coined the terms “candy” and “spinach” to describe the way characters need to be cool but also have problems. This week, in the far future of 2018, we take another look. How much candy should a character have? … read more »
Where does Evocation end and Abjuration begin? Should a fireball require Prime magic? What even are Charms? This week we’re talking about how different settings classify magic, from novels to RPGs to video games. We discuss the purpose behind dividing magic … Read more »
Space opera has always had a tenuous relationship with science, from sound in space to the main deflector dish. But as scientific awareness spreads among writers and readers alike, these problems are getting worse. Join us for a discussion of the issues that face space … read more »
This podcast goes great with breakfast, or even second breakfast, because we’re talking about fantasy races. We cover everything from Tolkien to more Tolkien to even a few things that aren’t Tolkien. But first, why are they called “races” and not “species”? Second, how do … read more »
The Force is an energy field created by all living things, except it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with living things. Is it just a collection of Jedi superpowers, or does it mean something more? What is the ‘Dark Side,’ and can there … read more »
