Fantasy Writing for Barbarians – Details, episodes & analysis

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a deceptively simple question from a listener: how do you write an immortal character? If your hero can’t die, what’s left to fear...and how do you keep their story from feeling, well, lifeless?

We’re digging into the listener's character Equia, her mysterious soul-stripping backstory, and the deeper issue behind the question: what does immortality mean to a character, and what does it cost? From gods freezing time to cursed divine gifts, we break down classic (and subversive) examples from Pirates of the Caribbean, Invincible, Interview with the Vampire, Castlevania, and Logan. And we explore why immortality often fails when it becomes a cheat code instead of a challenge. Plus, we unpack how emotional truth gives immortal characters staying power, how to dirty up a too-clean origin story, and what really makes a power feel earned. Whether your hero lives forever or wishes they didn’t, this is the episode to help you build it right.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind.

Check out my new short story "Upon a Dream," which was published this past week in the Briar & Thorn issue of The Fairy Tale Magazine! Available to read online here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a classic worldbuilding dilemma: how do you preserve tension in a fantasy story when healing magic exists? If your adventuring party includes a healer, does that automatically destroy your stakes? Or is there a way to keep danger real when wounds can be patched with a flick of the wrist?

We’re breaking down the big issue behind “overpowered” healing, why it’s not about the magic, it’s about the system, and how to make your healing rules serve the story. From anime like Fullmetal Alchemist and Frieren to books like The Starlight Archive, we’re unpacking examples of healing done right and what can make it go wrong. Plus, we explore how healing can become its own source of conflict, why party tension is your best tool for emotional payoff, and a full menu of mechanics and consequences to make your healer one of the most compelling characters on the map.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Check out my new short story "Upon a Dream," which was published this past week in the Briar & Thorn issue of The Fairy Tale Magazine! Available to read online here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a crucial question for fantasy writers: How long is too long for a chapter?

We start by digging into whether long chapters are a turnoff for readers or if length doesn’t matter as long as the content is engaging. With epic fantasy novels often stretching the boundaries of chapter length, we explore the real issue: scene structure, pacing, and reader experience.

Is 7,000 words too much for one chapter? How do you decide when to break up a chapter? And most importantly, how do you keep readers turning the page without overwhelming them? Let’s break down the craft of chapter structure and how you can make the right choice for your novel.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a classic worldbuilding challenge: How do you create a dominant, world-spanning empire without making every villain feel the same?

Inspired by a prompt about structuring an overarching antagonist group, I break down why your empire needs layers of control, why real-life history—not just fiction—should guide your choices, and how to avoid the dreaded “this feels too much like One Piece” problem. Whether you’re designing a totalitarian world government or a fractured superpower, this episode will help you build a villainous force that’s both intimidating and narratively rich.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re confronting one of the most misleading pieces of writing advice out there: “Just Write.”

You’ve heard it a million times: just sit down, write every day, push through, and success will follow. But is that actually good advice? Or is it one of the biggest traps holding writers back? Drawing from my own experience as a writer and editor, I dig into why “Just Write” can be both helpful and harmful depending on how it’s interpreted.

We’ll discuss why writing isn’t just about churning out words, but about writing with intention. I break down how to approach creativity in a way that prevents burnout, keeps writing joyful, and actually moves your story forward instead of just filling up a document with empty words.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling one of the most crucial questions for fantasy writers: How much research is necessary to write a convincing novel?

Inspired by a discussion prompt about writing a Flintlock-era fantasy, I dig into why research isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Whether you’re recreating the intricate details of 18th-century gunpowder weaponry or exploring the psychology of your characters, we’ll explore how research can elevate your story from flat to fantastic.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re revisiting a controversial topic: prologues. Are they essential world-building tools or unnecessary speed bumps in your story? In this episode, I dive into the nuances of prologues through the lens of a detailed critique, offering a step-by-step breakdown of one writer’s attempt.

We’ll revisit the big questions from our first prologue episode, like why some authors get away with them while others don’t, and dig into fresh insights about tone, stakes, turning points, and pacing. Plus, I’ll share practical tips for making your prologue (or any scene) more engaging, cohesive, and impactful.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re blasting off into the hybrid world of science fantasy (or sci-fantasy, speculative fantasy, etc)! Whether you’re dreaming up starships powered by magic or crafting a galaxy of necromancers and tech wizards, this episode is your ultimate guide to blending the fantastical with the futuristic.

And for the first time, I'm joined by our wonderful producer Bridget Serdock, as we tackle questions like: What defines science fantasy? How do you balance magic and technology without confusing your readers? And most importantly, how can this underdog genre help your stories stand out? Drawing examples from classics like Dune, The Locked Tomb series, and even Mass Effect, we’ll dig into world-building tips, key tropes, and the challenges (and joys!) of creating a cohesive universe where magic and tech collide.

Plus, Bridget shares their insights from building a sci-fantasy D&D campaign, and we swap our favorite storytelling tricks for making this genre work. If you’ve ever thought, “Can I write a space opera with dragons?” the answer is YES.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com 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. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re hitting the road—literally! I dive into an all-too common question: How do you write engaging travel scenes without boring your readers?

Drawing inspiration from fantasy classics like The Wheel of Time and A Song of Ice and Fire, we’ll explore strategies to keep your story moving. I’ll break down how to make travel scenes emotionally impactful, layer in tension and world-building, and avoid the dreaded repetitiveness that might be plaguing your manuscript.

Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're trying something new...video! That's right, you can see me talking for once by checking out this episode on our YouTube channel.

As for the episode itself, I answer a listener's burning question: What makes a story maximally marketable? Drawing from examples like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Hunger Games, and more, I break down the patterns and elements that make iconic stories resonate. We'll explore high stakes, unique magic systems, vivid world-building, and crafting stories that feel fresh yet familiar. Plus, I’ll share some personal insights on balancing creativity with commercial appeal and how to inject emotional depth into your writing.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. 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 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.